Prashant Olalekar discovered InterPlay, a creative spiritual practice involving playful movement, while studying in California. Inspired to use InterPlay for peacebuilding, he founded InterPlay India and integrated it with eastern spiritual practices. Prashant has used InterPlay and "Movement Meditation" to build peace within individuals and communities in India and globally, facilitating workshops for over 10,000 people from diverse backgrounds. He organizes international peace exchanges where InterPlayers visit India to interact with rural and urban Indians of all faiths through creative workshops promoting health, compassion, and spiritual connection.
Prashant Olalekar, S.J., works at the intersection of Ignatian spirituality,
justice, the arts and embodied cognition. He draws upon the techniques of InterPlay, which
originated with Cynthia Winton Henry and Phil Porter’s groundbreaking work in dynamic
improvisational ensembles in the Bay Area of California. InterPlay helps people develop very
basic communication skills and be comfortable in interactive silences, sounds, stillness and
movement with others in a trusting, communal environment.
Brahma Kumaris towards International Day of Yoga 2016Brahma Kumaris
World at large and India under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi is all set to promote the ancient Indian culture of Yoga and Spirituality towards World Peace and Harmony. Brahma Kumaris, since its inception in 1936, has been catering to the masses worldwide towards practice of Easy Rajyoga and bring Self-awareness, Self-discipline and Self-transformation. This empowerment of Self naturally bring Peace and Harmony in the World. And that’s what International Day of Yoga is all about!!
Spiritual NewsPaper from Brahma Kumaris PurityBrahma Kumaris
‘Purity’ magazine of Brahma Kumaris is like a fresh breather in the fast paced stressful life of 21st century. The articles cover spirituality with practical tips, the short snippets allow you to reflect upon the dilemma of life from a spiritual perspective. These inputs are like a fresh oxygenated environment which energizes the mind and spirit.
Prashant Olalekar, S.J., works at the intersection of Ignatian spirituality,
justice, the arts and embodied cognition. He draws upon the techniques of InterPlay, which
originated with Cynthia Winton Henry and Phil Porter’s groundbreaking work in dynamic
improvisational ensembles in the Bay Area of California. InterPlay helps people develop very
basic communication skills and be comfortable in interactive silences, sounds, stillness and
movement with others in a trusting, communal environment.
Brahma Kumaris towards International Day of Yoga 2016Brahma Kumaris
World at large and India under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi is all set to promote the ancient Indian culture of Yoga and Spirituality towards World Peace and Harmony. Brahma Kumaris, since its inception in 1936, has been catering to the masses worldwide towards practice of Easy Rajyoga and bring Self-awareness, Self-discipline and Self-transformation. This empowerment of Self naturally bring Peace and Harmony in the World. And that’s what International Day of Yoga is all about!!
Spiritual NewsPaper from Brahma Kumaris PurityBrahma Kumaris
‘Purity’ magazine of Brahma Kumaris is like a fresh breather in the fast paced stressful life of 21st century. The articles cover spirituality with practical tips, the short snippets allow you to reflect upon the dilemma of life from a spiritual perspective. These inputs are like a fresh oxygenated environment which energizes the mind and spirit.
REL 4035, Life, Meaning, and Vocation 1 Course Lear.docxaryan532920
REL 4035, Life, Meaning, and Vocation 1
Course Learning Outcomes for Unit I
Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:
1. Express in writing what makes you a unique individual and what in your life has been character
forming.
2. Evaluate the emphasis American culture puts on the pursuit of happiness.
3. Conceive of meaning as being the deepest desire of our souls.
4. Understand that all human beings are religious beings.
5. Contextualize the place of Ecclesiastes in Biblical literature.
6. Assess the fear of Death and God in the book of Ecclesiastes.
7. Evaluate the value of friendship, a good meal, good, drink, and work.
Reading Assignment
The Bible
Ecclesiastes
When All You've Ever Wanted Isn't Enough: The Search for a Life That Matters
Chapter 1:
Was There Something I Was Supposed to Do with My Life?
