The Mysteries of Athens

In this interview I am joined by Dr Thomas Clough Daffern, poet, historian, philosopher, educator, and peace officer for the Council of British Druid Orders. Thomas recounts an unusual upbringing, a love affair with classics and poetry, and dropping out of school at 15 to pursue philosophical enquiry. We learn of Thomas’ immersion in study of the world’s religious and mystical traditions, and his early tantric and druidic initiations. Thomas discusses the Ancient Greek mystery schools, the cultural consequences of their closure, and what it would take to revive them in the world today. Thomas reflects his time as a celibate, why every student of the mysteries should have a brahmacharya phase, and why a sense of duty and civic responsibility eventually saw him marry and start a family. Thomas also talks about reconciling the schools of Islam, compares Eastern and Western enlightenments, and reveals the inspiration behind his relentless intellectual curiosity. … Video version at https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep132-student-of-the-mysteries-dr-thomas-clough-daffern 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:07 - Dr Daffern’s family and educational background 03:51 - Discovering classics and poetry 05:50 - Dropping out of school at 15, discovering philosophy, and first love 09:34 - LSD, first druid initiation, and intensive self-study of world religions 15:08 - Psychedelic experiences as a mystery tradition 18:17 - About the Ancient Greek mystery schools 21:51 - Eastern and Western enlightenments 23:33 - What are the essential ingredients of a mystery school? 26:24 - Music and the mysteries 29:53 - Kabbalah and verbal fluency 30:56 - The importance of a brahmacharya phase 33:02 - Thomas’ philosophical enlightenment 35:10 - The consequences of the closing of the Greek mystery schools 39:21 - The Delphic games 40:50 - The influence of Thomas’ mother 51:16 - Baháʼí and interfaith activities 54:42 - Reconciling the schools of Islam 57:24 - Relentless intellectual curiosity 01:01:53 - Writing a sequel to Newton’s ‘Principia Mathematica’ 01:06:39 - The secrets of Thomas’ prodigious work ethic 01:09:50 - Enlightenments, the book of Enoch, and Comparative Diabology … To find our more about Dr Daffern, visit: - http://www.educationaid.net/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James