Emptiness
Julia Ray
Quieting the mind and engaging in ecstatic dance may seem at odds with each other, but they share a connection in their ability to delve into a realm of pure sensation. As one surrenders to the rhythm and movement of the dance, the incessant chatter of the mind gradually subsides, allowing a deeper connection to the present moment.
Emptiness in Buddhist terms doesn’t mean nothingness. It means that every single thing we encounter — including ourselves — goes beyond our ability to conceive of it. We call it emptiness because nothing can ever explain it. Reality itself is emptiness because we can’t possibly fit it into our minds.”
“The term no-mind is also found in the Japanese phrase mushin no shin (無心の心), a Zen expression meaning the mind without mind. That is, a mind not fixed or occupied by thought or emotion and thus open to everything. It is translated by D.T. Suzuki as “being free from mind-attachment”.
Julia Ray
Julia Ray, founder of Ecstatic Dance Toronto, is on a mission to ignite a cultural revolution through dance. With a vision to reclaim dance as a unifying force in mass culture, she creates transformative spaces where people can boldly and respectfully explore the freedom of their embodied selves. Since January 2006, Julia has produced nearly 1,000 electrifying dance events, inspiring tens of thousands to connect, move, and awaken through the power of dance.
