Butoh (舞踏, Butō) is a form of Japanese dance theatre that seeks to 'resist fixity'. Born in 1959 following the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki , through collaborations between its key founders Tatsumi Hijikata and Kazuo Ohno, it is a fitting reflection for the internal work we must do in order to learn forgiveness and compassion. Butoh presents an opportunity to witness the body in a state of struggle and is typically performed in white body makeup, featuring slow, hyper-controlled motion. Ideally, it's a transformative art form for the performer, and the audience.
(Image by Carlos de las Piedras - Flickr: Sankai Juku, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=13298601)
To accompany this spiritual and healing art, here are wise words from a Muslim sage to meditate upon:
"How can the laws of nature be ruptured for you
so that miracles result,
while you, for your part,
have yet to rupture your bad habits?
People praise you for what they suppose is in you; but you must blame your soul for what you know is in it.
Hope goes hand in hand with deeds;
otherwise, it is just wishful thinking."
—Ibn 'Ata' Illah, #Sufi saint (1250-1309)
