David Lorimer, MA, PGCE, FRSA is a writer, lecturer, poet, and editor who is a Founder of Character Education Scotland, Programme Director of the Scientific and Medical Network, and former President of Wrekin Trust and the Swedenborg Society. He has also been editor of Paradigm Explorer since 1986 and completed his 100th issue in 2019. He was the instigator of the Beyond the Brain conference series and has co-ordinated the Mystics and Scientists conferences every year since the late 1980s.
Originally a merchant banker then a teacher of philosophy and modern languages at Winchester College, he is the author and editor of over a dozen books including Radical Prince: The Practical Vision of the Prince of Wales. His new book of essays, A Quest for Wisdom comes out in March 2021.
David is the originator of the Inspiring Purpose Values Poster Programmes, which has reached over 350,000 young people all over the world. David is also Chair of the Galileo Commission which seeks to widen the science of consciousness beyond a materialistic world view.
Books:
Resonant Mind: Life Review in the Near-Death Experience
Radical Prince: The Practical Vision of the Prince of Wales
Quest for Wisdom: Inspiring Purpose on the Path of Life
Prophet for Our Times: The Life & Teachings of Peter Deunov
In this conversation, we discuss whether consciousness fundamental or an epiphenomenon of brain functioning. If it is fundamental (our view), how can this become the accepted paradigm? If it did so, how would this change the world?
Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.
Summary and transcript of this interview.
Interview recorded December 19, 2020
YouTube Video Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
00:05:49 - Exploring Deep Human Experiences of Consciousness and Near-Death Experiences
00:11:13 - The Field Phenomenon of Consciousness
00:16:03 - Unpacking Ideas
00:20:36 - The Dominance of the Mechanistic Metaphor in Biology
00:25:18 - The Galileo Commission and the Fear of Challenging Paradigms
00:29:38 - The tension between the priest and the prophet
00:33:46 - The Hierarchy of Initiates in the Cathar Religion
00:38:32 - Understanding and Manipulation
00:42:53 - The Implications of a Materialistic Worldview
00:47:10 - Empathetic Resonance and Consciousness Awareness
00:51:50 - The Universal Self
00:56:33 - The Impact of Military Expenditure on the Economy and Infrastructure
01:00:55 - The Flourishing of Creativity and Diversity
01:05:16 - Upgrade Needed
01:10:06 - The correlation between the human mind and the universe
01:14:46 - The Importance of a Cultural Grounding in Education
01:19:19 - The Power of Personal Experience
01:23:30 - The Unseen Forces of Change
01:27:44 - The Influence of Meditation on Atmosphere
01:32:11 - The Subtle Atmosphere of a Sacred Place
01:36:29 - The Coarsening Effect of the Physical World
01:40:55 - The Nobel Prize Winner's Courage
01:45:18 - A Shift in Attitude and the Potential for Change
01:49:38 - Embracing Change and the Power of Imagination
01:53:54 - Manifestation of Ideas and Subtle Activism
01:58:43 - The Role of Covert Operations and Power Over People
02:03:25 - Rainmaking and the Power of Ceremony
02:08:02 - Natural Law and Consciousness
02:12:19 - The Closing Ceremony and Final Thoughts
02:17:09 - Conclusion and Thanks