Sweet Words: Storytelling as Compassionate Action

Monday, April 14. 4:00pm-5:30pm. Rainier Room.

Description 

Explore what takes place in the mind between storyteller and listeners. Akin to traditional ritual, as one is drawn out of self preoccupation into the ongoing narrative, mutually imagined like a waking dream, the body and mind are synchronized. What is uncovered and known, beneath the story itself, is the presence of abiding peace regardless of circumstance. Through the vivid and gossamer, sometimes wildly funny adventures unfolding, children become everything in the story. They discover the peacemaker within as they practice the needed lessons of conflict transformation, faith in one's basic goodness, ability to rest the mind, reflect, feel happiness, focus, and overcome enormous obstacles. In our increasingly technological, materialistic and changing world, we have forgotten the real function of imagination as wisdom; the voice that soothes the heart, and the wellspring of intelligent kindness that is in-dwelling, but it is never lost or tarnished.  Enjoy the humor, wakefulness and joy of stories – wisdom tales, true life stories and a tale from the life of the Buddha – appropriate for all ages.    

Presenter Bio 

Laura Simms, Storyteller, The Life Force Project

Laura Simms is an award-winning storyteller, writer, teacher, and humanitarian devoted to compassionate action in the world. She is a senior student of Shambhala Buddhist meditation practice and studied under the guidance of The Sakyong Mipham, Rinpoche. Since 1969, she has been a devoted student of Native American Vi Hilbert, an honored elder of the Salish Nation. She is the codirector of The Life Force Project, Inc.—working to create materials and model projects for children affected by war in five countries. Laura is a Fellow at the Arthur Mauro Peace and Justice Center at the University of Manitoba; an Associate at the International School for Conflict Resolution at Columbia University; and teaches at universities throughout the world. In 1977, she founded a Storytelling Residency that mentors those interested in a thorough training in the art of storytelling. She has been a three-time artist for the Lincoln Center Institute for Arts and Education, and the UK’s Creative Partnership Initiative. She has performed for the 50th Anniversary of the Noble Peace Award, and received a Sunny Days Award by Sesame Street for her work with children in the world. Her most recent book is Becoming the World, published by Mercy Corps, Inc. In 1996, working as facilitator for UNICEF and Norwegian People’s Aid, Laura met her now adoptive son Ishmael Beah. In collaboration with the first socially responsible diamond mine industry in Africa (Pride Diamonds) and her son Ishmael, Laura is designing a creative partnership between a school in Manhattan (PS 89) and a Public School (Aberdeen School) in Sierra Leone. She serves on the board of many organizations and continues to work with schools worldwide.