Podcasts about William Blake

A journey of both past and future, of the natural world and metaphysical realms, Philip Hoare guides us through a dreamscape slipping through time and space with the unpredictable guide of William Blake. From William's visions of angels to his radical approach to artistic creation, from his anarchic and seditious writing to the enchanting and democratic force of his art, from his belief in the holiness of every living creature to his staunch opposition to slavery, William Blake was an artistic genius far ahead of his time. And as Philip reveals, William had always known that he would not find appreciation among his contemporaries who thought him mad. In this whirlwind conversation, Philip illuminates this incredible mind and its enduring cultural legacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jeremy Corbyn and Len McCluskey share a passionate belief in a fairer, more equal Britain, encapsulated in Labour's 2017 election slogan ‘For the many, not the few'. This slogan, inspired by Shelley's famous poem The Masque of Anarchy, points to something else the two men have in common: a lifelong enthusiasm for poetry. Their selected poems travel over centuries and continents, with poets ranging from William Blake to Emily Dickinson, and Stevie Smith to Linton Kwesi Johnson. Featuring guest selections from the likes of Rob Delaney, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Ken Loach, Maxine Peake, Michael Rosen, Alexei Sayle, and Gary Younge. Join Corbyn and McCluskey as they discuss the poems that continue to inspire them in their political careers.

What does it mean to think impossibly? How do paranormal events, mystical visions, and encounters with the unknown reshape our understanding of what it means to be human? In this episode, host Dr. John W. Price sits down with Dr. Jeffrey Kripal — J. Newton Rayzor Professor of Philosophy and Religious Thought at Rice University, and one of today's most daring scholars of religion — to explore the borders between the possible and the impossible. Together, they trace the line where scholarship meets the mystical, where imagination bends into healing, and where our deepest worldviews determine what we are even able to see. From UFOs and near-death experiences to William Blake, dual-aspect monism, and the future of spirituality, this is a wide-ranging conversation about living at the edges of reality. Be sure to check out Jeff's latest book, How to Think Impossibly: About Souls, UFOs, Time, Belief, and Everything Else. Key Takeaways Embracing the impossible expands not just our knowledge, but our capacity for awe, healing, and transformation. Worldviews — personal and cultural — filter what counts as “real,” shaping how we encounter extraordinary experiences. Paranormal phenomena aren't just curiosities; they are symbolic invitations into deeper practice and meaning. Thinking impossibly is less about belief and more about orientation — a way of living that opens us to mystery. Dialogue at the borderlands of science, religion, and imagination may hold the key to the future of spirituality. In This Episode (00:00) Introduction & Guest Bio (01:59) Housekeeping & Announcements (05:13) The Origins of “Thinking Impossibly” (09:52) Stories of the Impossible (13:16) The Role of Worldviews (16:34) Religion, Science, and the Paranormal (22:14) Healing, Suffering, and Transformation (28:32) The Power of Story & Magic (35:12) Teaching the Impossible (42:39) The Future of Spirituality (46:06) Closing Reflections & Resources Connect: Jeffrey: https://jeffreyjkripal.com John: https://www.drjohnwprice.com

After the Fall, Urizen explores his dens, bringing the fallen world into being. He follows the powerful heartbeat of the bound Orc, and sits confronting him, writing his books of laws. Orc defies him, then metamorphoses downward into a gigantic serpent. But in the beginning of a counter-movement, Los unites with the Spectre of Urthona and Enitharmon to begin the imagination's work of redemption.

