ORDER OF PEACE POETS, BARDS AND DRUIDS (OPPBD)

ORDER OF PEACE POETS, BARDS AND DRUIDS –
CENTRE FOR DRUID PHILOSOPHY

This new initiative of the International Institute of Peace Studies and Global Philosophy is dedicated to research and education into all aspects of the Druid philosophical tradition, in the widest possible senses of the term.

The Centre is a networking organisation for both under-graduate and postgraduate students, as well as academics and intellectuals worldwide, and is based in Wales. Its purpose is to advance study and research into the complex, multilayered and ancient legacy of Druid thought, and to help advance international understanding, cooperation and peace through dialogue, research and education.

Its work is divided into several sections, including Research, Education, Publications, conferences, celebrations and the Internet. Its study agendas include advancing research into all aspects of the Druid philosophical tradition, and its worldwide significance and impact:

  1. The history and nature of Druid thought and the life and times of Taliesin, Amergin, Fenius Farsaidh, Bladud, Abaris, Myrddin (Merlin), Ossian, and other famous Druids, and their philosophies.
  2. The wider influences and later developments of Druid philosophy during the Renaissance, Enlightenment, Romantic & Modern periods, in the writings and life's work of figures such as John Dee, Guillaume Postel, Francis Bacon, Robert Fludd, Sir Philip Sidney, John Aubrey, John Selden, William Lloyd, John Locke, Hupay de Fuvea, William Stukeley, John Toland, Thomas Paine, Chevalier Ramsay, Rev. William Anderson, Elias Ashmole, Sir Robert Moray, Bishop Wilkins, Thomas Jefferson, Nicholas Bonneville, Iolo Morganwg, Godfrey Owen, Godfrey Higgins, McGregor Mathers, Gerald Gardner, Alice Bailey, Mahatma Gandhi, Dr Rudolf Steiner;  poets like Blake, Wordsworth, Shelley, Yeats;  philosophers like Hegel, Sir Edward Herbert; David Hume;  esotericists & historians like Geoffrey Keating, Robert Graves, Nichols, Montgomery Hyde, Steiner, Gurdjieff, J.G. Bennett, Idries Shah;  scientists like Sir Isaac Newton, Boyle, Faraday, Carl Gustav Jung, Sir Alexander Fleming, Karl Marx; women mystics such as Annie Besant, Anna Kingsford, Dion Fortune, Flora Tristan, Beatrice Ensor, Doreen Valiente, ecologists  such as Robert Hart, H.J. Masingham, Richard St Barbe Baker, Ruskin, Thoreau etc.
  3. The antecedents of Druid philosophy and the history of the philosophical and religious traditions of the earliest European and Euro-Asian peoples
  4. The relationships between Druid and ancient Hebrew and Jewish philosophical traditions
  5. The mutual influences of Druid and Iranian and Zoroastrian philosophical thought
  6. The mutual philosophical influences of Druidry and Christianity
  7. The mutual influences of Druid philosophical thought on the formation and history of Greek and Roman philosophical thought
  8. The comparative study of early Druid philosophical thought, in Druid and proto-Druid thought, with other early Indo-European philosophical and religious traditions, including Hindu philosophy, Hittite Religion and Philosophy, Roman religion and philosophy, Armenian, Georgian and Slavonic philosophical traditions etc
  9. The history and teachings of the Irish schools of Druid philosophy and their influence on later philosophical developments in Ireland
  10. The history of philosophy in Wales and the influence of Druid teachings and ideas on their development, including the neo-Druidry associated with the National Eisteddfod and the work of Iolo Morganwg and other 18th, 19th and 20th century thinkers, including the work of Welsh language scholars
  11. The mutual linkages between Druidry and Islamic and Sufi thought and pagan Arabian and Turkish spiritual teachings, including the Harranian traditions and those of Islamic alchemical and magical traditions in general he evolution of Bahai philosophy and its relationship with other currents of Druid philosophy
  12. The contributions made by Druid philosophers and Celtic civilization to the evolution of scientific and technological philosophical ideas, including their contributions in mathematics, astronomy, astrology, chemistry, psychology, medicine and allied sciences,
  13. The study of Druid philosophical manuscripts and texts both in private collections and in libraries worldwide, and their cataloguing and publication, including the work of learned societies which are already advancing this task, such as the Irish Manuscripts Society and the Welsh Manuscripts Association
  14. The publication and discovery and translation of Iolo Morgannwg’s bardic corpus and its impact on British intellectual history, and the problematique associated with forgery / embellishment issues and the crafting of genuineness in Druidic lineages and transmissions
  15. The influence of Druid philosophy on the formation and history of the British Empire and the extent to which individual Druids or druid lodges were active throughout the period of British colonialism, including in North America and linkages with American Indian culture as well as in the Indian subcontinent, and links with Indian religions
  16. The linkages of Druidry and freemasonry and the impact of both on the evolution of philosophy, including e.g. the work of the Lodge of the Nine Sisters in 18th century Paris
  17. Developments in modern and contemporary philosophy in the Celtic and English speaking world, including the study of religious philosophy, political thought, philosophy of science, psychology, history of philosophy etc. and the traces of Druid thought in their characterisations
  18. The development of Druid and Druid inspired literature, poetry and mythological tales as a vehicle for philosophical and spiritual thought
  19. The evolution of Scots Gaelic literature, both written and oral, and the survival of the Bardic traditions in Scotland; the history of Druidry and Bardism in the Jacobite traditions; the constellation of Druid thought at the court of the Scottish Kings down to James 6th of Scotland; the traces of Druid thought in Pictish culture and customs. The influence of Druid philosophical thinking on evolution of Scottish thought and philosophy and the Scottish enlightenment and in contemporary Scottish philosophy.
