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The Name “Dances of Universal Peace”

The Dances have been called by different names through their history; at this point they are formally identified as the Dances of Universal Peace. Other names used by Murshid SAM are Dervish Dances, Mantric Dances, Sufi Dances, Christian Dances, Angelic Dances, Mystery Dances, Spiritual Dances. He referred to the entire body of this work as the Dances of Universal Peace … “I am teaching ‘Dances of Universal Peace’.” (Samuel L. Lewis, 1)

Respect for the Dances

Mentored leaders agree to respect the integrity of the Dances and Walks created by Murshid SAM and those following this line of transmission. Dance leaders are asked to first learn Dances the way they were originated and have been transmitted by their originators, and to honor the request of originators who have specifically asked that their Dances not be changed. These requests are made in order to feel clearly the transmission of the sacred phrases as they have been brought through, even though occasionally it may be necessary to modify a Dance to suit special circumstances and populations (e.g. working with children, the elderly or those challenged in some way).

Permission to represent more advanced Dances and cycles in public may be obtained directly from their originators, or from one’s mentor if they have permission from the originator.

Being a dance leader does not give permission to lead Zikr. Zikr is a Sufi lineage practice. Permission to lead this form of sound and movement meditation is given to one by one's Sufi guide; it is not taken on one’s own initiative.   (Note, however, that Dance Leaders may include Zikr Dances as part of a Dance program or event.)

Use of the On-line Dance Resource Library

Leaders Guild members agree to download Dance Resource Library materials only for their own use.

Leaders Guild Fees

To be an active member in good standing of the Leaders Guild requires remaining current with one’s annual Leaders Guild fees. (Note: For convenience, the payment of one’s Dance Region dues in most cases includes the applicable Leaders Guild fee, which is then remitted by the Region to DUP International on the member’s behalf. Otherwise, the Leaders Guild fee can be paid directly to DUP International through the website of that organization. See Joining Your DUP Region for further information.)

In cases of financial hardship, Leaders Guild fees are partially or fully remitted from a fund established for that purpose through donations.

Logo Policy

The circle of hearts logo may be used by all members of the Leaders Guild, as well as for official business of the organization. Please review the Logo Policy before using the logo.

Ethics Policy

Ethics Guidelines

1. We recognize that we are all affected by the less healthy parts of our individual selves and our culture around issues of power, sex and money. Out of respect for the Dances of Universal Peace, for ourselves, and for those who dance with us, we regard ourselves as responsible to act in the most ethical manner possible at all times. We are all in this together and no one is exempt from these influences of our society. We also recognize that mistakes and accidents happen. In this regard, we will continue our own process of healing and surrendering to the Only Being. We will uphold basic ethical guidelines common to the precepts of the sacred paths and religions.
2. We will do our best to be sensitive to the dynamics of interpersonal relationships, particularly when an imbalance of power may exist or be perceived to exist. We agree not to use our roles as leaders or mentors to manipulate or indulge in favors that otherwise would not be given freely. As Dance leaders we agree to hold with integrity the whole circle’s safety, realizing that our personal connections with members of the circle are in service to the circle as a whole.
3. The Dances are a spiritual practice that can awaken many qualities within us, including romantic and sexual feelings. As leaders and teachers we understand that even though these feelings may arise, we will not act on them. We agree not to pursue a sexual or romantic relationship with participants in the circle during a Dance event or retreat. We will not act in any way that could take advantage of any participant’s vulnerability.
4. Mentors agree to refrain from sexual activity with their own mentees. It is requested that the mentoring relationship be mutually acknowledged as ended, and that the mentee find a new mentor before a mentor and mentee decide to explore a romantic or sexual relationship.
5. We will be honest and straightforward in our dealings with money and do our best to be explicit about fees we charge or contributions that we expect as reasonable compensation for time, expenses and travel in relation to dance leading and mentoring.
6. We will be honest in our communications with each other and with participants, and do our best to practice respectful, clear, and direct communication.
7. We will not use intoxicants or be affected by them during the leading of any Dance event.
8. When ethical issues arise, we will do our best to bring them to resolution, including among other things by self-inquiry, attentive listening, skillful speech, seeking and receiving guidance and support, and practicing effacement. We agree to consult with our mentor for guidance and objectivity whenever concerns of an ethical nature arise, whether we are the person with the concerns or the person whose behavior is the object of the concerns.
9. We agree to handle difficulties of an ethical nature in accordance with the Ethics Policy.

Ethics Co-Chairs or Chair

The Guidance Council (GC) and the Spiritual Guide will select from the body of mentors two Ethics Co-Chairs – or if only one is available, an Ethics Chair – (EC) designated to receive reports of abusive incidents and violations of ethical guidelines. The GC in consultation with the Spiritual Guide will annually confirm the EC appointments.

