Ren said in an interview that his illness (Lyme's disease misdiagnosed as ME) and the wrong medication he was given had him hallucinating and unable to understand the chaos of his mind and body breaking down. At one point he decided it must be demonic because the Doctor's weren't helping and and he was running out of possibilities. He has a lot of spiritual references in his music because he looked to many things to try and find an answer.. everything from traditional treatments and religions to the more obscure. It's left him well read and still questioning. Fortunately (after almost a decade) he received a proper diagnosis. It's ongoing but he is now able to make music again.
The flaw is thinking that religion was hand crafted for man.. just the opposite. Religion is merely a foil for fools. Which is not to say God isn’t there thinking about you Trust me, He is.
Before he was correctly diagnosed, he thought he was a victim of demonic possession, according to his interview on Justin Hawkins. He’s definitely not closed to the idea of spiritual warfare.
@@ShaunHensleythat was when a treatment went terribly wrong and didn’t help with his illness and pain but made him three times worse. He went into a fullblown psychosis because his mind couldn’t take more disappointment after all the years he was treated for the wrong thing. During that period he had a lot of strange thoughts and behavior going on.
Ren performs many of his videos live. Check out the Tales of Jenny, Screech and Violet, all live one takes. Money Game 1 and 3. Live. Genesis one take. There is no one out there doing what REN is. The man is a genius and I don’t use that term. Recklessly. You might also want to check out Ren with his band Th3 Big Push. There are some awesome busking ( live street performances) you will hear Ren sing with that amazing voice.
And for this he only got 4 takes (as the landlord only gave him half an hour to be in this basement). But for some of them (equally long) he had over 100 takes in a row..... 😵💫❤
If you react to more _Ren,_ he's an independent artist and a huge supporter of the reaction community. So no need to chop it all up, there are NO worries about copyright strikes! Worse case, dispute it and it will be cleared!
Wow, you guys really disected some great parts of that artistic masterpiece. I mean hatchet job. You cut out the whole "fourth wall" bit and the victory dance.
Agree mate, this was the worst, with the bleeping of the word fuck, the cut outs, how he took away from Rens writing and superimposed it as his religion that teaches this stuff, nearly like Ren is copying it, gave no musical credit,only just this prick called Swedenborg who I've never heard of that got referenced 40 thousand times, his mate was cool and would have done a better job.
Hi guys! @jeffreyaverett1800 @davem287. Before I watched the above reaction I hadn't come across Ren before. I know, I am very much out of the loop when it comes to music and culture. You could say I've been living in a cave and under rocks, having yelled out to an empty room when I was 12 or so 'I will never be defeated by evil and the forces of hell because I know what the true and good is, it's on my heart.' Of course, I then got ill for decades and spend my time staring at walls. True story and that's my excuse for being culturally ignorant or at least a mitigating circumstance. Anyway, having just watched the original, which I think is brilliant, I'm struggling to understand where you guys are coming from and why you might be upset at this reaction video?
Hi guys! @jeffreyaverett1800 @davem287. Before I watched the above reaction I hadn't come across Ren before. I know, I am very much out of the loop when it comes to music and culture. You could say I've been living in a cave and under rocks, having yelled out to an empty room when I was 12 or so 'I will never be defeated by evil and the forces of hell because I know what the true and good is, it's on my heart.' Of course, I then got ill for decades and spent a lot of my time staring at walls. True story and that's my excuse for being culturally ignorant having not come across Ren before, or at least a mitigating circumstance. Anyway, having just watched the original, which I think is brilliant, I'm struggling to understand where you guys are coming from and why you might be upset at this reaction video?
@bobbobbing4381 My comment was based on them editing/removing whole sections of the performance; sections I find relevant. It's all relevant IMO. 💛🤘🤙✌️
Well, I guess we all have to work to some time limit for youtube videos and pick and choose what we must, to accommodate said constraints. From what I see, I think Ren signifies the religious contexts himself at several points and it's clear, at least to me, he has done some reading in the fields where psychology and religion meet. Still, I thought the reactors did well to pick out the themes they did and which were always going to be discussed from a certain perspective. @@jeffreyaverett1800
First time i watched this i had a panic attack but thought i needed to watch it again so i watched someone reacting to it that was the best thing i could do i have watched many times since. One thing i think about this song is it needs to be seen by every one even in schools after a certain age, because how many children kill themselves because of the negativity towards them from nasty comments and bullying to them believing what is said. I went through bullying all through school to the point i attempted suicide twice, I am a recovering alcoholic 11 years clean I turned 58 on 17th of March and suffer PTSD and other health issues so the majority of bad days over good is high, if this bullying had been dealt with i may have had a reasonable life not the existence i have to deal with now
Great reaction guys - demonstrates the relatability of Ren’s messaging. You had a different (not wrong, or right necessarily) perspective to a lot of other analytical reactors, and that’s exactly the sort of learned, considered conversation Ren likes to open up. I’ll definitely be watching more.
Ren says he is agnostic. Also I’m wondering why you cut out the jubilation of the final guitar and ‘opera’ section. It’s one of my favourite parts because of the contrast at the opening. Your musician friend was great and would have realised the difference between the guitar playing ‘in character’ had the discussion not been so focused on god. However, thanks for the reaction. 🎉
Hey dude. Yeah, in another video he does say at that point in his life he was agnostic. Thing is, and I think Ren has read widely and so knows this, being agnostic means you believe that it is not possible to know God and his nature etc.. Technically speaking, and I think Ren knows this and used the word agnostic purposefully and correctly, to say one is agnostic is to acknowledge you believe in a God of some sort or a universal (universe) consciousness thing that people call God. The extent to which one can then know that God, say his plans, intent, how he is feeling, and/or what his nature is in a deeper way, is where this term being agnostic comes in. I hope this helps clear up confusion.