In this episode, we turn to the radical vision of William Blake with brilliant scholar and psychotherapist Mark Vernon. Mark argues that Blake isn't just a historical curiosity—he's a guide for rewilding our humanity in an age of spiritual flatness. We explore how Blake saw the collapse of cultural imagination coming 200 years ago, offering us a way out of what Mark calls the "narrow deadening" of modern life. Blake's answer isn't to retreat from the world, but to cultivate what he calls "innocence"—not naivety, but a kind of perceptual openness that can see angels, spirits, and the infinite in a grain of sand. We talk about his critique of the mechanistic worldview, his understanding of imagination as something that has us rather than something we have, and his deeply orthodox yet mystical Christianity that treats Jesus as the imagination itself. Mark shows us how Blake's "hermeneutics of energy" offers a different way of relating to money, love, death, and the divine—one that moves from possession to participation, from control to collaboration with the creative force of reality itself. You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube. Mark Vernon is a scholar, psychotherapist, and public intellectual who bridges the worlds of ancient wisdom and contemporary life. He works as a psychotherapist while writing extensively about philosophy, spirituality, and the intersection of psychological insight with religious tradition. His latest book Awake!: William Blake and the Power of the Imagination presents William Blake as a prophet of re-enchantment for our disenchanted age. You can check out his previous visit to the podcast here.  UPCOMING ONLINE CLASS - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The God of Justice: Where Ancient Wisdom Meets Contemporary Longing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This transformative online class brings together distinguished scholars from biblical studies, theology, history, and faith leadership to offer exactly what our moment demands: the rich, textured wisdom of multiple academic disciplines speaking into our contemporary quest for justice. Here you'll discover how ancient texts illuminate modern struggles, how theological reflection deepens social action, and how historical understanding opens new possibilities for faithful engagement with our world's brokenness and beauty. Join John Dominic Crossan, Peter Enns, Casey Sigmon, Aizaiah Yong, & Malcolm Foley As always, the class is donation-based, including 0. INFO & Sign-Up at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.FaithAndPolitics.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Theology Beer Camp ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is a unique three-day conference that brings together of theology nerds and craft beer for a blend of intellectual engagement, community building, and fun. Guests this year include John Dominic Crossan, Kelly Brown Douglas, Philip Clayton, Stacey Floyd-Thomas, Jeffery Pugh, Juan Floyd-Thomas, Andy Root, Grace Ji-Sun Kim, Noreen Herzfeld, Reggie Williams, Casper ter Kuile, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get info and tickets here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. _____________________ This podcast is a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ production. Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Theology Nerd Throwdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rise of Bonhoeffer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 70,000 other people by joining our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Substack - Process This!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get instant access to over 50 classes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.TheologyClass.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow the podcast, drop a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, send ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback/questions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or become a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠member of the HBC Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Awake! William Blake and the Power of the Imagination is now available worldwide.To celebrate, Mark Vernon and Robert Rowland Smith discuss all things Blake from angels and images, to poetry and prophecy.For more on the book see https://www.markvernon.com/books/awake-william-blake-and-the-power-of-the-imagination

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

“All deities reside in the human breast,” said Blake. The Zoas are aspects of the fallen Albion's mind, at odds with one another. They are also alienated from their Emanations or female counterparts, who have become split off and “other.” When that happens, the male is diminished into a Spectre, whose attitude towards what he should love and regard as his other self becomes either possessiveness or antagonism.

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

Ian welcomes back author Ben Beard to discuss his latest, best, and most personal book, Four Horses, Seven Seals!Continuing his tradition of mixing autobiography with the pop culture that helped shape his life, Ben's latest work examines three bizarre totems from the year 1990: DC Comics' The Sandman, Depeche Mode's "Violator" album, and Adrian Lyne's film, Jacob's Ladder (which the guys review in moderate depth).While investigating the odd connections between these three works, Ben delves further into his own troubled journey to adulthood and falling out with religion. He also discovers cosmic coincidences involving the rise and fall of Elvis Presley's stepbrother, the Satanic Panic of the 1980s, and the twisted celestial visions of William Blake--all with the author's trademark blend of humor, horror, and relatability.In this wide-ranging interview, Ian and Ben talk about book's three main pillars; getting creative with chapter notes; the controversy surrounding Sandman author Neil Gaiman; and how 1990 presaged the next millennium's splintering of our collective consciousness!Four Horses, Seven Seals is now available on Amazon. This is your not-at-all-subtle prompt to buy it now! Support Kicking the Seat on Patreon, watch us on YouTube, and follow us at:XLetterboxdInstagramFacebookBlueSkyShow LinksKeep up with all things Ben at his website.Read Ben's blog, "Simone and the Silver Surfer".Watch Ian's previous interviews about Ben's books:The Bad Class (2023)The South Never Plays Itself (2020)

A quick run-through of the plot elements in the first half of Blake's The Four Zoas. But then a discussion of why such a synopsis is only a useful fiction or scaffolding. The poem describes a higher order of reality falling into the lower one and becoming it. Things are metamorphosing into their fallen forms, the forms we call ordinary reality. This is a fall from a circumference to an alienated center.

