#83: Benjamin Byfield, Meditative Monkey: Fusing the work of Gurdjieff and Movement Culture
Oct 5, 2023
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Benjamin Byfield, the founder of Meditative Monkey in Central Coast, Australia, shares his journey of blending Gurdjieff's teachings with modern movement practices. He emphasizes the importance of self-observation and integrity in fostering community and introducing newcomers to movement. The conversation dives into the evolution of fitness culture, personal growth through movement, and the playful yet serious nature of practice. Ben also discusses transitioning to a home studio during the pandemic, highlighting the creativity and challenges of adapting fitness methods to enhance well-being.
Benjamin Byfield fuses Gurdjieff's Fourth Way teachings with movement practices to facilitate self-transformation and personal growth.
Byfield emphasizes the importance of community and shared experiences in deepening the connection to movement practices and encouraging newcomers.
He advocates for setting clear training goals, focusing on long-term benefits and inclusivity within movement training environments.
Byfield highlights the significance of emotional awareness in physical practice, encouraging self-observation to enhance both performance and personal development.
Deep dives
Introduction to Benjamin Byfield and His Movement Philosophy
The episode features Benjamin Byfield, the founder of the Meditative Monkey movement studio in Central Coast, New South Wales. Byfield emphasizes the connection between movement practice and self-transformation, integrating the philosophies of Gurdjieff into his teachings. He believes in engaging students with rich, thought-provoking questions that challenge their biases, facilitating a deeper understanding of their personal narratives. This dialogue underscores the importance of community and shared experiences in movement practices.
Current Training Focus and Achievements
Byfield shares insights into his current training regimen, highlighting progress in various strength exercises such as hands-stand pushups and one-arm chin-ups, showcasing his commitment to physical mastery. He discusses incorporating lower body strength, jumping, balancing work, and even handstand techniques into his routine. Byfield illustrates how the practice promotes personal discovery and emotional resilience, as he navigates frustration and self-doubt while training. This ongoing journey demonstrates the intertwining of physical challenges with personal growth.
The Importance of Community in Movement Practice
Byfield highlights the value of community and real-life connections in enriching the movement journey. He recounts how forging online relationships transformed into meaningful, in-person interactions while attending various movement workshops. Byfield emphasizes the joy of learning from peers and sharing experiences, which deepens the practice and fosters a sense of belonging. This community approach aims to inspire newcomers to embrace movement as a shared journey rather than a solitary pursuit.
Navigating Goals and Intentions in Training
Byfield discusses the importance of clarity in setting training goals and the need for intention behind each practice decision. He advocates for a long-term perspective, focusing on the lifetime benefits of movement and general health. Byfield's approach involves balancing personal interests with the needs of students in his classes, leading to a more inclusive training environment. This flexible, goal-oriented mindset encourages practitioners to adapt and explore diverse movement pathways.
The Role of Emotions and Self-Reflection
Byfield emphasizes the significance of emotional awareness in the movement practice, encouraging students to observe their emotional responses and how they relate to physical performance. He introduces concepts like self-observation and self-remembering as tools for personal development. By exploring the emotional dimensions of practice, practitioners can address negative feelings and cultivate a more positive mindset. Byfield points out that understanding emotional influences can lead to breakthroughs in physical capabilities.
Exploring Gurdjieff's Movements and Their Impact
The discussion touches upon the intriguing dances and movements created by Gurdjieff, which blend physicality with emotional insights. Byfield describes how the Gurdjieff movements challenge participants' coordination and conscious effort, offering a non-competitive way to explore one’s limits. He reflects on how these movements offer opportunities for deep personal insights, mirroring the complexities of life and encouraging participants to engage fully in the present moment. This unique aspect of Gurdjieff's work continues to influence Byfield's own teaching and practice.
Fostering a Holistic Understanding of Movement
Byfield aspires to present a comprehensive approach to movement that integrates emotional, intellectual, and physical dimensions. He believes that addressing the three centers—body, heart, and mind—creates a more rounded and profound practice. By engaging with the intellectual aspects of movement, practitioners cultivate a better understanding of their physical experiences and emotional reactions. This holistic view empowers individuals to approach movement with curiosity and self-compassion.
Vision for the Future of Meditative Monkey
Looking ahead, Byfield expresses his intention to expand the Meditative Monkey community, envisioning larger gatherings or retreats that connect individuals interested in movement culture. He aims to foster relationships among practitioners while promoting a deeper sense of belonging within the community. His goal is to create an inclusive space where individuals can explore their practice collectively, reinforcing the connections between movement, emotional well-being, and personal transformation. Byfield embraces the power of shared experiences to uplift and inspire within the movement world.
Benjamin Byfield @meditativemonkey is on the Passive Hang! Ben is a dear friend of mine, who runs the Meditative Monkey, a Movement Studio based in Central Coast, Australia. You may recognise him from some of the Passive Hang video logs and previous episode #48 - he is a regular accomplice to movement workshops, and we’ve spent many nights discussing movement and beyond.
Ben is considerate, thoughtful and dedicated to the practice and the people he supports. Using the physical practice as a foundation, Ben is committed to guiding others into self-transformation, heavily drawing from the work of the Movement Culture and Gurdjieff’s Fourth Way. The Fourth Way identifies the human centres of the body, intellect and emotions, studying the self through self observation and self remembering. Ben discusses practical tools on how he fuses these teachings into the physical experience he creates at Meditative Monkey.
We cover Ben’s own evolution of physical practice, and how it led to the creation of Meditative Monkey, sharing how he organises classes and content within the class. We have a valuable discussion on how to introduce the movement practice to beginners - particularly around the idea of setting and holding integrity to standards.
Ben’s studio is a must visit if you’re in New South Wales or around Sydney. You can get in touch by sending him a message @meditativemonkey or www.meditativemonkey.com.au