Its not Good vs Evil at the beginning. It's 'A battle with the unconscious' (IE: The Jungian 'Shadow Self'). Ren even quotes Jung ''The more intense the Light, the Darker the Shadow it casts'. BOTH Voices are necessary for our psychological growth (even though the Shadow's Truth's sound painful (EG : Part of Ren DOES want wealth, fame and conquest). The spiritual 'Battle' is to synthesis those 2 Voices into a higher, better integrated Self. Ren does this at the half way point when he says 'I'll lock you inside'. This 'Hegelian Synthesis' of 2 Voices forges his transcendance & rebirth as he stands. Thus crushing the spiritual 'coal' of his divided self into the 'diamond' of his higher Self. And then we hear a new Voice ('The Devil') furiously ranting at that synthesis. It sounds powerful and scary. But in reality its just the empty egotistical bluster of his old skin being shed. A bit like Golem falling into Mount Doom still reaching for the ring under the grinning delusion that he's about to become omnipotent. But in reality his fate is Dust. And what emerges (stands) from that Dust (cremation) is another new Voice. Ren's Higher (Diamond) Self. This non-Dualistic take paints a very different picture of Good vs Evil where... Evil (Dust) is really an illusion we become attached to and can shed. It's not an equal & opposite force to the Good (Diamond) 'Selves' we strugge to become. And BOTH Voices/Selves are essential ingredients in that eternal synthesis & Dance. Bottom line - The battle between Good & Evil is NOT the battle between those 2 Selves. It is the eternal battle (dance) to synthesis those 2 Selves into a Higher (Transcendant) Self and thereby self improve and evolve towards the ultimate archetypal Good (God). IMO all 'Monistic' (non-'Dualistic') religeous traditions echo this understanding.
Not "spiritual". It wasn't "THE devil"... It was HIS "devil" ("I am you, you are me, I am you REN!") . He later reinforced that with . "Ferocious persistent, immortal like you, we're a coin minted different sides" . His "devil" is there, but recognised and balanced by his "relaxed" side.
@@rogerstarkey5390 IMO you're just doubling down on the 'dualistic' model. But its a pervasive misinterpretation of the Abrahamic texts. (Christian, Jewish, or Islamic/Sufi). Question : Who do you identify as his 'relaxed' self in this video?
I'm glad you brought up Jung--and I always thought that the Mount Doom episode from the Lord of the Rings had a lot of spiritual/psychological overtones. Another song/video that I think uses Jungian "shadow self" imagery is Ren's Heretic. At the end of the video, the shadow/monster/demon that's seen in the background in parts of the video tries unsuccessfully to pull an apple out of a tree. The very last image is of Ren (in cartoon form) facing the shadow carrying a basket of ripe apples. My own interpretation of that is that he wants to make peace with his "inner demons," kind of like Jung's individuation process, in which "the dark and the light converge to one" (which is what Ren says in the song Seven Sins--paraphrased). The "light-side" Ren has what his "dark side" needs--represented by the apples--while the dark side has what Ren needs: the parts of him that were buried or repressed. In an interview or Twitch talk, Ren said that some people thought he ended up "destroying" the demon by the end of Hi Ren, but he said no; he integrated with it (again paraphrased). I didn't realize that the "more intensely the light shone..." line was a quote from Jung, but that makes a lot of sense.
@@rogerstarkey5390 The music shouldn't never mentioned lucifer and the snake or god, if skeptics say this is a mental battle. Demons give ideas thoughts to everyone within a battle. The song is influenced from Christianity clearly, can't deny on that. Or imagine what if he never mention lucifer devil, then most people of the right to say a battle within themselves that isn't inspired by Christianity
Curtis, using music and lyrics as a teaching tool for understanding Swendborg's writings is so good! I'm so moved that I'm gonna watch it again. Like the song reinforce, through all that internal chaos, BE STILL And Know...or relax in the dance.
Thank you for your reactions 👍 Ren is touching alot of hearts through his Art and he is also a very humble young man who uses his pain in a positive way to help others ❤✌️
A YooToob reaction to "Hi Ren" thru an Emanuel Swedenborg lens?! o_O Well, it's nice to see how far & wide Ren's work is spreading.... I didn't have this one on my bingo card for today! LOL Interesting to see in the comments how many Ren fans take offence at edits to his one-take works. I know the prevailing TikTok generational thing seems to be captured by the event horizon of the black hole of stupidly quick edits for fear of ever-lessening attention spans, but it's encouraging to see someone like Ren, who puts out longer pieces which tell stories with considerable heft, having his efforts appreciated & respected by some of the young'uns. The generally accepted thing is to let the thing play thru, pausing for commentary whenever you feel necessary, then pop back 5 secs (the "←" button in YooToob) to make sure you've not missed anything & continue. Basically if they don't see you watching the whole thing thru, they're not sure you've watched & absorbed the whole thing, & they can take that negatively. Anyhoo, always interesting to take in honest reactions to "Hi Ren". All the best from a random music, & humanity, appreciator in Scotland! :)
I think what I like the most about this reaction is that you guys are like, "I don't know what to think". So refreshing. The musical performance was cool and a struggle I think all of us have been through in our own way.
I enjoyed the interaction between the two of you and the analysis. Curtis, I think you will find that Ren creates a fertile field for the type of analysis that you do...he has several songs on series spiritual topics...I look forward to your further analysis.
How did I miss this?! Great stuff. It may be our own 'silent' voice/interior dialogue - but musicians, writers, artists go through this. It feels like I go through this daily. Ren's performance was frankly - astounding. Now I have doubts about my own abilities. There you go. :)
Ohh, this is great. Love seeing you two old friends interacting... Its refreshing! So many of us don't have friends anymore, let alone old, solid, trusted ones. Ren's music is truly dark (had to click off his channel as too many of the songs were way too much for me, yet, he is also brilliant. Loved your interpretation of the song that blasted him into the intent. 😂 Truth through a Swedenborg lens. Yay! Thanks for the free pdf downloads of books at the website too. I'm very appreciative of being able to read his works for free! Love and gratitude to you all there. ❤ Curtis, more videos with your friends please. 😂
Even if Ren says he is agnostic I believe based upon RENs health experience he is spiritual and appreciates the Christian stories he grew up with in the Bible. What amazes me is it works on both a religious/spiritual level where you bring your personal experience and beliefs and on a secular level which respects the mythical stories in the Bible and helps makes sense of the light and dark in our lives. Our external dance between light and dark within in us all.
