the therapeutic ballroom chapter four advanced ballroom...
TRANSCRIPT
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The Therapeutic Ballroom
Chapter Four
Advanced Ballroom Therapy and Conclusion
We have been discussing intermediate Ballroom Therapy, the center of
which is grounded in Lyric and development of Symbol. But what do we do
with Music having no Lyrics?
We can of course see it as dancing form and flow, however without Symbol
there can be no interpretation. From what foundation can they arise?
Intermediate Ballroom Therapy gives Partners two streams from which
Symbols are derived, i.e. (a). Those intrinsic to the Music and (b). What
Dancers must become to incarnate the Message. Symbol upon symbol.
In Advanced Ballroom Therapy, Partner’s seek to become a symbolic
message of their choosing. Lyrics are replaced by mental pictures brought by
Music. Obviously, these are usually quite diverse…but not always.
Think for example of the William Tell Overture.
Ballet has no Lyrics; Dancers can be single or many; and symbolic
interpretation lay strictly with what partners wish to express.
Background Stories
Music without Lyrics are the staples of background stories to movies and
documentaries.
Great Motion Pictures like The Ten Commandments; Ben Hur; El Cid; and
Spartacus weave haunting melodies around each major theme or character
represented, and may be played as an introduction.
Background Music can introduce characters before they perform, setting up
what we are to expect when they do.
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Midnight Express became a top ten hit before given lyrics, and the Love
Theme from Ben-Hur could be frequently heard coming from the Radio.
El Cid, Spartacus and King of Kings all offered records of every background
represented, and the Ten Commandments offered a double album.
In college my roommate happened to have a three hour radio show; saw my
two volume set of The Ten Commandments. He decided to advertise for a
week that on such-a-such date, he would present a two hour play of the
records.
The show had the largest listening audience of the station’s history, and I
dedicated the first song.
Even with the Musial Greats of our Day: South Pacific; Sound of Music; West
Side Story and My Fair Lady - none ever began in song with lyrics.
And so we must ask, “Why does someone buy record after record of Music
without Lyrics?”
Instrumental Music Inside the Theater
a. Background Music and what we saw became one, multiplied by how
many times the Movie or Play was seen. Try watching South Pacific
and in the middle of ‘Some Enchanted Evening.’ Turn down to
silence while continuing to watch him sing. Silence is not as
deafening as we watch him continue to sing. Can you still hear his
voice?
Well if picture can conjure continued mental sound, cannot sound
entice mental image? That’s one reason to buy records of
background music. Want to see the Movie again? Just put on the
record and close your eyes.
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b. We are in a world where few impress us with their perfection.
Those claiming a mortal thus, is usually a member of a religious Cult,
if not partisan politically.
Motion Pictures are usually loved because of the characters
represented.
When seeing The Ten Commandments for the first time, I wanted to
be Moses. The second time – I wanted to be Moses. And when I
saw King of Kings – I wanted to be Moses. And Saul turned to Paul –
inspired giving and increasing my vision of Moses.
The point is simple. Though we may never meet or become the
heroes we embrace, recorded background music will strengthen and
keep the vision alive.
c. My college roommate jockeyed the radio station 5 days a week for
three hours each night. Noticing I had the two album set of the Ten
Commandments, he decided to have an advertised special of music
from the motion picture, of which there were no lyrics.
At last the night arrived, the introduction to which was a dedication.
The music was easily recognized when referring to battles with
Pharaoh; the Love Theme; the Red Sea Crossing; God giving the
commandments; and the plagues of Egypt. On occasion he would
prelude what was to happen with the musical piece.
Eventually to be discovered, music without lyrics was the most
popular program of the station’s season.
d. Instrumental Music introduces Themes and those of starring parts,
setting the mood for what is soon to arrive. From shock, horror,
action and romance to dramatically serious and jovial – listen to the
music and you will usually be aware of what’s soon to come.
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e. Obviously, interpreting instrumental music inside the theater is
already done by the motion picture represented. Indeed, the Music
was written expressly for the movie or play. For the Dancer, this
may be both liability and asset.
1. Dancers wishing to express the lessons of a movie, must conjure
symbols representing those lessons from which the Music
becomes an asset.
2. On the other hand, Partners wishing to express other lessons are
strapped to sounds that snap Dance back to the Movie. Using
background music to express private lessons will compete with
what has been written to make a different point.
f. Instrumental Conclusions largely comprise the finale of great
motion picture works. Finales are the Icing on the Cake. One of the
best I to date have heard has been the Finale to Ben-Hur, and the
reader is urged to turn up the sound.
Written by Dr. Miklos Rossa – the Music took as many awards as the
Picture. Also responsible for The Ten Commandments and El Cid, if
you don’t count “Alleluia” as lyrics, Dr. Rossa’s Finale is over the
top.
Instrumental Music Outside the Theater.
1. Background music becoming influential and competitive in the
world begins to define this. For example: The instrumental
version of the Godfather; Exodus; The Apartment; Lawrence of
Arabia; and Midnight Express.
The first two top ten hits were the double pianos of Ferrante and
Teicher doing The Apartment and Exodus. And no one can forget
the dueling banjos of Deliverance.
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2. Vangelis: most noted for Backgrounds of Movies, but can be
heard without the video represented. Most known for China;
Antarctica; Mutiny On The Bounty; and Bladerunner, the
recordings have become as popular as the events represented.
The works of Vangelis are a treasure house of Music perfectly
made for Advanced Ballroom Dancers. His compositions are
albums wrapping around the event, and not just a piece a song
about China.
One of his greatest accomplishments was Antarctica. The
background music of a story that was basically true, as far as the
facts could go.
It was the beginning of winter in Antarctica and they had run out
of supplies. Helicopters came to the rescue, but there was no
room for the twelve dogs.
The team thought they would return to get them, but weather
made this impossible. Complicating the issue, they were tied
down with expectation their masters would return – but they did
not.
And so Antarctica begins with 12 sled dogs breaking through
harnesses lest they starve to death.
The story musically depicts their survival from starvation, glaciers
and wildlife in the Arctic. The Music is heart wrenching as twelve
pooches seek to live.
Finally, and haunted by the dog’s fate, the team’s head goes back
once the weather cleared. Landing, seven dogs showed jubilant
immeasurable affection…the master came back.
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You can’t go through the Music of Antarctica without shedding a
tear.
3. Shedding the Skin of Lyrics
Trolling for inspiring instrumental may not be as difficult as it
may appear. Take your favorite song and delete the lyrics. What
mental images do you get with the instrumental version?
4. What Do You See?
Listening to an Alan Parsons Project instrumental, I asked a friend
appearing “trance-like” what she mentally saw?
She responded, “Soldiers, Tanks and Guns going to war. Patriots
giving their lives for the principles of a country. Peace beyond our
grasp. Dogmatic ends. Man lowering the Bar of Life. Innocence
forced to Die.”
Thinking for a moment I asked, “Can you put all that in a sentence?
Giving it some thought, she answered, “The Grief of our own
destruction.”
I replied, “What would that look like in a Dance?”