Chapter 2:
The Most Dangerous Book in the Bible
Lives that Matter: What We Should Do and Who We Should Be
Composing a Life Story, p. 459-467
Unit Lesson
It could be argued that this course is a quest to fulfill Socrates quote, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”
In this course, you are going to be asked to examine your life to insure that it is worth living. Your first task in
unit one is to write your life story in 500 words or less. This is no small task in itself. The first reading,
“Composing a Life Story” should help you think about how to approach this task.
The first chapter of Kushner’s book asks the question, “What do you want out of life?” Kushner makes the
case that the most common response to this question is something like, “All I want is to be happy.” This
“being happy” idea is even built into our declaration of independence which guarantees us the right to “the
pursuit of…happiness.” The problem is that happiness is not something that can be pursued. Happiness is
always a by-product of some more meaningful activity. Kushner argues in the end that what we really want in
life is meaning—we all want to know that our lives count—that we matter—that the world is better off with us
in it. Kushner ends making the argument that this need for meaning is a religious need. Thus, because we all
have this need, we are all religious.
In Chapter 2, Kushner turns to the Bible for help in seeking meaning in life. There is a strange, little, book in
the Old Testament, Ecclesiastes, in which a man recounts his search for meaning. Kushner writes a nice
introduction to Ecclesiastes and makes the case that it is one of the most dangerous books in the Bible.
UNIT I STUDY GUIDE
Beginning the Search for Identity and
Meaning
REL 4035, Life, Meaning, and Vocation 2
UNIT x STUDY GUIDE
Title
You are then asked to read Ecclesiastes and examine the many ways the author of that book attempted to
find meaning in life. He concludes that life is basically vanity—a vain search for meaning. In the end,
everyone dies and is forgotten. Thus all is vanity. ...
AWAKENING THE DIVINE SPARK IN THE SPIRIT OF HUMANITY For a Civilization of Oneness with Diversity on Planet Earth. Professor Ervin Laszlo is generally recognized as the founder of systems philosophy and general evolution theory.
“The only real way to develop strategy is to use a process where one goes to their “primary knowing”, tapping into source and then listening deeply, moment to moment, as the path unfolds – walking the path as it is created.”
Joe Jaworski 2008
The Phenomenology of 'Solved' Reincarnation Stories Among Druze in Israel: Pr...JohnChavez47
This article examines the self-concept of the person who experienced Notq -the Druze phenomenon of remembering and talking about previous life. We focus on 'solved' stories- ones in which the person identifies his/her previous incarnation. The central question of this study is: What is the phenomenological experience of a person who has had Notq? In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty-three Israeli Druze adults. The findings expose the Notq's experience and its manifestations throughout 'Notq's life career'. The findings also show that Notq provides psychological resources which create a symbolic type who represents the central ethos of the Druze. In the discussion we argue that Notq can be perceived as a cultural idiom providing unique psychological and cultural resources. This study contributes to the research of psychology and culture by examining the Druze belief in reincarnation, the interpretation of cultural idioms and cautions against treating them as idioms of distress.
The 8th World Union of Jesuit Alumni Congress (WUJA) will be held Medelline, Colombia (South America) between 14th to 18th August 2013
Venue: San Ignacio School, Medellin - Colombia
Calle 48 N° 68 - 98
MPSM: working extensively with the poor, creating economic, environmental, agricultural support structures to give small and marginal Adivasi farmers a semblance of sustainable livelihoods.
REL 4035, Life, Meaning, and Vocation 1 Course Lear.docxaryan532920
REL 4035, Life, Meaning, and Vocation 1
Course Learning Outcomes for Unit I
Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:
1. Express in writing what makes you a unique individual and what in your life has been character
forming.
2. Evaluate the emphasis American culture puts on the pursuit of happiness.
3. Conceive of meaning as being the deepest desire of our souls.
4. Understand that all human beings are religious beings.
5. Contextualize the place of Ecclesiastes in Biblical literature.
6. Assess the fear of Death and God in the book of Ecclesiastes.
7. Evaluate the value of friendship, a good meal, good, drink, and work.
Reading Assignment
The Bible
Ecclesiastes
When All You've Ever Wanted Isn't Enough: The Search for a Life That Matters
Chapter 1:
Was There Something I Was Supposed to Do with My Life?
