Page 27 - Zone Magazine Issue 007

“ In Ireland, we have a long and troublesome history of others taking our power away from us, mostly seen by the colonisation and imperialism of the British and the Roman Catholic Church, however, one does not simply have one's power taken away, one must also give it away. "
What gets me, are the people who read the tabloid rags, get titillated by the pictures of scantily-clad young women, read the sensationalist reports on events and lifestyles that they don’t understand, and then feel like they can wag the finger and assume a moral high ground. The ethos of Bliss is that we all have individual freedom of choice and “have an inherent right to (consensual and legal) sexual pleasure, however we choose to experience and express it”.
Religion in Ireland has out rightly equated sex with sin, and our bodies and pleasure have been viewed as inherently shameful. Sex is demonised and sexuality is seen as pornographic or hedonistic - there are no shades of grey in Irish culture - you’re either pure or you’re pornographic. There remains the supposedly higher pursuit of happiness in spiritual matters but not an acceptance that, as Beth Wallace says, “human beings are whole beings - body, mind and spirit, that our sexual nature can be reflected in and experienced through, and expressed by all three”.
Beth continues: “In Ireland, we have a long and troublesome history of others taking our power away from us, mostly seen by the colonisation and imperialism of the British and the Roman Catholic Church, however, one does not simply have one's power taken away, one must also give it away. And so we developed a ‘victim’ mind-set as a result of perceiving that our power was entirely taken away, not that we were in any way complicit in that. This is problematic for me in that I see people capitulate every day to an authority they deem to be greater than themselves in some way, therefore they give their power away on a daily basis. This then translates into the giving away of sexual power, sexual and bodily autonomy and agency, the giving away of sexual freedom.
Many people fear that when sexuality is brought out of the bedroom that it will result in it becoming uncontrollable and rapacious; it's been my experience that in alcohol-free conscious environments, such as our events, that the exact opposite of that is what happens. People, in general, become much more respectful and responsible with their sexual energy and eroticism, not less.”
When you repress eroticism the mind runs riot, and that eroticism will find a way to express itself - usually in an inappropriate way. Clerical abuse, the mother and baby homes scandals, and the suppression of reproductive rights, abortion and contraception in Ireland, and there is a distinct lack of sexual education here. We’re still suffering from the hang-ups created by these religious and fearful ideas. On the other
hand, it has been noted that when societies allow greater freedom of erotic expression, other rights are valued and protected.
Many sexually confident people go to Bliss to explore deeper their own sensuality and sexuality, and to learn techniques that allow more pleasure and fun. Osho, the Indian ‘sex guru’, nailed it when he said: “Instead of talks about war, instead of politicians giving speeches all around the world, instead of the sermons of stupid priests who know nothing, it will be far better that every man and every woman is able to see the hilarious side of life and to enjoy it.”
At this point I’d like to shamelessly plug my own ‘Adventures in Play’ workshops which bring lightness, fun and eroticism together...
However, many others attend Bliss events to learn how to connect with their bodies through practices such as dance, massage and touch. They want to heal themselves from years of shame and guilt. Can you imagine what it was like to be one of these people who plucked up the courage to come to this summer’s Bliss Festival, only to be ‘welcomed’ at the entrance by placard-waving protesters telling you that you were going to hell?
There was one festival-goer who didn’t have far to travel to this year’s Bliss; when I met him on the Friday, he told me how he was worried that local protesters would recognise and judge him. Here’s what he had to say:
“I was born in 1968 in the north of Ireland in a Catholic and Republican area. Growing up I saw my share of violence due to the conflict here. I have seen death and been close to death. I experienced first-hand our “troubles” from a very young age... At the age of 9, I was sexually abused by a great uncle in Dublin - this is the first time I have shared this. It was my burden to carry and to tell my family would have hurt them. From the age of 21, I have been involved with two emergency services where I have seen my fair share of trauma; like my abuse I have never talked to anyone about this, [it] felt not manly. I have never fitted into work, always made to feel second class or not worthy, and due to my nature I never spoke up; this led me to become insular and I did not feel any self- esteem. I felt uncomfortable with touch and felt there was something very wrong with me. I did long to be held and comforted, which a shrink or doctor would not do for you - they just prescribe medication...
In April, I read about Bliss Narrow Water and felt this would help me come to terms with my needs and maybe help save my marriage. I needed answers. But then with all the controversy over the festival [it] really tore me apart - my chance of help was under threat.
Here was this brave warrior Beth Wallace who put all on the line for me and people like me in need of help, I felt I could not back out and not go... and not to go would be an insult to her. That Thursday night [before the Festival] was the worst of my life, I just felt like giving up on life. I never slept, worrying about the people who were against the Festival because I lived alongside them.
I went on Friday, and what I found was the most beautiful, warm, loving, non-judgmental, caring people I have ever had the pleasure to meet... I talked all weekend and for the first time opened my heart and I was never judged, not once, the kindness in the people’s hearts was astounding, and I was not, nor did I judge. I made so many new friends and am now a part of a wider Bliss family which I am proud to be part of. I have come away with a new purpose in life, I also realise I have a new family and that for the first time in my life I have felt genuine warmth and openness, I have taken my first steps on a journey of healing and my 47 years of hurt and trauma is slowly being released. I told Beth and others at the end of the weekend that I am starting to feel lighter, that a burden is slowly starting to lift. This pioneer, Beth Wallace, has set me on my journey of healing; for that I could never thank her enough.”
In the months following the 2015 Bliss Festival, Beth was recognised for her humanitarian work and was nominated for Activist of the Year at the Sexual Freedom Awards held in London. At the same time, Henry Reilly was expelled from his political party for bringing it into disrepute.
The warrior Wallace and the Bliss tribe continue to fight to bring sexual healing to this lush island. Beth’s next goal is to hold the Festival in the Kingdom of Mide - the ancient province in the middle of Ireland.
Going to a Bliss event can be a very challenging experience - it can take you completely out of your comfort zone. But it is here in one’s edge that the transformation, expansion, and magic happen.
Connect: http://www.blissfestival.org/ The crowdfunding page - https://earth-
ways.com/projects/bliss-festival-2016/
Bliss FB page - https:// www.facebook.com/BlissFestival/
Words by Andre Venchard Pics mike brown photography
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