Metamorphosis Through Story Magic with Luisah Teish

We begin with a discussion of the magical power of storytelling. The “art of storytelling” is the grandmother of the church, the school and the theater. It preserves the wisdom of the ages. We’ll look at the many ways story has been used by humans to explain the mysteries of nature and to emphasize the magical in human life. We will examine the definitions of the word “myth,” how myths change overtime and who creates new myths. Then you will assess the myths that have affected your image of yourself and the world around you.

This module will help you to:

• Understand the core structure of myth.
• Discover the nature and function of myth and story.
• Become acquainted with myths from several cultures.
• Embrace change as an integral part of the natural order.
• Recognize that you have the power to change your life story.

In this module, we will identify inherited attitudes and beliefs. We will discover how your perspective was shaped by culture, class and clan. The question, “What’s my story?” and “Who told me who and how to be?” will be uncovered by recalling and recording childhood memories.

This module will help you to:

• Reclaim parts of yourself and expand your sense of wholeness.
• Bring your consciousness to another level of embodiment.
• Connect the undercurrents of your psyche with your emotional life.
• Sink your roots deeper into your lineage.
• Better understand your place in the family stream.

Clearly, we have inherited a wealth of stories from our ancestral cultures. The myths and legends of “Illustrious Ancestors” and “Legendary Heroes” are stories based upon archetypes that emphasize the fulfillment of human potential. We’ll discuss the dual nature of these archetypes, help you shed the skin of the story you’ve been living and prepare you to surrender to the natural order of change.

This session will help you to:

• Release the limiting beliefs you have inherited.
• Write stories to release yourself and others from outworn attitudes.
• Surrender to the natural cycle of change.
• Understand the dual nature of our archetypal stories.
• Provide greater access to your mythic imagination.

After we shed our old skins, it’s time to surrender to the safety of the chrysalis — to become aware of the creative potential that sleeps within. Specific exercises in this module will help you to recover the mythic imagination of childhood. We will play with several archetypes, to see how they fit in the new life you are dreaming.

In this module, you will learn to:

• Choose the archetypes that resonate with you.
• Use writing to sculpt a vision for your new life.
• Protect your “new dream” from the memories of past failures.
• Create a nurturing environment for your new story to emerge.

Within the safety of the chrysalis, we prepare to transform our experiences into works of art. We will blend fact and memory with myth and vision to rescript the story of our lives and communities.

In this module, you will learn how to:

• Expand and ground your mythic imagination.
• Mythologize yourself.
• Experiment with the myth, folk tale and fairy tale forms.
• Create character names that describe your new self.

As we begin to emerge from the chrysalis, you will look at the colors of your new wings. Flipping the script on your personal myth changes the way you look, feel and act. It also changes the way the outer world responds to you. Now it’s time to try out your new wings by sharing your story in community.

In this module, you will learn the basic principles of storytelling, including:

• How to embody the character you’ve created.
• Using new colors and symbols to celebrate Self.
• Designing your flight pattern by telling your story.
• Sharing the lessons in your life story.

Flipping the script is a process that can, and should be, repeated as you cross certain thresholds on your life path. In this final session, you will review the work you have done and discuss the cycles of change you can anticipate for the future.

In this module, you will:

• Evaluate the work you have done.
• Write an oath to your “new Self.”
• Discuss the desires of the distant future.