See where you are: Somatic meditation and contemplative photography

Abstract

This article shares contemplative explorations of somatic and visual perception through guided movement meditations and photography practice, with roots in Body-Mind Centering® and the Shambhala Buddhist tradition. These are hybrid practices that I have developed through designing and teaching an online course in Somatic Meditation and Photography. Body-Mind Centering and contemplative photography share some common approaches and values, including inquiry into the nature of perception and the movement of attention, interest in being present to what is unfolding in the present moment and perception as a full-bodied felt sense experience. Contemplative arts and somatic practices offer ways of engaging with intention and choice, to work with the mind and senses, to lightly direct our attention and awareness, which can guide us to moments of landing in and with the present moment as it emerges. I offer three somatic meditations that lead into photography practice for the reader to experience.