Gwyn, The White

 

  

Western culture has associated whiteness with goodness and cleanliness whilst our ancestors associated it with sacredness and light. Because the meaning of Gwynvyd is a blessed state of being, an interpretation of Gwyn ap Nudd (the White Son of Night) is that he is an enlightened state of the mind. 

 

Gwyn, like Finn, his Irish counterpart, and Vin, his Scandinavian one, means light, pure and fair of being, but the concept of beauty described in those terms is not necessarily a reference to Gwyn’s good looks but a clearer outlook on life we can all achieve. As the Children of Don were divided into 'Light' and 'Dark' deities (that which signified our understanding or lack of it), Gwyn is uniquely both light and dark, thereby fully representative of how a single mind can focus on either light or dark issues, or both. Just as the Lord of Shadows, Gwyn is the personification of an individual’s ability to work on their own ignorance, he is the Champion of Clarity in that any individual can become more enlightened. When we become aware of our warts and all, we can choose to accept them and remain as we are or improve our effort. If we choose to do the latter, we may release the inspiration of our own ability to reach our utmost potential.

 

To feel enlightened about that which has flawed us can literally invoke our saying that we have seen the light!  At such times our minds may feel energised and the affect this may have on others can be infectious. As a consequence when we become inspired we can in turn become inspirational!

 

To understand that which may otherwise have confused us is to rise out of our ignorance to a state of being aware. As the philosopher Immanuel Kant described it, man can emerge from his ‘self imposed immaturity for which he himself was responsible.’ That it is our own immaturity and dependence on others which disables our intellect and our reluctance to alter our state is not just an unwillingness to get a little smarter, but a lack of being determined enough to be. A lack of courage! As everything we do and choose not do is our responsibility, we could dare to know more and we could be more aware.

 

As you proceed with this part of the Gwynvyd Method you will work with Gwyn, The White One, to take correct ownership of your life.

 

To begin, you will:

 

1.      complete a task with no assistance.

2.      answer a series of questions honestly.

 

As the work you do is personal to your development it must be undertaken personally. The questions that are asked of you must therefore be asked of yourself.  

 

Back to top

 

Your Task:

 

Consider the following statements:

  

 To become enlightened, all one needs to do is be continually conscious.  

 You are responsible for how you see things.

 You can be taught and guided by others but it is you who must make your own choices, including what you believe.

 There is no wrong or right in all things as everything, including a situation, is subject to change. You must therefore always choose what is right and best by you at any given moment.

 The practice of kindness and good manners is an effective way of connecting with others. Your connection is vital in understanding that you do not exist alone and that in all things you are a part of.  

 To hate others is to hate yourself. To love others is to love yourself.

 As enlightenment comes from within and is the effect of your ability to comprehend, aids, like drugs, distort the mind and confuse our comprehension.  

 No one can make the greater effort for you than yourself. No one can make you feel your place in life better than you.

 Use your common sense to guide you and your conscience to warn you.

 Greater awareness/higher consciousness/enlightenment/Gwynvyd is attainable by anyone who sincerely seeks it. You don't have to go anywhere physically to find it but tend to what is already there in your mind. 

 To be enlightened is not a special state of being but a natural awareness of the world around us without the concept being separate.

 

When you are ready ask yourself one of the following five questions. Allow yourself time to become conscious of your answer.

 

Back to top

 

Questions:

 

1. Others are better than me?

 

Do you think others appear more successful than you? Do you think another could improve on what you do or what you give?

 

We can feel everyone is getting on with life and that we are looking on, however, if we fail to value ourselves we may be under valuing our meaning to others to. Could you value your life contribution as unique? Could you respect you are of worth to others?  

 

If the world is a club then existence is life membership.

 

Back to top

 

2. Am I better than most?

 

Do you think your role is more useful than what others do? Do you only want to know people who appear to make you look better?

 

If we measure are worth by how much we impress others we may lose our sense of worth if fail to always impress. Could you gauge your worth by what you do for others? Could you value all roles as contributing to existence?

 

To be better than ourselves is to improve on our best.

 

Back to top

 

3. Am I always to blame?

 

Do you think you are at fault because you get told you are? Do you think whatever you do it is always wrong?

 

When we hold ourselves responsible for everything we may relieve others of their responsibilities and lose sight of what we could be giving attention to.  Could you be less dependent on what others think? Could you own what you believe and not just that which you are told?

 

All victims can become great survivors.

 

Back to top

 

4. Am I inspired?

 

Do you have an interest influenced by another? Do you change your appearance in accordance with fashion? 

 

When we copy or behave in compliance with expectation we may be at risk of losing our identity, however, if we use outside influences to effect more from ourselves we may accomplish great acts of quality. Could you consider what has inspired you? Could you envisage what you might yet attain?

 

A black sheep can still produce great wool.

 

Back to top

 

5. Am I inspirational?

 

Do you make efforts that encourage others? Do you aim at what has not yet been achieved?

 

The positive outcome of our efforts can inspire others to have a go, however if we never risk failure by our attempt to achieve what is new, we will never realise our potential. Could you give yourself credit for what you attempt? Could you teach by example of how you live?

 

If we paint ourselves into the picture we may complete our dream.

 

Well done! You may continue to enlarge on your guide providing additional useful information or you can return to this area again later. Alternatively, you can now enter another area of the Gwynvyd Method.

 

Back to top