PZI Teacher Archives

Belinda & the Monster aka Beauty & the Beast

Description

John Tarrant retells the mythic story of Belinda and the Monster, Italo Calvino’s version of Beauty and the Beast. The archetypal forces personified in the story are present in all of us. Can we allow ourselves to feel all that we are? What is the monster? Where do you find yourself in the story?

Summary

There are many gates of entry in this fairy tale. We’ve been using the Italian version—Belinda and the Monster.

The monster gets a mysterious power from his rose bush. Belinda falls in love with him in spite of his ugliness. Her love breaks the spell that has been cast on him and he turns into a beautiful prince. Belinda says, ”But I want the monster.”

Slowly, through practice she makes her way into her true path, discovering what she most wants and who she really is.

Sounds like what we are up to.

—John Tarrant

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John Tarrant retells the mythic story of Belinda and the Monster, Italo Calvino’s version of Beauty and the Beast.

The archetypal forces personified in the story are present in all of us. In Zen we confront things, like the ways we can tend to split off the shadow. Can we allow ourselves to feel all that we are?

This session provides a living encounter with this powerful myth and a glimpse into the personal work of participants during the recent Fall Open Mind retreat. What is the monster? Where do you find yourself in the story?

Comments from PZI Teachers Allison Atwill, Tess Beasley and PZI sangha members are included.

Recorded September 17, 2023.

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