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Archive Number 2449 | ||
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Date: Mon, 6 Jan 2003 09:59:29 EST
In a message dated 1/6/03 6:08:50 AM, GailStory@AOL.COM writes: << The black and white, good vs. evil is an absolute staple of folk and fairy tale repertoire. Do these stories perpetrate the idea that war is winnable and a solution to conflict? Of course I understand their value when used in a more Jungian interpretation about fighting our inner battles, but does our immersion in that cultural world view serve us now? Are there stories that help us to see or honor the grays, the sometimes seeming conflicting desires for peace and for justice? >> Folk and fairy tales have much to offer about the grays. A lot of their value for me is that they have helped me to learn to hold my own pain, joy, fear, hopes, love, violence, etc. in the palm of hand - in my heart. Of course, I am not talking about the surface value of the folk and fairy tales. I think in the end all the stories that we individually care about are personal (folk, fairy, personal, historical, etc.). Understanding ourselves helps us to connect to others in more compassionate and understanding ways. Story can help us with this. My question about peace is this, "What is peace?" I've been working with this question for a while, taking it to heart as many of us on this listserv do. At any rate, I was talking with an acquaintance and they were startled when I used the word peace. They felt peace was something always calm, perhaps close to catatonic. Peace was not a word this person liked. I sometimes think of peace as a feeling of surety about the Self and an acceptance of others. I don't see peace as always calm. People can have differing points of view and be at peace with themselves and their conflict. I'm not sure how I got to talking about peace, except that I think peace is also the ability to hold the conflicting parts of ourselves in the palm of our hands, in our hearts and in so doing we can then connect with others in similar manner. - Mary **** Mary K. Clark Exploring Stories ~ Weaving Tales Storyteller, Writer, Coach and Collage Artist I just love this quote: "I'll tell you what I need. This is the soul speaking. I need love. I need sisters and brothers. I need discipline and not disciples. I need healing and not to be a healer. Not a star, but reaching for my own." Juliana Coles | ||