Yes it’s live. 4 takes with multiple cameras. the sound is from one take as is most of the video with a few angles cut in. The monologue at the end was its own take.
Thanks to @sharis9095 (comment below) for the brief Ren bio........my thoughts: the Pig is a butcher, maybe Ren's opinion of some doctors and therapists.......the discordant guitar and vocals are intentional, including what the Catholic Church once called 'the Devil's chords' , and represent his internal chaos........the wildly blinking lights serve the same purpose........."Truth in a blender, Deceitful Pretender"........this is Bardcore
It's the inner struggle we all have....some more damaging than others but we all have that voice saying "oh don't bother you'll screw it up" and internally struggle back and forth!
Ren does do rap, but is not just a rapper. His musical background is folk, rock and reggae. He is the new Bowie, capable of reinventing himself for whatever music he is in love with. His earlier song "Sick Boi" sets the scene for this song. In Sick Boi he tells the story of his interactions with the mental health system.
Ren is not talking about Jesus Christ. He’s not religious. He’s talking about hope. But he’s framing it in terms of how others may see it. Ren leaves all his work to be interpreted. Good reaction guys.
Ren is now 33 and has been through so many horrible times in his younger years suffering from misdiagnosed Lyme disease and the awful effects that followed. He is on the mend and doing better now and making music. Check out his duets with Chinchilla “How to be me” and “Chalk Outlines”. While his spirituality is not defined, he definitely has a background in learning of the Bible. He is viewed by many as a storyteller akin to a modern day Shakespeare. 🥰
Reade has an amazing nose. Classically slender and long, but with a cleft on the tip. Fascinating. I think I have a nose fixation because I've always been self-conscious about my nose, which always enters a room about 5 seconds before the rest of me catches up!
This was fantastic-an ingenious musical performance and a deeply insightful discussion of its meaning and value. So clear that the Lord is working through Ren, and bringing him to your notice just amplifies the power of the message and the healing. Beautifully done, everyone.
I think in the context of this song he uses 10 step rather than 12 because it fits thematically with other parts of the song, the 10 steps being an allusion to the 10 commandments Follow this 10 step program, "rejoice"
No NA and AA and the some 800 + other programs affiliated with steps are all based on the exact same 12 steps ( with possibly 1 word (alcohol, narcotics, sex, overeating, etc) being exchanged within the exact same steps!
Well, it may not have been Ren's intention, but this song has played a pivotal role in me finding Jesus - I'm northern European from a non religios family now living in the UK (moved here when 11 and now 30). Even if Ren doesn't know it yet, our Lord is using him to gather his flock. I'm so grateful for this song and really appreciate your reaction. Jesus is God and I thank him every day for looking after me throughout my tumultuous life, even before I acknowledged him, and answering my prayer of showing himself to my husband without my interference or influence. Lots of love to you both. P
Ren play drum bass guitar piano produces his own music mixes his own beats beatboxes sings and raps Ren went years misdiagnosed with depression bi polar chronic fatigue syndrome he had a recording deal with Sony 2010 why working on his album he got sick and couldn't finish it so they parted ways he moved back to Wales he would get so sick that he became bedridden for up 23 hours a day he would have chronic pain all over his body running a fever it they had him on meds that caused him to have psychosis he got PTSD but not from meds it would take years before he got right diagnosis he has Lyme disease he went so long misdiagnosed that he has Brain damage Organ damage Joint damage he has had 2 stem cell transplants done he has ADHD too he been in Canada getting treatment he has to have IV 5 days a week they put this thing on his head that open path ways in his brain he can only eat 2 kinds of beef and few Vegetables because the autoimmune cause his body to have allergic reaction to just about everything he eats Ren had Number 1 album in Uk in October his first album was called freckled angels
Scammer analogy was so deep. To subject yourself to subject others to the despair and desperation, has to run so deep it becomes nigh inescapable. You have incredible insight and inflection to describe all of that. Certainly goes beyond entertainment… and that’s a good thing
By his own statement in the spoken word 'Eden', Ren is agnostic. Watch 'Eden' and react to the story he presents. That is where I would like to hear a theologians perspective. Ren does not present anyhting new or extraordinary but instead tells a story in plain words.
Great conversation guys. I am an athiest but kinda fascinated with religion and the ways it affects us and also how people affect religion. Ren's art always has me asking questions and looking things up, you guys just had the same affect on me too. Easy sub.
I like to view archetypes like Satan (envy, despair, revenge) and God (Hope, love, forgiveness) as forces of nature like gravity. They are always being exerted on all of us but just like under gravity there are people like breakdancers and gymnasts who seem entirely unhindered by something that can make many feel like they are wadding through mud. That's why I love his eternal dance and learning to move with and around "Satan" in stead of "cursing your clumsy footsteps" and tripping yourself up because then you might find yourself wrestling with the devil and drowning in the "mud."
Swedenborg? Gosh, how did I ever bump into a guy into Swedenborg? Not without struggle you say ... there is no coming to consciousness without pain, Carl Jung said.
I dont like the cutting of the reaction. A whole song is a piece of art, and every word and every scene have a meaning for the artist. Too cut a whole scene out or just a single word is like butchering in art.
I think with the 'we are human beings' we are they only beings in all creation that have this struggle with dark and light. Until His return we will struggle, but we can choose which side we stand on.
Is hard to believe but of course cuz billions of people on this earth..hard to believe there is anyone who's never heard Ren before. I'm being ridiculous I know. Been a Ren fan going on 2 yrs now..just shocking cuz he's soooooooo amazingly great at what he does.😎🔴
Ren is agnostic but he loves referring to the bible. I'm a black American Buddhist. Ren transcends all music And religion apparently. I would love you to react to "lost all faith" "eden" "crutch "suicide" "seven sins" "How to be me" all Ren songs. Oh yes does a lot of live performance and Busking - with a group called the big push.
