The Philosophy of Movements

In Search of the Elixir of Personal Transformation: The Philosophy of Movements

Movement and dance are a neglected aspect of philosophy. but here the author explores movement from the perspective of meaning and value. The quest of the book is to discover the nature of movement in relation to the process of personal transformation.

Twentieth century educational pioneers such as F.M. Alexander, Dalcroze, Steiner and Laban succeeded in bringing a new and advanced perspective to the importance of movement and to the movement patterning of the individual.

Some of the further topics covered include discussing ‘Life Force Energy’ and how this relates to the three different aspects of Yoga, from Pranayama, to Hatha Yoga and Meditation.

In the section ‘Lost and Found’ the search delves into reviewing four major influences for self-perfecting, starting with the Hermetica and how its teachings are still relevant today: through Sufism, with an explanation of how to use ordinary life to come to ‘Real’ life: through using Vipassana Buddhist Meditation and finally to the subject of Lost Christianity and to a discovery that certain secrets of the early church were concerned with the development of consciousness.

The chapter on Sacred Dance gives a general coverage of how sacred dance and ritual have been used to express important cultural and spiritual values through the ages. These range from Tibetan Lama Rituals to Shamanic dances of the American Indians: and from the Hindu ‘Lamp’ ceremonies to walking the Labyrinth.

Finally, in the last chapter, there is the revelation that a personal search came to fruition when Gurdjieff’s Movements and Sacred dances were found.

Exploring movement from the perspective of meaning and value is a journey not often discussed but as the author often quotes from personal experience there is a validity which is unusual.

Movements carry subtle influences especially when accompanied by music. Schools both ancient and modern have used music and movement to promote healing through re-establishing harmonic balance (Pythagoras) and having ‘the ability to transmit an unknown, non-verbal language’. (Gurdjieff).