  20. The contributions of Druid influences to the evolution of the idea of “Britishness” and the necessary contributions of this perspective to the debate on the multicultural nature of contemporary Britain, and the philosophical advantages of including the indigenous voices of Druidry in these debates, including thinking through the complex issues surrounding “race”, “culture”, ethnicity,” “identity”, “nationalism”, “tribalism” etc.
  21. The philosophical problematique associated with the use of the concepts of Celt/ Celtism: a linguistic term ? an ethnic or genetic category ? a geographical entity ? an anthropological term ? a historically outmoded categorisation ? a useful conceptual label ?
  22. The development of ideas of peace in Druid thought, from proto-Druid through to contemporary Druid thought, and the search for a metaphysical basis for a peaceful dialogue of civilizations, as seen through a Druid philosophical lens; the history and philosophy of the role of Druids as peacemakers and mediators and the extent to which this function needs reviving in the contemporary world situation
  23. The philosophy and teachings of Druidry on relationships, love, sexuality, gender and marriage; the relative power and status of women in Celtic and Druid society, the valuing of women as equal in Druid status to men; the role of Druid Queens and female tribal rulers in Celtic civilizations, the nature of female and male deities and Goddesses in Celtic Druidry
  24. the linkages between druidry and other pagan forms of indigenous philosophy, including Wiccan traditions and the evolution of Witchcraft in the British Isles and other Druidic realms.
  25. The contribution of Druid thought to the formation of law and legal norms in Irish, Welsh and Anglo-Saxon legal traditions, and the extent to which some of these ideas might still have currency in today’s legal world
  26. the organization of society under Druid norms and values, issues of social justice and social class; contribution of Druid ideas to social reform and social and philosophies; the influence of Druid ideas on revolutionary traditions in both the American French and Russian revolutions, and the rejection of violence as a means of advancing social reform within authentic Druid circles (e.g. the Social Circle in Paris)
  27. Druid philosophies of healing and medicine and the evolution of healing practices in the Celtic and British world, and the history of Druids as healers and natural medical practitioners; the way that some Druid ideas on natural medicine might help modern medical practices to advance, particularly in relation to natural medicine and the role of mental factors in self-healing work.
  28. Druid teachings on the right use of drugs and the psychoactive and hallucinogenic properties of indigenous plants and their shamanic use within Druidic tradition and their philosophical implications
  29. Druid contributions to the philosophy and practice of the Arts; the historical evidence for Druid and Bardic artistic creativity, as well as the work of contemporary practitioners of the arts in Celtic and British culture, including music, fine art, architecture and design, poetry, dance, theatre, fashion, pottery, metalwork etc. Studies of the philosophy of art and the Druidical approach of art as a means of wisdom-transmission. The use of symbols in Druid work and in Celtic art and the linkages between Druid art and other artistic traditions worldwide, including those of prehistory.
  30. Developments in archaeology and the uncovering and reinterpretation of archaeological evidence for Druid culture and philosophical and spiritual ideas, including the interpretation of stone circles, megaliths, ancient artifacts, dwellings, religious objects etc. and the philosophical developments in contemporary archaeology regarding the archaeology of consciousness and belief
  31. Druid teachings on life after death and reincarnation and their philosophical implications; the evidence of near death experiences and past life regressions; paranormal and transpersonal studies into the nature of consciousness and the soul.
  32. Druid teachings on children, parenting, family life, education and pedagogy; the custom of sending children to be raised and taught by Druids; the tradition of fostering in Celtic society; the philosophical implications of fostering in society, and the value of other Celtic and Druid educational ideas for the contemporary world.
  33. The potential contributions of Druid philosophy to interfaith work and the philosophical study of Druid contributions to the evolution of a mature dialogue of religions, cultures and civilizations on the planet
  34. The contributions of Druid thought to the evolution of theology, in both Christian and other forms, including the idea of the Holy Trinity as an outgrowth of Druid formulations of the three-foldness of reality; the linkages of Druid theology to other ancient theological systems, including Egyptian, Sumerian, Iranian, Greek, Germanic and Scandinavian, Amerindian etc.
  35. The tabulation of the chronology, history and philosophy of Druid teachers and sages and seers from ancient to Modern times; researching and publishing a complete list of all known Druids from all epochs of Irish and British history, together with their achievements and intellectual accomplishments, drawing on the ancient manuscripts still preserved as well as published secondary sources.
  36. The history and philosophy of Druid teachings on nature, including  animals, plants, trees, water, fire, earth and air (the elements), rain, mountains, sun, moon, planets, and the Druid philosophical understanding of nature in all its complexity and wisdom; the deification of aspects of nature by the Celts, and its experience in religious, spiritual and theistic terms,
  37. The Druid philosophical understanding of the nature of time, in terms of astrology, cycles, seasons, eras, chronology etc. and their cosmological understanding of creation / destruction myths and the world’s cosmogensis;
  38. The Druid philosophy of history: the Druids’ lack of an advanced written historiography, but their possession of a complex and multilayered oral understanding of history, bound up closely with mythology and oral legends, and the craft of the historian (seanchaidhe) as a closely guarded privilege within the Druid ranks, and its links with the role of the story-teller, and genealogical reciter.
  39. The development of a Druid Education Committee in connection with the Council of British Druid Orders

