Soul-searching quest of environmental campaigner Niamh
When soul is neglected, it doesn't just disappear somewhere; it re-emerges in the world symptomatically in violence, lack of meaning, obsessions, addictions and preoccupations with image over substance.
Bristol psychologist, teacher and environmental campaigner, Dublin-born Dr Niamh Clune, is what I would call a specialist of the soul and, in her remarkable new book, The Mystic Labyrinth, launched at Bristol's Pierian Centre last week, she plays an important part in attempts to reorientate us. The "mystic labyrinth" is a metaphor Niamh uses to describe a psychological and spiritual journey into our inner selves, our souls or psyche – in the Greek myth it is Ariadne's thread that leads Theseus safely through the labyrinth to slay the monstrous Minotaur.
Niamh believes we can tap into the knowledge and wisdom inherent in the world's great mythologies to find deeper levels of meaning in our lives, and connect with the divinity within.
"It's a way of allowing soul into the world," she told me. "I seriously fear that the soul is under threat at the moment, and I think that civilisation is suffering because we are so disconnected from our spiritual core."
Niamh comes from a long tradition of Irish poets, writers and musicians. She joined her first band at 17, but ended her music career to explore her natural mysticism and ability to heal.
Working in Africa for Oxfam, Unicef and the World Food Programme showed her how environmental issues impacted on world poverty and turned her into a passionate environmentalist. Her song We are the Voice was used to advertise the 2002 Johannesburg World Summit in more than 52 countries.
She won a Social Entrepreneur Ireland award for her creative, "community in the environment" enterprises.
■ Niamh's book is available at £15 from her website, www.mysticlabyrinth.co.uk
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