Tam Martin Fowles is the first contributor to our film series The Elephant. Over 30 years ago in the UK, Tam had a transformative experience that took her on a profound journey. In this clip, she recounts one such experience in Cornwall, where it felt as though the land itself was “holding” her, perhaps guiding her through the moment.
During our first interview, it became clear how significant the “land” was to Tam’s experience. It prompted me to reflect on my own transformative experiences, many of which occurred at sacred sites around the world. These places seem deeply tied to the ecology of their surroundings, almost as if the environment itself plays a role in the experience.
I’ve long believed there’s something uniquely special about these islands. Is there a mysticism inherent in the land of the UK, one that groups like the Celts understood and expressed? The Celts spoke of concepts like the Otherworld, a mystical dimension accessible at certain “thin places” or sacred sites. Similar ideas exist globally: the Colombian Kogi tribe’s Aluna or the First Nations Australians’ Dreamtime. Is there a connection between these traditions?
This line of thought also brings me to something I’ve pondered for years. Why do so many turn to Eastern mystical traditions for understanding, when Western traditions offer rich frameworks of their own? For example, the Hermetic tradition, encompassing Kabbalah, Alchemy, and Neo-Platonism, provides profound insights. Israel Regardie, in his book The Middle Pillar, even suggests these practices may be precursors to modern psychology. Some refer to this tradition as a “top-down” awakening.
From my perspective, these mystical experiences are not identical; they share meaningful similarities but also have key differences. Through my own encounters and work with the Kundalini Collective, I’ve noticed that people today often experience a blend of these traditions. This makes it even more important to understand them deeply.
I look forward to exploring these themes further in the upcoming films.
Excerpt from the Song of Amergin (Celtic Poem)
"I am the wind on the sea,
I am the wave of the ocean,
I am the bull of seven battles,
I am the hawk on a cliff,
I am the dewdrop in the sun,
I am the fairest of flowers,
I am the boar for courage,
I am the salmon in the pool,
I am the lake on the plain,
I am the word of knowledge,
I am the spear-point that gives battle,
I am the god who creates in the head."
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