Dance as a contemplative practice

Dancing in the Church of Sweden can be understood as a contemplative practice within Western Christian traditions, drawing on the writings of Sarah Coakley and Simone Weil. The analysis of ethnographic material from Swedish dancers suggests that dance fosters a form of attention and openness akin to contemplation, challenging conventional boundaries between bodily movement and spiritual stillness.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This article analyses ethnographic material gathered in Sweden amongst dancers in the Church of Sweden. With the help of the writings of Sarah Coakley and Simone Weil I explore if, and how, dancing could be considered a contemplative practice in the Christian traditions of the Latin West.