The Collab Salon — formerly called The Narrative Practice & Collaborative Inquiry Study Group — began a few months after Michael White’s sudden death, as an effort to bring together people who wish to continue to study narrative practice. Each year — in anticipation of the anniversary of Michael’s death — we reflected on his influence on our work and lives. Having reviewed seven years of these archived conversations, we selected a few favorites. give voice to the exceptional online learning community co-created by members from around the world. A heart-felt thank you to all the members from around the world who contributed from this online learning community.
We invite you to join us by contributing your own reflections!
Michael White: Reflections 1 year later
Peggy Sax Michael White was an extraordinary person. I feel very privileged to have known him not only as my mentor, but as a friend. It is still hard to believe he is no longer here, and that we won’t suddenly hear that he will soon be presenting a workshop at a nearby town. Slowly we are adjusting – and of course his ideas, practices and presence will live on in our [...]
Reflections Two Years later (2010)
Peggy Sax March 29, 2010: Michael White died on April 5, 2008. We are now approaching the 2 year anniversary of his death. How can this be? I was just reviewing and archiving some of our old posts so we can and making room for the new. However, I left in our 2008-09 tributes to Michael. And I am starting this post for any new reflections. Many of us relied on Michael [...]
Michael: Reflections 3 years later (2011)
April 3, 2011 Peggy Sax Over the last week, I’ve been thinking a lot about Michael, knowing this is the 3rd anniversary of his sudden death. You too? In some ways, it feels like yesterday and in other ways it feels like centuries ago. I remember wondering how we would “go on,” – the loss felt so humongous. Now I am in awe to see how [...]
Reflections 4 years later (2012)
Each year, on the last week of March/early April, we gather together to remember Michael. Some of us had the privilege of knowing Michael or seeing him in workshops. Others must learn about Michael from his writings, recordings (whatever is available) and stories. Peggy Sax, March 26, 2012 Peggy Sax This week is the 4th anniversary since Michael’s death. The number “4” seems especially significant (4 years on [...]
Five Years ago – Evoking Michael’s presence
June 11, 2013 Peggy Sax Maggie, Shona and Rob speak eloquently about their aspirations to bring Michael’s presence into their practice and teaching – his intentions, the ethical position of the work, the careful, thoughtful way Michael spoke. As Rob says, “Behind the practice of narrative is such a strong, powerful and helpful ethic in terms our engagement with people, what people mean to us, and [...]
Michael: Six Years Ago (2014)
April 3, 2014 Peggy Sax Every year in early April, I especially think of Michael White. For me, the week of his death was a real before/after experience, a moment in time that I will never forget, akin to J.F.Kennedy’s assassination or September 11, 2001 (two seminal moments as a US citizen). A lot has already been said in the past 5 years. Michael’s presence in my life [...]
Six Years – 2014
February 16, 2014 Peggy Sax Michael White died suddenly in April, 2008. He left behind quite a legacy! Click here to read the “Remembering Michael” topic in the first section of the course Narrative Therapy: Foundations and Key Concepts. We brought together a number of recollections as well as recorded reflections on Michael’s intentions by members of Narrative Practices Adelaide. Each year, we’ve archived reflections from the [...]
Michael: Continuing the spirit of social inquiry
Peggy Sax How we can each continue these explorations in the spirit of social inquiry without Michael – not coming up with the answers, but being intensely interested in ideas and what they might spark and trigger? June 11, 2013, 9:32 AM Cate Ryan HI Peggy, HI all, Something that jumped out at me when listening to the recordings was the acknowledgement of the [...]