HOLDING HEALING CIRCLES

In April of 2018, we screened TeachMeToBeWILD for the middle school students of Mount Madonna School, followed by a circle of sharing and reflection. Healing Circles have become an integral part of our screenings. With the kind permission of Mount Madonna school, we filmed this session to serve as an example of holding a Healing Circle. We begin this video by offering some thoughts and practices for healing circles, and then invite you to witness the circle co-created by the students of Mount Madonna. The anchor of the circle is John Malloy, who is featured in TeachMeToBeWILD.

// You can read more about how the film became the fire to anchor Healing Circles, in theDailyGood article here.

EDUCATOR FEEDBACK

"Teach Me to Be WILD brings the viewer into a world of healing where we see the mysterious connectedness between human and non-human animals. While we know about the power of pets, here we encounter wild animals who teach youth who are hurting about the wonder of life. We also see the transformational beauty of bringing people and animals together in a safe place to grow. Viewing the film is in itself healing—warm, gentle, compassionate.

STEPHEN MURPHY-SHIGEMATSU.  Co-founder of LifeWorks at Stanford University, author of From Mindfulness to Heartfulness: Transforming Self and Society with Compassion. Personal Website

In Teach Me to Be WILD, depressed, angry, and anxious middle school students meet animals that have been hurt. This meeting often is in silence, the natural state of the animals – and in this silence, the students find their own voice. Through the gift of this film, we receive the gift of witnessing the students’ intimate relationships — with animals, nature, and each other — that become a powerful force in their lives. The word “sanctuary” has a heightened meaning in the world today. Teach Me to Be WILD beautifully holds both meanings of the word – that of a sacred space and a place of refuge and protection.

MARY ROSCOE. Director, Children in Nature Collaborative, Co-Founder & Former Administrator, Waldorf School of the Peninsula

A must-see film for educators and students. In this inspirational short documentary emotionally injured teens are paired with injured and abused wild animals, and both are healed in deep and profound ways. Teach Me To Be WILD provides an authentic platform to teach young adults ways to cut through the noise and chaos of their daily lives to find an innate inner voice that can guide them through the difficult challenges they face.

CHRIS KOCH. Teacher, International School of Zug and Luzern, Switzerland

"Watching the film brought tears to my eyes, it took my breath away, and made me smile over and over again. It is exquisite, hopeful, and so heartfelt. Your film has motivated me to bring more animals into the children's world. Animals, fire, silence and storytelling will now play a big part in my work. These elements bring so much authenticity and purity to our experiences. I bow to your work, your care, your love.

ANTOINETTE DeNARDIS. Lead Teacher,Waldorf -Inspired Ke Alaula School, Kauai, Hawaii