Inner Life, Talks and Thoughts Full-strength imagination. Romanticism come of age. Mark Vernon & Robert Rowland Smith talk Blake
Sep 1, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Robert Rowland Smith, a writer and consultant in organizational dynamics, joins Mark Vernon to dive deep into the world of William Blake. They explore Blake's interpretation of biblical themes, emphasizing love and liberation. The pair examines the profound impact of imagination in Blake's later works and the spiritual connections he draws. They also touch on the launch of the 'Philosophy Slam' podcast, celebrating the joy of language in unpacking complex ideas. Prepare for a thought-provoking journey into art, philosophy, and self-discovery!
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Early Lyrics And Later Myths Are Connected
- Popular receptions split Blake into accessible early lyrics and impenetrable later epics, obscuring their unity.
- Vernon argues the later mythic poems continue and deepen the same spiritual project found in early work.
Imagination As Cosmic Conversation
- Blake sees human imagination as a way we converse with intelligences in nature, not a private extra.
- He argues the cosmos shares interiority with us, so world and mind mutually speak.
Use Moments To Renovate Your Perception
- Pay attention to moments where the world resonates with your life; treat them as dialogue with the cosmos.
- Cultivate those moments to renovate your daily perception and deepen belonging.
