Ancient Dances
As a religious, philosophical, and ritual expression, dance has an important role in the practice of Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, and other Asian belief systems. Long unbroken transmissions of movement forms are reflected in religious artistic depictions, where performative iconography is mystical code as well as movement illustration.
In his column Ancient Dances, Joseph Houseal looks at the aspects of dance and spirituality to enhance practice and appreciation among readers, and to raise cultural awareness in our changing world. He uses dance as a lens to explore states of consciousness and symbolic representations.
Ancient Dances is published monthly.
Power and Beauty: Robert Wilson Takes On the Last Dynasty
When avant-garde theater and Chinese art collide
Dancing, Healing, and Spiritual Realization, Part Five: Epilogue
Spiritual healing, transmissions, and…
Pawo Dorji, Mountain Oracle of King Gesar – Dancing, Healing, and Spiritual Realization, Part Four
Shamanic healers and tantric rituals
Empowered Mantra – Dancing, Healing, and Spiritual Realization, Part Three
Healing mantras and tantric connections
Ritual Readying – Dancing, Healing, and Spiritual Realization, Part Two
Wisdom of the Ayurveda
Everyone with a Cow Owes Me a Favor – Dancing, Healing, and Spiritual Realization, Part One
Encounter with a tantric master
World Peace! Thumbs Up! Some Martial Aspects of Buddhist Dance
A closer look at martial behavior in Vajrayana…
An Eye, a Lens, a Dance
Movement and light, an exhibition of dance…
Civilization in Equipoise
Form, movement, and narrative in the art of M. F…
An Orgiastic Aha! Epilogue: Tucci in His Own Words
The unique legacy of a scholar and an adventurer
Giuseppe Tucci, an Orgiastic Aha! Part Three
Familiarity with sexual power as something to honor and utilize for spiritual cultivation is not common, but upon a study of ancient cultures, we see