Purgatory Musings

By George William Bryan

This book of poetry deals with the conflict where science is dominant in working its wonders, and the religious has become questionable regarding its relevance. It results in our culture’s tendency to view science as our major source of defining and controlling reality. This is suggested in Arthur C. Clarks novel, Childhood’s End, as well as in the classic Kubrick film, 2001: A Space Odyssey. The point being that we are no longer children dependent upon a father, but are on our own, alone.

Science utilises information of the external world, ie. collection of data and statistics, but is weak in its ability to cross the boundary into the internal world of the individual. In fact, it frequently disparages claims of noetic witnessing as fancy, hysteria, illusion, or outright psychosis. The poems are a mixture of fantasy and reality, leaving the reader to determine their personal view. The two convictions noted have consequences. Our culture’s present absolute trust of science in all knowledge leaves a sense of control, but results in a terrifying feeling of alienation in a cold universe. The religious view, having a quality of support, offers comfort of hope, but at the price of having to submit to a power greater than ourselves.

Speculation is that our world of common experience, with its mix of good and evil within us, as well as without, is in fact an odyssey of repetition and judgement. It is our home, it is Purgatory.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Mar 28, 2024
• ISBN: 9781035832361

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 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.

Dedication

Always Geneviève

Copyright Information ©

George William Bryan 2024

The right of George William Bryan to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author 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.

The story, experiences, and words are the author’s alone.

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

ISBN 9781035832354 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781035832361 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2024

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

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Acknowledgement

In homage to Carl G. Jung

Introduction

Have kept it light as possible,

For live in doubting age.

If seeking to enlighten self…?

Can’t claim to be a sage.

Trying to be balanced,

The Truth as seems to be.

Integral in revealing,

Only what is seen.

Offering Psychology

To balance scepticism.

Noting spirit and the flesh

Coexist…but in division.

Haunted by a presence,

Lost in muddled thought.

So wanting to reveal a truth,

Communication sought.

Utilise poetic style

To sketch what is profound.

Hoping as reflect upon,

Its message will be sound.

Every verse suggests what’s real,

There is no wasted space.

The writing points one where to look,

Hope for saving grace.

My early love left me a kiss

After she was gone.

A moment of another world

Was shared, but not for long.

This opened my attention

To events throughout this life.

Where clearly an intention

Helped when there was strife.

As attended to these qualities,

World of