Imbas, the process of Bardic Inspiration - Jon O'Sullivan - Irish Pagan School

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The Bard in ancient Ireland was not just a function of entertainment. They functioned as the memory of the tribe, or Tuath, recalling the lineages of the lords, rulings of the Brehons, as well as the tales of great heroic deed. Yet there was something magical about the bards and their abilities from the powers of definition by recitation, to blemish by satire, Bards were people that one needed to be wary of, especially those with access to Imbas...
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[@Puffindillo]

Connecting to the collective knowledge/history/consciousness is interesting - whether as Imbas, or during a journey, I've found it to be more of a comfort than anything else. The idea that not all of what we once knew is truly lost, and that we can reconnect and bring things forward that have been ignored or deliberately destroyed. Thank you for this lovely discussion on Imbas.

[@jennycolley7265]

I could listen to you talk for hours, you (and Lora) make complex concepts and ideas accessible and much less daunting. I am, at 50 and after many years of avoiding the inevitable, still really right at the beginning of my journey, but I found myself nodding often during this video as you explained something I had felt, but never truly seen or understood for what it was. I always say that there are things that are not belief but a sort of knowing, inexplicable but without doubt and I see now that that is probably sometimes Imbas and perhaps sometimes the gods; an example would be when my fingers suddenly and almost without my conscious input, play something on my wire strung harp I know damn well is beyond my skill level and I'm left stunned and laughing with elation, full of a joy so deep it makes me want to cry. That, I believe, is a moment of Imbas. Thanks so much, John, this was fantastic and full of 'Aha!' moments for me.

[@thereverend801]

This is awesome Jon! Many traditions I’ve experienced talk about accessing that “universal knowledge” and I love this version 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 You definitely have an approach to this work that speaks to me ✌🏼

[@deaventura1984]

Great video!!! Thanks so much!

[@-RONNIE]

Really good video and discussion 👍🏻 something for everyone to think about

[@MistressCrescent]

When it hits, sometimes it hits like a ton of bricks…been there.

[@macnacailli]

Great video, as always. I like that you give a nod to cross cultural and modern psychology in a positive light, alongside exploring the line between human creativity and something Other. Seeing Imbas a spiritual lore-trove (along with being a process) is something I compare to the "Akashic record" (though that term has been overused in New Age circles and deserves a lot of scepticism).

[@anrianeth]

Very good to hear your take on imbas. Also, I had prev read the story you refer to that you’d written about the Dagda. At the time, I thought it sounded like you were sort of rephrasing from one of the known stories into more modern language. The actions and the temperament of Himself seemed to ring true to me. So you’re doing something right, for sure

[@thejesseract]

This is just great. The way you talk about the spiritual/metaphysical and the mundane as one is always one of the most valuable things about your teaching for me.

[@taramaiorella7639]

Thank you for this video, it has given much insight as to what question i have had for myself as to why certain things like writing/ poetry which I have never done. I was on the search to learn more of the Morrigan but I am feeling the pull to learn more of the Dagda every time I listen to your stories/lessons.

[@Bearwithme79]

A lot of times when I write poetry it’s similar. I go into a head space and the words that pot out are almost like they are not mine. It is super weird.

[@AeriaGl0ris]

This sounds similar to stories in Welsh mythology where the awen comes upon people and they recite marvelous poetry or act as soothsayers.

[@idontbelieveyou]

Thank you for this Jon, and for all the many other videos you and Lora have done during the challenge. I hear you when you say with whom do we safely share our, would you say - other worldly or other dimension experiences. Could I be wrong thinking that you may have a more receptive audience in Ireland because of the history, shared lived experience, and belief in the "impossible" (whether it be Catholicism or the good neighbors, or folk healing and magic). Over here people just think you're nuts. Go raibh mile maith agat Jon... truly appreciate these past few months of your time, knowledge, and wisdom.

[@gemmamcgowan6648]

Susan I think we need discernment everywhere when it comes to discussing our experiences. Yes due to folklore and folk practice there is a wider population who have either belief or a healthy respect for otherworldly things but there’s also a sizeable population who completely deny that part of our culture and think it should be left in the past. As a very open Pagan for the last 20 years, I still have only 1 or 2 folk that I share my experiences with.

[@idontbelieveyou]

@@gemmamcgowan6648 Thanks Gemma. True enough.

[@tomlinwilding]

Hi Jon. Quick question, if you have a chance and the energy, could you talk about how this idea relates (or doesn’t) to the idea of Awen, the Welsh word used in similar ways in English and Welsh modern druidry. Many thanks x

[@IrishPaganSchool]

Hi Tomlin, Thanks for the interesting question. Unfortunately Its not something I can answer as I have very little knowledge of Welsh practices or how they have been adopted into modern druidry. I could try to answer you but anything I could offer would be second hand and disconnected from native sources and that would be positioning myself to benefit from other cultures that I'm not part of, or giving back to, which is the short road to appropriation. Unfortunately I have not resources on this I could even offer you that we could stand over, but I might take the question on my own exploration so once again thank you for asking it.

[@tomlinwilding]

@@IrishPaganSchool Thank you. I totally understand your response. I will explore too. My studies at the moment involve doing the OBOD Bardic course, reading everything I can get my hands on from a wide range of sources, and consuming everything I can from IPS. Making connections and comparisons is useful to a degree.

[@nomadak723]

Jon at about 5:40 you mention what sounds like the cesht, the tradition of posing a question to the storyteller. What is that word and could you please tell more about this?

[@IrishPaganSchool]

The word is Ceist - www.teanglann.ie/en/fgb/ceist

[@katiwoods6836]

Hi, Jon! I’m curious about how imbas relates to the Dagda. Is this considered a gift, and is it one Dagda possessed? Or perhaps does he have the power to bestow it? I’m not sure if there’s any lore to support or suggest a connection, but I’d also be very interested in your UPG. Thanks!

[@nicholasstabler9718]

Hey Jon. Loved the video. I'm Curious, does imbas extend to other forms of creativity? Drawing or music? Or is it exclusively more of a written or verbal inspiration? And if it is mainly for inspiration of words, is there another form of creative inspiration you know of in Irish mythology regarding more of a craft and creation inspiration? Thanks always for your time and knowledge.

[@IrishPaganSchool]

Hi Nicholas. The main examples of Imbas that we see referred to in the lore are linked to words, the poetry and prose performances that just erupt from a person...but that might be because its being shared in story as a medium, and we all know that storyteller like adding a bit of mysticism to their performances :) In my opinion its entirely possible to have this lightning strike of inspiration, or glimpses of greater knowledge, but express them in a different medium, art, music crafts etc. We are each of us unique in our perspectives and not everyone can express them selves in words, so to my mind the inspiration or connection could be the same, its then just down to the person to best express it in their own way. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be any recorded examples of this in the lore to my mind and whether it would have a different term to define it... I can't really say. Great question and I hope I have given a good enough answer. P.s. Your artistic expression is awesome

[@chrisshaimas8425]

How can I get involved

[@IrishPaganSchool]

Hi Chris, Thanks for the interest. There is a lot of free content here on You tube, but also on the Irish Pagan School. After that we have a lot of paid courses for those who wish to go deeper with their learning. All our best with your journey. School Link: irishpaganschool.com/

[@chrisshaimas8425]

Thank you I’ve been watching you guys for awhile I’ll be in touch about the courses