What is Pantheism?

Jul 6, 2025

Discover the intriguing world of Pantheism, a philosophy that sees God in everything around us. Explore its ancient roots and modern interpretations, connecting spirituality with science and nature. Learn about the mixed reception of this belief, including criticisms from traditional viewpoints and its resurgence among intellectuals today. Delve into how this perspective fosters ecological awareness, and examine how embracing Pantheism could inspire a deeper connection with the natural world.

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INSIGHT

Defining Pantheism

Pantheism is the belief that God and the universe are identical or that God is in all.
It challenges the common Western idea of a transcendent God separate from the world.

INSIGHT

Two Main Definitions of Pantheism

Pantheism's definitions include monism (all is one divine unity) and immanentism (God is identical with cosmos).
These differences shape how we identify pantheism historically and philosophically.

INSIGHT

Panentheism vs Pantheism

Panentheism means the world is in God, but God transcends the world.
Pantheism and panentheism overlap but differ on whether God is more than the universe.

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In this episode, we explore the powerful philosophy of Pantheism—the belief that God is identical with the universe and everything in it. From ancient roots to modern interpretations, we dive deep into how Pantheism connects spirituality, science, and nature in a unified vision of reality.

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Sources/Recomended Reading:

Chittick, William (1989). "The Sufi Path of Knowledge: Ibn 'Arabi's Metaphysics of Imagination".

Chittick, William (1998). "The Self-Disclosure of God: Principles of Ibn al-'Arabi's Cosmology". State University of New York Press.

Chittick, William (2005). "Ibn Arabi: Heir to the Prophets". OneWorld Publications.

Garrett, Don (1996). "The Cambridge Companion to Spinoza". Cambridge University Press.

Gatti, Hilary (ed.) (2002). "Giordano Bruno: Philosopher of the Renaissance". Routledge.

Idel, Moshe (1990). "Kabbalah: New Perspectives". Yale University Press.

Inwood, Brad (ed.) (2003). "The Cambridge Companion to the Stoics". Cambridge University Press.

Levine, Michael P.P. (2014). "Pantheism: A Non-Theistic Concept of Deity". Routledge.

McGinn, Bernard. "The Presence of God" Series, in several volumes. Perhaps the best and most comprehensive introduction to Christian mysticism. Published by Crossroad Publishing Co.

Scholem, Gershom (1995). "Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism". Schocken Books; Revised edition.

Rubenstein, Mary-Jane (2018). "Pantheologies: Gods, Worlds, Monsters". Columbia University Press.

Wolfson, Harry Austryn (2014). "The Philosophy of Spinoza: Unfolding the Latent Processes of His Reasoning". Harvard University Press.

"The Ethics" by Spinoza

"Cause, Principle & Unity" by Giordano Bruno

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