Dancing In The Footsteps Of Zorba The Greek!

As a Greek-American, March 25th marks a very important day for me: "Greek Independence Day." On this day in 1821, the Greeks decided to take up arms and fight for their freedom after nearly 400 years of slavery under Ottoman rule. Let's all pause to honor this landmark milestone in the legacy of Greek heritage, culture, and tradition, which has done so much to shape and steer the course of humanity throughout the centuries/millenia, and upon which our own notion of democracy relies.

In a couple of weeks, I'll be returning to Crete, the largest of the Greek islands. For those interested in world history, Crete, among other things, was the center of the Minoan civilization (2600-1400 BC), the oldest civilization in Europe. Although I have been to Crete many times before, I believe that this time will prove to be one of the most meaningful for me since I'll be in Greece during the Greek Orthodox Easter Holiday and will have the opportunity to share the experience with many of my Cretan relatives.

Alright, just in case you haven't read my book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts, or haven't figured out the ethnic origin of my last name, "Pattakos," let me help you. It's Greek. And importantly, it's Cretan! Proudly, I can also say that the Pattakos clan, whose roots are deeply embedded in the "soul" of Crete, has been actively engaged in the political arena throughout Crete's history, long before it became an official part of Greece. In fact, my great-great-grandfather, Apostolos Konstantinos Pattakos, was a member of the First National Assembly of Crete (the equivalent of the U.S. Congress or a national Parliament) and was a leader in the "Great Cretan Revolution" against the Ottoman Empire.

Indeed, my Cretan ancestors were true revolutionaries in mind, body, and spirit. Their passion for freedom, in effect, can be traced to their DNA. Importantly, in this regard, the Pattakos clan originated from the Sfakia region of Crete, a mountainous area in the southwestern part of the island that is one of the few places in Greece to never have been fully occupied by foreign powers. Hence, to them, "freedom or death," a notion that was eloquently described in a book, Freedom or Death, by the world-famous writer, novelist, and poet, Nikos Kazantzakis (himself a Cretan), was a way to realize in no uncertain terms their will to meaning. The prolific Kazantzakis, I should add, is best known for two novels that eventually became award-winning movies: The Last Temptation of Christ and Zorba the Greek.

How many of you have seen the movie, "Zorba the Greek?" The title role of "Alexis Zorbas" was played by the late, great American actor, Anthony Quinn, who received a "Best Actor" Academy Award nomination (the movie, by the way, won three Oscars). And if you haven't yet seen the movie (it's available on DVD), I'm sure that you are familiar with the movie's classic song, "Zorba's Dance" ("Horos Tou Zorba"), if not the entire soundtrack! Just thinking about this song makes me feel like dancing a la Zorba--and breaking a few plates!

Watch "Zorba's Dance" with Anthony Quinn on YouTube! Click HERE

Well, folks, during a recent visit to Crete, I did something very special in honor of my Cretan ancestors, in honor of Nikos Kazantsakis, and, of course, in honor of Alexis Zorbas (aka Anthony Quinn). I not only visited, but danced, on the same beach, the same sand, as did Anthony Quinn in the movie, "Zorba the Greek" (yes, that's me in the photo below)!


O.K., right now, your're probably saying, "how silly, is he crazy or what?!" But wait a minute. Remember Zorba, and the purpose and meaning that dance had in his life, especially when he found himself going against the wind and facing formidable challenges? Dance proved not only to be a "release," or way to manage stress, but also to be an "inspirational force" that guided him through the stress so that he could confront--and ideally overcome--the challenges that he was facing in life and work.

This, my friends, is not just part of a storyboard that can be used in a movie scene. On the contrary, the longstanding tradition of Cretan dance is well-known and well-documented as a way of life, an authentic integration of mind, body, and spirit. Indeed, especially during hard times, such as those involving foreign occupation and oppression, the Cretans viewed and used dance as a vehicle for creative expression and inspiration; in other words, as a source of authentic meaning. It was the "dance" that helped my ancestors and their fellow Cretans not become "prisoners of their thoughts," even when they were prisoners of foreign powers. And it was the "dance" that enabled Alexis Zorbas to see through the fog of everyday life and inspire himself and others to achieve their highest potential.

Not long ago I was blessed with the opportunity to practice the "dance" in the very footsteps of Zorba the Greek! In the process, I also connected with my ancestors, with my family roots, like never before. How can that not be meaningful?!

Now, what about you?

What kind of "dance" are you practicing in your life? In your work? How might (does) the "dance" help you discover the "seeds of meaning" that represent your life? Moreover, how have you been able to connect with your ancestors? Do you believe that such a connection can be a source of meaning for you?