 

The Centre for Druid Philosophy has come into being to advance thinking, study and research into all the above areas of scholarship and knowledge, not only in the formal academic sense, but also in the intuitive and mystical sense of inner knowing or direct intuitive cognition. We wish to advance Druid philosophy not only in the sense of “knowing about” but also “direct knowing from the heart of the matter” and to recover the ancient Druid teachings on enlightenment and insight, as equivalents to Eastern philosophical concepts such as nirvana, moksha, samadhi etc. CDP believes that there is an equivalent ancient Western concept, more akin to the Greek notion of “lysis” and “harmonia” and that its rediscovery is part of the rebalancing of mankind’s relationship with nature and the spiritual world that is so badly needed at this time on planet earth.

The Centre is also organising the rebirth of the PERPETUAL CHOIRS OF BRITAIN AND IRELAND project, which is taking the form of a rolling series of musical choirs, with  music being sung in praise of the Spirit, to be undertaken at sacred centres and places throughout Britain and Ireland. PERPETUAL CHOIRS OF BRITAIN:

According to several ancient triadic sources, there were in Ancient Britain three perpetual choirs, at the Isle of Avalon (Glastonbury), Salisbury and Bangor Iscoed  (on the River Dee in Wales, seat of a great ancient monastery of Druid Christian learning).

THE ORDER OF PEACE POETS, BARDS AND DRUIDS and the CENTRE FOR DRUID PHILOSOPHY, in concert with other groups and organisations,  is calling not only for their recreation and restatement, but also for a continual rolling perpetual choir not located in any one geographical place, but rather as a roving choir throughout the Islands of Britain and Ireland. The idea is to inspire the involvement of the numerous choirs and singing groups, from official church choirs, to Cathedral choirs, or community choirs, or local singing groups, from all levels of professional or amateur expertise, to contribute three hours singing per year, dedicated to world peace and harmony.

The OPPBD would therefore like to hear from any practicing choirs or singing groups who would like to get involved and who would like to dedicate some of their time to this project. Please contact IIPSGP, Castle of the Muses, Craigard, Carrick Castle, Cairndow, Argyll and Bute, Scotland PA24 6AH. Telephone: 01301 703053 - Mobile: 07500 238523 . Email: iipsgp@educationaid.net

THE ORDER OF PEACE POETS BARDS AND DRUIDS is a new initiative taken to advance the cause of peace worldwide, to help uncover the  wisdom of the ancient world at its best, to help usher in an era of harmony between men and women, between science, spirituality and technology, and between humanity, nature and the divine worlds. Druidry is an open ended religious, philosophical and spiritual faith which puts love, freedom, beauty, kindness,  and an emphasis on oral teaching above the worship of scriptures, texts, liturgies, buildings, rituals etc. Druids tend to worship the Spirit of Wisdom out of doors surrounded by the mystery of the  sun and the moon and the stars, and above all by the wisdom of the natural world of trees, plants, animals, landscape temples, rivers, lake, waterfalls, groves, mountains,  and stone circles. It is the ancient and eternal religion and philosophical teaching of the early inhabitants of the British Isles and the rest of Celtic Europe, which at various times has stretched throughout Gaul, Switzerland, Northern Italy, Central Europe, the Northern Balkans and as far as Anatolia.

