Reflections on Us

By George William Bryan

As a collection of verses, these may be enjoyed at first read simply as they are for all age groups, or the discerning reader may find multiple levels of understanding to be reflected upon. There is an emphasis on coping with loss, as well as a frequent exploring of existential questions. Observations of the thinking process as an obvious essential tool but also as a nuisance to personal growth is explored. They bring the reader along author’s personal journey into increased spiritual awareness. The assumption being that such internal experiences are potential in all of us if one finds the tools to pursue it. The verses offer those tools. So, while underscoring our primitive underpinnings, altogether they reflect a final view of us with purpose and hope.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Mar 31, 2020
• ISBN: 9781528969932

George William Bryan

Dr George William Bryan is a retired child psychiatrist living in the suburbs of Paris, France, with his wife, Genevieve. He had practiced psychiatry in the suburbs of Los Angeles, California, specialising in juvenile offenders, with training in psychoanalysis. His first wife died earlier after a protracted illness, leading to his turning to a different view of what he had been writing for several years. This tragedy, along with his meditation, led to a spiritual awakening that resulted in his pursuit of ethereal variables entwined in our psychological makeup. His first two books, Reflections on Us and The Mystery of Us, were attempts, through poetry, to highlight and explore the psychological and spiritual interplay within all of us, which we tend to discount and undervalue.

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About the Author

Dr Bryan is a retired psychiatrist presently living in the suburbs of Paris, France, with his wife, Genevieve. He had practised psychiatry in Ventura, California, specialising in adolescent juvenile offenders, with training in psychoanalytic theory. His first wife died several years ago from a protracted illness that resulted in his turning to a different view of what he had been writing for many years. After more than twenty years of meditation, a spiritual awakening occurred as a consequence of her loss and the writing turned to that experience, enhanced by his psychoanalytic knowledge. The present book is a product of those events.

Dedication

To Sheila, who taught me love.

To Genevieve, who brought me love.

Finally, to Aaron, whose enthusiasm for writing was infectious.

Copyright Information ©

George William Bryan 2020

The right of George William Bryan to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This is a poetry book, which is a product of the author’s imagination. It reflects the author’s recollections of experiences over time. Any resemblance to other works of poetry, quotes, slogans, to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781528939430 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781528939447 (Hardback)

ISBN 9781528969932 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2020

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

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20230112

Acknowledgement

This work would not exist if not through the encouragement of Mike and Rena,

and the writings of Paul, Rumi, Kierkegaard and H. Kohut.

Preface

Many of the following verses were written spontaneously. Over time I came to realise a consistent theme which reflected my inner convictions.

As our culture evolved over the years, I noted an increasing emphasis of collective social pressure over individual expression. Some of this was reasonable censure of gross inappropriate comments, behaviour or obnoxious belittling of others. But as time flowed, there appeared to be an acceptance of random censure and an intolerance of disparate viewpoints.

As a psychiatrist, I pursued psychoanalytic teachings as well as experiencing a personal analysis. But I found this to be unsatisfying to my existential interests. During the latter part of my career, as a psychiatrist of adolescents; and later, at the protracted illness and death of my beloved wife,