Send us a textMark Vernon is a British psychotherapist, writer and former Anglican priest. He is the author of the new book: Awake! William Blake and the Power of the Imagination.I wanted to speak to Mark to learn more about William Blake and understand how tapping into our spiritual side more, and our creative side, can aid us in our pursuit of faith in God.Some highlights from this episode include what Blake really meant by 'dark, satanic mills,' why imagination doesn't just mean daydreaming, and what Blake would have thought about our modern technology.--You can find more of Mark's work at the following links:- https://www.markvernon.com/books/awake-william-blake-and-the-power-of-the-imagination- https://www.youtube.com/@UC4WL1Pbg-dwtG9C85TAkZ2w Follow For All The Saints on social media for updates and inspiring content:www.instagram.com/forallthesaintspodhttps://www.facebook.com/forallthesaintspod/For All The Saints episodes are released every Monday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVDUQg_qZIU&list=UULFFf7vzrJ2LNWmp1Kl-c6K9Qhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3j64txm9qbGVVZOM48P4HS?si=bb31d048e05141f2https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/for-all-the-saints/id1703815271If you have feedback or any suggestions for topics or guests, connect with Ben & Sean via hello@forallthesaints.org or DM on InstagramConversations to Refresh Your Faith.For All The Saints podcast was established in 2023 by Ben Hancock to express his passion and desire for more dialogue around faith, religious belief, and believers' perspectives on the topics of our day. Tune into For All The Saints every Monday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.Follow For All The Saints on social media for daily inspiration.

Welcome to Episode 176 of the TRANSFORMA TU INGLÉS PROFESIONAL podcast!I'm your host Daniel Smith.Today we have an amazing show lined up for you and by the end of it you will:Know all about William Blake and his famous line: "England's green and pleasant land"Understand why that sentence is NOT correct at the momentLearn 5 expressions with the word "land" in themAnd some amazing listener feedback as usualThis podcast helps you push your business English communication skills to the next level so that you can grow professionally and achieve your international career goals!

Mark Vernon provides a fresh route into Blake, taking him at his word. Exploring his writings, artwork and life, Vernon illuminates Blake's vivid worldview and shows how his thinking is still relevant for us today.Please note that the ideas expressed in this lecture do not necessarily represent the views of L'Abri Fellowship.

Why bother with the difficulties of this poem? Because Blake is showing us the nightmare we are dreaming right now. The fall of the universal being Albion is into the alienated state of the “cloven fiction,” or subject-object division. But that breeds madness. It breeds delusional “magical thinking,” which breeds strife, violence, terror, despair. We are Albion.

In the 200 years since Blake's death, the visionary artist, poet and writer has become a household name, often beloved. Yet many struggle to comprehend his kaleidoscopic ideas; how they speak to human longings and the challenges of living in anxious times. Philosopher and psychotherapist Mark Vernon provides a fresh route into Blake, taking him at his word. Exploring this brilliant thinker's passionate writings, arresting artworks and fascinating life, Vernon illuminates Blake's vivid worldview. Like us, he lived in a tumultuous era of war, discontent, rapid technological change, and human estrangement from nature. He exposed the dark sides of political fervour and social moralising, while unashamedly celebrating love and liberty. But he also conversed with prophets and angels, and was powerfully, if unconventionally, religious. If we take this seriously--not easy, in secular times--then Blake can help us to unlock the transformative power of imagination. Written for both longstanding fans and unfamiliar readers, Awake!: William Blake and the Power of the Imagination (Hurst & Co., 2025) reveals Blake as an invigorating and hopeful guide for our modern age. Mark Vernon is a London-based psychotherapist, writer and former Anglican priest. A keen podcaster and a columnist with The Idler, he speaks regularly at festivals and on the BBC. He has a PhD in Philosophy, and degrees in Theology and Physics. Caleb Zakarin is editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literature

In the 200 years since Blake's death, the visionary artist, poet and writer has become a household name, often beloved. Yet many struggle to comprehend his kaleidoscopic ideas; how they speak to human longings and the challenges of living in anxious times. Philosopher and psychotherapist Mark Vernon provides a fresh route into Blake, taking him at his word. Exploring this brilliant thinker's passionate writings, arresting artworks and fascinating life, Vernon illuminates Blake's vivid worldview. Like us, he lived in a tumultuous era of war, discontent, rapid technological change, and human estrangement from nature. He exposed the dark sides of political fervour and social moralising, while unashamedly celebrating love and liberty. But he also conversed with prophets and angels, and was powerfully, if unconventionally, religious. If we take this seriously--not easy, in secular times--then Blake can help us to unlock the transformative power of imagination. Written for both longstanding fans and unfamiliar readers, Awake!: William Blake and the Power of the Imagination (Hurst & Co., 2025) reveals Blake as an invigorating and hopeful guide for our modern age. Mark Vernon is a London-based psychotherapist, writer and former Anglican priest. A keen podcaster and a columnist with The Idler, he speaks regularly at festivals and on the BBC. He has a PhD in Philosophy, and degrees in Theology and Physics. Caleb Zakarin is editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