Elements of Advanced Ballroom Therapy
Compare the Sound to Earth, Air, Fire and Ice. Compare Antarctica
with the charge of El Cid against Emir Ben Yusuf. Which is Fire and
which is ice? Compare the soundtrack of Medicine Man to a
soundtrack of characters engaging a twister, like the movie of the
same name starring Helen Hunt. Which is Earth and which is Air?
The first step in Advanced Ballroom Therapy Floetics, identifying
Sound begins the foundation upon which the Nature of the Music
rests. Is it Music of Fire; Ice(water); Earth or Air? Do sudden changes in
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the Music bring forth a second element linked to the first? What does
Air sound like? How are they all connected?
Now if you really want to get into the spirit of this, show me fire,
water, air and earth, relative to Time.
I had an idea. I put 8 inch pewter wizards on the corners of an hour
glass, on platforms of one half inch clear plexiglas, representing Earth,
Wind, Fire and Ice – while underneath, lights of red, green blue and
yellow according to the element.
This was fine, until viewing it from three steps down. The lights looked
like a circus, and so my only option was to hide them. Each mask was
fashioned to sculpture something that blended with the Element.
Fire was done using shards of Red glass forming a shell inside which
were the red lights. But this one was special for the slowly turning
wheel of crystal balls. Reflected to the canopy of shards, it looked like
a ball of fire under the wizard. Ice was built with large blocks of blue
glass through which blue lights shined. Wind took mirrored Plexiglas
covering yellow lights and elongated crystals coming through the
mask. Earth was done with manzinitta, green crystal and green lights.
But perhaps the greatest lesson I learned through this sojourn, was the
more honor we give to the elements, the greater the elements can be
heard in Music.
The Wheels of Life
But Advanced Ballroom Therapy Dancers need something more
specific in their Floetics endeavor. It was here the writer would plunge
into the depth of the Wheels of Life – known as the Chakras.
Apart from this brief outline, the reader is urged to go to the essay:
Board of Directors – A Christian View of the Chakras.
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Also, called Wheels of Life, Anodea Judith writes the very best work on
the Chakras, and Advanced Ballroom Therapy Dancers are urged to
procure a copy.
The Chakras derive power from the human synaptic patterns of the
Nervous System moving up and down the spinal cord.
The Chakras are said to influence specific areas and organs of the
body.
Chakra One: The Earth; our grounding; survival of the fittest; power and influence by force; sexuality for propagation; Base of
spine, legs and feet; Bones; large intestines the power of a
dancer; Business; money; profit; Racism; protection of family;
Color: red; Gemstone: Ruby; Inner State: firmness, stability;
Sense: small; Metal: lead; Verb: I have; Chief Operating Force:
Gravity
Greenpeace; Walden 2; Henry David Thoreau; Conservationists
and preservers of species; resolutions by war; Clan and Tribe
oriented. Ganges Khan; Joshua; Barabbas; Rome; action by fear.
If God didn’t want us to take advantage of people, why did He
create so many suckers?
Influencing the Legs and pelvis to the stomach; as furthest from
the brain, Chakra One is slowest moving and carries a resonance
of bass as it spins.
Chakra Two: Water; feeling and emotion; maternal; family; protection; highly sensitive; tears; laughter; highly opinionated;
changing points of view; romantic love; little reason; a see-saw of
feeling attempting to navigate an ocean of emotion; prejudiced;
racism; in constant need of self-worth; Jealousy; Anxiety;
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Depression; Anger; target for bouts of Manic Depression; usually
the passion of the party; interchangeable tunnel vision; desire;
pleasure, sexuality; procreation; Ovaries; Testicles; womb;
bladder; circulatory system; Color: Orange; sense: taste;
corresponding verb: I feel; Gemstone: Coral; Archangel: Gabriel;
Chief Operating Force: Attraction of Opposites.
We are in a world of opposites. Everything has polarity. There is
light, and there is darkness, but what of in between? Without
Darkness and Light there is no shadow. If all were light we would
be as blind as if in darkness.
Lucy Ricardo; Antonio Banderas; Ricardo Mandelbaum; Marilyn
Monroe; Edith and Archie Bunker; Jerry Lewis; the Klu Klux Clan;
radical Narcissism and you can take it from there.
Located by the stomach, Chakra Two influences the digestive
system up to, but not including the lungs.
Chakra Three: Fire; Reason; Logic; Facts; Objectivity; Will; Power; Navel to Solar Plexus digestive system; muscles; adrenals,
pancreas; Metal: Iron; Gemstone Amber; Sense: Sight; Color:
yellow; Chief Operating Force: Combustion.
We have covered two distinct levels of consciousness. The first was
one of solidity, stability focus and form. Through the unidimensional
eyes of the first Chakra, we experienced unity. Within this unity we
found difference, change and movement. Through the second
Chakra we saw dark and light, the passions of duality and choice,
emotions and desire…expanding our instincts from our own survival
to the desire for pleasure, nurturance, and the need to reach out
and expand.
As we put together these two levels of consciousness, we find they
create a third and unique state of existence: Energy, i.e. the field
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made by the dance of matter and movement. In physical terms we
call it combustion; in the body it is metabolism; psychologically it
relates to personal power and will; and in our outer lives, it is the
realm of action. (Judith, Anodea; The Wheels of Life)
In Chakra Two we see things existing side by side as opposites on
a see-saw…like dark/light; up/down/; past/future; in/out.
In Chakra Three we discover change within the thing itself – Change
from wood to heat, from matter to energy, from hydrogen atoms to
a star. One merely describes difference. The other transformation to
a new state. (ibid)
The Chakras are all interdependent facets of a basic unified field
of consciousness. They do not act separately and can only be
separated intellectually. Likewise we cannot separate energy
from movement any more that we can separate it from mass.”
Mass, movement and energy are three inseparable qualities of
our physical world. Chakras one, two and three are inseparable
elements regulating the body and their innate intelligence.
Together they form a Dance of cause and effect which fuels the
spinning wheels of the lower Chakras and interacts with the physical
world. (Ibid)
Chakra Three gives us our Philosophers, Theologians, Doctrines,
Religions; Creeds; government; Politicians; and Historians.
Chakra Three is Plato and Aristotle to Kant; Tillich, Bonhoeffer
and Barth.
Chakra Three gives Chakra Two reasons to calm down. From
Chakra Three come our excuses to explain irresponsibility. Our
best lies and exaggerations come from Chakra Three.
Chakra Three is located and affects the body from navel to solar
plexus.
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Chakra Three alone gives us conscious control of breathing.
Spock; Einstein; Stephen Hawking; Charles Darwin; Madame Curie; Star Trek’s Data; Madeline Albright; Eleanor” Roosevelt.
