Story Paths

I recently called a small group of well-wishing friends together around a fire for a story share. This is a culture-weaving practice, where one person shares their life story with others. My friend John Wolfstone did this when he was leaving our island in the Salish Sea, speaking themes of ancestral healing that were present for him in his time here. After being here for about two

Read this as an article, and share your thoughts hereBook one-on-one story sessions hereHere's an interesting vista of reflection. Consider the meta-layers of narrative in your life, and how they cause you to interface with the world.What's a meta-layer of narrative? It could be mythical explanations of constellations; it could be their scientific explanation, or a hybrid of the tw

I recently watched Studio Ghibli’s new film, The Boy and the Heron.Perplexed and fascinated, I watched it again. The film has many layers, and not neatly stacks. Metaphors, history, personal experiences, imagination, mythology: there are many aspects to focus on.I’m especially drawn by the films’ two worlds, and how they intertwine. One is a countryside estate in Japan during

Book one-on-one story sessions hereRead this as an article, and share your thoughts hereHere’s something a little different, a fictionalized story of my own life. You may find resonance with your own canyon crossings. For a version with music and sound, listen to the recording.In we go.A man is crossing a sandy, stony plane. As he passes, long-tailed mice with huge ears hop behin

Book one-on-one story sessions hereRead this as an article, and share your thoughts hereLet’s open with a story.Tiger Farming TermitesNeat rows of wood are crisscrossed to draw in delectable foragers, though truth be told, Tiger tastes termites in a pinch. Waiting. Crouched. Poised. Bored as the boards he's laid out, until an unconscious ungulate wanders warily, to nibble green b

Book one-on-one story sessions hereRead this as an article, and share your thoughts hereIn part 1 of this two-parter on belonging, we were getting into moving between circles of belonging.I attended a class recently with the wonderful artist-teacher-ceremonialist-textile practitioner: Laura Burns. I interviewed her some time ago; dig back and have a listen if you'd like. She spoke

Book one-on-one story sessions hereRead this as an article, and share your thoughts hereLet’s open with a poem.Belonging.She gives you all you need. Friendship. Safety. Meaning. Being rid of that pesky loneliness.With her you overlap others. Share deep parts of yourself. Yet if you want this always, you must compromise. Give up the parts of you that rub them the wrong way. Sacrif

Book one-on-one story sessions hereRead this as an article, and share your thoughts hereLet’s open with a poem.Now is the TimeNow is the time to rememberthat our green globe is the best-dressed in the balllit through with organic filamentsbombastic living miracles. Now is the time to turn off the engine and set down exhaustion into lakes that remain and bask foraninfiniteinstant.

Book one-on-one story sessions hereRead this as an article, and share your thoughts hereLet’s open with a parable.A king, powerful and wise, goes into his city, moves among his people, dressed as a commoner. He wishes to see how they regard him, truly, when they do not know who walks amongst them.As for me, I mingle with such kings and queens each day, and I am one of them. We re

Book one-on-one story sessions hereRead this as an article, and share your thoughts hereHow do characters illuminate their world?We experience stories through the eyes of their people. What they seek in their world, we seek. What they find, we find. As such, to choose a character is to choose the manner of entering the story world.Truth-SeekersI recently watched the Studio Ghibli f