In the 200 years since Blake's death, the visionary artist, poet and writer has become a household name, often beloved. Yet many struggle to comprehend his kaleidoscopic ideas; how they speak to human longings and the challenges of living in anxious times. Philosopher and psychotherapist Mark Vernon provides a fresh route into Blake, taking him at his word. Exploring this brilliant thinker's passionate writings, arresting artworks and fascinating life, Vernon illuminates Blake's vivid worldview. Like us, he lived in a tumultuous era of war, discontent, rapid technological change, and human estrangement from nature. He exposed the dark sides of political fervour and social moralising, while unashamedly celebrating love and liberty. But he also conversed with prophets and angels, and was powerfully, if unconventionally, religious. If we take this seriously--not easy, in secular times--then Blake can help us to unlock the transformative power of imagination. Written for both longstanding fans and unfamiliar readers, Awake!: William Blake and the Power of the Imagination (Hurst & Co., 2025) reveals Blake as an invigorating and hopeful guide for our modern age. Mark Vernon is a London-based psychotherapist, writer and former Anglican priest. A keen podcaster and a columnist with The Idler, he speaks regularly at festivals and on the BBC. He has a PhD in Philosophy, and degrees in Theology and Physics. Caleb Zakarin is editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literary-studies

In the 200 years since Blake's death, the visionary artist, poet and writer has become a household name, often beloved. Yet many struggle to comprehend his kaleidoscopic ideas; how they speak to human longings and the challenges of living in anxious times. Philosopher and psychotherapist Mark Vernon provides a fresh route into Blake, taking him at his word. Exploring this brilliant thinker's passionate writings, arresting artworks and fascinating life, Vernon illuminates Blake's vivid worldview. Like us, he lived in a tumultuous era of war, discontent, rapid technological change, and human estrangement from nature. He exposed the dark sides of political fervour and social moralising, while unashamedly celebrating love and liberty. But he also conversed with prophets and angels, and was powerfully, if unconventionally, religious. If we take this seriously--not easy, in secular times--then Blake can help us to unlock the transformative power of imagination. Written for both longstanding fans and unfamiliar readers, Awake!: William Blake and the Power of the Imagination (Hurst & Co., 2025) reveals Blake as an invigorating and hopeful guide for our modern age. Mark Vernon is a London-based psychotherapist, writer and former Anglican priest. A keen podcaster and a columnist with The Idler, he speaks regularly at festivals and on the BBC. He has a PhD in Philosophy, and degrees in Theology and Physics. Caleb Zakarin is editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biography

In the 200 years since Blake's death, the visionary artist, poet and writer has become a household name, often beloved. Yet many struggle to comprehend his kaleidoscopic ideas; how they speak to human longings and the challenges of living in anxious times. Philosopher and psychotherapist Mark Vernon provides a fresh route into Blake, taking him at his word. Exploring this brilliant thinker's passionate writings, arresting artworks and fascinating life, Vernon illuminates Blake's vivid worldview. Like us, he lived in a tumultuous era of war, discontent, rapid technological change, and human estrangement from nature. He exposed the dark sides of political fervour and social moralising, while unashamedly celebrating love and liberty. But he also conversed with prophets and angels, and was powerfully, if unconventionally, religious. If we take this seriously--not easy, in secular times--then Blake can help us to unlock the transformative power of imagination. Written for both longstanding fans and unfamiliar readers, Awake!: William Blake and the Power of the Imagination (Hurst & Co., 2025) reveals Blake as an invigorating and hopeful guide for our modern age. Mark Vernon is a London-based psychotherapist, writer and former Anglican priest. A keen podcaster and a columnist with The Idler, he speaks regularly at festivals and on the BBC. He has a PhD in Philosophy, and degrees in Theology and Physics. Caleb Zakarin is editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/poetry