Chapter 2:
The Most Dangerous Book in the Bible
Lives that Matter: What We Should Do and Who We Should Be
Composing a Life Story, p. 459-467
Unit Lesson
It could be argued that this course is a quest to fulfill Socrates quote, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”
In this course, you are going to be asked to examine your life to insure that it is worth living. Your first task in
unit one is to write your life story in 500 words or less. This is no small task in itself. The first reading,
“Composing a Life Story” should help you think about how to approach this task.
The first chapter of Kushner’s book asks the question, “What do you want out of life?” Kushner makes the
case that the most common response to this question is something like, “All I want is to be happy.” This
“being happy” idea is even built into our declaration of independence which guarantees us the right to “the
pursuit of…happiness.” The problem is that happiness is not something that can be pursued. Happiness is
always a by-product of some more meaningful activity. Kushner argues in the end that what we really want in
life is meaning—we all want to know that our lives count—that we matter—that the world is better off with us
in it. Kushner ends making the argument that this need for meaning is a religious need. Thus, because we all
have this need, we are all religious.
In Chapter 2, Kushner turns to the Bible for help in seeking meaning in life. There is a strange, little, book in
the Old Testament, Ecclesiastes, in which a man recounts his search for meaning. Kushner writes a nice
introduction to Ecclesiastes and makes the case that it is one of the most dangerous books in the Bible.
UNIT I STUDY GUIDE
Beginning the Search for Identity and
Meaning
REL 4035, Life, Meaning, and Vocation 2
UNIT x STUDY GUIDE
Title
You are then asked to read Ecclesiastes and examine the many ways the author of that book attempted to
find meaning in life. He concludes that life is basically vanity—a vain search for meaning. In the end,
everyone dies and is forgotten. Thus all is vanity. ...
AWAKENING THE DIVINE SPARK IN THE SPIRIT OF HUMANITY For a Civilization of Oneness with Diversity on Planet Earth. Professor Ervin Laszlo is generally recognized as the founder of systems philosophy and general evolution theory.
“The only real way to develop strategy is to use a process where one goes to their “primary knowing”, tapping into source and then listening deeply, moment to moment, as the path unfolds – walking the path as it is created.”
Joe Jaworski 2008
The Phenomenology of 'Solved' Reincarnation Stories Among Druze in Israel: Pr...JohnChavez47
This article examines the self-concept of the person who experienced Notq -the Druze phenomenon of remembering and talking about previous life. We focus on 'solved' stories- ones in which the person identifies his/her previous incarnation. The central question of this study is: What is the phenomenological experience of a person who has had Notq? In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty-three Israeli Druze adults. The findings expose the Notq's experience and its manifestations throughout 'Notq's life career'. The findings also show that Notq provides psychological resources which create a symbolic type who represents the central ethos of the Druze. In the discussion we argue that Notq can be perceived as a cultural idiom providing unique psychological and cultural resources. This study contributes to the research of psychology and culture by examining the Druze belief in reincarnation, the interpretation of cultural idioms and cautions against treating them as idioms of distress.
The 8th World Union of Jesuit Alumni Congress (WUJA) will be held Medelline, Colombia (South America) between 14th to 18th August 2013
Venue: San Ignacio School, Medellin - Colombia
Calle 48 N° 68 - 98
MPSM: working extensively with the poor, creating economic, environmental, agricultural support structures to give small and marginal Adivasi farmers a semblance of sustainable livelihoods.
The Education Innovation Fund for India (EIFI) is a collaborative project between the HP Office of Global Social Innovation and the India Council for Integral Education (ICIE)
The Jesuit Certificate Program is a formal program tailored to the Jesuit needs of
transformational education as outlined in the seminal document on 21st century Jesuit
education. The JCP supplements the board-mandated curriculum with a holistic program
that enables a transformation based on the SIPS Framework - Social, Intellectual,
Personal and Spiritual education. The ambition is to grow resourceful, thinking
citizens for the 21st century committed to the service of others.
In Patna, a Jesuit priest and innovator , with his motley team of seven is changing the way educational and medical institutions generate and consume electricity
The Book of Joshua is the sixth book in the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament, and is the first book of the Deuteronomistic history, the story of Israel from the conquest of Canaan to the Babylonian exile.
