Story Telling in Community
“Remember on this one thing,” said Badger. “The stories people tell have a way of taking care of them. If stories come to you, care for them. And learn to give them away where they are needed. Sometimes a person needs a story more than food to stay alive. That is why we put stories in each other’s memories. This is how people care for themselves.”
Barry Lopez, Crow and Weasel. 1998
This workshop session will give those participating a chance to share stories about communal living. It will be an open session facilitated by Jan Martin Bang and Anton Marks, who between them have many decades of communal living. Stories can be prepared beforehand, and there will also be opportunities for structured and spontaneous storytelling on various communal themes.
Our aim is to create a space where members, residents and observers of communal living can share the rich tapestry that intentional fellowship creates. We have access to a range of “triggers” that will help us to find stories based upon our own experiences. Participants will have an opportunity to tell stories about their own lives. Because storytelling is basically a shared experience, we will limit numbers. If more than 20 or 30 sign up we will probably split into two groups.
“We are lonesome animals. We spend all of our life trying to be less lonesome. One of our ancient methods is to tell a story begging the listener to say and to feel, "Yes, that is the way it is, or at least that is the way I feel it." You're not as alone as you thought.”
John Steinbeck
