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