SteveTanham – writing, mysticism, photography, poetry, friends

Category: esoteric psychology

June 11, 2020 + #Silenti, Consciousness, enneagram, esoteric psychology, Incarnation, Silent Eye School, Spirituality

The Mysterious Self

One of the most wonderful elements of being Human is the sense of self; yet there is great confusion as to what the ‘self’ really is… even whether it exists at all. Something harvests the experiences of each day yet declares itself separate from them. This accumulation is deemed to be a living entity – the ‘me’ – resplendent with a memory of having … Read More The Mysterious Self

June 4, 2020 + Consciousness, esoteric psychology, I Ching, Oracles, Silent Eye School, Spirituality

Divination – Art or Science? (3) : The Blind Archer

by Steve Tanham

The archer stands before our target. His skill is deadly; he never misses, but there’s a catch: he’s also blind… and he never speaks, except with his arrows. No-one knows how he does what he does, but if you ask him a question, he will fire his arrow at the target. The place where the arrow lands is his answer to your question… The … Read More Divination – Art or Science? (3) : The Blind Archer

May 28, 2020 + Consciousness, esoteric psychology, I Ching, Oracles, Silent Eye School, Spirituality

Divination – Art or Science? (2) : An Old Flame

by Steve Tanham

The man, still distinguished though his hair and moustache were now silver, sat before the fire. Once more, he was alone in his home by the lake. Before him, the old kettle, as black with age as he was white, rattled on the small iron grate beneath it. The flames from the burning wood flickered up around its sides and the noise from within … Read More Divination – Art or Science? (2) : An Old Flame

May 21, 2020 + Consciousness, esoteric psychology, Oracles, Silent Eye School, Spirituality

Divination – Art or Science? (1)

by Steve Tanham

For as long as there have been humans on Earth, we have sought to find answers. Wise women and wise men have been cherished throughout history for their ability to throw ‘light’ on complex problems and situations. In our modern age, more people than ever find at least comfort and, often, guidance in some kind of fortune telling. My grandmother used to read tea … Read More Divination – Art or Science? (1)

May 14, 2020 + Consciousness, esoteric psychology, I Ching, Oracles, Silent Eye School, Spirituality

The Old One and the Gatekeeper (3): non-action

by Steve Tanham

37 The Dao abides in non-action but there is nothing it does not do.When the leaders abide,The myriad of things transform by itself;Transformed yet desire to act,I lead the community by not naming the simplicity of things;Without naming the simplicity of things, thus lead to no desire;Without desire, with tranquility,The world correct by itself. ——- The above is chapter 37 of Lao Tzu’s Book … Read More The Old One and the Gatekeeper (3): non-action

May 7, 2020 + Consciousness, esoteric psychology, I Ching, Oracles, Silent Eye School, Spirituality

The Old One and the Gatekeeper (2)

by Steve Tanham

The story of the Old One and the Gatekeeper told in Part One may be just that – a story. Or it may be the truth, turned into legend. Classical Chinese history places Lao Tzu as a 6th century BC contemporary of Confucius, and there are reliable records of their meetings. They were said to have great respect for each other’s work. But, beyond … Read More The Old One and the Gatekeeper (2)

April 30, 2020 + Consciousness, esoteric psychology, I Ching, Oracles, Silent Eye School, Spirituality

The Old One and the Gatekeeper

by Steve Tanham

The Old One crested the rise in the road and turned to look back at the land he had loved. If all went to plan, it would be the last time he saw his home. The breeze that should have been summer-warm was cold and frigid, yet carried the warm stink of corruption. He could no longer breathe its air. He had to leave; … Read More The Old One and the Gatekeeper

April 28, 2020 + #Silenti, Consciousness, esoteric psychology, Life-sciences, Mystery Schools, Spirituality

Shaman, viral… collective unconscious

by Steve Tanham

The last time it happened, I was in Mexico, in the Mayan temple of Chichen Itza. After a long coach journey, and a beautiful swim in cold but crystal clear cenote, we had arrived at the fabled temple complex; and were lucky enough to have one the best guides I have ever encountered. He was of the native people and described – with great … Read More Shaman, viral… collective unconscious

April 2, 2020 + #Silenti, esoteric psychology, Mindfulness, Silent Eye School, Soul, Spirituality

Isolation or Soul-Elation?

by Steve Tanham

Caroline Ormrod is one of the Companions of the Silent Eye working through the first year of the three-year journey towards the real nature of the individual Soul. I am delighted to be her supervisor for this process. Her brief and light-hearted bio is appended to this post. Recently, along with her weekly email ‘journal’ of progress and experiences, she sent me a short … Read More Isolation or Soul-Elation?

February 4, 2020 + Consciousness, esoteric psychology, Mindfulness, Spirituality

The Echo Cafe…

by Steve Tanham

It would have been difficult to foresee the full social effects of the internet. It is now apparent that our lives have been changed, forever, in ways that are simultaneously warped and wonderful. Being socially and politically aware was difficult enough in a pre-online world. In this new, ‘wired’ age, where perceived connections of opinion are shared across social media, the intersection of money, … Read More The Echo Cafe…

January 16, 2020 + #Silenti, Ancient Landscapes, Ancient Sacred Sites, Celtic Christianity, esoteric psychology, Photography, Spirituality

Keys of Heaven (10): final resting place…

by Steve Tanham

continued from Part 9 The village of Lastingham, of the southern edge of the North York Moors, was a fitting place to end our weekend – both for its mysterious wells and also on the basis that the crypt of St Mary’s Church marks the final resting place of St Cedd. Following the fateful Synod of Whitby in AD 664, Bishop Cedd returned to … Read More Keys of Heaven (10): final resting place…

January 9, 2020 + #Silenti, Ancient Landscapes, Ancient Sacred Sites, Celtic Christianity, esoteric psychology, Photography, Spirituality

Keys of Heaven (9): blown down the mountain

by Steve Tanham

continued from Part 8 My companions of the Silent Eye’s ‘Keys of Heaven’ weekend were waiting when I arrived at the Lion Inn. We had coffee and biscuits and we discussed the options for our last day of the workshop. Everyone was looking forward to the visit to the celebrated St Mary’s church at Lastingham – the final resting place of St Cedd. There … Read More Keys of Heaven (9): blown down the mountain