This volume consists of 23 presentations given at the 11th Annual Common Boundary Conference in 1990. Here, teachers, psychologists, cultural commentators, artists, and bestselling authors discuss sacred stories, myths, and the stories of our lives.
James R. Price III and Charles Simpkinson assess three stories to get at their sacred dimension of ultimate concern. Walter Wink finds common points of interest in personal, cosmic, and biblical stories. Matthew Fox, in his inimitable way, outlines those stories which need telling today.
Richard Lewis discusses how important it is to give children a chance to find and tell their own stories. Sam Keen points out that too much emphasis is put on paying attention to the stories manufactured by the media. Mary Catherine Bateson suggests ways to begin patching together a personal narrative of one's life history. Nancy J. Napier shows how to use or discard family myths. And James P. Carse offers advice on fashioning a personal myth.
Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Robert Bly, Allan B. Chinen, and Gioia Timpanelli share stories which touch upon essential matters of soul. Here, transformation and healing are at work in the telling of the tale. Other sections of the book explore the role of story in science, ecology, therapy, drawing, painting, and Zen Buddhism.
Sacred Stories makes it clear that we live in a storied universe. Those stories which shake us to the core, change our lives, and send us on our way rejoicing are sacred stories. They stir our souls and create community. We need to mine the meanings of such sacred stories. This book helps us in that worthwhile endeavor.