kilts, horseback riding and genetic memory

[berserkbishop]

This "genetic memory" sounds a lot like Pavlov's archetypes theory. We started studying this in my Mythology seminar and I thought it sounded like a bunch of crap. Upon further thinking about it and applying it to myself I find that I believe in a genetic memory more and more. Before finding out much about my Scottish heritage, I was studying Celtic music in a music class. The teacher put on a CD with a solo piper playing Amazing Grace. To me, the music was beautiful, almost put me in a trance and I LITERALLY got goosebumps. Many of my class mates thought it sounded like a lot of racket. Also, as much as I loathe the cold weather, every time I see a picture of Scotland, especially in Alex's posts, I yearn to go there. To me, this is proof enough, but it is not really proof to anyone else.

Bishop

[BoldHighlander]

This "genetic memory" sounds a lot like Pavlov's archetypes theory. We started studying this in my Mythology seminar and I thought it sounded like a bunch of crap. Upon further thinking about it and applying it to myself I find that I believe in a genetic memory more and more. Before finding out much about my Scottish heritage, I was studying Celtic music in a music class. The teacher put on a CD with a solo piper playing Amazing Grace. To me, the music was beautiful, almost put me in a trance and I LITERALLY got goosebumps. Many of my class mates thought it sounded like a lot of racket. Also, as much as I loathe the cold weather, every time I see a picture of Scotland, especially in Alex's posts, I yearn to go there. To me, this is proof enough, but it is not really proof to anyone else.

Bishop

Bishop,

I understand exactly what your saying / feeling. I've felt this way since I first heard the pipes as a child, loooong before I knew about my Scots heritage.

Speaking of 'genetic memory' I had an episode in my life that I am reluctant to usually bring up, except around trusted friends or family, for fear of being called a crackpot. I'm sure there will be those here who will read it & think what a load of rubbish, but I have found that as a whole, rather you agree or disagree, this group is made up by & large of honorable individuals who respect each others views, thoughts & experiences.

Thus I will relate my experience here (for good or ill)...

Many moons ago, before I really knew about my Scots heritage & was in truth more about my "Irishness", I was at a local highland games, just taking it all in, standing there listening to the pipes etc, soaking it up.
It was during this moment, as I listened to the pipes, that I thought "this must have been what it was like back in Scotland back in the day" (not so much the games, but the feeling the pipes were stirring within me).
As I thought this, and looking upon the crowd, it was as if I could clearly see armed men (with pike & sword) wearing tartan, all heading in one direction with a purpose, passing un-noticed by the massed modern day crowd picking their way thru vendor row.
(I also felt at that moment that I needed to pick up a sword & join these men).
As I focused my eyes upon these men it was as if they disappeared like the mist before my eyes! I even blinked & shook my head a couple times as if to say "did that really just happen"?

To this day I do not know what it was I experienced. A genetic memory to some event in my family's past? Or something else?
I do not know, all I know is it (seemed) real enough & still makes my hair stand up a bit on my neck!