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, England. 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