Choreographing the site of impermanence: Performing body with Buddhist philosophy and meditation in movement-based performance. Issue 1 (1st July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kittikong, Tanatchaporn
• Is Part Of: Dance, movement & spiritualities. Volume 2:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 57
• Page End: 72
• Publication Date: 2015-07-01
• Subjects: Dance -- Periodicals; Spirituality -- Periodicals; Mind and body -- Periodicals; Movement therapy -- Periodicals; Dance therapy -- Periodicals; 793.3
• DOI: 10.1386/dmas.2.1.57_1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2051-7076

Abstract

This article offers some in-depth reflections on the body in Buddhism, and particularly the concept of 'impermanence' and 'mindfulness of body'. I explore here, how the body is classified and intellectualized in Buddhist culture and tradition, with a focus on definitions and practices of Buddhist Theravada, including: Satipatthana, Vipassana Meditation, Nama-Rupa and Kayagatasati. I offer further reflections on my own work as a performer and choreographer, and the experience of applying, experiencing and reflecting on the Buddhist body in performance. From these in-depth observations that are derived from my deep immersion in Buddhist culture, my work as a performer/lecturer, and my doctorate, I focus specifically on the practice of 'mindfulness' and movement, which offers an experiential access route to a 'direct experience' of being; a state beyond attachments to body and notions of self. Notably, I am an insider cultured in Thai Buddhist traditions and culture – and from this standpoint, I both reflect on, and engage in, an intellectually rich, and complex spiritual traditional that ironically holds at its core the lesson to pursue non-self, and hence resists analysis and intellectualism.