Fire on the Mountain

Comment

Comment by Georgia Cammann on June 16, 2009 at 11:46pm

I am a mentor and supporter for many years of children and young people through art, energy work and now, also through the great group based on Bainbridge Island, called the Teen Talking Circle Project. I have worked closely w/ many at-risk kids over the years and have been called in a big way to work with the Indigo children, who come mostly from the generation after mine. I'm 56 but can very much relate to the basic make-up of these kids. I have always seen a strong need to create mentors for all kids. It bridges generational gaps and creates new perceptions. Those of us who have lived longer carry our own experientual wisdom but I continually learn from the wisdom many of these kids carry as well. They're often like "old souls" in young bodies. Teen Talking Circles, originally founded by Linda Wolf, has been steadily growing for almost 15 years now because the need is ever present. Their concept is about creating a safe place to tell the truth...whatever that may be for them, be heard and witnessed in that, not judged and in trust it won't be spoken of outside the circle. The healing power of really being HEARD is very powerful and often begins to open up a person to begin their healing on a wounding they may have. Judgement hurts people profoundly...whether it's because of their sexual orientation, religion, social status, race, culture...the list is endless but always as damaging.

Comment by Benjamin Dennis on April 27, 2009 at 10:34am

A quick note in honor of the work Michael Meade is doing with young people. I just attended an event he hosted in Oakland CA at the Lionel Wilson College Preparatory Academy--deep in one of the roughest parts of the city. Michael told two stories in several parts. Spaced in between were the most powerful examples of young people's poetry today. There were about 20 young men and women who each came forward with poems about their lives and the life they lived--beging with a young man giving honor to one of his classmates who died several weeks prior (circumstances unknown). The poem that was spoken left not one dry eye in the house. Following were heart-wrenching images of pain, suffering, fear, and anger--and then an incredible outpouring of love and honor the likes of which rival the greatest poets of any age. The raw words last night confirm the old saying that a poet throws a shape into the room--only these shapes are the ones that are roaming in the dark all around.

This is ongoing work and I would encourage anyone interested to go and take a look at Meade's website (www.mosaicvoices.org) and attend an event.

The other aspect of this is the need for each of us to be in support of this work.

The Mythsinger Consortium has a place for donations that go directly in support of this work in our area and I would highly encourage each of us to consider such support--particularly in these tough economic times when it is needed the most.

Michael's work is also in need of support and attending his events is a great way of doing this.

AND, each of us can begin in our own way! It need not be a large gathering or a staged event, but simply taking the time and paying attention to the young man and woman nearby who is begging to be seen, heard, and acknowledged.

Ben

Comment by Michael Scott Brooks on March 9, 2009 at 5:20pm

Ahhhh, now you have my attention .....

Comment by Tembo Chinook on March 9, 2009 at 11:35am

Speaking of the initiation of the young ones, was it just a wildly speculative rumour that something may be afoot for Port Townsend / Seattle area this summer?

Comment by Benjamin Dennis on March 9, 2009 at 6:39am

Ok, here I go again!!! the Elder's group is an important place for discussions that need vital attention. However, we also need some of those same discussions in these other venues. Along with many other topics, this is one that, I believe, is important within each context and each realm of our experience.

That said, we must also be careful to not get stuck here--that was what I had originally been after. It is the work and play that we do that is important! For this group, initiation of the younger one's is paramount (happily, that includes all of us).

it is a bit like a wild-fire, it pops up where it will. Try to contain it and it is no longer a wild-fire but something else...

Ben

Comment by Daniel Deardorff on March 8, 2009 at 1:52pm

Yes Scott, I'd recommend those of us talking about the elders should join that group. it's quite simple to copy our text and paste it elsewhere. It would be good to cite the group or thread where it first appeard so we can track the cross pollination.

Comment by Michael Scott Brooks on March 8, 2009 at 11:57am

Ditto to that Danny. This thread has taken on a life of it's own.

I know that I certainly have more to say on the subject. I would be happy to contribute and listen to that discussion, which to my ear, sounds at times almost like a topic for the "Elder's Initiation Cycle", though I am not a member of that group ... Yet ;. )

Comment by Tembo Chinook on March 8, 2009 at 9:50am

Well, for mypart, go ahead and transfer it to a discussion if you know how . . R.
But no one has yet replied to my invitation for trouble in the discussion entitled "Summer 2009 Imperfect Initiation Weekend" above yet.

Comment by Daniel Deardorff on March 8, 2009 at 12:21am

I believe that a lot of what is being said here is very important and should be posted as a discussion. That way it will be available to read for a good long time.

Comment by Michael Scott Brooks on March 7, 2009 at 3:25pm

Far out! ...

I think I'm falling in love with all of you people.

With so much heart, so much passion and so many strong voices, how can we go wrong?! Thank you all for your beautiful and strong words.

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