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.
Tyra Kleen: Mudra
Cross-cultural encounters with ritual dance
Dance in the Reality You Have
Reflecting and expressing authenticity
Performative Iconography, Part Two
The sacred dance without and within
Performative Iconography, Part One
Mystic expressions of tantric meditation
Monklife, Part Three: Mantra, Mudra, Movement, Mask – Steps to Embodiment
Vessels of an ancient lineage
Monklife, Part Two: An Obstacle Clearing Ritual
Transmission of the Accomplishment of Mani…
The Very Long Life of Bugaku
Beauty and antiquity, order and dignity . . .
Immortality and Invincibility, Part Two: Notions of the Body, Concrete and Subtle
Conceiving the human form in Buddhist and Taoist thought
Big Book, Small Kingdom
Ambitious photographic glimpses of the Himalayan…
Immortality and Invincibility, Part One: The 108 Luohan System
At the confluence of Taoism and Buddhism