Hey there, Sinners, it’s Adam Nox. Welcome to another episode of The Cult of You, and another interview with a remarkable mind. Today, my guest is Dr. Edward Bruce Bynum, a noted clinical psychologist and former director of the Behavioral Medicine Program at the University of Massachusetts. You may have seen me talk about him before in my book reviews, where I covered some of my classic favorites, highly recommended books such as Dark Light Consciousness, Melanin Serpent Power, The Luminous Matrix of Reality, and his most recent, Our African Unconscious. Being in South Africa, I find his work particularly fascinating, as it speaks to the subject at the core of modern-day occultism—the unconscious, particularly the personal and collective unconscious.
“Consciousness is not trapped inside our heads—it is spread throughout the universe, connecting us all.”
“We are luminous beings, destined to transcend the limitations of our physical forms.”
The Unconscious as an Ancient Concept: The understanding of the unconscious dates back to ancient Egypt, where it was linked to both the physical and psychic worlds, with connections to modern ideas like Freud’s collective unconscious.
Consciousness as Non-Local: Consciousness is not confined to the brain but is a non-local phenomenon spread throughout the universe, connecting all living beings.
The Role of Neuro-Melanin and Kundalini: Neuro-melanin is key in absorbing light and facilitating higher states of consciousness. Kundalini energy, present in all humans, drives the evolution of consciousness.
Repression and Evolution: Repression has played a role in our survival, both spiritually and socially. However, proper spiritual practice helps manage this repression in a way that allows growth without being overwhelmed.
Interconnectedness and Unity: As a species, humanity is interconnected on all levels—spiritually, biologically, and psychologically. This unity is key to our evolution as we prepare to step into a larger cosmic reality.
The Tension of Growth: Human progress is marked by cycles of tension and resolution, where overcoming challenges allows for breakthroughs in consciousness and societal development.
The Evolution of Mystical and Spiritual Traditions: Ancient traditions like those from Egypt and India laid the groundwork for understanding the progression of human consciousness through both scientific and spiritual lenses
“Humanity is young, but our consciousness is evolving, preparing us for a larger cosmic reality.”
“The true origin of mysticism lies in recognizing that consciousness is trans-temporal and trans-spatial.”
We talk about the unconscious frequently, whether we’re discussing hypnosis, trying to influence the field of archetypal minds, or even delving beyond into the superconscious and the liminal realms of creation. One of the big reasons I wanted Bruce on the show is his deep understanding of the unconscious. He graciously accepted, and today he will share years of expertise, helping us trace back the templates from which most modern-day religions and schools of thought inherit their original patterns.
This discussion is essential for serious practitioners. It helps us understand the roots of the unconscious, which Sigmund Freud referred to as the racial unconscious or racial consciousness. Dr. Bynum explores the biology, psychology, and more in today’s episode. We look at the African diaspora, Black Moses, the original ideas from Sigmund Freud around the Black Hebrews, the works of the IFA, and how these ideas are manifested. We explore the collective unconscious, the need for tension and resolution, and the templates we are setting up as we move forward into becoming a spacefaring race.
You’ll enjoy the insights of this brilliant, humble, deeply educated man. You’ll also hear about neuro-melanin and its effects on the brain, breath control, sound, and the implications of these ideas. All links to his books and the Obelisk Foundation are in the description.
Without further ado, sit back, relax, and remember to live deliciously.
Dr. Bynum, welcome to The Cult of You. It’s an absolute pleasure to have you here.
Dr. Bynum: I’m really excited and thrilled to be able to talk to so many folks of like mind and spirit. I’ve been looking forward to this.
Adam: Bruce, thank you. I’ve been a big fan of your work since I read Dark Light Consciousness several years ago. That book had a major influence on me. And then, when I read Our African Unconscious, the depth you went into blew me away. Can we start there?
Dr. Bynum: Absolutely, and please call me Bruce.
Adam: Thanks, Bruce. The topic of the unconscious is frequently discussed but often misunderstood. Some people view it from a hypnotic perspective, others from a biological or ancestral one. There’s the personal and the collective unconscious. When you talk about the unconscious, what exactly do you mean, and how do you describe its progression?
