My thesis is a body-based arts research deeply informed by two life-altering and life shattering spiritual awakenings in the form of Near-Death Experiences that happened in 1991 and 2001. I have spent the years since then trying to integrate and understand the gifts of remembering that were given to me by my Soul and deeper Essence Self. This thesis is an attempt to bring further embodied knowing from these two Near-Death Experiences, to bring something formless into ‘form‘ through a heuristic body-based arts research. The words of Expressive Arts pioneer Daria Halprin, are my catalyst and starting point: “The entire repertoire of our life experiences can be accessed and activated through the body in movement“ (Daria Halprin, 2003). Using the EXA Architecture of a Session and the heuristic process of Clark Moustakas as a frame to hold my explorations, I will take on the role of the change maker-facilitator, then become the client and later, take on the roles of the Mover, the Scribe, and the Witness, to uncover and discover the truth held in this statement for me.

Benjamin Swatez takes us on a journey across the globe throughout this thesis, “The Heart of Resilience Art Expedition - Shifting the Narrative Through the Expressive Arts”. Utilizing examples of past projects, from the streets of post-genocide Bosnia in 2005 to the Congo River in 2021, he draws a parallel between Expressive Arts Therapy and his work sharing art classes and directing community murals with people facing severe adversity. Mr. Swatez also explores how Expressive Arts Therapy can serve in the transformation of conflict and peace building efforts in the heat of gunfire. In both field journal entries and post reflections, this thesis investigates how decentering through the act of art-making, poiesis, can expand the imagination and range of play while living in warzones and high-risk environments, ultimately shifting the narrative from victimization to empowerment, where creativity and action work together to enhance quality of life.