Later Druidry has spread worldwide with British, Irish and Celtic civilisation.  Celtic spiritual teachings concerned the nature of reincarnation, non violence, truth, honesty, loyalty, love for the beauty of nature, the celebration of life in the arts, in  music and dance, feasting & the enjoyment of loving sacred sexuality. Druids were forbidden from serving in battle, or from carrying weapons or fighting or striking an enemy. They sought to use gentle means of persuasion, of song or poetry, or example, to turn people to righteous actions.  Druids served as mediators, lawyers, judges and counselors to the Celtic Kings and nobles. Druidry lived on until the Roman conquest of Gaul and Britain all but extinguished it. The key Druid schools of Mona (Isle of Anglesey) were attacked and largely destroyed by the power of the sword. Druid teachings were  enshrined in the Bardic schools of the Middle Ages and the legends of King Arthur and the search for the Holy Grail. It lived in the work of Fenius Farsaidh, Amergin, Bladud, Abaris, Pythagoras, Plato, Taliesin, Myrddin, Ossian, & played a role in the rebirth of philosophy and learning in the early renaissance: Abelard had Druid links. Many Druids accepted Christian esoteric teachings as a continuation and confirmation of their own sublime teachings on peace and non violence.

Druidry always had at its core a strong commitment to healing. Druid philosophy largely went underground during the religious wars and tribulations of the Medieval and early modern period of history, but something has resurfaced in the work of the great seers, poets and bards of Britain, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Cornwall, Brittany, France, Europe, Russia, America, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, India  and elsewhere. Druids believe their views to be in harmony with universal theosophical and philosophical traditions at their best worldwide: Buddhism, Sufism, Kabbalah, Taoism, Vedanta, Tantra, Wicca, Magic, Slavic, Balkan, Baltic, Asian and Germanic spirituality, Amerindian traditions, classical philosophy, Bahaism, Zoroastrianism etc. All of them have an overlap with Druid teachings, which is not surprising since they all seem to derive from one ultimate source. DOPHP believes that ultimate source wants peace on earth and that the time for peace is now. The revival of Druidry has always been accompanied by a rejection of religious and social and economic corruption and a heartfelt appeal to peace, wisdom, the celebration of the beauties of  nature, and a reaffirmation of the wisdom of the eternal feminine and masculine energies working in harmony. Women’s' rights were advanced by the return of the  Goddess traditions and the campaigns for the emancipation of women, socialism & human rights was supported by Druids. Communism was also connected to Druidry but it left out the spiritual dimension, although it wisely stressed poverty alleviation and social justice. Feminism has also drawn inspiration from ancient pagan paths, including Druidry, but Masculinism is also needed to affirm the importance of gender balance.

In all the above areas of study and research, collaboration is invited from scholars internationally, working on aspects of the above. CDP will sponsor an annual colloquium in Wales to bring together all those interested in the above fields of study. Participants in the development of the work of CDP are encouraged to join IIPSGP, the parent body of CDP, and to make use of its wider facilities, including a study and retreat centre in rural mid Wales.  IIPSGP also runs a programme of weekend study retreats at our centre in Wales to which serious students of mysticism and esoteric philosophy and Druidry are welcome to apply.

The International Institute of Peace Studies and Global Philosophy is a leading international network of scholars in all countries researching and teaching about the best aspects of global philosophical systems and ideas and the way they can optimally contribute to world peace and reconciliation. It has members from all religious and philosophical traditions, and in many countries worldwide, and is based in the UK. It is directed by Dr. Thomas C. Daffern, a Canadian-British dual citizen, philosopher, Druid, intellectual historian and teacher of religious studies.

For further information on CDP, or the ORDER OF PEACE POETS, BARDS AND DRUIDS, please contact: Centre for Druid Philosophy, IIPSGP,  by email at iipsgp@educationaid.net or via our website www.educationaid.net  or you can write or visit in person for a retreat  (book in advance first) to: Centre for Druid Philosophy, Castle of the Muses, Craigard, Carrick Castle, Cairndow, Argyll and Bute, Scotland PA24 6AH. Telephone: 01301 703053 - Mobile: 07500 238523. Email: iipsgp@educationaid.net