An Embodied Exploration of Authentic Movement from an Eastern Perspective Nourished by the Great Harmony to Embodying the Great Dao

Abstract

This article is grounded in the perspective of “harmony” and the tradition of “embodying the Dao” from classical Chinese philosophy and integrated with phenomenological body theory. It explores the intrinsic alignment between the traditional life cultivation theory of “imbibing the great harmony”1 and modern embodied cognition theory, supported by practical case studies. Through the practice of authentic movement from foundational forms to the “breathing circle” in group settings, it addresses a series of critical issues concerning the relationship between body and space, consciousness and the subconscious, individual and collective, and non-verbal and verbal communication. The article proposes three practical dimensions of “realizing the Dao through movement”2 in dance therapy: first, achieving perceptual reconstruction within the intentionality of movement to deconstruct the mind-body dualism; second, cultivating a state of “self-emptiness to respond to things” through non-judgmental movement awareness; and third, achieving holistic synergy of body and mind through the dialogue and balance between consciousness and the subconscious and between seeing and being seen.