Ins Nichtwissen eintreten

The anthology Ins Nichtwissen eintreten enables, for the first time, a diverse access to the Discipline of Authentic Movement in the German language. The book allows for a deepened understanding of what this practice of mindfulness, which is anchored in the body and based on resonant, compassionate relationship, can mean for the conscious relationship of the individual to herself, to the collective and to the numinous. Through diverse contributions by teachers and practitioners as well as translations of multiple essential original texts by founder Janet Adler a collection of texts has been created, that connects theoretical and experience-oriented reflections on the development of witness consciousness and direct experience, thus contributing to a coherent general view. The 18 contributions are divided into five sections: The first part provides multiple perspectives for the understanding of the Discipline of Authentic Movement in regard to its determination as a mystical practice and vividly describes essential forms, processes and main aspects regarding its content. The following three parts shed light on the Discipline of Authentic Movement in terms of the three branches that conjoin in it and that it derives from: healing, dance/art and mysticism. The healing potential is examined under psychotherapeutic considerations regarding the significance of embodiment, presence, compassion and trust into not-knowing. Both the relevance of spiritual experience in the context of traumatic experiences and experiences with body and spirituality in the Discipline under the diagnosis of breast cancer are being explored. The creative potential is expressed by outlining the development of the Discipline of Authentic Movement in regard to dance as an artistic, creative and bodily origin. Furthermore, the practice is described in the context of the process of embodiment in visual art and is presented through works of art. `Bodywords´ speak poetry, which is born out of direct experience and which is related to different levels of consciousness. The circle is described as the form inviting for ritual in the Discipline of Authentic Movement, becoming a container and a ritual for that, which is. Comparing and distinguishing from other spiritual paths, essential aspects of mystical traditions are being identified and the Discipline is determined clearly as a western mystical discipline. Finally, the last part invites for a deepened theoretical reflection in order to contribute to further exploration of this practice of embodied relational mindfulness.