HANUMAN STORIES: TIMELESS TEACHINGS FOR TODAY’S WORLDLearnyoga
Hanuman Stories: Timeless Teachings for Today’s World" delves into the inspiring tales of Hanuman, highlighting lessons of devotion, strength, and selfless service that resonate in modern life. These stories illustrate how Hanuman's unwavering faith and courage can guide us through challenges and foster resilience. Through these timeless narratives, readers can find profound wisdom to apply in their daily lives.
In Jude 17-23 Jude shifts from piling up examples of false teachers from the Old Testament to a series of practical exhortations that flow from apostolic instruction. He preserves for us what may well have been part of the apostolic catechism for the first generation of Christ-followers. In these instructions Jude exhorts the believer to deal with 3 different groups of people: scoffers who are "devoid of the Spirit", believers who have come under the influence of scoffers and believers who are so entrenched in false teaching that they need rescue and pose some real spiritual risk for the rescuer. In all of this Jude emphasizes Jesus' call to rescue straying sheep, leaving the 99 safely behind and pursuing the 1.
The PBHP DYC ~ Reflections on The Dhamma (English).pptxOH TEIK BIN
A PowerPoint Presentation based on the Dhamma Reflections for the PBHP DYC for the years 1993 – 2012. To motivate and inspire DYC members to keep on practicing the Dhamma and to do the meritorious deed of Dhammaduta work.
The texts are in English.
For the Video with audio narration, comments and texts in English, please check out the Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF2g_43NEa0
The Good News, newsletter for June 2024 is hereNoHo FUMC
Our monthly newsletter is available to read online. We hope you will join us each Sunday in person for our worship service. Make sure to subscribe and follow us on YouTube and social media.
What Should be the Christian View of Anime?Joe Muraguri
We will learn what Anime is and see what a Christian should consider before watching anime movies? We will also learn a little bit of Shintoism religion and hentai (the craze of internet pornography today).
Exploring the Mindfulness Understanding Its Benefits.pptxMartaLoveguard
Slide 1: Title: Exploring the Mindfulness: Understanding Its Benefits
Slide 2: Introduction to Mindfulness
Mindfulness, defined as the conscious, non-judgmental observation of the present moment, has deep roots in Buddhist meditation practice but has gained significant popularity in the Western world in recent years. In today's society, filled with distractions and constant stimuli, mindfulness offers a valuable tool for regaining inner peace and reconnecting with our true selves. By cultivating mindfulness, we can develop a heightened awareness of our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings, leading to a greater sense of clarity and presence in our daily lives.
Slide 3: Benefits of Mindfulness for Mental Well-being
Practicing mindfulness can help reduce stress and anxiety levels, improving overall quality of life.
Mindfulness increases awareness of our emotions and teaches us to manage them better, leading to improved mood.
Regular mindfulness practice can improve our ability to concentrate and focus our attention on the present moment.
Slide 4: Benefits of Mindfulness for Physical Health
Research has shown that practicing mindfulness can contribute to lowering blood pressure, which is beneficial for heart health.
Regular meditation and mindfulness practice can strengthen the immune system, aiding the body in fighting infections.
Mindfulness may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity by reducing stress and improving overall lifestyle habits.
Slide 5: Impact of Mindfulness on Relationships
Mindfulness can help us better understand others and improve communication, leading to healthier relationships.
By focusing on the present moment and being fully attentive, mindfulness helps build stronger and more authentic connections with others.
Mindfulness teaches us how to be present for others in difficult times, leading to increased compassion and understanding.
Slide 6: Mindfulness Techniques and Practices
Focusing on the breath and mindful breathing can be a simple way to enter a state of mindfulness.
Body scan meditation involves focusing on different parts of the body, paying attention to any sensations and feelings.
Practicing mindful walking and eating involves consciously focusing on each step or bite, with full attention to sensory experiences.
Slide 7: Incorporating Mindfulness into Daily Life
You can practice mindfulness in everyday activities such as washing dishes or taking a walk in the park.
