A Whole New World- A soothing conversation with Philip Shepherd

Jan 19, 2025

Philip Shepherd, an author and teacher renowned for his work on embodiment, shares insights into the interconnectedness of mind and body. He guides listeners through a powerful meditation and discusses his Embodied Present Project. The conversation critiques the head-centric belief system dominating Western society, emphasizing the importance of bodily awareness. Shepherd also challenges conventional notions of independence, advocating for a more intuitive approach to life that embraces emotional signals and interconnectedness for true transformation.

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INSIGHT

Head-Centric Western Culture

Western culture, since Plato, has been head-centric, devaluing the body.
This head-centricism limits our understanding of reality, hindering our ability to be present.

INSIGHT

Being Present

We struggle to live in the present because we are not letting the present live through us.
Our anxieties and aspirations fill our bodies, blocking our awareness of the present moment.

ADVICE

Goldfish Bowl Meditation

Reconnect with your body by releasing anxieties and focusing on your breath.
Imagine your thoughts swimming down from your head into your body, uniting in your solar plexus.

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On Nature

Parmenides

Timaeus

Plato

In 'Timaeus,' Plato presents a detailed account of the formation of the universe. The dialogue is primarily delivered through long monologues by Timaeus and Critias. It describes the universe as the product of a rational, purposive, and beneficent agency, created by a divine Craftsman (Demiurge) who imitates an eternal and unchanging model. The work discusses the distinction between the eternal and the physical worlds, the composition of the four elements (earth, air, fire, and water) linked to Platonic solids, and the creation of the cosmic soul and its role in governing the universe. The dialogue also touches on various philosophical themes, including the nature of God, the distinction between the sensible and intellectual, and the concepts of time and space[1][3][5].

The master and his emissary

The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World

Iain McGilchrist

This book argues that the division of the brain into two hemispheres is essential to human existence, allowing for two incompatible versions of the world. The left hemisphere is detail-oriented, prefers mechanisms to living things, and is inclined to self-interest, while the right hemisphere has greater breadth, flexibility, and generosity. McGilchrist takes the reader on a journey through the history of Western culture, illustrating the tension between these two worlds as revealed in the thought and belief of thinkers and artists from ancient to modern times. He argues that the increasing dominance of the left hemisphere in today’s world has potentially disastrous consequences.

The hero with a thousand faces

Joseph Campbell

In this book, Joseph Campbell explores his theory of the 'monomyth', a universal pattern found in the mythological narratives of various cultures. He details the stages of the 'hero's journey', which include departure from the ordinary world, initiation into a supernatural world, and return with a boon. Campbell draws on a wide range of mythological sources and integrates insights from psychology, particularly from Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud, to illustrate the common elements of heroic myths across different cultures.

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Stephen Larsen

Radical Wholeness

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Philip Shepard

Chance and Chaos

Paul Ruel