The Dances of Universal Peace are simple, meditative, joyous, multi-cultural circle dances that use sacred phrases, chants, music and movements from the many traditions of the earth to touch the spiritual essence within ourselves and others.		Based on the work begun in the late 1960's by Samuel L. Lewis, (Sufi Ahmed Murad Chishti, 1896 - 1971) they promote peace and integration within individuals and groups worldwide. In addition to his Sufi transmission, Murshid S.A.M. was acknowledged as Zen Master in the Rinzai tradition. He also studied Jewish and Christian mysticism, Hindu mysticism under Swami Papa Ramdas and Mataji Krishnabai as well as many other sacred world traditions.
	The Dances reflect this universal heritage as well as Murshid Samuel Lewis' commitment to "Peace through the Arts." Samuel Lewis drew constant inspiration from his spiritual teachers, who, with him, have become revered with fondness as the ancestors of the Dances.
Foremost among these were Pir-O-Murshid Hazrat Inayat Khan, (1882 - 1927), the Master who brought Sufism to the Western world in 1910.		And Ruth St Denis, (1880 - 1968) the American dance pioneer and innovator who devoted her work to the embodiment in dance of sacred figures and themes from many world spiritual traditions.