Adding mindfulness practice to daily routines can help increase awareness and presence.
Mindfulness helps us become more aware of our needs and better manage our time, leading to balance and harmony in life.
Slide 8: Summary: Embracing Mindfulness for Full Living
Mindfulness can bring numerous benefits for physical and mental health.
Regular mindfulness practice can help achieve a fuller and more satisfying life.
Mindfulness has the power to change our perspective and way of perceiving the world, leading to deeper se
The Chakra System in our body - A Portal to Interdimensional Consciousness.pptxBharat Technology
each chakra is studied in greater detail, several steps have been included to
strengthen your personal intention to open each chakra more fully. These are designed
to draw forth the highest benefit for your spiritual growth.
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way.pptxCelso Napoleon
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way
SBs – Sunday Bible School
Adult Bible Lessons 2nd quarter 2024 CPAD
MAGAZINE: THE CAREER THAT IS PROPOSED TO US: The Path of Salvation, Holiness and Perseverance to Reach Heaven
Commentator: Pastor Osiel Gomes
Presentation: Missionary Celso Napoleon
Renewed in Grace
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way.pptx
Building bridges peace by peace
1. Building Bridges Peace by Peace (Jivan, Sept. 2011 by John Rose sj)
'New Frontiers' was one of the take-home concepts for all those who participated
in GC 35. It appeared powerfully, both in the congregation documents and in the
Pope's address. However the spirit of seeking new frontiers is not new for Jesuits.
It is a constant theme of St. Ignatius, poignantly seen when with a heavy heart he
had to send Francis Xavier to India, the edges of the known world. The spirit of
frontiers is the spirit of the magis challenging us to make our apostolates relevant
in times of rapid change.
In a globalizing world with its increasing stress and widespread violence Bombay Jesuit Prashant
Olalekar was in search of new ways to communicate and create peace. In his quest he discovered a
creative spiritual practice called ‘InterPlay’, a word that evokes play and relationship. Used for pastoral
care, spiritual formation, community building, empowerment and liberation, InterPlay brings people and
ideas back together to heal the deep splits between body, mind and spirit, create paths of grace, health and
joy for contemplatives in action, and empowers people to tell their stories in affirming communities.
“InterPlay is rooted in a theology of the body that seeks peace,” says Prashant, the founder of InterPlay
India.
While doing his doctoral studies in peace at Berkeley, California he discerned the mysterious call of God
leading him through the co-founders of InterPlay - Cynthia Winton-Henry and Phil Porter – to launch into
a peace ministry that could even bridge continents.
Conceptualized in 1989 InterPlay is an active and creative way to unlock the
wisdom of our body! It opens the doors, windows and shutters of our bodies to
the wonders within as well as in the rest of humanity and all God’s creation. It
has now developed into a global social movement dedicated to ease, connection,
human sustainability and play.
On his return to India Prashant integrated InterPlay with some compatible eastern
spiritual practices to devise what he calls ‘Movement Meditation’. Since 2007
with a team of dedicated lay collaborators he has introduced InterPlay/Movement
Meditation to about 10,000 people in various parts of India and abroad. The
participants range from social workers to commercial sex workers, from rural tribals to city elites, from
physically differently abled to adults having mental illness, from teachers and students to therapists and
trainers, from budding youth to married couples, from priests and bishops to lay leaders and women
religious.
Prashant finds InterPlay a wonderful medium for holistic peace: intrapersonal, interpersonal, societal,
global and cosmic. As a bridge builder in keeping with the spirit of GC 35, he initiated the global peace
exchange project in 2008. American and Australian InterPlayers come to India to interplay and interact
with rich and poor, rural and urban people of all faiths and ideologies. For the most recent peace
exchange there were a variety of creative workshops mainly facilitated by Trish Watts, the co-founder of
InterPlay Australia. Some titles will give you an idea: InterPlay - a Way of Life, Playing with Life’s
Choices, Compassionate Communication, InterPlay for Health, Listen to the Hum of Life, Explore the
Child Within, Sparkle and Sprinkle, Voice Medicine, Teamwork and Beyond.
