Cultivating Well-being, Community Cohesion, and Sense of Purpose through African Contemplative Practices
Creative Arts in Education and Therapy December 28, 2024 Lucy Draper-Clarke, Caryn Green
An exploratory study of Southern African contemplative traditions, which are sound- and movement-based and conducted in community settings, found that synchronized movements, vocalization, and multisensory listening during indigenous rituals enabled experiences of self-transcendence, connection, and social cohesion. Thematic analysis of phenomenological data from a research retreat identified four recurring threads: sacred sense of purpose, nervous system self-regulation and co-regulation, enhancement of pro-social qualities, and community cohesion. The authors propose that embodied rituals and arts-based therapies, alongside mindfulness practices, could enhance personal well-being and build community cohesion.