Inner Life, Talks and Thoughts

Is the resurrection a miracle? Are the events of Golgotha a mystery? And what of the resurrection of the body and attempts to prove what happened as an historical fact?William Blake argued passionately that treating Easter as a miracle or a mystery entirely misses its significance, which is visionary - a moment when perceptions are cleansed and eternal life becomes manifest.In this talk, I examine his images of the resurrection and crucifixion to see how he saw them as one moment of transformation, then and now.I look particularly at his portrayal of Mary Magdalene and how he realised she participated in resurrection life through her encounter with Jesus.Blake's communication of Easter joy is contagious. He presents us with the end of a golden string, never more needed than now. He desires that all might come to know that "God becomes as we are that we may become as he is."

This conversation is part of the Living Mirrors podcast, hosted by neuroscientist James Cooke, exploring topics like consciousness, science, spirituality, meditation and the renaissance in psychedelic research.

A discussion of two new books on human evolution by leading evolutionary biologists, Robin Dunbar and Simon Conway Morris.Dunbar offers a revisionary account of the emergence of religion in Homo sapiens. Conway Morris considers widespread myths in Darwinian evolution, of which he is a leading researcher and advocate.Put together, the books suggest a fascinating glimpse into not only the religious past of humans but the religious future. The trance and mystical states which so captivated our ancestors may transhumanise us again, offering new ways of navigating the cosmos.I wrote an essay for Aeon drawing on Dunbar's ideas here - https://aeon.co/essays/how-trance-states-forged-human-society-through-transcendenceI wrote an essay for Aeon drawing on Conway Morris' ideas here - https://aeon.co/essays/words-have-soul-on-the-romantic-theory-of-language-originA YouTube on the evolution of Homo spiritualis is here - https://youtu.be/0XUWYn8SyT8Details of Robin Dunbar's book are here - https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/316/316135/how-religion-evolved/9780241431788.htmlDetails of Simon Conway Morris' book are here - https://templetonpress.org/books/from-extraterrestrials-to-animal-minds/

I turned to William Blake seeking hope and found a remarkably accurate account of our times and his, lived during the Napoleonic Wars. Albion despairs, but Blake does not. He sees a pathway, denying nothing, towards renewed inspiration.

The second part of my conversation with Jonas Atlas, host of Revisioning Religion about spiritual development. Mark Vernon's latest book takes a deep dive into Dante's Divine Comedy, a classic masterpiece, which, after many centuries, still provides many helpful insights for those who find themselves on a spiritual journey. We place Dante's work in a longer lineage that can be traced to the philosophers of Ancient Greece. Often, those philosophers are presented as purely 'rational' thinkers who's thinking was repressed by early Christianity because it would conflict with a religious outlook on life. Yet, the historical facts paint a different picture. The ideas of the Greek philosophers were not merely precursors of modern science, but were fully embedded in a general search for spiritual development. Even more so, according to Mark, their personal spiritual journeys were connected to larger spiritual developments of human consciousness, in which the emergence of Christianity also played an important role. This leads us to discuss whether or not the spiritual journey of humankind can truly be seen as a form of 'progression', and how Mark assesses contemporary "New Age" ideas about the spiritual growth of humanity.

A conversation with Jonas Atlas, host of Revisioning Religion about spiritual development. Mark Vernon's latest book takes a deep dive into Dante's Divine Comedy, a classic masterpiece, which, after many centuries, still provides many helpful insights for those who find themselves on a spiritual journey. We place Dante's work in a longer lineage that can be traced to the philosophers of Ancient Greece. Often, those philosophers are presented as purely 'rational' thinkers who's thinking was repressed by early Christianity because it would conflict with a religious outlook on life. Yet, the historical facts paint a different picture. The ideas of the Greek philosophers were not merely precursors of modern science, but were fully embedded in a general search for spiritual development. Even more so, according to Mark, their personal spiritual journeys were connected to larger spiritual developments of human consciousness, in which the emergence of Christianity also played an important role. This leads us to discuss whether or not the spiritual journey of humankind can truly be seen as a form of 'progression', and how Mark assesses contemporary "New Age" ideas about the spiritual growth of humanity.

Witnessing so many Ukrainians responding courageously to the Russian invasion is moving and impressive. There is violence and suffering and death. And yet, in the midst of the undoubted tragedy, there can be detected the distinct presence of hope. Points of light outshine the darkness. What is the source of this faith and powerful resilience?I think it must be the deepest type of liberty, to align yourself with what is good, beautiful and true - a freedom that cannot be taken away from you. It is the freedom of Jesus before the Grand Inquisitor, the freedom of Socrates drinking the hemlock. It is the gateway to the divine within us.It's a fearsome freedom, frightening and awesome. It's the source of the light that can be detected in the darkness descended on Ukraine.

Perception is cleansed in the struggles of life, William Blake realised, as his own life was lived between heaven and hell, innocence and experience, vision and labour. Opposites are the energy that bring the power to see through surfaces to Eternity. Blake offers maps that chart the transformation from the narrow sight of Ulro to the full embrace of divine vision.In this talk I consider Blake's use of verse and imagery to awaken our consciousness; the critique he developed of the mechanical philosophy and the dynamics of the human psyche; erotic love and the androgenous mind; and the way he linked forgiveness, imagination and transformation - witnessed by the presence of Jesus.This event is part of a series looking at dualities running through February 2022. More info here - https://paricenter.com/event/dualities/2022-02-05/

The recent work of the psychiatrist and philosopher, Iain McGilchrist, allows us to bring the role of dualities in spiritual perception right up to date. He has shown how brain lateralisation facilitates two types of perception. They are asymmetric, both required in right relation for the fullest awareness of the world, which is so often lacking in our times. In this session we will weave in insights on relationally and suffering, limits and embodiment, panentheism and trinitarianism, as well as from Nicholas of Cusa and process theology too.This event is part of a series looking at dualities. See https://paricenter.com/event/dualities/2022-02-05/

Much is now known about Stonehenge. Wonderful artefacts have been recovered, a welter on display at the British Museum's gobsmacking 2022 show. But much mystery remains. How to interpret the past? Why do stone circles still draw us? What did our ancestors know? They participated in life differently. They weren't waiting to be us, though we yearn to hear from them, via the sciences of archeology and the brilliance of exhibitions. And the insights of the rites, rituals, trances and treasures that shine with the light of the sun and knowledge of the gods. As the great friend of CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien put it, we long to participate once more with the inside of the whole world. It is no surprise that ancient riches draw us.For more about Owen Barfield and the evolution of consciousness - https://www.markvernon.com/consciousnessFor more about the exhibition - https://www.britishmuseum.org/exhibitions/world-stonehenge