 Insight 6 is one which lies close to my heart and my thoughts. I am not
only a teacher, a coach, a mediator for those who search for progress, but I am also an
artist -- both visual and performance. In all art forms there are works of art that speak
most powerfully to all: works of art that no matter what part of the globe you are from,
or what manner of culture your society expresses, they communicate past all barriers. I
have traveled a lot and have found this to be true for myself.
The quote below illustrates the above statement in a more
formal manner. It is from a great early twentieth century master of psychology, Dr. Carl
Jung. He helped pioneer many of our beliefs about the mind and developed the term we refer
to as the unconscious, or more specifically, the super-conscious (or
collective conscious).
| "There is a superficial layer of the unconscious that is
undoubtedly personal. I call it the personal unconscious. But this personal unconscious
rest upon a deeper layer... an unconscious that does not derive from personal experience,
but that is inborn. This deeper layer I have called the collective unconscious. I have
chosen the term 'collective' because this part of the unconscious is not individual, but
universal; in contrast to the personal psyche, it has contents and modes of behavior that
are the same everywhere and in all individuals." Carl G.
Jung
Archetypes of the Collective Unconscious |
After having read the quote above you may be
questioning my motives in introducing this subject matter as this month's insight. The
next two paragraphs clears this up and you may find a new level from which to teach, learn
or simply observe.
The word Jung chose to begin the title of his book sums it
up -- Archetypes. Webster's Dictionary defines archetype as: the
original pattern or model of which all things of the same type are representations of. In
other words, there are basic thoughts, ideas, shapes, movements, and patterns that are
common among all human beings.
As an artist I look for ways to express the universal; an
expression that has the ability to impact the most people and contribute more
significantly to our world. As a teacher I look for those "archetypes" that will
impact the learning facility of all my students as a whole. As I teach and coach dancers I
am constantly searching for those insights, those archetypical corrections, that bring
everyone closer to each of their respective goals. I believe that when one student in the
class achieves a breakthrough the entire class has had a breakthrough. At that point in
time I begin to observe more closely every detail that transpires in the class, knowing
that other breakthroughs will follow soon. I call this breakthrough period the
"birthing" of new dancers. It is the time when the students are showing signs
that they are ready for the next level of work. It is the time to use more consistently
the archetypical corrections so that none in the class get left behind.
It is looking for the archetypical corrections in the
dancer's technique that brings about transformation of the young artist to the mature
artist. By closely observing the burgeoning qualities of the students, one may find many
universal guides that will assist them, as future dance artists and teachers, to
contribute to society. Who knows what incredible gifts to the world are lurking in your
classrooms.
BalletCentral would love to read
about your interpretation of these statements. We also encourage you to share your
opinions, experiences, ideas, or a quote that you find inspiring.
Anthony answers some of your
questions in this special section. You may email him at coach@danceart.com
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