Shanta is a Rasa that occupies a unique place in the Rasa theory of Indian dance theatre. Of all the Rasas, it is the space wherein the contemplative focus of emotional constellation is undilutedly the core of its expression. The beauty of Rasa dance is in embodying Shanta as a dynamic, feeling state—as different from meditative practices where this is an inward focused, still state of being.
Read MoreThe Rasa experience in Indian dance is a unique and specific framing of technique and practice that transforms the practice from dance into dance contemplation.
Read MoreSaraswathi is the gorgeous, enigmatic goddess in the Indian pantheon. The Saraswathi space is the heart of contemplation itself. It sets out the characteristics of the contemplative experience as one that is distinct from the experience of maya-based contexts. And the language of this domain is contemplative arts as it was practised traditionally in India.
Read MoreSwabhava denotes an intrinsic expression that is choiceless in its existence in oneself. By this I mean that one did not choose necessarily to have this seed space in oneself, it is as if it was there and just rose to one’s awareness.
Read MoreThe role of archetypes is to invite us to engage with the complexity of reality without easy definitions and imposed structures. They present to us the ambiguous nature of life which we try to simplify into convention to render it understandable and less fearful to us.
Read MoreAn overview of the dance contemplation approach and its links to contemplative philosophies.
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