Joy in Motion

Vulnerability: The Gift of Selfless Energy

Lately I’ve been meditating on Madeline Bruser’s words from her book, The Art of Practicing. She writes in the context of music, but I believe her thoughts translate directly into the dance:

Vulnerability is the essence of being human and alive. A New York Times art critic once described several still-life paintings by saying the objects “lacked a sense of vulnerability and warmth, as if they had never been caressed by the painter’s hand or eye.” He seemed to imply that even these inanimate objects could come alive if handled with more gentleness and appreciation. I pictured a series of dull, lifeless fruits and bottles, needing to be seen as they really are, colorful and vibrant, and deserving the attention of a finer artist. This is our own need, to be known and appreciated for who we really are. It is this vulnerability that draws us to music, to the warmth and brilliance great composers share with us. Through their music, they touch us and bring out our tenderness and artistic intelligence.

Passion, confidence, and vulnerability are evidence of music talent. If music were not in our blood, we wouldn’t have such strong feelings… Each person’s talent is unique, and some are more gifted than others, but an intense desire to play well indicates that music is already inside the person, pressing toward the surface and needing to come out. Know this, and take heart from it as you make your particular journey with music.

I have been extremely blessed recently with dance partners who not only allow me to be myself, but draw out my “tenderness and artistic intelligence” in levels I never would have known without such “gentleness and appreciation”. Receiving such pure and selfless energy from these dance partners humbles me and creates in me the desire to give the same energy to them and to others.