2. GC 35 reminds us of our mission for today: “‘Nations’ beyond
geographical definitions await us, ‘nations’ that today include those
who are poor and displaced…there are new ‘nations’, and we have
been sent to them.” The main highlight of the peace pilgrimage from
Jan. 7-20, 2011 was the exposure to the “new nations” of the poor in S.
Gujarat and Varanasi.
The peace exchange opened up a new form of partnership which can
best be captured by the image of ‘co-pilgrims’ on a journey to the heart
of India. The pilgrims reawakened the tribal couples to the wonders of their innate body wisdom thus
connecting at a deeper level with each other and creation. Like the previous year for the tremendous tribal
dance festival at Bardipada, S. Gujarat, so also this year at Dediapada and Nani Singloti of Bharuch
District, the tribals were thrilled by the readiness of the pilgrims to join in the flow of their dance.
Participating as co-pilgrims in the naach/nu or tribal dance, which involves the whole community with
bodies intertwined singing and dancing in harmony with nature, was a rare experience of cosmic
communion and co-creation.
Pulsing to the Tribal Heart beat…
In Varanasi the visits to Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim shrines left an indelible mark on the pilgrims. The
InterPlay with the students, quite a few of whom were tribals, of the Navsadhana College of music and
dance as well as with the youth representatives of several northern dioceses, was a veritable spiritual treat.
Playing with the deaf and dumb children at the Navvani centre left us dumbfounded at the profound
connection that goes beyond words.
Dumbfounded: Connecting beyond words…
3. Prashant says “The peace pilgrimage turned out to be a beautiful opportunity to engage in the triple
dialogue, namely the dialogue with cultures, religions, and the poor stressed by the Federation of Asian
Bishops’ Conference.” He adds, “We were constantly confronted by the challenges of globalization in
solidarity, a globalization without marginalization. The collaboration across geographical, economic,
social and religious boundaries brought about a heightened sense of awareness of our interdependence
helping us to deepen our pilgrimage theme 'Nurturing Co-Creation: Playing for Peace.'”
Thanks to the initiative of the lay collaborators on the team he feels it was possible to fulfil the Pope’s
clarion call to the Jesuits at GC35 “to reach the geographical and spiritual places where others do not
reach or find it difficult to reach.”
At home with the tribals of Dediapada (S. Gujarat)
This author got Prashant to speak exclusively for Jivan.
Q.1 How did you get involved with InterPlay?
On my sabbatical in the US I was scouting around for some relevant body-based spiritualities. After the
opening retreat which awakened me to the God of surprises I mysteriously found myself a curious
participant for what I initially thought would be the first and last class of a spirituality course. Cynthia
Winton-Henry, the teacher, in the process of introducing herself placed her shawl like a wreath around the
photo of an Afro-American InterPlayer, who had died a few months earlier. On recalling their close
relationship Cynthia, who was doing an InterPlay form called ‘the full body story’, started weeping
bitterly and rolling on the floor. Finally with head raised high and outstretched hands she thanked God for
this gift of an ancestor in heaven to intercede on her behalf. The spontaneous resurrection dance that
followed was truly out of this world.
The rest of the class was truly amazing and soon I found myself not only a part of the full course but also
taking every opportunity to learn InterPlay, thanks to the graciousness and generosity of Cynthia.
Q. 2 How were you inspired to initiate a movement for global peace?
During an InterPlay retreat Phil Porter, the other cofounder of Interplay, was guiding me through a
discernment process to seek for the next step on my life’s journey. He asked me to lie down and let one
hand dance in the air. The Jesuit in me began to doubt how anything could be discerned in this crazy
fashion but at the end I was unexpectedly filled with a deep sense of consolation. I sensed a call to a
radically new mission but wanted some signs of confirmation to be certain. When Phil indicated the
4. possibility of God calling me to be a peace bridge between USA and India it immediately hit me that this
was the first sign. In prophetic fashion I felt totally unworthy, only to be gradually reassured that if God
had chosen me He would see it through.
Q. 3 How is InterPlay different from other forms of play?
InterPlay is basically about childlike play. It is totally different from play that is competitive and
commercial. For adults it is fun to play like little children once again. They regain and rediscover their
lost childhood. They experience the bliss of God’s kingdom promised to those who truly become like
little children.
