Part III:  The Medicine Bridge
Crossing to Compassion

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A birth story-teller begins their session viewing what happened from a familiar perspective. It’s as though they can see what they long for or want to change across a great chasm. They wonder, “How do I get from here to there?”

The philosophical tenets of Birth Story Medicine point us to a way of telling and listening that asks the story-listener and storyteller to realize the Story is neither stone nor sacred; it should not be enshrined (e.g., repeated too often, too long) to define who the initiate was.

If there is hunger for a new perspective or understanding, Story Work can begin. A metaphorical Medicine Bridge must be constructed to carry the Story and storyteller across the chasm. As work progresses, a new capacity emerges within the storyteller for seeing into themselves and the world, and for doing what they did not, could not do before.

During Part III you’ll begin to learn many styles and ways a Medicine Bridge is pieced together, as well as develop your capacity to build rapport, momentum, and vision (e.g., the ability to see possibilities that lie beyond the present). Beyond the muddle and confusion, "magic" and transformation are waiting to happen in the later part of a session.

Teaching-Learning Methods

1.    Access modules on our online platform Acadle

2.    Listen to pre-recorded lessons presented by facilitators

3.    Study segments of birth story recordings

4.    Receive constructive feedback on homework on the Google Groups

5.    Weekly 90-minute live consultations with your facilitator and peers (on Zoom)

6.    Practice leading five or six birth story sessions with volunteers; record two     sessions to receive valuable, constructive feedback from your tutor/facilitator.

Photo credit:  Bridge in Vietnam by Hien Phung Thu.