July 30, 2019
AS
As embryo Druid, many Deaths
And countless rebirths
As retired physician, Soul doctor
And reborn Healer
As Grandfather, Uncle and Elder
And Child of the family
As Husband of 50 years,
And lover
As Student of Medicine and Science,
And Poet and Soul Master
As Schoolboy and Athlete,
And Crippled old Sage,
As crying Baby,
And laughing at Death
As
Who do I think I am?
I was named Alexander at birth, called Sandy at home and Alex at my first school. I was then Burnfield at my other schools, often Burney. As a medical student I was Mr Burnfield, and then I became Dr Burnfield. My identity has included, Psychiatrist, Shrink, Trustee, and I am Gillbride as a Druid. My working farmer brother calls me a Gentleman Farmer, and I am a horse Rider. My wife and family call me Sandy, Mum sometimes used to call me Sanders, and my kids call me Dad. I am also Grandad or Gramps, and Uncle. I was number 13 at Marsh Court School and 5850 at King’s College, Taunton. A Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and a retired Pensioner. I have had many names and identities in Space Time. But I am just me, a Being with many names and Identities, a fabric of many existences. I call myself a Poet, because I have a Third Eye – that sees the Power and Wisdom, the Magic, of the Trans-rational.
July 24, 2019
Johnson, the new PM….
Well Mr Johnson is our new PM, something he always wanted. It seems strange that our democratic system works the way it does, and the system certainly needs looking at.
For the time being let us hope that Mr Johnson can deliver some beneficial changes in our Union of Countries despite the antagonism from so many. I shall be watching how he deals with improving psychological services for children and families, social care for the elderly and a failing prison service as well as a depleted defence services. In some ways he is a figurehead, like Trump, who will be managed and restrained by his team.
I have never felt that my own political opinions have meant much in the great scheme of things, but it’s not a lot of good sighing, clicking memes, signing endless petitions, or saying that you want to leave the country! If you want the system to change join a party or pressure group and make a nuisance of yourself – be active, and put in some research, so you know what is fake and what is real, and be prepared to work hard for what you believe.
In the 80s I stood locally for the Alliance Party against a previously unopposed Tory. I was amazed how many voted for me, but was at the time relieved I did not get elected since I had a regular job – but it did show that many agreed with me, and it was a lot of fun campaigning, and developing solidarity.
I am a member of the Green Party now, but not able enough to be as active as I used to be. So come on you younger ones, if you want change you have to fight for it, not just despair and act like victims!
July 12, 2019
Going through my cycles, and letting go….
Going through my cycles – Birth, Childhood, Grown Man and now Old Man. It has been a journey alright, with ups and downs, success and failure, health and illness. I have met many other existences on the path, and we have shared space and time together, briefly or for a long while. I am conscious of the thousands of ancestors behind me and of those who will follow on to their own Destinies.
Looking at old photos I recognise myself as I was then but not as I am now. I see a different body and set of experiences. That young cocky chap was me, but not me. I have had much to learn, often the hard way. But through these cycles my Soul has grown a little. Life has been a classroom, and I am still learning lessons. I am hopefully a less cocky chap now, more inclined to listen to others and learn from them. I care less about the things I can not control, and I now live more in the moment, celebrating the short life I have been given.
There is suffering, unfairness and hate all around me, and instead of getting involved in this I am more inclined to see it as a challenge to love and creativity. Being older with less energy, it is my turn to step back and support younger more able folk to take up the challenge – to work with the Gods of Nature and all existences to spread love, light and wisdom and to change what needs to change to make a better world.
July 10, 2019
Terstana, River Goddess
She flows fast, she aims sure
She flows clear, waving green weeds
She grows fish, carries swans
Her body is lithe, always moving
Her voice is laughing, and her face bright
She has seen all, known all
Endured storms and heat
Endured seasons and seen Moons
Delighted in the Sun
Known many Deaths
She is surrounded by flowers and herbs
Terstana, river of change
But always the same
My Goddess of Light, Peace and Spirit
For a fleeting moment, we are entwined
Lovers in the apparent world
Soul mates beyond time and space
My Terstana, and your Terstana
A living Goddess gloried and worshipped by all existences
Guide and Mother, Blessings beyond knowing
I worship you.
Gillbride /|\
July 9, 2019
Suck it up buttercup Trump
The whole point of an Ambassador is to send honest and accurate information back to his or her country. Sir Kim Darroch has done his job well. Who ever has leaked his communication has broken the Law and should be prosecuted. These private messages are confidential for reasons of diplomacy. Trump does not like to be criticised like a spoilt child, so what? Suck it up up buttercup, if you don’t like the heat get out of the kitchen.
July 3, 2019
The Horse or the Cow?
Here is my sister Jane chasing the cattle past Terstan Garden this morning. Our family have been farmers and herders probably for thousands of years. It is widely thought that our R1a YDNA ancestors changed the world when they domesticated the Horse in the Eurasian Steppes – but recent research shows that it was through the domestication of the Cow, not the Horse that our ancestors changed the world.
The Soul has no gender, no age….
Hinduism teaches that the Atma, the Soul, is neither male nor female, old or young. I would extend this to claim that the Soul has no political or racial colour. The body, the ego and the mind are different – these temporary houses for the Soul wear the clothes of gender, age, personality and political or racial colour. This is a sort of paradox that we need to understand and go beyond.
Just the usual procession of thoughts through my mind – in these days of polarisation and demonisation it helps to see the essential connection of all existences beyond the illusion of the space time absolute.