Anthony de Mello’s beautiful wisdom story on play is very pertinent:
“The Master once referred to the Hindu notion that all creation is "leela" — God's play — and the
universe is his playground. The aim of spirituality, he claimed, is to make all life play.
This seemed too frivolous for a puritanical visitor. "Is there no room then for work?"
"Of course there is. But work becomes spiritual only when it is transformed into play."
InterPlay is not only a skill to be learnt at workshops but an invitation to a spirituality, a way of life that
teaches us to look at life less as a work to be accomplished and more like play to be enjoyed.
Q. 4 Is InterPlay one more therapy?
InterPlay is not designed as a therapy but very therapeutic. Participants report remarkable healings
because tapping into our body wisdom often brings wholeness and healing. If we respect the dignity of
our bodies then we will not abuse our bodies and those of others. InterPlay reminds us that we are created
in the image and likeness of God – the Word made flesh.
Q. 5 This means it is about the incarnation.
Yes, it definitely is. InterPlay takes the whole body into consideration because it takes the incarnation
seriously. Jesus is enfleshed, embodied God. In Jesus Christ the human and divine are inseparably
interconnected. In his person we see the harmonious interplay of the human and divine. At the Last
Supper Jesus offered himself to his disciples, “This is my body. Take and eat …” Not only were Jesus’
birth and death full body experiences but even his resurrection was a resurrection of the body. The advent
of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is intimately connected with bodily manifestations like the gift of tongues.
The body is sacred and to be valued as a temple of the Spirit.
Q. 6 How does InterPlay value the body?
InterPlay trusts the wisdom of the body. Body wisdom integrates body, mind, heart and spirit into one
harmonious whole. We have been trained to trust the mind and distrust the body due to our dualistic
mentality. The socialization process, whether religious or secular, has conditioned us to look at our bodies
with suspicion. We tend to consider the mind as separate from the body and superior to it. The ongoing
conflict between our bodies and minds creates stress and health problems. InterPlay demonstrates how
life can be more relaxing and less stressful when we trust the body.
Q. 7 If InterPlay releases stress it should have been very popular by now.
5. Very true but there is much resistance which is quite understandable. From her experience of teaching
InterPlay for 25 years Cynthia testifies that it can be quite scary. “Death is a scary word” she says but so
are “play, body, dance, feel, touch”. These words scare us to death because like the reality of death they
challenge us to be vulnerable, to let go and let God. Those who dare to dance are labeled as crazy. This
comment by a famous philosopher rings so true:
“.... and those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane
by those who could not hear the music.”
Q. 8 How do you see it as an aid to build up the Church?
While InterPlay is not affiliated to any particular religion it can be used to build up any community.
InterPlay has been effectively used to build up Christian communities worldwide. Our usual approach -
not only to our own bodies but also to other human bodies and the body of the universe - is one of
dominance and violence. InterPlay helps build joyful communities because it bonds people together in
simple yet amazing ways. It breaks through individualistic tendencies and hierarchies fostering
collaboration and equality. It is a creative tool to promote active participation and interdependence among
all members of the Church, the Body of Christ,.
Q. 9 Why do you foster Movement Meditation?
I find Indian audiences much more receptive to Movement Meditation as there is an opportunity to plunge
deeper. Movement Meditation integrates Interplay and eastern techniques like Walking Meditation,
Creative Visualization and Deep Relaxation. The focus is on awareness in movement and stillness.
Simple techniques involving improvisation bring us to the present moment. Awareness of breath, sound
and bodily sensations leads to greater centering. The appropriate combination with other static forms of
meditation can make the whole experience more fruitful. It can deepen our prayer experience so that we
learn to walk on mother earth, smell flowers, breathe fresh air, sip water and taste food with greater
awareness. We can thus cultivate the art of finding God in all things.
Q. 10 What has been the response for your programs with Jesuits and Jesuit institutions?
Most of the programs have been held at Jivanvikas Sadan, the Bandra Retreat House at which I am the
Director. It has been an excellent stimulus to seek for ways to bridge Ignatian Spirituality and Body
Wisdom, the theme of my ongoing action-reflection and research. There are doubts and fears and
apprehensions but this is inevitable for any ‘new frontier’ ministry which is in its infancy. It is a
fascinating adventure and frustrating too at times, but the joy of kindling fires is irresistible.
