Estarse Amando al Amado
These words form the fourth and concluding line of “Suma de la Perfeccion” (The Wholeness
of Perfection), a poem by the 16th century Spanish Christian mystic St. John of the Cross.
They call us to recognize and love God both outwardly and inwardly, within our neighbors
and within ourselves, being ready to accept being loved unconditionally. Because the words
are 16th century Spanish, they may sound archaic to present day Spanish speakers. The
Dance’s originator feels that these words may be considered a Spanish Christian formulation
of the Arabic Sufi saying ‘Ishq Allah Mahbood Lillah,’ ‘God is Love, Lover and Beloved.’
Suma de la Perfeccion
The Wholeness of Perfection
Olvido de lo criado,
Memoria del Criador,
Atencion alo interior
y estarse amando al Amado.
Forgetfulness of creation,
Remembrance of the creator
Attention to that within,
And to always be loving the beloved.
©copyright 2004 PeaceWorks International, Foundation Dances & Walks Manual. Do not copy.
Estarse Amando al Amado
1. Estarse amando al amado, amando al amado
Repeat.
2. Amando
3. Amado
4. Amando
5. Amado
Establish partners and line of progression.
1. Facing partner, place right palms together and left hand on own heart. This gesture was
envisioned as a medieval gesture of greeting. Turn together clockwise for the entire
phrase, ending on opposite side of partner in an advanced position.
2. Cup hands at heart. Step toward center (four steps starting on right), raising cupped
hands up and forward. This is the ‘giving’ aspect of the attunement.
3. Hands open upward and out to sides; wrists cross with neighbors’ in circle, reminiscent
of the crescent (receptive) moon.
4. Step back, hands moving inward until one hand rests on top of the other over heart. This
is the receiving aspect - gathering the love into the heart.
5. Hands palm to palm in prayer position at heart, bow to center, thanking for what has
been received and honoring the giver and the circle.
End Dance by taking hands in circle, moving to right on 1. Keeping this position, come close
together on final repetition of 2-5.
Words: St. John of the Cross
Music and movements: Johannes Barney
Resources: The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross. Kieran Kavanaugh and Otilio Rodriquez.
©copyright 2004 PeaceWorks International, Foundation Dances & Walks Manual. Do not copy.
0
