Mythtelling
"Myths... are, like dreams, revelations of the deepest hopes, desires and fears, potentialities and conflicts, of the human will." - Joseph Campbell.
Eric seeks to tell the old, fantastical myths and fairy tales in circle to give space to process these often conflicting, paradoxical and even confusing tales, older than the tellers themselves. Best told around a fire with time to digest and muse on the images, details, and themes in community, though stories can show up and be useful in the most surprising of places. As Phillip K Dick once said, "Symbols of the divine show up in our world at the trash stratem." Whether on a walk with a friend or in a formal storytelling session, Eric seeks to listen to and tell stories that help humans unlock their fullest selves.
Massage
Primarily using his feet to massage, Eric helps folks looking to focus on posture, often working in surprising places (i.e., very little direct back work, usually). By focusing waist down as well employing dynamic resistance stretches, Eric endeavors to leave his clients standing straighter, in less pain, and performing better. Here is a link to his bodywork website.
Men's Circle Facilitation
A place to come together to wrestle with complex milieu of issues men are facing right now, that do not scapegoat or blame (others or the men themselves), to connect, to be our best selves and hopefully laugh a lot along the way, as well as shed a few tears, when needed. Eric has been facilitating men's groups for over a decade and brings what he hopes is the best of what he's seen in these sacred spaces.
Tutoring
Eric is currently also a math and science tutor, focusing mainly on middle school and high school math, through precalculus. Rates are dependent upon location. Eric has been a math and science teacher in Hillsboro and Portland Public schools from 2006-2014. He is intimately familiar with the local curriculum, especially the tough-for-parents-to-decipher middle school Connected Math Program in Portland Public Schools (PPS). He also specializes in Algebra I & II.
Tool Library
& other community ventures
& other community ventures
Founding volunteer and initial acting president (2008-2009) of the Northeast Portland Tool Library (NEPTL). Here is an article by Sarah Mirk.
