Eckhart Tolle, in his profound book A New Earth, penned words that resonate deeply: “Life is The Dancer, and you are the dance.” This simple yet powerful statement unveils a secret to living, success, and happiness – being one with life, being present in the Now. Initially, the concept of being the dance rather than the dancer might seem perplexing. It challenges our ingrained perception of control and agency. How can “I” be the dance, not the initiator of movement? This very question sparked introspection and a creative journey, proving that intuition and understanding can exist beyond the grasp of the rational mind. This resonance, even without immediate comprehension, served as a powerful catalyst, inspiring artistic expression in the form of dancers.
Sketch of dancers inspired by Eckhart Tolle's quote 'Life is the dancer', reflecting artistic interpretation of spiritual concept
The quest for deeper understanding led to Joseph Campbell’s transformative philosophy of “follow your bliss.” Since 2016, this guiding principle has significantly shaped a personal journey. Campbell articulated that “follow your bliss” stemmed from the Sanskrit concept of Sat-Chit-Ananda. Sat embodies being, Chit signifies consciousness, and Ananda represents bliss. While acknowledging the abstract nature of “being” and “consciousness,” Campbell emphasized the tangible reality of bliss. He posited that pursuing one’s bliss is a pathway to achieving full consciousness and being. His insightful interview with Bill Moyers further elaborates on this concept, detailing how following bliss can lead to profound self-discovery and life transformation.
Further clarity emerged from the teachings of the revered South Indian sage, Ramana Maharshi. In his discourse, “Who Am I,” Maharshi used a compelling analogy: “We know that the train carries all loads, so after getting on it why should we carry our small luggage on our head to our discomfort, instead of putting it down in the train and feeling at ease?” This analogy beautifully illuminated the meaning behind “life is the dancer, and you are the dance.” It suggests surrendering to the flow of life, much like a passenger trusting the train to carry them. Instead of striving to control every step, we can relax into the rhythm of life, allowing it to guide us. While the logical mind grasped this analogy, the artistic spirit gravitated towards the poetic essence of Tolle’s quote, continuing to explore this concept through art.
The enduring allure of dancers in art history, exemplified by masters like Degas and Matisse, became even more intriguing. Did these artists, through their countless depictions of dancers, intuitively grasp this profound secret of life? The realization dawned that the personal search for life’s truth and artistic inspiration are intertwined, each fueling the other. Inspired by Degas and Matisse, particularly Matisse’s Fauvist and later periods, initial artistic explorations took form as sketches, capturing the essence of movement and emotion.
Experimentation extended beyond sketching, venturing into carving on plywood, though the resistant nature of the material proved challenging. Styrofoam printing offered another avenue, each attempt a step in the ongoing artistic dialogue with the concept of “the dancer.”
Finally, embracing a lighter, more playful interpretation of the theme, a GIF of uncoordinated dancers was created to celebrate the New Year. This whimsical animation, a reflection of personal dance style, served as a joyful embodiment of surrendering to the dance of life, even in its imperfect and uncoordinated forms.