Chakra Four: The Heart; Air; Unconditional Acceptance; Unconditional Love. Other Body Parts: Lungs; arms, hands; Color:
Green; Metal: Copper; Sense: Touch; Gemstone: Emerald;
Animals: Antelope, Birds, Dove; Chief Operating Quality:
Equilibrium
We have reached the Central point of the Chakra System. This is our
core, the inner spirit that unites all the other forces above and
below; within and without. Above we have our abstract spirit, the
mental realms, and below we have our worldly Chakras. The task of
Chakra Four is to integrate and balance the realms of mind and
body. In so doing, it brings a sense of wholeness to the entire
organism and a realization that we are an exquisite interpenetration
of both spirit and matter. Within this sense of wholeness lies the
seed of inner peace. (ibid)
An exquisite interpenetration of spirit and matter? Certainly
follows “And God breathed into Adam the breath of Life, and
man became a living soul.”
“An exquisite interpenetration of spirit and matter?” In spite of
how much the flesh screws up, “exquisite interpenetrations” are
not defined by this moment or that.
We are the “will” of an autonomy seeking identity by choosing
actions moment by moment – most of which string together past,
present and future to balls of glory or mess.
But let’s stop the presses for a rare moment. Are we “balls of
glory or mess?”
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How many actions have we “willed” in a day, week, month, year,
5 years; 10 years; 20 years; 50 years? Moments of “Glory” or
“Mess?”
“An exquisite interpenetration of spirit and matter,” Chakra Four
haunts “glory” and “mess” with the same eternal question: Are
we not better than this?
Chakra Four answers with Unconditional Acceptance and Love,
for no deed or action of the flesh can define an infinite nature.
Chakra Four leaves the dichotomies of Chakra Two. We are
neither right nor left; up or down; in or out; black or white;
strong or weak; passive or aggressive.
Over the course of Life, we are all of it. Chakra Four
Unconditionally Accepts and Loves the substance of what we are
made of. Perhaps another way of saying Hate the Sin, but Love
and accept the Sinner – so come just as you are.
From the Christian point of view, the Heart temples the Spirit of
Truth, the Father and Christ. A Relationship of infinite to finite,
from the Heart we are an eternal Dance of Unconditional Love
and joyous Acceptance of our place among all things.
From the Heart, all competition is suspended; we show without
need to hide and there is no need for masks. What we are “made
of” is the substance of everyone else, transforming a microcosm
of consciousness to a symbolic macrocosm of everyone else.
From this perceptual state, we move to Chakra Five.
The Spirit of Jesus; the Apostle John; Gandhi; Mother Teresa; The
mother of Jesus
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Chakra Five: Known as the Throat Chakra; influences the Thyroid and parathyroid glands, neck, shoulders, arms and
hands; perceptual element Sound; Communication; Creativity;
inner state – synthesis of ideas to symbols; outer manifestation –
sympathetic vibration; chief sense – hearing. Color: Bright Blue;
Gemstone: Turquoise.
Remarkable stories are derived from this Chakra known for
Sympathetic Vibration and those without ears to hear, i.e. the
Deaf and Ludwig Beethoven.
Chakra Five is the center of sound, vibration and self-expression, it is
the realm of consciousness that controls, creates, transmits and
receives communication, both within ourselves and between each
other. It is the center of dynamic creativity, of synthesizing old ideas
into something new. Its attributes include speaking, listening,
writing, chanting, telepathy, and any of the Arts – especially those
related to sound and language. (Ibid.)
Advanced Therapeutic Ballroom Dancers take note: With or
without Lyrics, when moving a Microcosm as in Chakra Four, into
a Macrocosm as in Chakra Five – the former becomes a flesh and
blood Symbol of the latter – does it not?
Known by some as the “Gateway To Consciousness,” from Chakra
One we have received distinction of matter as separate; from
Chakra Two “will” and “choice”; from Chakra Three the energy of
movement; from Chakra Four the balance of Microcosm – and
from Chakra Five…a Symbol of Communication to the World.
Communication is the art of transmitting and receiving information
through a symbolic representation of pattern…in the fifth Chakra we
symbolize patterns for storage and use in the brain. We use symbols
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to make meta-patterns. We become creative, using language to
bring attention to, or otherwise alter, another pattern. (Ibid)
The lower Chakras are highly individual. Our bodies are highly
separate. Climbing up the Chakra column, our bodies become
less and less defined, eventually becoming impossible to draw
distinction between this consciousness and that. Information
and ideas become like the breath we breathe. Each step upward
decreases the boundaries of separation.
Appearing entranced, with open eyes a Dancer listened to a piece
of music without lyrics by the Alan Parsons Project. Asked what
she saw, a description came forth of a prelude to war.
Placed in the same position with identical Music, another
reported a sacrifice for peace…while another – a rocky home life
leading to divorce.
Elton John; Bernie Tauper; Ludwig Beethoven; Moody Blues;
Olivia Newton John; Fred Astaire; Gene Kelly; Rita Hayworth.
Chakra Six: Light; To know; perceive; command; center of head at eye level or slightly above; known as the Third Eye; seeing;
intuition; the cerebral cortex; Color: Indigo; Gemstone: Lapis
lazuli; seat of imagination.
For the purpose of our discussion, we shall deal only with the
last.
What does it mean to be made in the Image of God? “And God
breathed His Breath into the dust, and man became a living
soul.” Does this mean man was created to “look” like God?
Postulating the Mormon doctrine of Adam-God, the Latter Day
Saints say “yes.” But for most of us, such a point of view
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propounds a God far too small for Anselm’s “nothing greater can
be conceived.” What then does it mean to be created in God’s
Image?
If God Is the Eternal Relationship of Father; Word/Son and Holy
Spirit, the Alpha and Omega without Beginning or End, is it
enough to proclaim Man a Body, Soul and Spirit…and leave
there?
Such shallow explanation has always bothered me, for man is an
alpha and omega of nothing.
For God to say, “Let us make man in our Image, after our
likeness” obviously does not mean proposing man another god,
for everything created has beginning. Rather, God created His
Image to Reflect – not become Himself.
Now what does and Eternal Relationship of Father, Word/Son
and Holy Spirit look like in the finite created world and how
might it be reflected?
In the finite world, God is worshipped as Omniscient, i.e. all
knowing; Omnipresent, i.e. all present, and Omnipotent, i.e. all
powerful.
All knowing – as we have seen, Man is all knowing of every
motion created by his thoughts.
All present – man cannot hide from his presence to actions
created by motion to deeds.
All powerful – Most perceive Power as exercising the destiny of
another, or what some might call predestination. But can a Being
be Powerful enough to elect the destiny of others, while unable
to elect His own?
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By “Let us make man in our Image, after our likeness” Eternal
Relationship of Father, Word/Son and Holy Spirit Elected Himself
to make it so.
By giving His Image the Freedom of Choice, so Man reflects the
power of his own election.
And so we see how the Image of God is not some physical form
created to look like God, but reflect qualities of Divine Nature.
Succinctly, Man is the only creature able to simultaneously
participate in the realm of flesh and spirit. Though finite, man has
an infinite nature. Simply put, wherever there is imagination –
there is infinity.
By imagination, God has placed the Universe at the feet of His
Image. We can go to galaxies far away, and write of characters
found only in dreams. We are the fiction that begins science; the
ecstasy of romantic encounter; the warriors of priority and
principle on the other side of never. We are the lessons of our
present found a billion light years away, and when asked for
proof, demand evidence they are not.
