Stories for the Compassion Games

Posted by Erran Sharpe on September 4, 2013

Stories of Compassion

Compassion Games go deep into the ages of many cultures. I offer stories from the ancient history of compassion practices for the Port Angeles Compassion Games 2013.

Come find inspiration… from ancient Buddhist teaching stories to contemporary stories of compassionate deeds. Your heart will be lifted and opened as you experience the wonder of storytelling. You are the director of the movie in your head as the wings of story carry you to marvelous places and introduce you to amazing people. You will recognize the stunning depth of compassion within you as you are entertained by the exploits of people, Gods, and animals in these stories.

You are invited to this free event:

Tuesday September 17, 2013
from 7:00 to 8:30 pm
Greenwood building, 113 S. Eunice St, Port Angeles.

A marvelous collection of Buddhist teaching stories has been handed down for thousands of years. Known as Jataka tales, they recount actions of people and animals, incarnations of the Buddha in which he developed the compassion which led to his eventual enlightenment. These stories are relevant and lively today, they contain timeless life lessons and spiritual principles.

I trained as a storyteller with Cherie Trebon, director of the Forest Storytelling Festival in Port Angeles. I began telling stories of growth and healing as part of his work as a therapist. In the past year I have been honored to perform as a storyteller in public venues, such as Studium Generale at Peninsula College, the Alle Stage at Studio Bob, Art Blast at the North Olympic Library, and story swaps in Port Townsend and Port Angeles.

When I tell stories I take you with me on the journey. I warmly and compassionately welcome you into my family, reminiscing over stories that immediately feel familiar. We all remember our own stories and journey through life.

Posted in: Upcoming Events, Words of Inspiration

Heal trauma, improve your spirituality

Posted by Erran Sharpe on December 27, 2012

Gandhi accomplished much, following his longing for connection with the divine in himself and every person, even those who opposed him.

We build walls of protection around our traumatic wounds. Ironically, these walls can also separate us from our own divine nature, and from our spiritual connection to others. In therapy, I aim to reconnect you to your own divine nature. To do this, we start by making friends with the protective parts of your personality. Then, the compassion of the divine within you is able to heal the wounds.
The more the wounds are healed, the less protection we need, the less walled-off we are from ourselves and from others. We come to know ourselves, care for ourselves, and care for others.

Who do you feel a longing to improve your connection with?

Posted in: Words of Inspiration

Walking Through A Wall

Posted by Erran Sharpe on August 21, 2012

“There comes a time in a man’s life when to get where he has to — if there are no doors or windows — he walks through a wall.” Bernard Malamud, novelist and short-story writer (1914-1986)

Years ago, I went through a wall of fear with my bike racing. I was a competitive racer, and I was finishing in the top ten places in races of 100 guys. But I wasn’t in the top five. When I confronted myself about why that was, I knew it was because I was holding back. But why? Because then I could tell myself after the race, ‘I could have won, but I didn’t give it everything I had, it wasn’t that important.’ Ever the astute observer of my wily mind, I instantly smelled an excuse. I was protecting my ego from the failure of really trying but still not winning. Well, I wasn’t going to go on being such a coward, so I decided right then and there that I would give everything I had, starting with the next race. My heart pounded with anxiety. At the next race, my stomach was in knots, but I didn’t back down. I finished in the top five! And continued to do so for the rest of the season. Even though I gave it everything I had, I didn’t get first place all that year. But second, third, and fourth place was a whole lot better than seventh or ninth! When I finally got first place, it was one of the proudest moments of my entire life, but going through the wall in my mind was the hardest part.

Erran in bike race

Where do you have to get to in your life? What is the wall you need to go through? Can you imagine how good you’ll feel when you get through, or how disappointed you will be in yourself if you don’t go through the wall?

Please write your comments and thoughts, I would love to hear from you.

Tags: determination, overcoming obstacles

Posted in: Uncategorized