The peace exchange programs with the tribals were organized in close collaboration with the Gujarat
Jesuits, diocesans and sisters.
The feedback from the annual retreat on ‘Prophetic Play and Mystical Movement’ for the Kerala
scholastics in 2010 was extremely encouraging. Brief sessions for various groups of scholastics as well as
for the national coordinators of JIGSA and JEPASA were quite well received. The experience at a Jesuit
school for tribals in Diyungbra, Assam was memorable.
6. Just two examples from Bombay Province Jesuit institutions are worth mentioning: one of the tribal area
in Talasari mission and the other in Mumbai city.
The village leaders of Talasari mission had a taste of a unique ‘Lenten Recollection’ at Gnanmata Sadan,
Talasari. Simple InterPlay forms of movement, story, sound and silence led the tribals to discover the
amazing power of their inner voice which is longing to break free from a culture of silence.
The lay collaborators of InterPlay India facilitated several Movement Meditation workshops for the
seventh standard students of St. Stanislaus High School, Mumbai as part of the spirituality component of
the Jesuit Certificate program. The students’ testimonies reveal that besides experiences like ‘my soul
was searching for my body’ and ‘feeling in a place more relaxing than paradise’, they also became aware
of ‘the melody singing within’, ‘learnt to coordinate with others’, and ‘how to control anger and
impatience.’ It was amazing to realize that ‘movement meditation could be not only enlightening but also
so much fun’.
Q. 10 How does it promote global peace and understanding?
At the domestic, national, and international levels we are
witnessing an unprecedented upsurge of violence. Never before
are we more desperately seeking for peace in the domestic as
well as global family. In 2008, as part of the peace exchange
when Cynthia and her team visited a BJP-dominated area of
Dahisar slums in Mumbai, we were a bit apprehensive and
cautious. After a session with the poor women, they
spontaneously remarked, “We were amazed to see how peaceful
and peace-loving Americans can be.”
Like many others Tony Hole, an Australian whose drum and heart beat with the poor, is deeply impressed
and inspired by the way we play with marginalized groups.
Playing together for peace with people of different cultures and building bridges across narrow
boundaries of caste, creed, and country are among the precious gifts of the global peace project. A sense
of universal solidarity through networking for peace is slowly but surely growing. The thrust towards the
marginalized has made us more aware that poverty is at the root of violence urging us to continue with
our humble attempts to sow seeds of peace.
Q. 11 Could you share any one experience of reaching out to the marginalised?
At Cheshire Home for poor paraplegics when using the InterPlay form called “Lead and Follow” there
was a man who was totally stiff due to a stroke, but I noticed his eyes dancing. Without using any words
I started moving my hand and he followed. Then I
began following his movements and soon we did not
know who was leading and who was following. This is a
frequent occurrence, called ‘ecstatic following’, in
InterPlay. It was really amazing to see that at one stage
he started moving much faster and even tricking me
7. while I was trying to match his energy. I could see the change taking place in his eyes, in his face... and
in his whole body. Experiencing the mysterious flow of energy between the two of us had a mystical
quality. He also loved the experience of tenderly touching his own face. This memory is stored in the
body. I won’t be surprised when I go there next time to find that he will be using that hand much more.
It was a very touching experience for him and for me too.
Harriet Platts from USA, one of the InterPlay pilgrims, referring to this experience sent a striking email
“Watching the recently released you tube (Through Dance Jesuit Connects with the Poor in India
http://www.nationaljesuitnews.com ) of the InterPlay work in India,
I found myself with tears pooling in my eyes.
Tears of wishing I could be along there...
Tears of gratitude for those whom you're having an opportunity to serve...
Tears for new modes and ways to be 'play/grace-missionaries'...
Tears of joy and hope for what is springing forth because you're willing to step forward and say YES...
Please know my heart is with you as you continue to play in grace and freedom in India!!”
Lend a helping hand for global peace…