Guru Viking Podcast Ep327: Neoplatonic Mystic - Dr Francisco José Luis
Oct 3, 2025
Dr. Francisco José Luis, a scholar in Indo-Iranian studies and comparative religion, shares insights from his rigorous academic journey that includes training in classical languages like Latin, Greek, and Sanskrit. He reflects on the shift in education, highlighting a rise in ideological indoctrination. Francisco delves into his PhD research on pre-reformist Sikhism, revealing its colonial influences, and discusses the living legacy of Neoplatonism in Islamic thought. With a blend of mysticism and personal experience, he connects Shiʿi practices with Neoplatonic traditions.
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Classical Education Sparked Sanskrit Passion
- Francisco describes his classical education in Luxembourg, learning Latin, Greek, and Sanskrit from dedicated teachers.
- He credits mentor figures like Mr. Koch for inspiring deep textual study and lifelong reverence for teachers.
Critical Thinking Was Taught Deliberately
- Francisco credits his teachers for teaching formal logic and critical thinking at secondary level.
- He says that intellectual independence was the core goal: question everything and use the tools given.
Chipping Paint Revealed Hidden Tradition
- Francisco recounts finding hidden neo-Gothic wall paintings behind grey paint in his parish church.
- That discovery taught him not to trust official narratives and to "look for the cracks in the paint."
