Love is the grounding of our existence as humans,
and is the basic emotioning in our systemic identity as human beings.
Humberto Maturana et al. (1996) "Biology of love"
What's the problem?
Unprecedented levels of loneliness and isolation are leading people into loveless lives, not knowing where to find the inner and outer affection that would provide the emotional nourishment they need to thrive.
What's gender got to do with it?
Since the very beginning human societies have been organised around the distinction between genders. This gave both men and women clear roles, rules of behaviour, and ways of perceiving themselves. However, in the last fifty years these references have been lost, leaving us questioning the very notions of masculinity and femininity.
What does it mean to be a man or a woman in today's world?
We now know that although our gender is determined by biology, its expression varies according to society, the passing of time, and the individual. Yet, modern-day men and women are feeling confused about their roles as never before. In today's world we find men that are wary of emancipated women, and women that are feeling deeply unhappy and dissatisfied with men. We see men trying to find a way to be sensitive without losing their manliness, and women wanting to create more fulfilling relationships but not knowing how.
How can we connect at a deeper level?
Both men and women are realising that communication is in crisis. Many are finding themselves stuck between their fear of authentic self-disclosure and their deep desire for true intimacy.
DEEP MASCULINE & DEEP FEMININE
How can Biodanza help?
In its approach to gender identity, Biodanza invites us to plunge into its deep archetypal roots, which are prior to sexual preferences and existential choices. Rolando Toro, the Chilean psychologist who created Biodanza in the 1960s, believed that the gender crisis stemmed from a deeply wounded male and female identity. When focusing on gender, Biodanza offers dance-based workshops that are specifically designed to rescue deep masculinity and deep femininity.
These Biodanza deepening workshops enable men and women
- to connect with the essence of masculinity and femininity
- to restore the courage to be fully male and fully female
- to truly see and listen to each other
- to become aware of the relationship models passed down by their parents
- to become aware of the many paradoxes in couple relationships e.g. the needs for both independence and belonging
- to integrate love, passion and friendship
- to develop the capacity for real love and intimacy
- to develop the capacity to nourish our loving relationships and maintain them
- to learn to give and receive containment
- to deal with common relationship problems
What will it involve?
Facilitators will invite you to do a series of dance-movement exercises inspired by male and female archetypes and imagery from the collective unconscious. This dance process, based on reclaiming specific rites of passage for men and women, will induce powerful and effective transformational experiences that promote both self-knowledge (what type of man or woman am I regardless of sexual orientation) and intimate knowledge of the other. In turn, this will help to drop any projections on self and others - and to make space for authentic relating. The whole process is done in a supportive environment offering participants the safety they need to explore and integrate different aspects of their gender identity.
What next?
If this is something you would like to explore, or if you’d like to book a session for your group, please email [email protected]
Facilitating this process
I have completed the Deep Masculine & Deep Feminine training with Antonio Sarpe and Helene Levy Benseft. This enables me to lead you through the four-stage process that supports people in their path to knowledge and their quest for integrity and flourishing relationships. In addition, I have also translated the two teacher training manuals, which allowed me to digest and assimilate the theory behind the practice.
This post is inspired by R Toro's"The mystery of deep femininity and deep masculinity"