Gesture of Awareness: A Radical Approach to Time, Space, and Movement

By Charles Genoud

Book Overview

From a major mind of Buddhism today comes this unique philosophical work, which hearkens back to the classical verse-form, but in a modern voice that speaks directly to the twenty-first century reader and practitioner. Gesture of Awareness involves a fascinating philosophical exploration of time, space, and movement but at the same time is a manual for an embodied "practice of exploration." Genoud is very well known to the leading lights of Buddhism today. He and his work are continuingly praised for their invention and importance. Well-versed in French and continental philosophies, as well as Eastern thought, he has produced a work that will be welcomed as a Buddhist book and a noteworthy contribution to the larger philosophical community.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0861715063
• ISBN13: 9780861715060
• Release Date: December 2006
• Publisher: Wisdom Publications
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.57 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.5" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

a miraculous book

This a miraculous book that is almost impossible to describe. It must not be merely read, thought about or marveled at - although it is beautifully written, thought-provoking and marvelous. It must be savored and allowed to sink in. Above all, it must be experienced, because the ideas and movement exercises offered here are pathways to directly experience the mystery of pure being. If that sounds abstract, have no fear. Charles will lead you step by step -- everywhere, nowhere and right here.

Poetic Teachings

This is a beautiful expression of classic Buddhist teachings. Genoud uses movement to "embody" the lessons, so the reader can actually play with the ideas physically.

A Poetic Teaching of Awareness

This book by Charles Genoud is a pure pleasure to read. Poetry or teaching of wisdom...it is both!! Gesture of Awareness brings a new view of reality, our minds and our bodies. I have learned a new way to look at meditation and movement practices and it is changing the way I lead these practices.

This moment, as is.

Charles Genoud is my teacher and friend, so I'm not an unbiased reviewer. On the other hand, having attended his retreats and workshops for a dozen years or so, I'm in a position to attest that this book achieves something I thought was impossible: it catches on the printed page the flavor of Charles's uncatchable work. The Gesture of Awareness exercises that Charles has developed elude description, not because they're complex but because they're so subversively simple. Every time you try to make something of them (some effort, some concept, some "special" experience), Charles pulls the rug out from under you once again. Suffice it to say that meditative and spiritual practices generally introduce the dimension of liberation first while doing the practice, with the eventual aim of transcending the practice so that liberation is present while you're doing nothing more cosmic than walking across the room. Charles takes you straight to that dimension while walking across the room.