Milongueros and Zen Masters: Pathways of Mastery and Presence
As a tango dancer, my fascination with milongueros has a long history.
In 1998, I met a milonguero named Ricardo Vidort at a tango weekend in Catskill, New York. He told me, "Tango is feeling!" This lesson has been with me ever since, and I think about it often when I'm teaching or running a workshop.
Milongueros are tango dance masters who have devoted their lives to mastering the art form. They have an innate musicality that allows them to perfectly sync up with their partner's movements to the tango's rhythms.
I have observed many milongueros along my tango journey and noticed some similarities between their approach and that of Zen masters. Firstly, both emphasize the importance of practice. Secondly, both stress the importance of being present in the moment. Thirdly, both value simplicity and minimalism. Finally, they both possess a deep sense of humility and respect for their practice.
Although there are key differences between milongueros and Zen masters, they are both examples of people who have achieved a high level of mastery and can teach us a lot about how to live our lives to the fullest.
I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Have you noticed any similarities between milongueros and Zen masters in your own experience? Share your opinions in the comments below!