William Shatner gave Stephen Hawking a tour of the Enterprise
set, and reaching the section of Warp Drive, the scientist
commented, “Oh yes, I’m working on that.”
Dancers need not limit themselves to symbols derived from finite
perceptions of music, with or without lyrics. We have all seen
plans, thoughts, ideas and mental pictures dismissed in the wake
of asking “why,” while retained and developed by inquiring “why
not.”
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But perhaps the most significant point Chakra Six makes to
Therapeutic Dancers regards the infinite nature imagination
attaches to symbolic communication.
Yet, though Lyric grounds symbol in Intermediate Therapeutic
Dance, Advanced Therapeutics does not have such a crutch.
In the interest of communication, Advanced Ballroom Dancers
have but two things going for them: the Music and the Moves.
Though the task is made easier with than without a partner, as
with Ballet, this is not always so. The same Dance to identical
music may be seen without a wide variance of message. Much of
this is likely due to emotions put into each specific move.
On the other hand, without Lyrics, the message is harder to
control which, is the purpose of Therapeutic Dance.
But lest we be too hasty dismissing such a lack, let us first look at
how an audience evaluates the music and message we have
sought to incarnate.
Metaphorically, Advanced Therapeutic Dance does not incarnate
Jesus. Nor do they seek to incarnate God. Perhaps what could be
seen as the greatest Dance of all, partners seek as one to
symbolize the God/Man.
I would trade trophy and ribbon…for 500 evaluations of that.
Gene Roddenbury; Alexander Strazinsky; Rick Berman; Rod
Sterling; Stephen Hawking; The Apostle John; C.S. Lewis; J.R.R.
Tolkien
Chakra Seven: The Mind of Christ; Located at the top of the head, Thought; borderless perception; Eternal Presence versus
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Potential; Perfect Imperfection; a Fellowship of Sacrifice;
Reflection and God’s Image; Color: Violet; Gemstone: Diamond;
Metal: Gold
The term Cosmic Consciousness so often used to describe the Crown
Chakra, refers to awareness of a Cosmic Order. Where the lower Chakras
are full of millions of bits of information of the physical world and its
infinite cycles of cause and effect, cosmic consciousness far into the
galaxies and beyond, literally the whole cosmos, opening the awareness of
unified truths. It is the perception of meta-patterns, and organizational
principles of our cosmic ordering system. From this place we can descend
again to lesser orders with an innate understanding of their structure and
function as subsets of these meta-patterns. (Ibid)
Even from the Christian perspective, this Chakra might be difficult
to describe, much less comprehend. What is the difference between the Heart of Jesus and the Mind of Christ?
Right from the start, we have stated the major element of Chakra
Seven as Thought. We may confidently conclude difficultly to
understand resides in the way we think. It is difficult to think
without borders.
While Chakra Four amalgamates spirit to flesh in a microcosm of
a macrocosm leading to the symbols of Chakra Five, Chakra Seven
speaks only in terms of Spiritual Thought.
As we have seen in other essays, such modus is the precursor of
Apocalyptic Literature penned by Daniel and the Apostle John.
Like Apocalyptic Literature, To communicate with a Spiritual
Mind, speaks outside the realm of Time and Space.
We are furthest removed from the material world – and with it the
limitations of space and time. In this sense, Chakra Seven has the
greatest versatility and can encompass a greater scope than any of
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the Chakras discussed so far. In our thoughts we can jump from the
Stone Age to visions of the future. We can imagine being in our
backyard or a distant galaxy, all in a mere instant. We can create,
destroy, learn and grow – all from a place existing within and
requiring no movement or change from without…but however we
wish to describe it, we must remember that its scope is greater than
our words can convey. It can only be experienced. (Ibid)
Thought in the Mind of Christ Think through The Eternal Father, the
Substance of which is without Beginning or End, i.e. Timeless.
Thought in the Mind of Christ are Omniscient as reality can be experienced
in flashes all at once.
Thought in the Mind of Christ is Omnipresent to all actual and potential
experience in the Father’s Eternal Thoughts.
Thought in the Mind of Christ is as omnipotent as knowing Past, Present
and Future.
For the Advanced Therapeutic Ballroom Dancer, Music in Chakra Seven is
perceived as highly sacred, likely commanding a Meditative State to be
experienced.
The Question is “How do partners Dance, while in a state of meditation?”
About all I can say is you will know one…when you see it.
Control
I suppose by now Therapeutic Ballroom Dancers are asking why
such stress on the Chakras?
1. When combined, the Chakras control what we give and
receive in relationship to anything.
2. By Chakra Patterns, people can be defined. For example,
using the first four major influences on consciousness, a
person could demonstrate 1; 3; 4; 5 – meaning
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consciousness may be most controlled by business;
reason; self-acceptance and symbol.
3. Chakras can be manipulated.
a. Metaphorically, picture a series of 7 gas burners,
spaced equally up and down the spinal column, and
fed with 98 pounds of gas. Spread equally, let us say
each locus of conscious energy gets 14 pounds of gas,
but, through a variety of methods, are able to adjust
the flame of each.
b. But here’s the trick. Single adjustments affect the
collective. With a metaphorical 98 pounds of gas, we
cannot lower or raise one, without lowering or raising
the others. While all of us are said to be 100%
conscious, there’s only 98 pounds of collective energy
to go around.
c. Nevertheless, knowledge of the Chakras allow
adjustments to balance consciousness overall, or,
when specifically focused on an immediate situation.
Many of us do this automatically in daily life.
For example, the difference between going to school;
hanging out with the guys; a romantic date; a trip to
parents or a job interview. With limited thought,
consciousness usually responds to create the best
impressions.
At times, the most humorous stories are told in the
wake of utter failure.
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For example, in response to the father and mother-in-
law’s question of what she most loved about their son,
with glowing smile Bonnie answered,
“Well, at first it was sex, sex, sex. Sex in every
room in the house, on every piece of furniture, at
any time night and day.
But soon I became enamored by kinky creativity
– and so fell in love with some out of sight
imagination.
I want to thank you both for reinforcing this
infinite strength.”
While the father probed for his son’s most
respected specific techniques, the mother kept
baking cookies and pies.
We probably may conclude Bonnie’s Chakras a bit out
of whack, though considering the obvious nature of
the situation, could also point to an ulterior motive.
Chakra Auras and Photography
While Technology may someday reach a point of
photographing synaptic Chakra patterns, we are not yet
there. Likely this is the result of speed.
Even looking at “earth” as slowest, nerve synapse between
of Chakra One, the spinal column, brain and back to pelvis,
legs and feet, unless blocked, cannot be measured by even
the fractions of a second.
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Though unable to measure or see parts of the whole, we are
nevertheless capable of perceiving finished products of the
parts, or what is called Auras.
Aura or Kirlean photography refers to a form or photogram
made with high voltage. Named after Semyon Kirlean, in 1939
he accidentally discovered that if an object on a photographic
plate is connected to a source of high voltage, small corona
discharges (created by the strong electric field at the edges of
the object) create an image on the photographic plate.
(Waldon, Virginia R.)
