*Recently, I took a week-long intensive course on improvisation and (bible)drama. Here is one of the reflections I shared with my fellow learners.*
“The actor is constantly physical. The actor is always in relation with others. The actor gets quick and tangible feedback.” –Jonathan Fox
In his chapter on spontaneity, from Acts of Service: Spontaneity, Commitment, and Tradition in the Nonscripted Theatre, Jonathan Fox explores the complexity of spontaneity and its impact on the lives of actors; for Fox, spontaneity is a kind of ecstasy that encapsulates thought, which, ostensibly, pushes the artist/actor into a space where she enters a medium-like state and offers herself to a part of herself that comes alive only when called upon/channeled. It is this part of [Fox’s definition of] spontaneity that I find most interesting. Contained within the kind of spontaneity of which Fox speaks is the human being’s ability to access deeper parts of her own and other’s humanity; thus, this process of (intentional) spontaneity deepens our soul’s ability to contemplate questions of humaness, and this process can add great depth to our journeys as people who seek faith.
Question: What happens when we perceive ourselves as actors—not just actors in the space of the theatre, but actors within our daily life constructs?
[I think] our realms of influence (i.e., stage) not only become more expansive, but our awareness of our place(s) in the world and our shared space(s) and time(s) with others is heightened. Once we conceive of ourselves as actors among other actors, we can begin to consider the ways in which we are all connected, and we can begin to find ways to make (positive) use of our interdependence; after all, drama, in general, and improvisation specifically, provides an opportunity for an embodiment that pushes us past individual preoccupations and closer a connectedness that is necessary community building.
Although I remain uncertain about my contribution to religious discourse, I do know that my ability to embody the humanity of another—to push past the boundaries of my own experiences—is a necessary practice that ultimately cements my own humanity with that of other humans, and this, I believe, is the essence of (any kind of) ministry.
© E. Zora 2012
Writing is so hard for me. Seriously. Whenever I sit in front of a computer screen or a blank sheet of paper, I freeze. Literally. Nothing comes forth, and I feel like a complete failure. Again. I do not know how to break this vicious cycle of commitment-attempt-fail, but I feel like my life depends on it.
I don’t usually make New Year’s resolutions; I hate feeling like a failure five days into the new year.
There are things that I want to learn in 2009, and I am willing to put all of my energy into learning these things.
1. I am going to trust my own
decisions. I have spent most of my life either second-guessing my decisions or asking other people for approval. 2009 is the year that I become solely responsible for my own life.
2. I am going to continue to add to my diet foods that are known to contribute to good health. Last year, I discovered that I am
allergic to all things dairy; as a
result, I have cut dairy out of
my diet— no exceptions. Eliminating dairy products from my diet has been one of the best things I have done for myself. Not only did I lose a few pounds, but my skin (and scalp) are clear.
I am not dreaming; Barack Obama has been named the forty-fourth president of The United States of America. Black people are moving into The White House!
I am not sure what this all means just yet, so I will save my comments until I know.
God bless America.
God bless President Obama, Mrs. Obama, Sasha and Malia.
*m
I have to put my feelings in check all the time.
I am super-sensitive, and the smallest things have me asking myself a thousand questions about my worth. The thing that helps me cope with this obviously neurotic disorder is that I know that I am responsible for the way I feel. I try not to make others feel responsible for my shit. No matter what effed-up madness others throw my way, I can control only my reactions.
As a younger person, I was always trying to tell people how they hurt me; I would try to get them to change/adjust their behavior so I could feel better about myself and the world. This new approach (owning myself and my feelings) is challenging, but it is the most rewarding decision I have ever made.
I am glad I have learned to own myself.
*m
In Christianity, the fundamental role of a prophet or one with a prophetic voice is not to foretell the future or make predictions. The prophet, first and foremost, must name the sins of which the people are guilty before the prophet can lead the people into a better land. Racism has been the force which dares not speak its name in this campaign. Let us stop for a moment, name the sin, and attempt to heal some festering wounds, so that we can move forward together.
~Dr. Yolanda Pierce
(The Kitchen Table Blog)
Amen, Dr. Pierce.
If we cannot name the sins of the people, we can never atone for them.
I have spent many nights wondering if, even with a black president, we will ever be able to have an honest conversation about race in this country. During the debate, Obama had the opportunity to discuss the power of language to incite people to violence; he could have (in his cool-as-ice way) slammed Sarah Palin for not speaking against the incendiary rhetoric posited at her rallies, but he did neither. Obama’s unwillingness to address these issues now will make it impossible for him to create a space for this kind of discourse once he occupies The White House.
The prophet has to speak the ugly, hateful, hurtful, dangerous name of racism, and then we have to come together and look for honest, constructive solutions. We cannot be deterred when people, like McCain, use their whiteness as license to feign indignation when their sectarian deeds are questioned.
The needs of the American people are as diverse as the people who dwell here; how can we allow only the needs of an unlicensed white plumber trump the needs of every other American citizen? How can we stand to be rendered invisible again and again?
Please, add me to the list of troubled souls this morning; my heart is heavy, and I am saddened that Barack Obama must bear his cross alone, because speaking its name could lose the election for him.
*m
Aravind Adiga (The White Tiger)!!!
Best of luck!!!!
Sebastian Barry—The Secret Scripture
Aravind Adiga—The White Tiger
Amitav Gosh—Sea of Poppies
Steve Toltz— A Fraction of the Whole
Philip Hensher—The Northern Clemency
Linda Grant— The Clothes in Their Backs
Best of Luck!
~0317
Kara Walker’s art is fierce. I hope you will add her to your must-see list!
(posted from my iPhone, so please forgive the errors)
This morning I worshipped with a lovely group of Unitarian Universalists. They were warm, friendly and honest in their quest to live peaceably with all of creation. I left the service feeling renewed and encouraged. I know that my responsibility as a member of the human race is to learn create harmony and balance. I have to be worthy of the gift of life that has been given to me.
As we witness some of the crazy behavior that this election cycle has stirred in all of us, I am hopeful that we will not forget that we are on this planet and in this nation together, and we must work collectively to become our highest selves. When we expand our vision to include others, we can live.
Let us strive for understanding and the preservation of the human spirit. We must assume the responsibility of the faith that calls us to love one another.
Namaste.
~0317