Dr. Bynum: When I talk about the unconscious, I trace it back to its classical roots, which actually arise not in Freud or Jung, but several thousand years before Christ, in ancient Egypt. The Egyptians were advanced in astronomy, archaeology, mathematics, geometry, and biology—they even performed surgeries and had knowledge about the brain that wasn’t surpassed until the 18th century. They had a sophisticated understanding of the unconscious, which they referred to as the “primeval waters of Nun,” representing not only the personal unconscious but also the collective unconscious. Freud referred to this as racial memory.
The Egyptians believed that the universe itself was conscious, and parts of it manifested as the physical and psychic worlds. In my understanding, the unconscious is non-local—it’s not just confined to the brain but spread throughout the universe.
Adam: That’s an incredibly powerful idea. You show how biologically and spiritually, we are all connected, tracing that lineage. How did this understanding evolve from your work as a psychologist and in family therapy?
Dr. Bynum: It evolved quite practically. As a clinical psychologist specializing in family therapy and psychosomatic medicine, I treated patients dealing with both physical and psychological issues. The deeper I went into it, the more I realized that my understanding of the unconscious needed to expand. I began revisiting overlooked works, like Freud’s Moses and Monotheism, where he describes Moses as a Black Egyptian priest. Jung also referred to himself as an African after his trip to Uganda. These insights encouraged me to explore ancient Egypt and West African civilizations, where they had an existential understanding of the unconscious.
Adam: It’s fascinating how these ancient cultures weren’t just primitive but had integrated science and spirituality. You explore this in your work, especially in relation to the Edwin Smith Papyrus. Can you talk about how this deep understanding of the mind got watered down as it spread?
Dr. Bynum: In ancient times, science and spirituality were not separate. The Egyptians studied in “Houses of Life” and practiced mummification, which gave them advanced knowledge of anatomy and physiology. But after the fall of Rome, Europe entered the Dark Ages, where it became forbidden to study the body. This changed during the Renaissance, but in the 1800s, science became separated from spirituality. Logical positivism emerged, claiming that only what could be measured was real, and everything else was illusion or fantasy. This split has been healing, but the divide persists today.
Adam: That healing you mention seems essential. Consciousness being non-local, connected across the universe—it’s a deeply liberating idea. And this concept of neuro-melanin playing a role in absorbing light and transmuting it into higher consciousness is profound. Can you expand on that?
Dr. Bynum: Neuro-melanin is indeed fundamental to our consciousness. It absorbs light and transduces it into higher states of awareness, and this is integral to the evolution of our nervous system. Kundalini energy, which is linked to neuro-melanin, is the evolutionary force guiding our consciousness. It’s present in all of us, from the earliest stages of embryonic development.
Adam: That’s amazing. Repression also plays a role in evolution, both individually and collectively. How do you see this?
Dr. Bynum: Repression was necessary for survival in earlier times, when we lived closer to nature. But as societies became more civilized, we began repressing spiritual truths as well. It’s a delicate balance. Proper spiritual practice helps manage this repression without overwhelming us.
Adam: The tension between repression and growth is something we see in both society and spirituality. How can we move forward?
Dr. Bynum: It’s essential to be part of a group or tradition that can guide you through these tensions. Having spiritual mentors helps us navigate these challenges without being overwhelmed.
Adam: Bruce, thank you for your profound insights. Any final thoughts?
Dr. Bynum: Yes, the most important takeaway is that we are one species—neurologically, spiritually, and biologically. As we move forward, we need to embrace our unity. We are luminous beings, and we are destined to transcend.
Edward Bruce Bynum, Ph.D., A.B.P.P., is a clinical psychologist and the director of behavioral medicine at the University of Massachusetts Health Services in Amherst.
A student of Swami Chandrasekharanand Saraswati and a winner of the Abraham H. Maslow award from the American Psychological Association, he is the author of several books, including The African Unconscious. He lives in Pelham, Massachusetts.
“Kundalini energy is the evolutionary force that guides our nervous system toward higher expressions of consciousness.”
“We are all connected—spiritually, biologically, and psychologically—as one species seeking transcendence.”
“The struggle to overcome tension is essential to our growth, both individually and collectively.”
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