While many may tend to say they have never seen an
“aura” electrophotography appears to contradict an
assumption they do not exist.
I do not recommend Therapeutic Ballroom Dancers spend a
lot of time seeking a partner’s Aura with the naked eye.
You either see it, or you don’t.
But let us not be so foolish to think ignorance can be a
measure for truth, for too many others have experienced
what we have not.
Aura Photography provides a visual representation of the
energy field around a person. Some require a person sit with
the left hand on a plate with copper buttons called a hand
sensor. Others are strictly “no touch,” like a regular camera.
Most require connection to a computer for transmitting bio-
feedback data providing an analysis report for each subject.
(Ibid)
I have often fancied a theory: When finite words fail to
describe the infinity we seek to express, we begin to see
auras, but this has yet to be proven.
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The Aura is an energy field that interpenetrates with and
radiates out beyond the physical body. It is made up of
different energy vibrations, or frequencies that are also
known as the outer bodies. These, in turn, make up the
physical, astral, mental, causal, and higher spiritual aspects of
the multidimensional human form. (Ibid)
The Chakras are the energies of the Aura. The Chakras are
part of the Auric Field and each penetrates the other. The
Chakras are the means by which a physical being or body
communicates an aura.
The value of Auras can be seen as an additional source of
understanding as we seek to interpret the balance of our
own consciousness.
While rare, and though some claim to see auras with the
physical eye, most are perceived with the more subtle Third
Eye.
One final point: Auras can hide as well as reveal.
When she had said this she turned around and beheld Jesus standing
there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman
why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing Him to be
the gardener, she said to Him, “Sir, if you have carried Him away tell me
where you have laid Him and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her,
“Mary.” She turned to Him and said in Hebrew “Rabboni,” (which means
teacher). (John 21: 13 – 16)
Gold, Silver and Precious Stones
As we have sought to show, the Chakras each have particular
elements meant to describe essences from where each draw
power.
Color
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Red; Orange; Yellow; Green; Bright Blue; Indigo and Violet: quite an array
of color. The Rainbow is within us.
From my own experience, it is far more common to see many colors
in each Chakra, twisting in and out of the Chakra and forming
patterns and images that relate to that person’s life.
a. Self-examination of our own Chakras can be made through
colors we tend to surround ourselves, as in clothing or
home décor. Do you always pick the purples and blues, or
consistently go for the vibrant reds and oranges? Are you
fond of light or dark colors? (Ibid)
b. If we can see our auras, do we choose complementary
colors…colors we feel represent Chakras that are weakest?
For a long time I was aware of the absence of yellow in my
aura, confirmed by friends and psychics who observed me.
Simultaneously, I had metabolic problems, and was
indecisive with respect to the use of my personal power. I
found wearing a yellow gemstone (topaz) and yellow
clothing helped considerably, to the point other people
remarked about an improvement. On the subtle level, they
brought balance into my personal energy system. (Ibid)
c. Colors can be visualized for self- healing. I would sit and v
visualize my aura as bright yellow or alternatively visualize
golden rays coming from the sun. What I projected
outward from myself gradually became manifest around
me. (Ibid)
Colors, like the sounds associated with each Chakra, are
another manifestation of the seven planes of this system.
They are a key to our understanding of self and environment,
and another tool for the conscious manipulation of our own
energies.
The Sound of Music
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If every musician, composer and poet have a Chakra Signature,
then every musical and poetic composition bear the same.
Though most appear to go unrecognized, the music of our
favorite groups can be usually seen for similarity of Chakra
Patterns, producing the sounds of which we are most familiar.
People favoring classical music do not have libraries of Heavy
Metal. Soft Pop enthusiasts rarely collect Hard or Acid Rock.
Disco and Rap do not usually mix.
But make no mistake. Though poets and composers may have
Chakra Patterns producing specific rhythms and sounds, this does
not imply inability to adjust or change.
Queensryche bragged about being the most popular Heavy Metal
group in America, and after 10 or so albums, they had the right.
But one day something happened, and out of the blue, the group
decided to do a Ballad called Silent Lucidity.
The reader is highly encouraged to go to Art/Poetry and scroll to
Silent Lucidity.
As number nine of the top 100 songs of the year, Silent Lucidity
became the group’s greatest hit.
But then another strange moment, when Queensryche decided
Silent Lucidity would be their only Ballad, proceeding to return to
their old Chakra Pattern.
Chakra Instruments of Sound
While all Music has seven notes, so each of seven Chakras have
their own.
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We have said the Chakra Wheel spins slowest at the bottom,
turning faster as we approach the Brain.
As review, the following is the way the system breaks this down:
a. The Root Chakra: The Root Chakra represents our
foundation and is located near the tailbone at the base of
the spine. Allows us to feel grounded with a deep
connection to the environment and nature. Food, safety,
shelter, money and financial independence are survival
issues centered around Chakra One. Color Red, the Earth
Chakra is effected by Drums and energized by the “C”
note.
b. The Sacral or Water Chakra: Located two inches above
the navel, Chakra Two controls our ability to to connect
and accept not only other people but new experience of
life. Emotional issues: Wellbeing; Pleasure and Sexuality;
Controls contentment and sense of abundance. Color
Orange, Chakra Two is affected by big and small drums
and is energized by the “D” note.
c. The Solar Plexus Chakra: Situated in the upper abdominal
area, Chakra Three is connected to our feelings of self-
worth; self-esteem and self-confidence to face all
challenges and take control of your life. Color yellow, this
Chakra is effected by big wind instruments such as
trumpets, and is energized by the “E” note.
d. The Heart Chakra: Color Green, located at the center of
your chest just a few inches above the heart. Relates to
ability of unconditional Love and Acceptance. Feeling a
sense of inner peace, Chakra Four is filled with a sense of
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Joy. Affected by metallic sounds, the Heart Chakra is
energized by the “F” note.
e. The Throat Chakra: Located at the Throat or origin of
sound, Chakra five extends to the back of the head. Color
Blue, Chakra Five influences our ability to communicate
with others and to express yourself. More than the
freedom to communicate, Chakra Five is about
expressing truth and knowing the facts. Energized by the
“G” note and is affected by flute, piano and wind
instruments.
f. The Third Eye Chakra: The set of intuition, psychic
abilities and visualization. Color indigo, located at the
center of your forehead between the eyes. Focus and
understanding of the larger scheme of things. Decisions
made through imagination, intuition and wisdom.
Energized by the “A” note, Chakra Six is affected by bells,
bird songs, water and soft ambient sounds.
g. The Crown Chakra: Situated at the top of head, Chakra
Seven relates to our ability to be spiritually connected to
other people and the universe. Color Violet, energy from
the Crown enhances the experience of inner and outer
beauty giving the feeling of pure bliss. Energized by the
“B” note, Chakra Seven is affected by meditation and
when all instruments are played together at once.
Skeptical Dancers
Survival; Emotions; Intellect; Love/Acceptance; Symbolic
Communication; Imagination; Spirit.
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1. Which of these qualities reside outside the Human
Experience?
2. Which of these are not described in Scripture?
3. Am I more or less described when seeing myself through
the Chakras?
