Pathways to 'Dreaming': Explorations in Storytelling

Abstract

The practice and art of storytelling is fundamental to human existence. To affirm that stance, I begin by telling an autobiographical story 'A gift of friendship' (see Appendix). If we were now sitting around a meal table or by a fire, sharing food and drink, I imagine my telling would move others, and they would tell stories of their own. Through this exchange, the mustard seed of my story would grow into a large tree in whose shade we would sit, drawn into a community of strangers and friends. Just as I am drawn into the presence of Justin and of Mahler and into the company of the spirits of other friends and makers of music before them, so this sharing in storytelling would put us in touch with those we celebrate and with many human beings now and before us.