Ethics Complaint Process

1. In the interests of acknowledging and supporting the capacity of the local communities, we encourage anyone with concerns about the ethical behavior of a member of the Leaders Guild to address these concerns directly with the person involved and try to resolve the issue informally, with assistance of local resources. Should those efforts fall short of resolution to the satisfaction of all concerned, we encourage the concerned person to discuss this further with their mentor and consider a preliminary discussion of the issues involved with the EC, prior to determining whether to file a formal ethics violation complaint.

2. If a decision is made to make a formal ethics violation complaint, it is to be filed with the EC, who will inform the MTG GC and the respective mentors.

3. The EC will ask the concerned person if they have tried to address and resolve the issue directly with the person(s) involved, and if they have sought support from their own mentor. If they have not, the EC will encourage them to do so. If requested, the EC will offer consultation and suggestions for referral for conflict resolution or mediation.

4. If the above steps do not resolve the issue, the GC Chair and the EC will consider forming an Ethics Committee.

5. The Ethics Committee will be comprised of the mentor and the spiritual guide/ teacher/ initiator (if they have one) of the person in question, the EC, the GC Chair, and another Mentors Guild member selected by the GC Chair. The Ethics Committee will address each situation with the hope of arriving at a creative solution that will be beneficial to all involved.

6. If anyone is dissatisfied at any point in the above process, they may request proceeding to the next step.

7. Neither the GC nor the Ethics Committee is a legal or quasi-legal body. We work on the basis of trust, collaboration, consent and mutual respect. If the EC or the Ethics Committee perceives that legal issues may be involved, the parties will be referred to the appropriate authorities.

8. All persons acting in any ethics complaint process will maintain the strictest confidentiality of all reports of alleged violation of ethical guidelines, with the understanding that the above-named persons (Mentors, EC, GC Chair, Spiritual Guide, et al.) will be involved and will also hold this information in confidence.

Guider des cercles et des événements

 Une partie du rôle d'un guide de danse consiste à diriger et à protéger les participants dans leurs cercles de danse et leurs événements de danse. Guider un cercle peut parfois être difficile. L'un des objectifs des danses, selon le Murshid SAM, est d'accroître la joie. Tous les comportements, commentaires ou attitudes dans un cercle ou un événement qui diminuent la sécurité et la joie du cercle et des individus dans le cercle sont antinomiques. 

Les guides de danse sont responsables du cercle. Cela ne signifie pas qu'il faut marcher en patrouille, mais qu'il faut être à l'écoute de chaque participant et du cercle dans son ensemble. Pour que nous puissions élargir notre conscience et nous libérer deslimites de la personnalité et du conditionnement social, nous voulons être en sécurité et libres! Si le comportement de quelqu'un empiète sur ce sentiment de liberté et de sécurité, il faut y remédier.  

Chaque individu, guide, cercle et situation est unique. Le guide doit simplement veiller à être attentif, à guetter les signaux d'alarme et à prendre les mesures nécessaires si besoin est.  L'action peut consister à définir des lignes directrices, à faire des commentaires et parfois à intervenir. 

La manière dont les guides de danse maintiennent ce filet de sécurité leur appartient, et chaque guide de danse (ou équipe de guides) gérera les situations délicates ou difficiles à sa manière, mais voici quelques suggestions:

1.     Les guides de danse peuvent faire savoir aux participants qu'ils doivent être sensibles aux limites des autres, tout en étant responsables de l'établissement et du maintien de leurs propres limites.  

2.     Les guides de danse peuvent parfois ressentir le besoin de faire savoir aux participants quel est exactement le comportement attendu et accepté dans les domaines de l'inconduite sexuelle, de la consommation de drogues et d'alcool, de la provocation, de l'agression verbale et de la dynamique du pouvoir.    

3. Pendant les événements de DPU, les guides peuvent vouloir désigner et faire connaître aux participants une personne ou une équipe qui est disponible pour ceux qui ont besoin d'un soutien physique, émotionnel ou spirituel. Parfois, la quantité d'énergie générée dans une danse réveille des énergies qui ne sont pas toujours faciles à intégrer. De même, il arrive que quelqu'un se sente mis au défi par quelque chose qui s'est produit au cours de l'événement.  Ces personnes doivent savoir qu'il y a quelqu'un à qui elles peuvent parler.

Note: Dance leaders may choose to make this Ethics Policy available at regular public meetings and other ongoing classes in the Dances of Universal Peace and Walking Concentrations.