BTW, Britain is made of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Welsh, English, Scottish, northern Irish - you can call them all British just as you can call a Texan or a Californian, American.
So Ren is a tool. Wow, that is a backhanded compliment to me as when I was younger I was often called a tool. But I always took that as being an insult.. .. hmm I must have been inspired by this divine entity to be such a tool as I was when younger and stupid
I always thought the ten step program was a reference to the Ten Commandments. Even though he says he’s not religious but is fascinated with peoples views on them ect.
Most of his religion references come from him trying to figure out how God could allow people to suffer like he did for the 10 years that he was so sick. And a cpl other things but that’s when he really started questioning why humans go through what they do and also DO what they do.
I was just watching your reaction video to "Hi Ren" and when you said he was talking about Jesus Christ, did you notice the line- Face to face with the Beat I will Rise from the East and settle on the ocean floor-? He is talking about the Sun......or Son.
Most of his videos are live. And even one camera. Check out Jenny and Screech next. If you think this is something, that tops it. Also, Sick Boi, Money Game 1 then 3, Murderer, Animal Flow, Illest of our Time, and the one that will throw you for a loop…Chalk Outlines. Enjoyed this reaction 🙌
Loved it. I don't immediately go to swedenborg because I don't have that knowledge, but I'm on my way to knowing God. I've pulled another one out of, what I call, my compendium for this one. I hope you don't mind. FUNNY A man walked right into a store And then he came out and went next door We cannot figure out to this day Why he went around that way He lived his life in solitude Never wishing to intrude His face was shaved his clothes were clean Yet still he did not want to be seen The funny thing about this man Was perhaps another happening When once he moved from door to door He then sat firmly on the floor! Could it be that he was not true To all the wondrous things he could do Moving around from place to place Trying hard to find his space His soul can guide him Yes indeed Just let go and let it lead The way is clear to be more sunny Sorry that wasn't very funny!
This is al;so Jungian Psychological Theory, Philosophy, Religion, now you explain it in terms of Swedenborg, because the metaphors are all different ways of explaining something that is universal.
Please react to his MASTERPIECE a trilogy of 3 songs woven together to make a mind blowing story....The Tale of Jenny and Screech (FULL)...which includes the 3rd one Violets Tale...MUST be watched at the same time to fully "GET" the ending.
When you were speaking about hell/evil all I could picture was the maga republican party. Some things that stick out are, love of cruelty, you cant argue with them and they mean you harm. I must say that your reaction to Ren is the best I've seen. I enjoyed hearing both of your perspectives. Peace
❤❤❤ PLEASE DO HIS SONG "DEAR GOD" and "EDEN" ID LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS!!!! Ren said " I am agnostic, an agnostic who believe, and I believe in us." I don't think ppl understand what the true meaning of agnostic is. So there are people who are agnostic believers which means they have a relationship and believe for themselves in God. But don't for sure pr preech there is bc there is no proof or non proof. Ren does Not believe in religion which is man made. "Fear of the unknown preserves a religion". Ren
Subbing. Ren is really talented, take the deep dive there lots more! Next look at the trigoly of Jenny and Screech and Violets tale. It’s 3 videos you’ll Ike it.make sure you watch all 3!!!
If you did a deep dive into Ren as a person, you'd know Ren's motives are to make a difference in the world. It's not ALL about vanity. He believes he was given this platform and needs to use it wisely. You're actually doing him a disservice by NOT playing the song in it's entirety. It's a work of art that you chopped pieces out. If you're concerned about copyright, you need not be, he'll clear you.
Ren said in an interview that his illness (Lyme's disease misdiagnosed as ME) and the wrong medication he was given had him hallucinating and unable to understand the chaos of his mind and body breaking down. At one point he decided it must be demonic because the Doctor's weren't helping and and he was running out of possibilities. He has a lot of spiritual references in his music because he looked to many things to try and find an answer.. everything from traditional treatments and religions to the more obscure. It's left him well read and still questioning. Fortunately (after almost a decade) he received a proper diagnosis. It's ongoing but he is now able to make music again.
Ren is not religious, but he is fascinated by how religion frames the human condition.
Shut up
The flaw is thinking that religion was hand crafted for man.. just the opposite. Religion is merely a foil for fools. Which is not to say God isn’t there thinking about you
Trust me, He is.
Before he was correctly diagnosed, he thought he was a victim of demonic possession, according to his interview on Justin Hawkins.
He’s definitely not closed to the idea of spiritual warfare.
if you watch Eden he mentioned agnostic
@@ShaunHensleythat was when a treatment went terribly wrong and didn’t help with his illness and pain but made him three times worse. He went into a fullblown psychosis because his mind couldn’t take more disappointment after all the years he was treated for the wrong thing. During that period he had a lot of strange thoughts and behavior going on.
This is Fear and Courage.
It is the most honest piece of music I've ever heard.
Yes, "HI REN" is live performance. On his channel it is listed under Live Performance in playlists tab.
Ren performs many of his videos live. Check out the Tales of Jenny, Screech and Violet, all live one takes. Money Game 1 and 3. Live. Genesis one take. There is no one out there doing what REN is. The man is a genius and I don’t use that term. Recklessly.
You might also want to check out Ren with his band Th3 Big Push. There are some awesome busking ( live street performances) you will hear Ren sing with that amazing voice.
And for this he only got 4 takes (as the landlord only gave him half an hour to be in this basement). But for some of them (equally long) he had over 100 takes in a row..... 😵💫❤
Ren promoted himself hes a genius refreshing for the youth ,hes just won top albulm uk.
I love the idea of seeing the negative thoughts as "scammers." That was great!
If you react to more _Ren,_ he's an independent artist and a huge supporter of the reaction community. So no need to chop it all up, there are NO worries about copyright strikes! Worse case, dispute it and it will be cleared!
Wow, you guys really disected some great parts of that artistic masterpiece.
I mean hatchet job. You cut out the whole "fourth wall" bit and the victory dance.
