
Dance as Knowledge, Part One
Insight into dance scholarship and wisdom derived from ancient dance traditions
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.

Insight into dance scholarship and wisdom derived from ancient dance traditions

Modern expressions of Buddhism’s transcendent cultural unity

An ancient and experiential practice of the mind and realization

An ancient practice for experiencing primal consciousness

An exploration of the long relationship between Buddhism and the martial arts

Impressions of Buddhism and personal spirituality reflected.

The path toward artistic practice, personal growth, and transformation


Authentic encounters with vanishing worlds

Sustaining an ancient legacy

One of the great ethnographers of Buddhist…

Dance actual, dance depicted, and dance ephemeral . . .