If you are willing to share any experiences or thoughts about this topic, please do so. I'd love to hear from you, so that we can practice the "dance" together!

***

You can find out more about Dr. Alex Pattakos, author of the international bestselling book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts, in his HuffPost Bio and at http://www.prisonersofourthoughts.com. See also his "Dr. Meaning" Channel on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/DrMeaning and follow him on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DrMeaning . You can contact Alex at: [e-mail].

Comments

[hollace]

Thanks Alex, I Have had a tough time this year, and sittiing in a doctors office as he made out script I didn,t want and didn,t ask for, i thought of Zorba. Loved your piece and help to understand what that feeling was. We all want Life

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks for sharing. I pray that your doctor's visit proves to be beneficial for you. I'm pleased to hear that my piece on Zorba was meaningful to you. Let's not forget to dance! Blessings, Alex

[KellyJadon]

Alex,

Great Blog! Dance does reconnect us with our ancestors, especially those of us who are from a distinct heritage, like yourself. As the world shrinks, it's really important to keep up these cultural "habits."

Yammas!

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you, Kelly! I agree with you and hope that in our rush to get to the future, we don't neglect the importance, goodness, and meaning of our past. Ancestral heritage, of which we all are a part and have a vested interest, is critically important as you point out. And "yammas" ("to our health") to everyone!

P.S. And let me introduce Kelly's powerful and meaningful site, www.basilandspice.com, and encourage everyone to visit it!

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

alex- I have been a dancer since I was 5 years old and danced through life. As a teenager I danced on T.V. and won the NYC dance championships then went pro and became a Latin dance teacher in Miami Beach.

Thank you for this post. To really dance is to connect with my inner self as it is so freeing!

Lets dance,

Ed

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Ed, I always knew that you were good on your feet! :) Your message is right on too! Indeed, let's dance!

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Alex- I will take you up on that- the next chance - dance- brother - Ed

[Arthur Rosenfeld - Huffpost Blogger]

Alex!
I think this might be my favorite post so far. It's so, it's so, it's so....Alex!
What a wonderful, happy, inspirational piece. I'm a godawful dancer but I make up for it with tai chi, which I do believe serves this purpose for me. Love the shot of you on the beach, shuffling your feet!!
Safe travels, and keep up the great work.
Arthur

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you, Brother Arthur! Besides being an expert at tai chi, I suspect that you are a much better dancer than you think! Keep the chi flowing!

[Patricia Davis]

Bravo, Aleko for this article. It's a happy one! Kronia Polla kai zhto Ellas!

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

Yiassou, Patricia! I'm so pleased to hear that you liked my article and described it as being a "happy one." We need to spread more "happy" around! It's also great to hear from YOU! Thank you!

[Diogenis]

"Did you say.....dance?" XPONIA POLLA ! ZHTW ELLAS! Wonderful article Aleko. I only wish HuffPo would have had a feature article on Greek Independence Day! Arriana?

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

I agree that HuffPo missed a wonderful opportunity. Politics aside, we even have some influential Greek-Americans comparing President Obama to Alexander the Greek and I heard that he is going to change his last name to "OBAMAKIS!" Thank you!

[Diogenis]

Barakas Obamakis..ehh?

[Bunny Themelis]

As a fellow greek-american, I am often saddened by some of my friend's resistance to dancing. I feel lucky to be part of a culture that know dance is as vital a human activity as any. Great piece!

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you, Bunny! I agree with your assessment. If one truly believes that there is a "mind/body/spirit" connection, how could we not want to "dance" in some way? For one, it is good for your health!

[Gary Unitas]

A nice piece Alex, you can tell it comes from the heart. Being of Greek heritage myself, my family recently spent a holdiay in Mykonos and Santorini, what a tremendous time and your point about connecting with the ancestors is so right.
As Chuchill once said, "if I could teach my children three languages, it would be English for commerce, French for love and Greek for the love of life"

Thank You, Gary Unitas

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you, Gary. Besides being a "Greek brother," I really appreciate the quote from Churchill. Efhareesto!

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear Alex,

Lovely post thank you! Dance for me is part of the celebration of our innate joy. Getting up to dance lifts my spirits and energizes me.

The seeds of meaning come to me through dance by getting above daily concerns to see the larger picture that defines my purpose, and the expression that gives me greatest fulfilment.

Dance on!

With love,
Anne

[Diogenis]

Anne, learn Greek dancing....the most therapeutic in the world. Opa opa!

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

Did you say, "Dance," as in Greek Dance?! Yes, Opa!