Agree mate, this was the worst, with the bleeping of the word fuck, the cut outs, how he took away from Rens writing and superimposed it as his religion that teaches this stuff, nearly like Ren is copying it, gave no musical credit,only just this prick called Swedenborg who I've never heard of that got referenced 40 thousand times, his mate was cool and would have done a better job.
Hi guys! @jeffreyaverett1800 @davem287. Before I watched the above reaction I hadn't come across Ren before. I know, I am very much out of the loop when it comes to music and culture. You could say I've been living in a cave and under rocks, having yelled out to an empty room when I was 12 or so 'I will never be defeated by evil and the forces of hell because I know what the true and good is, it's on my heart.' Of course, I then got ill for decades and spend my time staring at walls. True story and that's my excuse for being culturally ignorant or at least a mitigating circumstance.
Anyway, having just watched the original, which I think is brilliant, I'm struggling to understand where you guys are coming from and why you might be upset at this reaction video?
Hi guys! @jeffreyaverett1800 @davem287. Before I watched the above reaction I hadn't come across Ren before. I know, I am very much out of the loop when it comes to music and culture. You could say I've been living in a cave and under rocks, having yelled out to an empty room when I was 12 or so 'I will never be defeated by evil and the forces of hell because I know what the true and good is, it's on my heart.' Of course, I then got ill for decades and spent a lot of my time staring at walls. True story and that's my excuse for being culturally ignorant having not come across Ren before, or at least a mitigating circumstance.
Anyway, having just watched the original, which I think is brilliant, I'm struggling to understand where you guys are coming from and why you might be upset at this reaction video?
@bobbobbing4381 My comment was based on them editing/removing whole sections of the performance; sections I find relevant. It's all relevant IMO. 💛🤘🤙✌️
Well, I guess we all have to work to some time limit for youtube videos and pick and choose what we must, to accommodate said constraints. From what I see, I think Ren signifies the religious contexts himself at several points and it's clear, at least to me, he has done some reading in the fields where psychology and religion meet. Still, I thought the reactors did well to pick out the themes they did and which were always going to be discussed from a certain perspective. @@jeffreyaverett1800
First time i watched this i had a panic attack but thought i needed to watch it again so i watched someone reacting to it that was the best thing i could do i have watched many times since. One thing i think about this song is it needs to be seen by every one even in schools after a certain age, because how many children kill themselves because of the negativity towards them from nasty comments and bullying to them believing what is said. I went through bullying all through school to the point i attempted suicide twice, I am a recovering alcoholic 11 years clean I turned 58 on 17th of March and suffer PTSD and other health issues so the majority of bad days over good is high, if this bullying had been dealt with i may have had a reasonable life not the existence i have to deal with now
Great reaction guys - demonstrates the relatability of Ren’s messaging. You had a different (not wrong, or right necessarily) perspective to a lot of other analytical reactors, and that’s exactly the sort of learned, considered conversation Ren likes to open up. I’ll definitely be watching more.
Ren says he is agnostic. Also I’m wondering why you cut out the jubilation of the final guitar and ‘opera’ section. It’s one of my favourite parts because of the contrast at the opening.
Your musician friend was great and would have realised the difference between the guitar playing ‘in character’ had the discussion not been so focused on god. However, thanks for the reaction. 🎉
Agree. Never cut Ren. 😂
Hey dude. Yeah, in another video he does say at that point in his life he was agnostic. Thing is, and I think Ren has read widely and so knows this, being agnostic means you believe that it is not possible to know God and his nature etc.. Technically speaking, and I think Ren knows this and used the word agnostic purposefully and correctly, to say one is agnostic is to acknowledge you believe in a God of some sort or a universal (universe) consciousness thing that people call God. The extent to which one can then know that God, say his plans, intent, how he is feeling, and/or what his nature is in a deeper way, is where this term being agnostic comes in. I hope this helps clear up confusion.
@@bobbobbing4381I agree. I am this same way. 😊🖤
Its not Good vs Evil at the beginning.
It's 'A battle with the unconscious' (IE: The Jungian 'Shadow Self').
Ren even quotes Jung ''The more intense the Light, the Darker the Shadow it casts'.
BOTH Voices are necessary for our psychological growth (even though the Shadow's Truth's sound painful (EG : Part of Ren DOES want wealth, fame and conquest).
The spiritual 'Battle' is to synthesis those 2 Voices into a higher, better integrated Self.
Ren does this at the half way point when he says 'I'll lock you inside'.
This 'Hegelian Synthesis' of 2 Voices forges his transcendance & rebirth as he stands.
Thus crushing the spiritual 'coal' of his divided self into the 'diamond' of his higher Self.
And then we hear a new Voice ('The Devil') furiously ranting at that synthesis.
It sounds powerful and scary.
But in reality its just the empty egotistical bluster of his old skin being shed.
A bit like Golem falling into Mount Doom still reaching for the ring under the grinning delusion that he's about to become omnipotent.
But in reality his fate is Dust.
And what emerges (stands) from that Dust (cremation) is another new Voice.
Ren's Higher (Diamond) Self.
This non-Dualistic take paints a very different picture of Good vs Evil where...
Evil (Dust) is really an illusion we become attached to and can shed.
It's not an equal & opposite force to the Good (Diamond) 'Selves' we strugge to become.
And BOTH Voices/Selves are essential ingredients in that eternal synthesis & Dance.
Bottom line - The battle between Good & Evil is NOT the battle between those 2 Selves.
It is the eternal battle (dance) to synthesis those 2 Selves into a Higher (Transcendant) Self and thereby self improve and evolve towards the ultimate archetypal Good (God).
IMO all 'Monistic' (non-'Dualistic') religeous traditions echo this understanding.
Not "spiritual".
It wasn't "THE devil"... It was HIS "devil"
("I am you, you are me, I am you REN!")
.
He later reinforced that with
.
"Ferocious persistent, immortal like you, we're a coin minted different sides"
.
His "devil" is there, but recognised and balanced by his "relaxed" side.
@@rogerstarkey5390
IMO you're just doubling down on the 'dualistic' model.
But its a pervasive misinterpretation of the Abrahamic texts.
