The Willow Chair
and the Journey Home

I had always loved the willow chair. For some reason, I had always felt drawn to it. Sitting in it, whenever we went to Grandma and Grandpa’s house, was one of the many reasons I looked forward to visiting them. Its soft cushions always felt warm and cozy, like I was sitting in Grandma’s lap listening to her tell a story. Its strange patterns of willow wicker were mesmerizing and somehow soothing to look at. But I never really thought it was anything other than an ordinary chair, until one day.

 

Take Your Own Journey.

With the reader’s guide, you can begin your own inner journey along with Mei Lin.

In today’s shrinking world with travel all over the planet becoming commonplace, this story about the young girl, Mei Lin, highlights the critical importance of a different kind of journey. From the “road less travelled” to the shores of Walden pond, poets, artists and sages from every culture and generation have spoken of the inner journey towards self-awareness, self-mastery and interdependence.

This kind of journey isn’t well-supported in our modern culture yet, but with global issues mounting on every front, it’s a journey we can no longer afford to ignore. The reader’s guide that accompanies the book is intended to help teachers, parents and students learn, discuss and practice important skills of self-reflection and emotional intelligence and broaden our circle of compassion to include the entire planet.

While the Willow Chair books are written about a young girl’s journey, what Mei Lin discovers is important for all of us. Although she learns in a traditional way, she is discovering principles that are now grounded in the latest research in the fields of neuroscience, neurobiology, mathematical cosmology, astrophysics and functional medicine.

The reader’s guide is intended as an aid and supplement to Mei Lin’s story. Parents and teachers can find ways to support their child and students as they read together as well as learn ways to develop their own inner gifts along with their children. Some of the recent research that is now available will help children and adults alike understand more clearly what Mei is discovering as the story unfolds. The story provides a background for this learning and discussion.

Journey with Mei Lin.

Meet the Characters

Mei Lin Murray

Mei Lin is a quiet, introspective young girl who loves nature and drawing. She grew up surrounded by the trees, plants, rocks and streams deep in southern Blue Ridge Mountains. She is very close to her family and her deep love for her parents is what drives her to begin the journey to discover her inner strengths and gifts.

Rayla

Rayla is a great horned owl who is Mei Lin's ally, friend and mentor. She is Mei's spirit guide in the mystical adventures of her quiet, safe place and a wise counselor and friend in her everyday life.

"I’m not here to answer all your questions - I’m here to help you learn for yourself.” Her eyes were friendly and kind, but clear and decisive.

Suela

Suela is a spider who is a loyal friend to Mei Lin, but who is also a trickster. She's not above playing practical jokes at Mei's expense and is always trying to point out when Mei tries to take things too seriously.

She burst out laughing.
“I’m just kidding with you! Lighten up! Don’t be so serious all the time. I don’t mind jumping at all!”
Before she even finished the sentence, she leapt off of my shoulder and expertly rappelled down to the ground on a single tiny thread of silk.

Grandma Tathrin

Grandma Tathrin Liu (Grandma) is Mei Lin's maternal grandmother. She is part Chinese and part eastern Cherokee. She grew up on the Cherokee reservation in eastern North Carolina, lived in the Bay Area for many years and eventually became a plant spirit medicine practitioner, acupuncturist and somatic therapist.

“Mei, every single person is born with unique gifts to develop and share with the world. We might imagine that we come to the earth with a big basket, just like the star maiden in the story. Inside that basket is every one of our unique and special gifts. Our task as we go through life is to constantly give from our basket, so that by the time we leave the earth, our basket is empty. Then we can say we accomplished what we came for and that we have lived an authentic, generous and helpful life.”

This Is a Story About...

Self-Discovery

But I never really thought it was anything other than an ordinary chair, until one day.

Mei's journey towards self-mastery begins with an unexpected discovery while resting in Grandma's willow chair.

Love

Its soft cushions always felt warm and cozy, like I was sitting in Grandma’s lap listening to her tell a story. Its strange patterns of willow wicker were mesmerizing and somehow soothing to look at.

Mei's enduring love for her family is what drives her to take on the difficulties she faces.

A Journey

I had always loved the willow chair. For some reason, I had always felt drawn to it.

In response to her changing life circumstances, Mei must embark on a journey to discover her inner strength and gifts.