A few days ago I wrote about how much I enjoy writing lists. I’ve been pondering the other side of that coin. That is the ability to hold many thoughts, options, perspectives, and possible outcomes at the same time.
As a dancer I have an artistic practice that is rooted in embodiment. Embodiment is defined as a tangible or visible form of an idea, quality, or feeling. In this case, the tangible or visible form is my own body. The practice of embodying an idea, quality, or feeling stands outside of linear time.
Bodies exist. They are. We are. Ever changing, and constant in their being. Whether our awareness of our physical existence is acute or not is another thing entirely. The truth of the matter is that our bodies are an expression of all of our ideas, feelings, and qualities, all at the same time. They’re all in there.
Mikhail Baryshnikov has been quoted as saying, “When a body moves, it’s the most revealing thing. Dance for me a minute, and I’ll tell you who you are.” The practice of dance is to translate all our own ideas, feelings, or qualities into movements that evoke the same in someone else. Dancers practice this. We keep all our stuff within close proximity. We’re acutely aware of our stuff. That gives us easy access to them whenever we move – especially when we improvise.
In this way, embodiment might be a way to move through times of immense change. Especially those in which nothing happens in the “correct” order. We can hold our things close. Use all of them. Bring them through our movement. Move with all our stuff. See what’s useful along the way.
Just a thought.