(Christian, Jewish, or Islamic/Sufi).
Question : Who do you identify as his 'relaxed' self in this video?
I'm glad you brought up Jung--and I always thought that the Mount Doom episode from the Lord of the Rings had a lot of spiritual/psychological overtones.
Another song/video that I think uses Jungian "shadow self" imagery is Ren's Heretic. At the end of the video, the shadow/monster/demon that's seen in the background in parts of the video tries unsuccessfully to pull an apple out of a tree. The very last image is of Ren (in cartoon form) facing the shadow carrying a basket of ripe apples. My own interpretation of that is that he wants to make peace with his "inner demons," kind of like Jung's individuation process, in which "the dark and the light converge to one" (which is what Ren says in the song Seven Sins--paraphrased). The "light-side" Ren has what his "dark side" needs--represented by the apples--while the dark side has what Ren needs: the parts of him that were buried or repressed. In an interview or Twitch talk, Ren said that some people thought he ended up "destroying" the demon by the end of Hi Ren, but he said no; he integrated with it (again paraphrased). I didn't realize that the "more intensely the light shone..." line was a quote from Jung, but that makes a lot of sense.
oh wait i haven't reached the music video since learning about Jungian psychology that's very interesting
@@rogerstarkey5390
The music shouldn't never mentioned lucifer and the snake or god, if skeptics say this is a mental battle.
Demons give ideas thoughts to everyone within a battle.
The song is influenced from Christianity clearly, can't deny on that.
Or imagine what if he never mention lucifer devil, then most people of the right to say a battle within themselves that isn't inspired by Christianity
Curtis, using music and lyrics as a teaching tool for understanding Swendborg's writings is so good! I'm so moved that I'm gonna watch it again. Like the song reinforce, through all that internal chaos, BE STILL And Know...or relax in the dance.
Thank you for your reactions 👍 Ren is touching alot of hearts through his Art and he is also a very humble young man who uses his pain in a positive way to help others ❤✌️
A YooToob reaction to "Hi Ren" thru an Emanuel Swedenborg lens?! o_O Well, it's nice to see how far & wide Ren's work is spreading.... I didn't have this one on my bingo card for today! LOL
Interesting to see in the comments how many Ren fans take offence at edits to his one-take works. I know the prevailing TikTok generational thing seems to be captured by the event horizon of the black hole of stupidly quick edits for fear of ever-lessening attention spans, but it's encouraging to see someone like Ren, who puts out longer pieces which tell stories with considerable heft, having his efforts appreciated & respected by some of the young'uns. The generally accepted thing is to let the thing play thru, pausing for commentary whenever you feel necessary, then pop back 5 secs (the "←" button in YooToob) to make sure you've not missed anything & continue. Basically if they don't see you watching the whole thing thru, they're not sure you've watched & absorbed the whole thing, & they can take that negatively.
Anyhoo, always interesting to take in honest reactions to "Hi Ren". All the best from a random music, & humanity, appreciator in Scotland! :)
Thanks for dropping by! Great feedback 😊
I think what I like the most about this reaction is that you guys are like, "I don't know what to think". So refreshing. The musical performance was cool and a struggle I think all of us have been through in our own way.
It's not religious it's not mental illness is good versus evil and the struggle we all go through every day he's not sick we all are
Mind = BLOWN!! Great video Curtis and team.
I enjoyed the interaction between the two of you and the analysis. Curtis, I think you will find that Ren creates a fertile field for the type of analysis that you do...he has several songs on series spiritual topics...I look forward to your further analysis.
How did I miss this?! Great stuff. It may be our own 'silent' voice/interior dialogue - but musicians, writers, artists go through this. It feels like I go through this daily. Ren's performance was frankly - astounding. Now I have doubts about my own abilities. There you go. :)
Ten step program might be a program where folks neglect steps eleven and twelve (prayer and service)
Ohh, this is great. Love seeing you two old friends interacting... Its refreshing! So many of us don't have friends anymore, let alone old, solid, trusted ones. Ren's music is truly dark (had to click off his channel as too many of the songs were way too much for me, yet, he is also brilliant. Loved your interpretation of the song that blasted him into the intent. 😂 Truth through a Swedenborg lens. Yay! Thanks for the free pdf downloads of books at the website too. I'm very appreciative of being able to read his works for free! Love and gratitude to you all there. ❤ Curtis, more videos with your friends please. 😂
This song and vid was recorded in one take. I think they went with the best of four.
Pay attention to all the details, and they let the song play to the end
The sword eyes 💀
Thanks guys! Always appreciate your incisive, quick-witted perceptiveness and understanding, Curtis. Humbly grateful for your input and output. :)
Ren is not religious but is often drawing on religious imagery in his music
Even if Ren says he is agnostic I believe based upon RENs health experience he is spiritual and appreciates the Christian stories he grew up with in the Bible. What amazes me is it works on both a religious/spiritual level where you bring your personal experience and beliefs and on a secular level which respects the mythical stories in the Bible and helps makes sense of the light and dark in our lives. Our external dance between light and dark within in us all.
Yes it’s live. 4 takes with multiple cameras. the sound is from one take as is most of the video with a few angles cut in. The monologue at the end was its own take.
Thanks to @sharis9095 (comment below) for the brief Ren bio........my thoughts: the Pig is a butcher, maybe Ren's opinion of some doctors and therapists.......the discordant guitar and vocals are intentional, including what the Catholic Church once called 'the Devil's chords' , and represent his internal chaos........the wildly blinking lights serve the same purpose........."Truth in a blender, Deceitful Pretender"........this is Bardcore
Eden will give a good insight into Rens beliefs
Loved watching you two and loved this singer
🥰
Woah, what a tune. It's not just the tune, though, but the actual performance he gives. Raw, so raw and deep. Great reaction guys.
Ren recorded this 4 times and took the best out if all of those. Interesting thoughts on this, great commentary!
It's the inner struggle we all have....some more damaging than others but we all have that voice saying "oh don't bother you'll screw it up" and internally struggle back and forth!
