Inner Life, Talks and Thoughts

“Man has no Body distinct from his Soul,” declared William Blake. “Nature is imagination itself!” The human face is the “countenance divine”.Inspiring, yes. But what can we make of his sayings?Mark Vernon sat down with poet Malcolm Guite to discuss how Blake’s ideas about the imagination challenge modern ways of perceiving the world. They stress that dismissing Blake’s converse with angels dismisses the radicality of what he has to offer. They explore how the division between the subjective and objective, which Guite calls “epistemological apartheid”, is false and has terrible consequences for human beings, personally and politically. They argue that theology needs a revival of the imagination as the way we apprehend truths that put the fire into rational comprehension.For more on Mark’s book, “Awake! William Blake and the Power of the Imagination” see www.markvernon.comFor more on Malcolm Guite see https://malcolmguite.wordpress.com0:00 Ways of knowing01:46 Don't medicalise Blake!3:30 The senses are inlets of soul5:25 A fundamental, false division12:07 Imagination makes real not makes up16:35 Demystifying the imagination20:48 Eternity in the present and particular26:58 Reason the bound of energy: Geoffrey Hill on Blake32:09 Blake's aphoristic philosophy33:20 The renewal of Christianity42:56 The generative teaching of Jesus 44:46 Energy and the Holy Spirit: Barfield on Blake48:17 Albion crucifies the imagination54:21 Contraries that create not conflict58:29 Selfless perception

Note: This upload is a correction to the previous file uploaded under this title!The imagination is often regarded as a valuable but fanciful capacity. But what if imagination were not an optional extra, or even the possession of human beings alone, but a fundamental feature of reality?In this episode of the Sheldrake-Vernon Dialogues, Rupert Sheldrake and Mark Vernon draw on the ideas of William Blake to explore Blake’s insistence that “nature is imagination itself!”. They discuss how the understanding of the imagination has contracted in recent times, though also how modern science is a remarkable exercise in the imagination. They consider matters from how the Platonic notion of ideas relates to cosmic and evolutionary novelty, to whether angels can be said to be imaginative and creative. Mark’s new book is "Awake! William Blake and the Power of the Imagination". For more information see https://www.markvernon.com/books/awake-william-blake-and-the-power-of-the-imagination.

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!

I very much enjoyed speaking with Jason Whittaker, a profound lover of Blake, because we have our differences about how Blake speaks to us and, I hope, that is illuminating.We discussed Blake the visionary and mystic, and resisting forcing Blake through the sieve of more recent psychology. We thought about how Blake speaks to us now, as a poet and analyst of the modern spirit. We examined the significance of the imagination and the nature of God for Blake.For more on Jasons’s work see - www.jasonwhittaker.co.ukFor more on Awake! and Mark’s work see - www.markvernon.com0:00 Introductions1:36 How Blake speaks to us5:35 Mystic or visionary?7:45 On not psychologising Blake9:40 Reading Blake’s poetry11:54 Blake as a prophet of now15:40 Understanding Blake’s characters19:20 The significance of the imagination in Blake23:12 Blake and God27:03 Why deism matters32:55 Infinite perception37:46 Against the church43:05 Dialogues and the expansion of perception

Why is the mechanical view of reality so strong? Why does billiard-ball atomism remain the default popular metaphysics? William James was horrified by such “nothing buttery” and the way it substituted bare concepts for rich phenomena.A.N. Whitehead famously – or perhaps not famously enough – described the problem as the “fallacy of misplaced concreteness”.William Blake is another critic. “General Knowledge is Remote Knowledge. But General Forms have their vitality in Particulars. It is in Particulars that Wisdom consists & Happiness too.”We should care about what Blake called “single vision and Newton’s sleep”. The antidote is to reestablish a relationship with presence. Poetry and imagery evoke the lived moment of experiencing and the fluid dynamics of that perception. Regain contact with that, regain contact with life.This is the promise of Blake and others.For more on Mark’s book, Awake!, and more of his work see - www.markvernon.com

Dive into the captivating world of William Blake, where his life amidst social upheaval shaped his vivid art and poetry. Discover how his imaginative vision resonates today, urging deeper connections in a time of isolation. Explore how Blake's relationship with Jesus reveals profound insights into creativity and spirituality. Delve into the evolution of language and its ties to mystical experiences, highlighting the transformative power of poetry. Blake’s moralizing and mystical legacies invite a fresh contemplation of human experience and societal issues.

You may agree that the so-called hard problem of consciousness exposes the deep inadequacies of a materialist worldview. But the alternatives - various forms of panpsychism, panentheism and idealism - raise rich and fascinating questions, too. In this episode of The Sheldrake-Vernon Dialogues, Rupert Sheldrake and Mark Vernon explore the leading edge of consciousness research, with Rupert just back from The Science of Consciousness Conference 2025 in Barcelona. They discuss the impact of Indian researchers of consciousness and the proposals of microchip inventor, Federico Faggin. They consider trainings in extra-ocular vision and questions thrown up by the hit podcast series, The Telepathy Tapes. One thing is clear: when the materialist paradigm passes, the science of consciousness will have only just begun.For more on Rupert's work see - https://www.sheldrake.org/For more on Mark's work see - https://www.markvernon.com/

Mark Vernon, a British author and psychotherapist, sheds light on the multifaceted genius of William Blake. He discusses Blake's sharp critiques of modernity and his profound mystical experiences. The conversation explores the transformative power of imagination, connecting it to the realms of science and art. Themes of innocence and wisdom are examined, highlighting their relevance today. Vernon also delves into Blake's revolutionary interpretations of Christianity, emphasizing forgiveness as a path to deeper spirituality.

Join James Harpur, an author and poet exploring mystical experiences, alongside Mark Vernon, who engages with the works of William Blake. They dive into James's transformative mystical experience, described as an 'implosion of light', and how it shaped his book. The duo reflects on historical mystics like St. Columba and Teresa of Avila, discussing the personal transformations rooted in their teachings. They also explore the role of spiritual guidance, the relevance of mysticism today, and the importance of navigating mystical experiences in modern life.

Iain McGilchrist, a renowned psychiatrist and philosopher, joins Mark Vernon to discuss the profound insights of William Blake, whom McGilchrist praises as an exceptionally insightful poet. They dive into Blake's vision of imagination, highlighting quotes like 'To the eyes of the man of imagination, nature is imagination itself.' The conversation explores the tensions of modern life, architecture, and even the implications of AI, advocating for a deeper, collective imagination as a vital force in understanding our existence and nurturing our faith in life's goodness.