Resource Library: Exploring Our Roots and Community
The Dances of Universal Peace are a living stream fed by many ancient and contemporary springs of wisdom. To deepen your understanding of the lineage, philosophy, and the active community in the UK, I invite you to explore the following archives and organisations.
The Foundations: Sufism & Spiritual Dance
- Hazrat Inayat Khan | Sufi Ruhaniat International: Hazrat Inayat KhanThe source of the “Universal Sufi Message” and the spiritual heartbeat of the practice.
- Ruth St. Denis | The Art of Ruth St. Denis: Jacob’s Pillow ArchiveThe pioneer of “Spiritual Dance” who taught Sam to put his realisations into his feet.
The Architect of the Dances
- Murshid Samuel Lewis (Murshid Sam) | Sufi Ruhaniat International: Murshid Sam BioThe official biography, diaries, and essays of the founder of the Dances of Universal Peace.
- Dances of Universal Peace International | About Murshid SamThe global home for the history and spread of the DUP movement.
The Streams of Devotion, Zen, & Community
Joe & Guin Miller | The Miller Archive – Recordings and stories from the “Saints of Golden Gate Park” who helped anchor the Dances in community and joy.
Papa Swami Ramdas & Mother Krishnabai | Anandashram: The Beloved Path – The home of the Ram Nam and the path of selfless love that Sam integrated into the Dances.
Nyogen Senzaki | Sufi Ruhaniat: The Zen Lineage – Insights into the “Great Silence” and the Zen influence on Murshid Sam’s clarity and presence.
The UK Circle: Dance & Community Camps
Should you wish to experience the Dances in person within the UK, these organisations offer retreats, workshops, local circles, and immersive summer camps.
- Dances of Universal Peace UK | The national network for the UK, featuring a directory of local dance circles, training for leaders, and upcoming events.
- Sacred Arts Camp | A community-led, multi-generational camp in the Chiltern Hills focusing on the Dances, singing, and embodied spiritual practices in a drug-and-alcohol-free environment.
- Unicorn Village Camps | Held near Bradford-on-Avon, these camps (including Voice Camp and Dancing Spirit) offer a vibrant space for connection, song, and personal growth.