286. Ellen Emmet

Ellen’s deepest longing for the absolute was fulfilled when she met her teacher, Francis Lucille. In his presence, over many years, she awakened to her true nature of peace and happiness through continuous and deepening glimpses. The process of aligning and stabilizing her life to and in this beautiful non-dual understanding has never ceased to unfold since then. As a child Ellen was in love with movement and dance. She knew without words the joy and limitless transparency that the body dissolved into when it was free and alive. As an adolescent and young adult, she acutely felt and enacted suffering through her body, struggling with an eating disorder and with depression. Thus, the experience that we call the body has always been central to all of Ellen’s experiences, both in the ignoring and in the recognition of her true nature. Today, Ellen lives in Oxford with her husband Rupert Spira, a teacher in the tradition of non-duality. She has a private practice as a Psychotherapist, and facilitator of Authentic Movement. Her background of Dance-Movement Therapy and Transpersonal Psychology has been deeply influenced by the non-dual understanding. Ellen also offers meetings called The Awakening Body, an exploration of the body and of perception sourced in the teaching tradition of Kashmir Shivaism, Jean Klein and Francis Lucille.  During these sessions our true nature is explored at the level of the body and of the sense perception. Credentials: Master Degrees in Dance Movement Therapy (New York University) and Transpersonal Psychology (John F. Kennedy University, CA). Certificate in Laban Movement Analyst Other Teachers and Mentors: Janet Adler and Marion Woodman provided great guidance and support in the realms of feminine wisdom, archetypal energies and intuitive knowing. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 4/11/2015 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:09 - True Nature and Awakening 00:08:36 - The Beauty of Understanding Permeating All Areas of Life 00:12:41 - The Pathway to Understanding Your True Nature 00:15:57 - The Importance of Intellect and Experience 00:19:14 - The Power of "Mahavakyas" 00:22:32 - The Role of Devotion in Non-Duality 00:25:42 - Moving beyond the dryness in the non-dual world 00:28:53 - The Absurdity of Identity 00:32:07 - The Holistic Development Process 00:35:12 - The Ultimate Understanding in Yoga Practices 00:38:23 - The Flow of Thoughts and Sensations 00:41:38 - Exploring the Body and Space 00:45:02 - Allowing the Body to Surface and Release 00:48:14 - The exploration of the body and perception 00:51:22 - The Value of Sangha 00:54:29 - The Richness of a Polarized Relationship 00:57:38 - Exploring Understanding and Refinement 01:00:47 - Lessons from Every Encounter 01:04:17 - The Practice of Authentic Movement for Healing Trauma 01:07:45 - Traumatic Experiences and Spiritual Awakening 01:11:10 - The Power of Movement and Rituals 01:14:19 - Authentic Movement and Non-Duality 01:17:30 - Sarah's Formulation and Personal Experience 01:20:38 - Navigating the Inner Compass 01:23:58 - The Balance Between Individual Intention and Cosmic Will 01:27:15 - Surrendering to Something Larger 01:30:40 - The Journey of Self-Discovery 01:34:05 - The Journey Towards Wholeness 01:37:19 - Getting Involved with Ellen Emmett 01:40:22 - Conclusion and Upcoming Interview