Inner Life, Talks and Thoughts

In this discussion, Rupert Sheldrake, a biologist known for his ideas on morphic resonance, explores a burgeoning openness to discussing God and theism. He highlights the connections between panpsychism, idealism, and the revival of spiritual traditions like Christianity and Platonism. Sheldrake warns against reactive theism, suggesting a thoughtful approach to faith. He also delves into the role of biology in theistic discourse, the resurgence of various religions, and the dynamic nature of Platonic ideas in science. A fascinating dialogue on modern spirituality!

In this engaging discussion, Mark Vernon, a writer and psychotherapist with deep ties to William Blake, explores the visionary aspects of Blake's work and its profound implications for imagination. He critiques the medicalized interpretations of Blake, advocating for a direct engagement with his mystical visions. Vernon delves into Blake's imaginative realm as a bridge between the finite and infinite, and highlights Blake's relevance in countering modern fragmentation. He also offers practical advice for new readers on embracing Blake’s imagery and poetry.

Mark Vernon, a writer and broadcaster with expertise in religion and philosophy, delves into the complexities of Romanticism and William Blake's insights. He discusses how ungrounded Romantic feelings can lead to societal issues like nationalism and fundamentalism. Vernon highlights Blake’s call for imagination as a means of true understanding, advocating for a balance between reason and emotion. He also touches on Blake’s views on spirituality in nature and the importance of cleansing our perception to reconnect with reality. This conversation is a deep exploration of how we can find meaning in the modern world.

A psychotherapist, philosopher and writer drawn to the wellsprings of both ancient and modern philosophy and the illumination of the inner life. His work moves between the timeless and the modern, exploring friendship and belief, wellbeing and wonder, and the quiet art of living with depth in a restless age.His recent books trace paths through the visionary landscapes of William Blake, the awakening of spiritual intelligence, the pilgrimage of Dante’s Divine Comedy, and the Christian imagination as seen through Owen Barfield — the Oxford Inkling and close companion of C.S. Lewis.You can find out more about Paul via his website - www.paulwilkinson.co.ukYou can find out more about Mark via his website - www.markvernon.com

Mark Vernon, a psychotherapist and author, dives into the radical vision of William Blake, advocating for a spirituality that breaks free from institutional confines. He critiques the Newtonian worldview and its limitations, while celebrating Blake's connection to the divine through nature. Topics like Blake's rejection of traditional Christianity, the critique of moralizing in 'The Garden of Love', and the transformative nature of desire highlight Blake's enduring relevance. The conversation explores how imagination can cleanse one's perception and enrich modern psychology.

Malcolm Guite, a poet and Anglican priest known for his insights on theology and imagination, joins the discussion around William Blake's radical ideas. They explore how Blake challenges the modern split between the subjective and the objective, advocating for the imagination as a crucial tool for grasping truth. Guite highlights the necessity of reviving the imagination within theology, asserting it brings meaning to our experiences. Together, they articulate how imagination can transform our perception of the divine and the everyday moments of life.

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