4. Have others become better off believing they exist?
5. What are the negative and positive consequences
believing they exist?
6. Is there any empirically verifiable evidence Chakras “do”
or “do not” exist?
7. What is the cost believing they do not exist, and the
profit in believing they do?
8. Do the Chakras make sense?
9. Relative to what you do not know, are Chakras worthy of
considerable thought?
10. If they do not exist are we no better off today than 6
months ago?
11. If they do exist and ignored, are we no better off today
than a year ago?
12. If existing and we follow the path of consciousness,
are we not far better off in six months than today?
13. If believing they exist but do not, are we better off in 6
months than today?
14. To which resides the greatest body of evidence: they
“do” or “do not” exist.
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15. While this may sound like an argument for Belief in
God, does not Belief in the Chakras affirm honor and
advance increased understanding that all men are in the
Image of God?
16. The Chakras answers “Are we finite, infinite or both?
17. Can the Chakras define our relationship to God and His
Creation?
18. How many Chakras does it take to define the Fruit of
the Spirit?
For example, describe the Chakras responsible for
bringing a state of Peace. Now do it with Joy, Kindness
and Patience.
19. What and how many Chakras must combine to
achieve Patience, Kindness and Gentleness?
20. From most to least conscious influence, reciprocally
describe your partner’s de facto chakra pattern.
Exchange and discuss.
The Chakras From a Dancer’s Point of View
a. A new way of comparing the consciousness of
partners.
b. The ability to equalize Chakra Patterns of each.
c. Colors: We have seen each Chakra has its own
color. What is the major Chakra of the Dance, or,
what is the weakest Chakra in the Performance?
What are their colors? Choose the appropriate color
and make your costumes accordingly.
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Color My Patterns
For those entrepreneurs of invention, consider one
called “Color My Patterns.” This one could save
your marriage.
Let us for example take a Union where couples are
knowledgeable of the Chakras and their colors.
How many times have you faced a partner where
the question is raised, “What’s wrong?” only to
hear the response of “Nothing?”
Frustrating, isn’t it? The answer just does not
resolve changes of attitudes; demeanor; points of
view and silent accusations.
Both know damn well something is wrong, and will
grow increasingly fatigued begging for some viable
answer.
If prolonged, it may become apparent one partner
is punishing the other for some unseen apparent
offense.
Couples knowledgeable of the Chakras might
consider adding to their vows:
Love, Honor, Cherish and Obey…the Lights.
The Invention
A Bar of Lights: Simple really. A line of sequential
lights: Red; Orange; Yellow; Green; Bright Blue;
Violet and Indigo, each representing their
perspective Chakra.
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Total electric input cannot exceed 119 volts, equally
spread over seven lights, giving each an equal 17
volts of illumination.
Each light has an adjustable dimmer switch,
allowing more or less voltage per light…increasing
or decreasing illumination.
The trick is by increasing voltage to brighten one
light, automatically and equally decreases the
power illuminating the other six.
Partners knowledgeable of the Chakras may by
color, represent their present state of
consciousness which, can eventually resolve the
question of “What’s wrong?”
For example:
Let us assume a normal couple expresses a pattern
of 1/2/4/5/6 for female gender, and 1/3/4/5/6 for
the male.
The female has strong sense of survival/
procreation; emotional sensitivity; unconditional
love; poetry better than found on Hallmark Cards
with strong imagination.
The male has strong business/survival of the fittest
family; use of reason and logic to calm emotional
waters of Chakra 2; unconditional acceptance of
Chakra 4; symbolic communication of the Arts, with
strong Chakra 6 imagination.
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All in all, we have a pretty good match, until the
female spikes a Chakra 2 where orange goes off the
charts.
After such a successful Halloween Party, what could
possibly be wrong? Our partner is beginning to cast
the color of carrots.
When pumpkins turn to pies, we may be given a
hint.
She must plan a banquet for the relatives of a large
family, with a Thanksgiving spread of Turkey;
Stuffing; Ham; Turnips; stuffed baked potatoes;
fresh string beans; exotic Jelled Salads; sweet
potatoes; egg nog and hot cider; homemade rolls;
fruitcake for everybody with exotic wines, beers
and margaritas to satisfy a family of 20…and then
we get to pecan pies and the like.
Overworked and underpaid, her repute is on the
line. “What’s wrong?” “Nothing, she trembles, but
according to the lights, Chakras 1, 2 and 6 needs
turning down, with 3 and 4 turned up.
Follow the Lights. It should be noted though one
partner may for the moment be incapable of an
introspection of personal consciousness, the other
may be perfectly capable of deriving one on the
basis of the behavior seen.
For example, how many times have belief in
ourselves been at an all-time low, when a loved one
has brought us back to an all-time high.
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I recall a time in school when facing crisis, going to a
noted professor with the purpose of dropping his
class rather than face a deficit in passing a most
difficult agenda.
Relaying my situation, his reply was, “Oh shoot – I
believe you have the wherewithal to successfully
negotiate the agenda.”
This was enough encouragement to stay and pass
the class.
Sometimes though we lack faith in ourselves to do
remarkable things, by the faith of others we can
achieve things for the moment, considered
impossible.
Follow the Lights. What possible advantage does
this give partners of Therapeutic Dance?
d. Gold, Silver, Precious Stones. Wear as much
according to the Chakra you seek to express.
e. Partners need not have the same Chakra Patterns
to Dance a Union of one. A strong female may need
to tone down, while a weak male tones up.
f. Chakra Music: We have said each Chakra spins its
own note according to proximity to the Brain. As we
have seven Chakras, so there are seven notes.
This becomes important in three ways:
1. The adjustment of Chakra Patterns through
Music. The reader is urged to go Internet
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scanning for Chakra Music. You will find
numerous places where each Chakra literally has
symphonies of music around the meaning of
each.
Need a spark in Chakra Five? Put on a Chakra 5
disc and let the Music do the rest.
2. Aiding to establish Metasong. Every piece of
Music has a Chakra Pattern for the writer. The
closer a Listener’s Pattern is to the composer’s,
the more likely we will favor the Music
produced.
3. When was the last time Music delivered warm
chills up and down your back and through the
arms? And when was the last time you traced it?
This is an experience we never want to end, and
thought, most of the time, will accomplish what
we do not want.
The good news is the feel can be duplicated by
simply playing the music again. Tracing will likely
endanger once again, the feeling to end.
We kind of have to practice slipping a
subconscious observation into the route of the
chill.
The beginning of these things almost always
enters through the Chakra of sound found
proximity to the throat through the back of the
neck.
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If you can get this far, you may congratulate
yourself.
Now, where does it go?
This is like retaining a Quiet Mind with the
mental consciousness of observation – without a
single active thought.
Usually the chill travels straight to the Heart or,
out through the arms, moving back and down
through Heart, Solar Plexus, Stomach, and
ending at the Pelvis.
I have rarely felt the chill move through the
legs…but I said rarely.
We have no control of this feeling, except to end
the bliss through thought. On the other hand,
these feelings can be so pronounced, they may
cause arms to rise with palms facing heaven.
