Previous Message Return to Archive 2001 Next Message

Archive Number 3

Date: Wed, 11 Apr 2001 07:36:57 +0800
From: Laura Simms
Subject: No subject was specified.







This is my first letter to our new healingarts listserv. I am a
storyteller for the past thirty years and have come to understand that
the basic act of telling a story in relation to an audience constitutes
a healing in itself since the way in which mind is engaged in the
listening is immediately refreshing. Mind and body join in the
imaginative and emotional response garnered by the event which allows
for the listener to rest their mind. This stabilizing, and opening is
the foundation for fresh insight, inspiration, and nurturing the bodies
inherent healing mechanisms.

I am about to perform my first one woman show in a theater with a set,
lights and the support of a director. Last night I sat in the audience
and watched the lights change (we have not opened yet). I was somewhat
depleted by the sight of the gorgeous set and the lights which seem to
rob the listener of the completness of engagement. I am haunted this
morning by my feeling that I may cut off the wings of the intensity and
magic of my own storytelling and wonder if anyone else has thoughts
about this.

I have the feeling that the basic illness which has unbalanced all of
our bodies is the way in which we live so much of our lives turned
outwards, looking for quick fixes, and receiving information and content
as if that is the most important part of life. I am troubled, to think
that I may be adding to that illness.

I recognize this is not a specific sickness or trauma, but I feel it is
at the root of the trauma of our culture and have always believed that
the energetic force of the storytelling reciprocity is a way of
beginning to bring it back into balance.

Laura