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But does spiritual practice have to contain movement? Not always. As in the discipline of
tai chi, there is significant value to balance. Stillness is good. Movement is good.
Together, they can create wholeness. So what does it mean to go from an observer’s
experience of spiritual connection to one of bodily connection, where you are not only
moving your own body but you are moving in rhythm with so many others? One member
of the congregation said, “When I need solitary prayer, I can find it in the quiet moments.
But on Sunday mornings, I am pulled into the dance. I have to recognize that God wants
all of me, body and soul, and we are in this together. I look up at those saints—and I do
have my favorites—and realize that I have to keep moving too. One foot in front of the
other. There are times when I can barely recognize the melody, much less do the dance,
but most often, those dancing saints keep me focused and inspired. I dance because
they dance. I am here because they are here.”
Saint Gregory Nyssa Episcopal Church (www.SaintGregorys.org) is located at the corner
of Mariposa and DeHaro Streets on Potrero Hill. Megory Anderson, a longtime member
of the congregation, is the founder and director of the Sacred Dying Foundation
(www.SacredDying.org) in San Francisco.