Myths to tell truths: Michael Meade to talk souls

Posted

Jimmy Hall

For the Leader

 

Michael Meade, an author, storyteller and mythologist, brings a concept that may be abstract.

“I use mythic stories to give a different perspective of what we’re living through, using stories to engage the audience through poems and songs for an active and interactive event,” Meade said.

That will be his goal when he makes his annual visit Dec. 1 to Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship for his program titled “Truth and the Living Soul.” During his presentation, which often involves drums while he speaks to his audience, Meade will talk about souls and how everyone can connect with their own.

Meade will use his latest book, “Awakening the Soul,” which starts with translations of a papyrus scroll from 4,500 years ago, in which the writer laments the collapse of his culture through violence, greed and dismissing one another. The writer thinks about taking his own life because of the overwhelming despair, and Meade uses that as a way to connect with what he calls “collective anxiety.”

“Many people in America are feeling extremely anxious,” Meade said.

The story follows the man who speaks with his soul, which deters him from his suicidal by bringing the talents with which he was born to the forefront.

“A lot of people don’t know they have soul, and a lot of people don’t hear their soul trying to give guidance to live through their dark and difficult times,” Meade said. “I make that distinction that we have to awaken aspects of the soul, both the individual and the soul of the country.”

Meade tells mythological stories, giving him and his audience a shared territory where they can look at problems going on in the world. He said his appearances become individually inspiring, and he brings up how each person is born with “genius qualities” needed to awaken aspects of the soul. 

Meade also said it’s a community-building event.

“People feel closer together,” he said. “It’s a way to come together and not deny the issues but face them in a more imaginative way. They tend to leave individually inspired and connected to the community.”

The Rev. Kate Lore, acting lead minister for Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, said Meade makes a stop each year for a workshop on a Saturday and leads a service the following Sunday. 

Although Lore and Meade speak about the concept of souls in their sermons, they approach the topic differently. Lore said Meade is Jungian while Lore is a theologian, exploring the topic from a wide range of religious perspectives.

“It’s fair to say that there is an angst in the congregation and in Port Townsend about the direction of our country and the release of hate,” Lore said. “Michael will provide a soulful experience to help awake them for the greater collective call of unity and wholeness.”

The event is part of Meade’s book tour, which will take him along the West Coast, the Southwest and Canada. All proceeds from ticket and book sales will support Mosaic Multicultural Foundation, a nonprofit which creates community through events involves artists, activists and other community builders.