KATE O'BOYLE Contemplative Movement Practice

Contemplative Movement Practice (CMP) is a form originally developed by Barbara Dilly, past president of Naropa University, Colorado, USA. It is a practice which supports the development of our personal self-awareness of body-mind, together with other people. The structure of the basic form, which can last up to 3 hours, is as follows:

·        Opening Circle

·        Sitting Meditation

·        Personal Awareness Practice

·        Sitting Meditation (Short)

·        Open Space - an opportunity for creating relationship with others

·        Sitting Meditation (Short)

·        Closing Circle - discussion and closure

Sitting and walking meditation (mindfulness and awareness) train our minds and bodies in gentleness, non-judgement and the capacity to let go. Developing mindfulness of thoughts and posture invites us to keep returning to the present moment - to the now. Personal Awareness Practice gives us the time and space to allow curiosity, non-judgment attitude and permission to support personal movement as it wants to happen. Open Space allows for exploration of relationship with others in space through movement. This space invites a certain dynamic beyond the inner world including: choice, exploration of proximity, permission to contact, boundary, engagement, responsiveness and creativity.

The Disciplines as defined by Barbara Dilly are as follows:

1. Willingness To Come Back To Now; this moment. The cultivation of gentle and precise mindfulness of posture, breath and thoughts creates the understanding of how to come back to now; this present moment.

2. Cultivating Kinesthetic Delight. We become conscious of movement coming through the 6 senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch and thought). Listening to the "voice of the body-mind" we learn to honour authentic gestures and allow the movement and the moment to simply be as it is. The quality of delight honours all the colour and textures of thoughts, feelings, impulses and sensations. In this practice we can embody confidence in being completely who we are.

3. Respect For The Village. We honour and respect ourselves and others on the journey together. How we conduct ourselves and move, alone or together, creates the atmosphere and support in the "village."

4.  Tools. Bring water and a journal for writing/drawing.

For further details contact Kate at:

087-234-4201

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Last updated - 23rd May 2020