It’s the Peaky Blunders haircut
Ren does do rap, but is not just a rapper. His musical background is folk, rock and reggae.
He is the new Bowie, capable of reinventing himself for whatever music he is in love with.
His earlier song "Sick Boi" sets the scene for this song.
In Sick Boi he tells the story of his interactions with the mental health system.
Yall need to check out Seven Sins by Ren. Would love to see your perspective on that song
Great reaction and perspectives i liked the way you broke the song down and had conversations at different parts
This was monstrously fun. Thanks Stewart and Curtis.
So fun getting to react with you my friend. Let’s do it again soon!
Nice to put a face to the music you've provided for OTLE.
Ren is not talking about Jesus Christ. He’s not religious. He’s talking about hope. But he’s framing it in terms of how others may see it. Ren leaves all his work to be interpreted. Good reaction guys.
And that's how they interpreted it.
Ren is now 33 and has been through so many horrible times in his younger years suffering from misdiagnosed Lyme disease and the awful effects that followed. He is on the mend and doing better now and making music. Check out his duets with Chinchilla “How to be me” and “Chalk Outlines”. While his spirituality is not defined, he definitely has a background in learning of the Bible. He is viewed by many as a storyteller akin to a modern day Shakespeare. 🥰
I just discovered my new favorite song and new favorite react channel.
Welcome! It’s great to have you here 😊
Reade has an amazing nose. Classically slender and long, but with a cleft on the tip. Fascinating. I think I have a nose fixation because I've always been self-conscious about my nose, which always enters a room about 5 seconds before the rest of me catches up!
I very much relate, Will. Yeah. It's weird having a nose, right? And thank you, by the way.
Thank you for this very timely message, Curtis.
Much Love 🙏🏻💕
This was fantastic-an ingenious musical performance and a deeply insightful discussion of its meaning and value. So clear that the Lord is working through Ren, and bringing him to your notice just amplifies the power of the message and the healing. Beautifully done, everyone.
I think in the context of this song he uses 10 step rather than 12 because it fits thematically with other parts of the song, the 10 steps being an allusion to the 10 commandments
Follow this 10 step program, "rejoice"
Good commentary. Intentionally matters.
this is live and is one take Ren does most of his music live and one take
You could also listen to Dear God and Eden From Ren.
No NA and AA and the some 800 + other programs affiliated with steps are all based on the exact same 12 steps ( with possibly 1 word (alcohol, narcotics, sex, overeating, etc) being exchanged within the exact same steps!
Yes this is a live performance
Well, it may not have been Ren's intention, but this song has played a pivotal role in me finding Jesus - I'm northern European from a non religios family now living in the UK (moved here when 11 and now 30). Even if Ren doesn't know it yet, our Lord is using him to gather his flock. I'm so grateful for this song and really appreciate your reaction. Jesus is God and I thank him every day for looking after me throughout my tumultuous life, even before I acknowledged him, and answering my prayer of showing himself to my husband without my interference or influence. Lots of love to you both. P
Ren play drum bass guitar piano produces his own music mixes his own beats beatboxes sings and raps Ren went years misdiagnosed with depression bi polar chronic fatigue syndrome he had a recording deal with Sony 2010 why working on his album he got sick and couldn't finish it so they parted ways he moved back to Wales he would get so sick that he became bedridden for up 23 hours a day he would have chronic pain all over his body running a fever it they had him on meds that caused him to have psychosis he got PTSD but not from meds it would take years before he got right diagnosis he has Lyme disease he went so long misdiagnosed that he has Brain damage Organ damage Joint damage he has had 2 stem cell transplants done he has ADHD too he been in Canada getting treatment he has to have IV 5 days a week they put this thing on his head that open path ways in his brain he can only eat 2 kinds of beef and few Vegetables because the autoimmune cause his body to have allergic reaction to just about everything he eats Ren had Number 1 album in Uk in October his first album was called freckled angels
I’m only 1:40 second in and you guys have me
Rolling on the ground. Just awesome. Love seeing good friends banter
You guys are beyond crazy awesome. You both working it out to exquisite detail. Sorta flabbergasted . Where is my lawyer haha
Scammer analogy was so deep. To subject yourself to subject others to the despair and desperation, has to run so deep it becomes nigh inescapable. You have incredible insight and inflection to describe all of that. Certainly goes beyond entertainment… and that’s a good thing
Dark Ren talks directly into the mic. That's why his voice is louder. That's why Good Rens voice is softer and makes you lean in.
Ur mindset is spot on.
By his own statement in the spoken word 'Eden', Ren is agnostic. Watch 'Eden' and react to the story he presents. That is where I would like to hear a theologians perspective. Ren does not present anyhting new or extraordinary but instead tells a story in plain words.
Great conversation guys. I am an athiest but kinda fascinated with religion and the ways it affects us and also how people affect religion. Ren's art always has me asking questions and looking things up, you guys just had the same affect on me too. Easy sub.
So glad you enjoyed it! Welcome, and thanks for the sub!
Yes this is live and 1 take (many of his vids are).
They did it 3 times and picked the best one.
I like to view archetypes like Satan (envy, despair, revenge) and God (Hope, love, forgiveness) as forces of nature like gravity. They are always being exerted on all of us but just like under gravity there are people like breakdancers and gymnasts who seem entirely unhindered by something that can make many feel like they are wadding through mud. That's why I love his eternal dance and learning to move with and around "Satan" in stead of "cursing your clumsy footsteps" and tripping yourself up because then you might find yourself wrestling with the devil and drowning in the "mud."
1 take, live, just a guitar and 3 cameras
O wow the guy is off the left eye youtube channel
Swedenborg? Gosh, how did I ever bump into a guy into Swedenborg? Not without struggle you say ... there is no coming to consciousness without pain, Carl Jung said.
I dont like the cutting of the reaction. A whole song is a piece of art, and every word and every scene have a meaning for the artist. Too cut a whole scene out or just a single word is like butchering in art.
I fully agree. I couldn't watch these two chop up Ren's performance like a dead body and then anal-izing it. I hated this reaction.