Ironically, one would think such experience
would see this as sealing a Dancer’s Metasong,
but many cannot Dance to something the Music
has made “Holy.”
The Chakras From a Christian Point of View
If Creation displays the majesty of God Is Relationship, the Direct
Object is as significant as God.
Now my dear Christian, we simply must get over the illusion that
truth does not exist if coming from outside Scripture.
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If at best it is held in suspect and at worst, condemned as heresy,
by what do we grow? “Where’s the Beef?”
Personally, I find most spiritual Truth represented in the
Scripture, and pay little attention to the Hindu gods used to
describe them. Remove them, and the essence of each Chakra
remains – and that’s what interests us.
The Chakras go back to the oldest of World Religions – or
Hinduism, Buddhism; Taoism and Zen Buddhism.– so the age card
carries little repute. We can be old and stupid, or young and
wise.
And though we hold our cards close to the chest - going to the
World Religions with an attitude of spiritual superiority shows a
fake hand before getting to play.
If we cannot see value in people dedicating themselves to 60
years of salvation by works - please remain home until you do.
Called a Legacy, all of us want to believe we have important
things to say which, by giving and receiving, contribute to
relationships in Life.
Ironically, the word “Relationship” is not found in the Bible,
though Fellowship (Koinonia) is.
I find it interesting that in six to seven thousand years of writing,
neither Jew nor Greek ever used the word: Relationship…but I
have a theory why.
We are relationship within ourselves, in relationship to the
Eternal Being Relationship. We are relationship in relationship to
the Principles of Relationship, i.e. the Fruit of Perfect Spirit
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We are the Temple by which Spiritual Principles engage Eternal
Fellowship as Father, Word/Son and the Spirit of both…reside
within the human Heart.
We are His image, male and female, created to reflect a God of
Eternal Fellowship without Beginning or End. We are the Image
of a Genderless God with perks of both masculine and feminine
traits, reaching to flesh what resides in the Human Heart.
Fellowship
We are relationship, in relationship with Relationship – which
equals Fellowship. But to have Relationship does not necessarily mean Fellowship. We can have relationship with our worst
enemy with not a drop of Fellowship added to the brew.
Relationship Versus Fellowship
1. What kind of Fellowship do we have with people claiming all
strength, or having all the Truth?
2. What kind of Fellowship do we have with those never
professing weakness, or having an answer for everything?
3. What kind of Fellowship do we have professing issue and
disagreement with everything another has to say?
4. And where’s the Fellowship acting like a friend has nothing of
depth or value to contribute?
5. How does Perfection injure Fellowship?
6. Can the Chakras liaison Fellowship with the Religions of the
World and Christ?
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7. Can the follower of a World Religion offer a Christian
something of spiritual Value and Worth?
8. Is Fellowship “As we receive, so we are received?”
9. When not received, can Fellowship exist not giving out?
10. Can Fellowship be kindled without an incarnation of
Doctrine?
11. Does Fellowship care what we believe, or, how we live it?
12. Does Fellowship begin when an unbeliever asks why?
13. Would Fellowship becomes evident, when a Christian aids
an unbeliever – using the unbeliever’s system of belief?
Let’s be clear here. While Fellowship with Christ will answer
all his problems, we seek to be advocate of his own system.
Eventually being counsel, we will come to a problem the
unbeliever’s own spiritual system cannot resolve, and Christ
can be brought into the picture.
14. Can ignorance thwart Fellowship?
15. Is Fellowship obliterated with Dishonesty?
16. Does Fellowship include Forgiveness?
17. Does Fellowship include Repentance?
18. Does Fellowship mean we become Temples of Father and
Son?
19. Does Fellowship mean a Spiritual Awakening?
20. For what are we promised, opening our hearts to Jesus?
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21. By the time we get through discussing the Chakras, could
we have likely made a friend to continue?
Fellowship With The World Religions?
While World Religion may appear to have nothing to do with Therapeutic
Dance, establishing the Principles of Fellowship with those of other beliefs –
makes relationship with a partner in Dance look like a cakewalk.
Christian partners knowledgeable of the Chakras may find a valuable caveat
as Fellowship addresses the World Religions.
Lawyers usually recite a firm primary rule: Never ask a question you do not
already know the answer. In Court this may be particularly true, for an
unexpected answer can sink a case.
When seeking Fellowship with the World Religions, this may not be entirely
so.
Perhaps a few things to remember:
a. Making a case for Fellowship is different from making Case.
b. Do not approach a person’s beliefs, completely ignorant of
what they are.
c. Do not appear to have greater knowledge of what another
believes, over he who believes it.
d. Make sure the motive behind asking any question is from the
true desire of wanting to know.
e. Make sure questions are never perceived as tests.
f. Describe a major struggle with your own spirituality, and ask
the unbeliever if he has ever had a similar experience. Was
the problem resolved and if affirmative – how?
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g. Asking competent questions with intentions of sincerely wanting or needing to know gives esteem to the person
questioned.
h. Though we may understand the unbeliever’s Religion, what
does the person actually believe?
i. Called Client Centered Therapy, the Practice of Dr. Carl Rogers
begins asking questions and reflecting back simplified answers.
Example:
Dr. Rogers, “So how are you today Jim?”
Jim: Well I woke up 15 minutes late; missed my train; was
late to work; forgot my umbrella and walked in soaked; lost
my wallet; someone drew a penis on the back of my Billy
Graham book; missed my train home; arrived 1 hour late;
kicked and was bitten by my dog; wife was pissed for dinner
on the table for an hour; completely out of patience; kicked
and was bitten by wife. Slept on couch.
Dr. Rogers: “Sounds like you were running all day to catch
and miss your goals;” or “The amazing value of 15 minutes.”
Dr. Rogers would continue until able to represent what the
client believed without correction.
Client Centered Therapy seeks to make the Complex – Simple.
An effective method with ALL Fellowship.
Summary
We have been contemplating the task of Advanced Ballroom Therapy
using Music without Lyrics.
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We have seen without Lyrical back-up, Advanced Therapeutic Dancers
must themselves become the single factor of sounds grasping symbolic
motion to effect interpretations.
What might appear difficult tasks, through Ballet we become aware
though formidable perhaps, the challenges of Floetics in Advanced
Ballroom Therapy are not impossible.
Elementary My Dear Watson
We have suggested a triage of focus to expedite success, the first of
which defines the Grasp of Music in terms of the Elements: Earth, Air,
Water and Fire, or how the ancients defined the substance of all
Creation.
Perceived through these lenses, so Music can be defined. Does the
composition feel most like Fire, Water, Air, Earth, or, a composite? If
the latter, which are the magic two?
Though perhaps seen quite superficial, successful beginnings usually
are. Defining sound in these terms, partners may seek the nature of
their movement correlative to a consciousness of each.
Does our Movement show the energy of Fire, Water, Air or Earth? We
do not show Flight with the Sound of Earth.
Have you ever asked if two deaf partners can therapeutically dance,
much less in an Advanced Ballroom? I was pleasantly surprised they
do.
Unable to hear Music, how can this be possible?
