Buddhist Psychology Intersects with Dance Movement Therapy
Article Information
Creative Arts Educ Ther (2022) 8(1):56–67 DOI: 10.15212/CAET/2021/7/17
Buddhist Psychology Intersects with Dance Movement Therapy
Abstract
This article highlights the potential role of the “brahmaviharas,” a Buddhist concept which emphasizes certain spiritual dimensions and have been interlinked with dance movement therapy combined with other expressive arts, in responding effectively to the unpredictable life changes during pandemic situations such as the COVID-19. A multiple therapeutic–expressive–creative movement sequence model and meditation practices were collaboratively developed by movement therapist Tripura Kashyap and expressive arts therapy practitioner Anubha Doshi to address each of the brahmaviharas: loving–kindness (mettā), compassion (karuṇā), sympathetic joy (muditā), and equanimity (upekkhā). This article specifically reveals how the embodiment of concepts from Buddhism through movement can help in concretizing and embedding meditative practices in the mind–body continuum. Finally, the article explores the relevance of practicing the brahmaviharas by utilizing specifically crafted movement rituals, such as body preparatory routines, mindful movement, body scans, embodiment, gratitude rituals, interspersed with visual art and the use of props to focus on enhancing people’s resilience, mental health, and well-being. All these experiences were creatively adapted to the virtual medium during the COVID-19 pandemic period.
Keywords: Dance movement therapy (DMT), COVID-19, Buddhist psychology, brahmaviharas, therapeutic movement rituals, expressive arts
摘要
本文强调了"四梵住(Brahmaviharas)"的潜在作用，“四梵住”是一个强调某些特定精神层面的佛教概念，与舞蹈动作治疗经验和其他表达性艺术相关联，可以有效地应对诸如新冠病毒(COVID-19)大流行情况下不可预测的生活变动。舞蹈动作治疗师Tripura Kashyap和表达性艺术治疗师Anubha Doshi合作开发了多种治疗性-表达性-创造性的动作序列模式与冥想练习，以回应四梵住：慈-(mettā)、悲(karuṇā)、喜(muditā)和舍(upekkhā)四种心境。本文特别揭示了通过动作具身化佛教的概念可以如何促进人类身心连续体的冥想实践具体化，并深入体验。最后，文章探讨了运用特定的动作仪式实践四梵住的重要性，如一套身体预备动作、正念动作、身体扫描、具身化、感恩仪式，并且穿插视觉艺术，运用道具来专注于提升人们的复原力、心理健康和幸福感。在新冠病毒(COVID-19)大流行期间，我们创造性地调整了所有这些体验，以适用于虚拟媒介。
关键词： 舞蹈动作治疗 (DMT), 新冠病毒 (COVID-19), 佛教心理学, 四梵住(Brahmaviharas), 治疗性动作仪式, 表达性艺术
