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Subtle Agroecologies
Whatever the nature of the practice (including transcendental and out-of-body experiences), the
body is always the point of departure as well as return and integration after such experiences (Kieft,
2017b). Creating a literacy of body, heart and consciousness therefore seems essential to fne-tune
our ‘antennae’ to other sources of information around us. Elsewhere (Kieft, 2018) I address the
necessity of moving towards a multi-levelled literacy that includes, yet goes beyond, reason and
cognition and addresses the following: (1) embodied approaches to increase perception; (2) abilities
to skilfully navigate emotions and feelings; and (3) expanded mental capacities to include imagination and intuition and create space for the soul. These suggestions are not intended to undermine
or replace, but rather to complement positivist methodologies towards a more inclusive and holistic
approach to knowledge. To reach such multi-level literacy requires multi-level learning and pedagogy as well, which I address in the next section.
CALIBRATING THE BODY AS INSTRUMENT:
TOWARDS MULTI-LEVELLED LITERACY
So far we have looked at the deep intertwinement and inseparability of mind and body, and the
need to widen our epistemology. We saw that perception and insight can arise through different
channels. In addition to mental and cognitive abilities (often referred to as ‘intellectual’, left-brain
abilities), understanding is cultivated through sensorial body awareness, emotional feeling qualities,
and intuitive, meditative and expanded states of consciousness. These different channels mutually
affect each other.
This fnal section offers simple and practical ways to nurture and develop multi-levelled literacy,
in order to increase awareness and perception and open ourselves up to alternative avenues of knowing. These practical invitations (in italics, below) emerge from my experience and practice as dancer
and dance facilitator. Like a Russian doll, calibrating the body as instrument includes all these different levels: the body is home to the heart and the mind, as well as an anchor within a larger stream
of consciousness. As previously discussed, many disciplines offer approaches to deepen these suggestions, including, but not limited to, ECOintention, shamanic practice, Movement Medicine and
meditation.
DEEPER FAMILIARISATION WITH THE BODY
In order to value our body as instrument, we frst need to address our relationship with it. This is not
always easy. Our body-sense might be compromised through stress, lack of self-confdence, chronic
pain, traumatic experience or (mental) illness. However, despite such challenges, our body remains
a miracle of intricate connections, balance and perception.
Pause for a moment to consider this. Acknowledge your breathing and the capacity of your lungs
to provide you with oxygen. Feel the pulse of your heart, pumping precious lifeblood through all
your body. Imagine your organs and digestive system at this very moment being busy extracting
nutrients from your food to provide you with energy. Look at your hands, and think of all the amazing tasks your hands can perform. Acknowledge the range of emotions that come with being human.
Realise what a unique experience your life is, and what a unique being you are. Keep breathing.
The more familiar we are with the processes and states within the physicality of our body, the
more we are able to discern what arises independently. By monitoring subtle states and shifts inside
ourselves, we become more adept at noticing changes in the world around us. This will foster interaction with the ‘other-than-human’.
Pay attention to the processes and states of your body. Notice your breathing, and whether it is
shallow, deep, high or low in the chest. Is your heart beating slowly, or fast? How are your energy
levels right now? Are you awake, energetic, tired? Does this vary during the day, or after meals?
How is your digestive system? Your body temperature? Are you more aware of your upper or lower
Subtle Agroecologies
Whatever the nature of the practice (including transcendental and out-of-body experiences), the
body is always the point of departure as well as return and integration after such experiences (Kieft,
2017b). Creating a literacy of body, heart and consciousness therefore seems essential to fne-tune
our ‘antennae’ to other sources of information around us. Elsewhere (Kieft, 2018) I address the
necessity of moving towards a multi-levelled literacy that includes, yet goes beyond, reason and
cognition and addresses the following: (1) embodied approaches to increase perception; (2) abilities
to skilfully navigate emotions and feelings; and (3) expanded mental capacities to include imagination and intuition and create space for the soul. These suggestions are not intended to undermine
or replace, but rather to complement positivist methodologies towards a more inclusive and holistic
approach to knowledge. To reach such multi-level literacy requires multi-level learning and pedagogy as well, which I address in the next section.
CALIBRATING THE BODY AS INSTRUMENT:
TOWARDS MULTI-LEVELLED LITERACY
So far we have looked at the deep intertwinement and inseparability of mind and body, and the
need to widen our epistemology. We saw that perception and insight can arise through different
channels. In addition to mental and cognitive abilities (often referred to as ‘intellectual’, left-brain
abilities), understanding is cultivated through sensorial body awareness, emotional feeling qualities,
and intuitive, meditative and expanded states of consciousness. These different channels mutually
affect each other.
This fnal section offers simple and practical ways to nurture and develop multi-levelled literacy,
in order to increase awareness and perception and open ourselves up to alternative avenues of knowing. These practical invitations (in italics, below) emerge from my experience and practice as dancer
and dance facilitator. Like a Russian doll, calibrating the body as instrument includes all these different levels: the body is home to the heart and the mind, as well as an anchor within a larger stream
of consciousness. As previously discussed, many disciplines offer approaches to deepen these suggestions, including, but not limited to, ECOintention, shamanic practice, Movement Medicine and
meditation.
DEEPER FAMILIARISATION WITH THE BODY
In order to value our body as instrument, we frst need to address our relationship with it. This is not
always easy. Our body-sense might be compromised through stress, lack of self-confdence, chronic
pain, traumatic experience or (mental) illness. However, despite such challenges, our body remains
a miracle of intricate connections, balance and perception.
Pause for a moment to consider this. Acknowledge your breathing and the capacity of your lungs
to provide you with oxygen. Feel the pulse of your heart, pumping precious lifeblood through all
your body. Imagine your organs and digestive system at this very moment being busy extracting
nutrients from your food to provide you with energy. Look at your hands, and think of all the amazing tasks your hands can perform. Acknowledge the range of emotions that come with being human.
Realise what a unique experience your life is, and what a unique being you are. Keep breathing.
The more familiar we are with the processes and states within the physicality of our body, the
more we are able to discern what arises independently. By monitoring subtle states and shifts inside
ourselves, we become more adept at noticing changes in the world around us. This will foster interaction with the ‘other-than-human’.
Pay attention to the processes and states of your body. Notice your breathing, and whether it is
shallow, deep, high or low in the chest. Is your heart beating slowly, or fast? How are your energy
levels right now? Are you awake, energetic, tired? Does this vary during the day, or after meals?
How is your digestive system? Your body temperature? Are you more aware of your upper or lower