RYAN BUSH PHOTOGRAPHY
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From Wandering to Illumination: The New Eleusinian Mysteries (2014 - 2019), in 3-D
My latest book, "From Wandering to Illumination" is now available on Amazon!
This series, and the corresponding book, weave together my mandala-like 3-D multiple exposure photographs of trees, along with the ancient Greek Eleusinian Mysteries (which were effective for thousands of years at introducing people to the mysteries of our true nature, and that of the world), and our modern effort to reconnect with soul on both the personal and collective levels.
Part One: Wandering
Part Two: Illumination
About the series
This series, and the corresponding book, weave together my mandala-like 3-D multiple exposure photographs of trees, along with the ancient Greek Eleusinian Mysteries (which were effective for thousands of years at introducing people to the mysteries of our true nature, and that of the world), and our modern effort to reconnect with soul on both the personal and collective levels.
As City Books Review says, "The symbolism in each piece challenges the viewers to consider the mysteries each photograph holds, waiting to be unlocked. Just like Bush’s other works, From Wandering to Illumination allows reflection and meditation on each piece before turning a page and seeing the evolution that is present within ourselves. The book keeps readers engaged and leaves them wanting more while contemplating the order of the natural world."
The series progresses from black-and-white photographs of bare trees in winter, representing the state of ‘Wandering’ (the ordinary consciousness of our ego, monkey mind, grasping mind, or the lower level of functioning when we’re in the grip of strong emotions, suffering or dysfunction), to color photographs of trees in spring, representing the state of Illumination or awakening.
Just as Persephone was taken away to the underworld, and Demeter wandered the Earth looking for her daughter everywhere, we face a similar loss of soul today on both the personal and collective levels. Our world is very much lost and wandering, with all the mass shootings, corporate greed running amok, infatuation with strongmen, etc.
Fortunately, if we realize that we’re Wandering, it really is possible to wake up. It’s time for us to drop the veil that has kept these mysteries hidden in esoteric symbolism, locked behind the doors of monasteries, and only taught to the chosen few.
The Postscript of this book outlines twelve techniques that can help on our journey, including how to ground, balance, and tune ourselves. All together, these tools can help facilitate awakening, but can be useful in our daily lives as well. If we don’t want to keep Wandering, we have all the tools we need to wake up.
All photographs are archival pigment prints on the highly-textured Hahnemuehle William Turner paper, and are available at 20"x20", 40"x40", and 60"x60".
