Closed Eyes Open

ABOUT THE VIDEO

"You will not find me in buildings of wood and stone - i am in you and all around you, split a piece of wood and i'm there, lift a rock and you will see me." This from the Gnostic Gospel of St Thomas declaring that the Kingdom of God exists upon the earth today - to see it - one need only "open their eyes." For the divine is within us - And we have become the divine. The beauty of our creation and our male form is found throughout nature as if to remind us of the glory that is man. Ultimately the search for "God" is a search for the "Love" within ourselves and found when we discover in others that divinely inspired - "Look of Love."

"Closed Eyes Open" is an expression of my own New Age spirituality rooted deeply in the gnostic tradition. The video itself seeks to reinforce the belief that we are one with that which surrounds us - inextricably linked and reflected in every flower, river, and mountain. The style represents one of my earliest. As i strove to avoid a "slideshow" format i developed a deeper desire to tell a story or as in this case - to simply record an event which often manifests itself in our most physical and sensual of expressions.

GNOSTICISM AND HOMOSEXUALITY

Followers of gnosticism seek to attain a higher level of enlightenment not through faith but in the quest for knowledge and wisdom. The word "Gnostic" itself means "secret knowledge." Though split into various sects - followers of gnosticism all held common beliefs about homosexuality as not only good but also the preferred form of union. Believing sex between men and women to be evil and an impediment to attaining this "secret knowledge" - gnosticism stresses that homosexuality should not only be encouraged but also is in fact necessary to attain such enlightenment. This belief was so fundamental that gnostic rituals often involved the uninhibited participation of its followers in lengthy and what others would see as exuberantly licentious lust-driven homosexual orgies. In ages past gnostic priests were virtually all homosexual. And it was believed that all homosexuals were "old souls" who have returned to the body to evolve and to teach. In doing so they represented the ultimate in self-realization since sexual desires were turned away from reproduction and toward new realms of enlightenment. (The Institute of Gnostic Studies 2000). For those interested in reading all the gnostic texts - they may be found in their entirety by referencing "The Nag Hammadi Library."

THE MUSIC

"The Look of Love" performed by Ronald Isley - Nov 2003. Lyrics by Hal David - Music by Burt Bacharach. Originally released in April 1967 by Dusty Springfield in the album "Casino Royale."

Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED

Category:

Education

Tags:

• gay
• homosexual
• gnostic
• gnosticism
• gnostic texts
• gospel of saint thomas
• love
• new age spirituality
• new age religion
• secret knowledge
• gnostic rituals
• old souls
• enlightenment
• institute of gnostic studies
• nag hammadi library
• ron isley
• ronald isley
• burt bacharach
• look of love

[IngridHexerl]

What a wonderful video with romantic and sensual scenes handsome men, loving and affectionate gestures, a beautiful song and mesmerizing sunsets in the background.

Your video touched my heart and delights like a rainbow-colored iridescent.

Thank you for your great creation, dear Joseph. Friendly hugs, ღƸ̵̡ӜƷ

[kwpoker]

They're all very pretty.

[EduardoGattoRJ]

Fantastic video!!!!!!! I loved everything about it: the pictures, the editing, the background music.Wow! Thanks for uploading such a piece of art!

[CifandYer]

Open.

[marswissy1]

great vid

[streakbear]

Très, très bien. Bises xoxox. 

[tamimo9]

beautiful men .... beautiful eyes ... beautiful music ... makes for a wonderful creation ... thoroughly enjoying ot ... tthanks ...

[zebrockway]

Thank you for sharing your remarkable piece of work. I hope you feel you succeeded in making the video you desired - because it certainly looks as though you have. And it's accompanied by the most eloquently detailed description i've read on a YouTube video. Thank you~x.

[jozejazo]

Nice video,thank you!

[timeforfuntoday169]

Joseph this so "OUTSTANDING" , goes way beyond beautiful and so loving, one of the best dance songs and lounge tunes around, your video has that look of love and is so hottttttttttttttttttt and sexy with all the angels you have brought from the heavens, loving it babe and you, many hugs all sealed with a kiss.:)))) Norm