The Mandorla and the Discipline of Authentic Movement

Created by two separate circles joining by overlapping each other, forming the shape of an eye, the mandorla is remarkably evident in the imagery of various mystical traditions. Looking into the mandorla is one way of perceiving the wholeness of embodied witness consciousness, which can be understood as the development of the inner witness, the heart, the innermost gem of the Discipline of Authentic Movement. Such a journey begins with the mover in the presence of an outer witness and strengthens, clarifies, becomes compassion within the evolving roles of a moving witness, a silent witness, a speaking witness, an integral witness and an empty mover – empty witness. In the drawings in this essay, it can be seen how the seed of witness consciousness ripens as the commitment to enter each role matures, growing the mandorla larger and larger until it disappears into only one bright and clear empty circle. This non-linear progression can be understood through the inner journey of a mover becoming conscious, becoming whole and simultaneously through the journey of the mover and the outer witness, their relationship becoming conscious, becoming whole.