Trance Formation: Ritual, Rhythm and Ecstatic Dance April 4, 2008

Robin Sylvan, PhD
For thousands of years, humans have combined the sonic driving of a steady drumbeat with ecstatic dance to induce trance states that facilitate transit between ordinary reality and spiritual worlds. In this workshop, we will generate these powerful states in a contemporary setting, creating a ritual container that directs these energies toward sacred goals: healing, vision and divine guidance. We will trace the historical roots of trance formation in shamanism and West African spirit possession dances, examine interesting recent manifestations, and explore ways to focus these states through ceremonial practices including prayer, chanting, meditation, altars, gesture, movement and music.

Robin Sylvan, PhD, is the founder and director of The Sacred Center, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to helping people find their unique spiritual path within the complexities of a postmodern world. With a doctorate in religious studies, he has taught in both mainstream academic and alternative experiential contexts, including the University of California at Davis, the Graduate Theological Union, the College of Wooster, Fairhaven College, and the Ojai Foundation. He is the author of Trance Formation The Spiritual and Religious Dimensions of Global Rave Culture and Traces of the Spirit: The Religious Dimensions of Popular Music.

Fri 7–9 p.m. • Sat 10 a.m.–5 p.m. • Sun 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Non-credit: $337.50, $286.88 by March 14
Friday night only $15 ($10 students/seniors)

Official Website: http://www.naropa.edu/cfwebstorefb/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=364&CFID=3265701&CFTOKEN=50301602