I have to agree with you, it’s like showing us just the eye of the Mona Lisa, the censorship and cutting bits out just ruined it for me
I think with the 'we are human beings' we are they only beings in all creation that have this struggle with dark and light. Until His return we will struggle, but we can choose which side we stand on.
Yes live!
Love this one!
I think this whole song is really jungian. You can’t beat the “bad” you have to learn to live with it and use it when necessary
You hacked that to bits!
Is hard to believe but of course cuz billions of people on this earth..hard to believe there is anyone who's never heard Ren before. I'm being ridiculous I know. Been a Ren fan going on 2 yrs now..just shocking cuz he's soooooooo amazingly great at what he does.😎🔴
Ren is agnostic but he loves referring to the bible. I'm a black American Buddhist. Ren transcends all music And religion apparently. I would love you to react to "lost all faith" "eden" "crutch "suicide" "seven sins" "How to be me" all Ren songs. Oh yes does a lot of live performance and Busking - with a group called the big push.
Why did you cut a piece of the song?
Exactly. I love the jubilant last guitar n tuneful section because of how it contrasts from the opening. Disappointing.
@@Jinxy44 they also cut the bit where he breaks the fourth wall… not sure why…
BTW, Britain is made of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Welsh, English, Scottish, northern Irish - you can call them all British just as you can call a Texan or a Californian, American.
So Ren is a tool. Wow, that is a backhanded compliment to me as when I was younger I was often called a tool. But I always took that as being an insult.. .. hmm I must have been inspired by this divine entity to be such a tool as I was when younger and stupid
Great stuff. You need to both do Seven Sins, I think your take on that would be super interesting so I’m going to subscribe and hope it happens.
Would you repaint the Mona Lisa as a BLONDE or a REDHEAD???? This is a Masterpiece and doesn't need censoring or changed. Ren is Ren!!!
Rensan inspirationto millions!! Myself included threw mental health or not! fact!
I always thought the ten step program was a reference to the Ten Commandments. Even though he says he’s not religious but is fascinated with peoples views on them ect.
Video sponsored by Emanuel Swedenborg
Great! ❤
Most of his religion references come from him trying to figure out how God could allow people to suffer like he did for the 10 years that he was so sick. And a cpl other things but that’s when he really started questioning why humans go through what they do and also DO what they do.
ive watched too many Hi Ren reaction videos...this is top 5
Skipping parts? Really? Lost me.
I was just watching your reaction video to "Hi Ren" and when you said he was talking about Jesus Christ, did you notice the line- Face to face with the Beat I will Rise from the East and settle on the ocean floor-? He is talking about the Sun......or Son.
This was brutal to watch.
Agree you don't butcher the artist song, cutting out parts 🙄 putting your input every few seconds or one line It's crazy , I barely made it through
It's live and one take, a lot of his videos are.
Most of his videos are live. And even one camera. Check out Jenny and Screech next. If you think this is something, that tops it. Also, Sick Boi, Money Game 1 then 3, Murderer, Animal Flow, Illest of our Time, and the one that will throw you for a loop…Chalk Outlines. Enjoyed this reaction 🙌
Loved it. I don't immediately go to swedenborg because I don't have that knowledge, but I'm on my way to knowing God.
I've pulled another one out of, what I call, my compendium for this one. I hope you don't mind.
FUNNY
A man walked right into a store
And then he came out and went next door
We cannot figure out to this day
Why he went around that way
He lived his life in solitude
Never wishing to intrude
His face was shaved his clothes were clean
Yet still he did not want to be seen
The funny thing about this man
Was perhaps another happening
When once he moved from door to door
He then sat firmly on the floor!
Could it be that he was not true
To all the wondrous things he could do
Moving around from place to place
Trying hard to find his space
His soul can guide him
Yes indeed
Just let go and let it lead
The way is clear to be more sunny
Sorry that wasn't very funny!
This is al;so Jungian Psychological Theory, Philosophy, Religion, now you explain it in terms of Swedenborg, because the metaphors are all different ways of explaining something that is universal.
Please react to his MASTERPIECE a trilogy of 3 songs woven together to make a mind blowing story....The Tale of Jenny and Screech (FULL)...which includes the 3rd one Violets Tale...MUST be watched at the same time to fully "GET" the ending.
When you were speaking about hell/evil all I could picture was the maga republican party. Some things that stick out are, love of cruelty, you cant argue with them and they mean you harm. I must say that your reaction to Ren is the best I've seen. I enjoyed hearing both of your perspectives.
Peace
❤❤❤ PLEASE DO HIS SONG "DEAR GOD" and "EDEN" ID LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS!!!! Ren said " I am agnostic, an agnostic who believe, and I believe in us." I don't think ppl understand what the true meaning of agnostic is. So there are people who are agnostic believers which means they have a relationship and believe for themselves in God. But don't for sure pr preech there is bc there is no proof or non proof. Ren does Not believe in religion which is man made. "Fear of the unknown preserves a religion". Ren
Subbing. Ren is really talented, take the deep dive there lots more! Next look at the trigoly of Jenny and Screech and Violets tale. It’s 3 videos you’ll Ike it.make sure you watch all 3!!!
Love it so much
If you did a deep dive into Ren as a person, you'd know Ren's motives are to make a difference in the world. It's not ALL about vanity. He believes he was given this platform and needs to use it wisely. You're actually doing him a disservice by NOT playing the song in it's entirety. It's a work of art that you chopped pieces out. If you're concerned about copyright, you need not be, he'll clear you.
Thats a wonderful reaction. Many thanks
Rwady to watch,
Read some comments.
Saw "Too much pausing" and "cut sections'.
Im gone.
.
If you're going to react, show respect to the artist.
🔥🔥🔥 Reaction Gents. Thanks for allowing me to experience this with you all 😎❤️💛💚🖤✊🏿🇯🇲🏴
Ren is welsh ❤
he was religious I'm pretty sure and he is agnostic now, idk when he converted
Nope not religious at all he just likes religious imagery and is fascinated by the hold religion has over people he says