The answer lies with an increased sensitivity to touching musical
vibration, largely from the Floor.
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Significantly advanced by the shoes worn, it is highly rare to see
partners Dance the Waltz in boots, unless attempting a symbol. Yet,
though rare, it would really not matter.
The sole of all dance shoes are thin, enhancing what can be received
from the floor, which, are also of specialty to Ballroom Studios.
It should also be noted sensitive touch extends to each partner, for
though deaf couples are two, four feet dance receiving the same beat
and rhythm…from the same floor.
Though the Elemental Approach may efficiently describe Music, we
have said it not enough to define the Dancers.
Transcending Self-Consciousness
Though Man may physically be the composition of four elements, the
Image of God is infinitely greater than all the Temples seeking to
glorify Divine Being.
Ask anyone, “Does God Live in my house?”
Of course the answer is usually “yes.” A bit stupid going to worship in a
place other than God’s Home…don’t you think? We travel all the way
to Heaven, only to face a door sign “Vacationing Earth for two weeks.
Unless Hell Freezes – Do Not Disturb.”
Fire; Water; Air and Earth may compose the human body, but God’s
Image composes the music to which Therapeutic Dancers must
dedicate themselves.
Therapeutic Dancers need something that inspires and compels
motion into language.
And Therapeutic Dancers must be able to communicate spirit, message
and purpose through bodily motion; alone or with a partner,
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collectively attempting interpretation of Music by incarnating the
meaning and message of Sound.
We need what includes and expands the Elements.
We need what defines Music inside the partners.
Contemplating these issues brought me to the Chakras; the nature of
consciousness, and relationship with those Grasped to Dance it.
Conscious Awareness and the Wisdom of Sherlock
While the Chakras embrace Earth, Water, Air and Fire as Elements of
Consciousness, the meaning of each is expanded, significantly
influencing human physiology.
Embraced from inside – out, the Chakras offer conscious change and
control of the way we think and communicate.
We can easily conclude Therapeutic Ballroom dancers will find
Therutine as difficult as failing to understand their own
consciousness…i.e., the way of feeling and thought. With capacity to
change, emotional and rational demeanor will follow suit, increasing a
Union of partners seeking to move as one.
While we have said the Chakras expand the Elements to greater
Consciousness, they add to the brew Infinite Imagination; Symbolic
Communication; and a Mind without the restraints of physical border.
The Chakras offers a Heart filled with Jesus and a Mind that thinks like
Christ.
As each Chakra carries influence with human physiology, the Wheels
offer healing to deficits causing disease.
By Chakra Consciousness – man embraces and, is embraced by
Creation.
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Chakra consciousness says we can Be, “All that we can Be, by
becoming all we think we are.”
We are not suggesting Sherlock Holmes was a Chakra Sage. But what
remarkably depicted him was an exact consciousness of the most
insignificant facts, that, when combined, collectively pointed to the criminal
most obscured.
I believe it was Holmes that said, “Having eliminated all suspects and
resolved all anomalies of each case; possessing and scientifically examining
all pertinent evidence; with all witnesses adequately deposed – and still the
problem exists, resolution must resides with what we have thrown out.”
After a while, Sherlock’s victories began to add up, but so the defeats of
what would become his arch nemeses: Dr. Moriarty. Depicted as likable but
no further than the eye can see, Moriarty and Holmes were usually
intellectually embattled.
Moriarty was a murderer, and thief that always seems to escape for another
day. But he is depicted as a man of his word, maintaining a personal code of
criminal ethics.
At times when faced with a threat, they worked together until the enemy
was defeated, and then went back to the mission of screwing each other.
But my digression to the consciousness of Holmes; Watson and Moriarty
was not by lack of control, for its time do some Homework.
With numbers, identify the Chakra Pattern most prevalent in each. In
letters give intensity from “a” to “g.” placed in the right hand corner of each
box.
If you want to stack up against our three heroes, do one on yourself.
For returned Evaluation, mail to Arthur waeterling @ Verizon .net
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Conclusion
In these four chapters I have attempted a very skeletal analysis of the
possibility of a Therapeutic Ballroom in Studios large enough to sustain such
a program.
Psychologists all agree Ballroom Dance a most effective Therapeutic Tool,
and Ballrooms advertise full agreement. So why do we not see Studios
developing the institution of such programs? From my experience, I shall
deal with Arthur Murray Studios and their excellent curriculum.
Perhaps there are several reasons:
1. Such a Program would detract from those of the Studio.
We have seen how exactly the opposite is true, for students having
interest to engage such Therapeutics must first have learned the
basics of ten dances. We have learned it is possible to walk and
chew gum at once. If we can receive Therapy by learning how to
Dance would seem to increase a Studios attraction and incentives.
2. The issue is less the Studio and more the Franchise.
Arthur Murray Studios have a strict curriculum that must be
followed to preserve the excellence for which they stand.
Divergence from established programs cannot be selectively made,
without applying to all Studios under the Franchise. While teaching
Dance can be placed in structures offering control, how can this be
done therapeutically, without losing it?
3. How many Studios are therapeutically competent to advertise
Therapy?
Unless fortunate enough to have a Therapist as a student of Dance,
not many. But this frames another question. How many Therapist
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avidly endorse Ballroom as a therapeutic tool, but do not know how
to Dance? It would appear we have a tradeoff in the wind. How
many Therapists would be willing to pilot such a program, in return
for learning how to Dance? And how many teachers would be
interested in being taught how to be more therapeutic?
4. Insuring against malpractice?
I have never heard of an instance where a Studio is sued for
teaching a Dance the wrong way. But when advertising Therapy,
the situation can dramatically change.
Studios should explain their first priority resides teaching Dance,
and Therapy is an extension of the same. The results, like Dance,
are not guaranteed, any more than enrolling in a Harvard P.H.D.
program. No one can buy success.
Resolving the mental problems of a Paranoid Manic Depressed
Schizophrenic may be a tad difficult, though perhaps not impossible
for Therapeutic Dance to correct.
Signing a simple waver relieving the Studio of all responsibility
resolving mental health problems should be sufficient.
But Ballroom Dance faces greater problems if its therapeutic nature is NOT
recognized and practiced. Where does Ballroom Dance go from
Recreational and Competitive events?
Studios may brag of how many new students walk through the front door,
paying little attention to what escapes out the back. I do not speak of those
who came for weddings; neither those just wanting to look better than fools
at discos.
I speak of those having taken Dance seriously enough to advance as silver or
gold. How many have gone out the back door and why?
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I speak of students equal to the prowess of their teachers. Why the back
door? Is that all there is?
The natural conclusion of Ballroom Dance is a language of Motion to Music.
If this be so, of what is there to express?
Ballroom Dance answers, “Emotion in Motion” and the Therapeutic Nature
is born.
But I strongly question Studio Ballroom Dance is ready to incorporate the
Therapeutic nature of what they teach, despite the accolades attached to
the possibilities of such endeavor.
While my daughter has recommended approaching Schools of Dance, the
fact is Therapeutic Ballroom has never been tried and remains in the
writer’s head.
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