Lecture 4

Movement Practices

• Are embodied forms of contemplation
• Some are preceded/accompanied by formal rituals
  

Labyrinth Walking

Karate

Tai Chi

Yoga

• Lead to a deeper understanding of the self as composite, integrative, and dynamic

Thoughts on Labyrinths

Walking the labyrinth is a practice, not necessarily a discipline. A practice is more flexible than a discipline. A discipline is usually done at a certain time each day. There are specific methods or techniques to enter into it. The practice of labyrinth walking is guided by what you need from the walk (6)

By understanding that there’s no right way or wrong way to walk a labyrinth, the responsibility is on you to determine what you need and how you want to use it. You must claim your own inner authority and tailor the walk to your needs if you are to use it effectively (7)

--Lauren Artress

The Sacred Path Companion (Riverhead Trade, 2006)

 Questions

• Are embodied forms of contemplation important in your formation as a student?
• If so, what do such practices teach?
• Can sports / recreational activities be understood to have contemplative elements?

Basketball

Tennis

Running

Football

• What aspects of contemplation does one learn from them?
• What other forms of embodied contemplation can you identify?