Beyond The Narratives

In 2003 John Michael Greer became the seventh Grand Archdruid of the Ancient Order of Druids in America (AODA), an initiatory organization teaching Celtic nature spirituality which was founded in 1912. The outcome was that his writings began to stray into territory very far from the Hermetic occult philosophy that had been the previous focus of his career. The essays included in this volume chronicle some of the themes he explored as a result: Druidry, Jungian psychology, politics, history, and the shape of the future in a society in decline.

Poverty narratives have become an unprecedented source of empowerment. Yet, indiscriminate misuse risks devastating repercussions for the weakest members of society.

Beyond Narrative Coherence reconsiders the way we understand and work with narratives. Even though narrators tend to strive for coherence, they also add complexity, challenge canonical scripts, and survey lives by telling highly perplexing and contradictory stories. Many narratives remain incomplete, ambiguous, and contradictory. Obvious coherence cannot be the sole moral standard, the only perspective of reading, or the criterion for selecting and discarding research material. Beyond Narrative Coherence addresses the limits and aspects of narrative (dis)cohering by offering a rich theoretical and historical background to the debate. Limits of narrative coherence are discussed from the perspective of three fields of life that often threaten the coherence of narrative: illness, arts, and traumatic political experience. The authors of the book cover a wide range of disciplines such as psychology, sociology, arts studies, political science and philosophy.

In 2003 John Michael Greer became the seventh Grand Archdruid of the Ancient Order of Druids in America (AODA), an initiatory organization teaching Celtic nature spirituality which was founded in 1912. The outcome was that his writings began to stray into territory very far from the Hermetic occult philosophy that had been the previous focus of his career. The essays included in this volume chronicle some of the themes he explored as a result: Druidry, Jungian psychology, politics, history, and the shape of the future in a society in decline.

For all of the recent debates over the methods and theoretical underpinnings of the historical profession, scholars and laypeople alike still frequently think of history in terms of storytelling. Accordingly, historians and theorists have devoted much attention to how historical narratives work, illuminating the ways they can bind together events, shape an argument and lend support to ideology. From ancient Greece to modern-day bestsellers, the studies gathered here offer a wide-ranging analysis of the textual strategies used by historians. They show how in spite of the pursuit of truth and objectivity, the ways in which historians tell their stories are inevitably conditioned by their discursive contexts.

There’s no shortage of books talking about the importance of story, and for good reason. Effective storytelling is an important tool for your organization. But … Storytelling is not enough. If you want an organization that creates long-term positive impact, then you need more than clever stories. You need to create meaning through narrative. In Culture-Bending Narratives, Jason Locy takes you through the process of moving beyond the fundamentals of storytelling and into a deeper conversation around the power of narrative. With narrative, your organization can challenge the way others see the world and invite them on a journey to discovering a deeper purpose and meaning. In the end, you will leave with a new way of thinking that weaves your organization’s desire for a better world throughout all you do.

In troubled societies narratives about the past tend to be partial and explain a conflict from narrow perspectives that justify the national self and condemn, exclude and devalue the 'enemy' and their narrative. Through a detailed analysis, Teaching Contested Narratives reveals the works of identity, historical narratives and memory as these are enacted in classroom dialogues, canonical texts and school ceremonies. Presenting ethnographic data from local contexts in Cyprus and Israel, and demonstrating the relevance to educational settings in countries which suffer from conflicts all over the world, the authors explore the challenges of teaching narratives about the past in such societies, discuss how historical trauma and suffering are dealt with in the context of teaching, and highlight the potential of pedagogical interventions for reconciliation. The book shows how the notions of identity, memory and reconciliation can perpetuate or challenge attachments to essentialized ideas about peace and conflict.

★ Starred selection for CCBC's Best Books Ideal for Teachers 2023! Resurgence is an inspiring collection of contemporary Indigenous poetry, art, and narratives that guides K–12 educators in bridging existing curricula with Indigenous voices and pedagogies. In this first book in the Footbridge Series, we invite you to walk with us as we seek to: connect peoples and places link truth and reconciliation as ongoing processes symbolize the risk and urgency of this work for both Indigenous and settler educators engage tensions highlight the importance of balance, both of ideas and within ourselves Through critical engagement with each contributor’s work, experienced educators Christine M’Lot and Katya Adamov Ferguson support readers in connecting with Indigenous narratives and perspectives, bringing Indigenous works into the classroom, and creating more equitable and sustainable teaching practices. In this resource, you will find: diverse Indigenous voices, perspectives, and art forms from a variety of nations and locations valuable concepts and methods that can be applied to the classroom and beyond practical action steps and resources for educators, parents, librarians, and administrators Use this book as a springboard for your own learning journey or as a lively prompt for dialogue within your professional learning community.