Playing with Drama

Playing with Drama

by Linda Heron Wind, Ph.D.

Ahhh drama! How we so love to engage with the physical world. After all isn't that one of the reasons we came to Earth? I don't know if the angels get into drama but I rather doubt it. Perhaps Earth is the only place that we can really get into character and lose ourselves in the role and costume that we have assumed in order to be here. Using the play as metaphor for life, we can understand the role of drama in our lives.

If your life is a play, you are the main character, and everyone else is a supporting actor or actress, there are some important questions that come up. What is the plot to this play? What is the obstacle that must be overcome to create resolution? Who is this character that you have taken on to develop throughout the play? How do others in your play support the theme? Seeking the answers to these questions help us to step back and observe the play as well as to fully take part in it. The ability to observe as well as act is in and of itself movement to a higher level of consciousness.

A good actor or actress not only gets into the role and plays it well but also understands the character and the development of that character throughout the play. Actions are watched and evaluated for the effect on the play as a whole. In a sense the actor becomes the director when choices are made about how to play a particular scene. In a play you can try out different ways to speak your lines and even change the lines if they do not create the desired effect. Why not do this in your life as well?

I wonder when was it that we became so serious about the play that we became locked into saying our lines the same way time after time? If we can lighten up a bit, any scene can be replayed a different way. For instance, suppose that someone tells me that they are unhappy with the way that I am handling a particular situation. I respond by becoming defensive - an old pattern for me. If I am also observing my response I will notice the defensiveness and I can evaluate whether that is the response that will best serve me. If it does not serve me, then I can stop myself or come back later to this person and say, "Would you mind repeating what you just said? I want to change my response." Then proceed to react with interest and curiosity about this person's perspective.

This seems a little bizarre, but why not? Who ever said that we could not replay a scene? Usually the other person chooses to play their part different also but even if they don't, at least you are choosing your own lines in a way that develops the character that you are playing. Sometimes we can begin this process by just thinking about how we could replay the scene when we are drawn into some old drama. Then, as we gain courage and awareness of how we really would like the play to go, we can experiment with saying, "Cut! I want to replay that scene." After all, this really is just the school play!

Intensity comes
Like the storms across the plains
Inspiring awe

One with my passion
I see what is truly here-
A dance of Beauty!

If you have comments on these articles or ideas for future topics, call Linda Heron Wind, Ph.D.
at (585) 924-5620 or send e-mail to LHWind@aol.com.

Page last modified May 1, 2003 by RMC