Oculus

AWARENESS AND THE AWAKENING OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT 

New maps are being drawn which offer the potential to explore the deeper undercurrents of our being, and to help identify the hidden patterns and dynamic forces that control and influence human behaviour. By understanding these, it may be possible to identify alternative models for a new way of living in which humans can exist in harmony with themselves and the natural world. We need to crystallise a vision of this alternative future — a vision that is greater than the sum of all of its parts …

Bréon Rydell
Heidelberg University, Germany

There are historical monuments of ‘standing stones’ mentioned in the Old Testament and (referred to as Gilgal in Book of Joshua, Chapters 4/5) and found at many archaeological sites all over the world. These probably arose first in Africa about 7000 years ago, spreading rapidly all over Europe and the Middle East. Often constructed to align with positions of the sun and moon, these were evidently sacred places where wise healers could reach altered states of consciousness, thereby helping to both inspire and awaken the spiritual transformation of their followers/believers, whilst at the same time, feeding their hunger for purpose and meaning.

DAYDREAMING — ALTERED STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS 

Whilst looking out over the sea at Cap d’Ail in France, I am reminded of an incident in my youth, which took place in a forest near my home in the Scottish Borders. It was the knowledge of this experience that inspired me to write one of my first poems/lyrics, ‘We are Lost.’ which tells the fictional story of an eleven year old boy’s encounter with a stranger, who has opened the boy’s eyes to the dangers facing humanity —

Bréon Rydell, South of France, January 2016

Nature photography courtesy © 2021-24 Luca Artioli

www.lucaartioli.com

Pilgrimage to sacred places … 

I journeyed to a yard of graves where words were written on stone

Of someone who roamed this earth and suffered centuries ago

I laid upon the ancient slab and fell into a darkened sleep 

My mind and body rested whilst a whisper came to me …

Opening stanzas of a triad of early poems, which were inspired by a series of visits to local graveyards, war memorials, Kelso, Jedburgh and Melrose Abbeys, Hume Castle, Smailholm Tower, Abbotsford, Rosslyn Chapel, Holy Island and the Scottish Highlands. Recorded live at Abbey Road Studios, in the 1980’s.

© 2021-2024 Bréon Rydell

For more of this work:

breonrydell.substack.com