In the 200 years since Blake's death, the visionary artist, poet and writer has become a household name, often beloved. Yet many struggle to comprehend his kaleidoscopic ideas; how they speak to human longings and the challenges of living in anxious times. Philosopher and psychotherapist Mark Vernon provides a fresh route into Blake, taking him at his word. Exploring this brilliant thinker's passionate writings, arresting artworks and fascinating life, Vernon illuminates Blake's vivid worldview. Like us, he lived in a tumultuous era of war, discontent, rapid technological change, and human estrangement from nature. He exposed the dark sides of political fervour and social moralising, while unashamedly celebrating love and liberty. But he also conversed with prophets and angels, and was powerfully, if unconventionally, religious. If we take this seriously--not easy, in secular times--then Blake can help us to unlock the transformative power of imagination. Written for both longstanding fans and unfamiliar readers, Awake!: William Blake and the Power of the Imagination (Hurst & Co., 2025) reveals Blake as an invigorating and hopeful guide for our modern age. Mark Vernon is a London-based psychotherapist, writer and former Anglican priest. A keen podcaster and a columnist with The Idler, he speaks regularly at festivals and on the BBC. He has a PhD in Philosophy, and degrees in Theology and Physics. Caleb Zakarin is editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/spiritual-practice-and-mindfulness

In the 200 years since Blake's death, the visionary artist, poet and writer has become a household name, often beloved. Yet many struggle to comprehend his kaleidoscopic ideas; how they speak to human longings and the challenges of living in anxious times. Philosopher and psychotherapist Mark Vernon provides a fresh route into Blake, taking him at his word. Exploring this brilliant thinker's passionate writings, arresting artworks and fascinating life, Vernon illuminates Blake's vivid worldview. Like us, he lived in a tumultuous era of war, discontent, rapid technological change, and human estrangement from nature. He exposed the dark sides of political fervour and social moralising, while unashamedly celebrating love and liberty. But he also conversed with prophets and angels, and was powerfully, if unconventionally, religious. If we take this seriously--not easy, in secular times--then Blake can help us to unlock the transformative power of imagination. Written for both longstanding fans and unfamiliar readers, Awake!: William Blake and the Power of the Imagination (Hurst & Co., 2025) reveals Blake as an invigorating and hopeful guide for our modern age. Mark Vernon is a London-based psychotherapist, writer and former Anglican priest. A keen podcaster and a columnist with The Idler, he speaks regularly at festivals and on the BBC. He has a PhD in Philosophy, and degrees in Theology and Physics. Caleb Zakarin is editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/british-studies

The author of the acclaimed introduction to the practice of Jungian psychology, Boundaries of the Soul, June Singer draws from personal and professional experience to discuss the importance of dreams, those gifts from the unconscious which profoundly imbue our conscious lives. This program provides an excellent introduction not only to Jung's dream theory, but also its application in psychoanalysis—from one of the masters of the art. June Singer, PhD was a major figure in the development of the Jungian movement in the United States.  She earned a Ph.D. in Psychology from Northwestern University and completed training as a Jungian analyst in Zurich, Switzerland.  During the 1960′s, Dr. Singer founded the Analytical Psychology Club of Chicago, which eventually became the C.G. Jung Institute of Chicago, in order to provide interested individuals an opportunity to study the works of Carl Jung. June Singer was a gifted analyst and a distinguished author and lecturer.  Her text, Boundaries of the Soul, is considered to be one of the best introductions to Jungian thought. She also wrote two books about sexuality, and a Jungian study of the poet William Blake.   Link to June Singer's lectures on jungchicago.org You can support this free podcast by making a donation, becoming a member of the Institute, or making a purchase in our online store. Your support enables us to provide free and low-cost educational resources to all. This podcast is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. You may share it, but please do not change it, sell it, or transcribe it.Executive Producer: Ben LawHosts: Patricia Martin, Judith Cooper, Daniel Ross, Adina Davidson, Raisa CabreraMusic: Peter Demuth

In The Four Zoas, Blake's vision expands past the fall of Urizen and the conflict with Orc. The original fall was that of Albion, a cosmic being. The four Zoas—Orc/Luvah, Urizen, Los, and Tharmas—are four parts of Albion's psyche at war. Albion falls by turning from his own emanation, Jerusalem, to Vala, who is other and not part of his own being.

Mark Vernon provides a fresh route into Blake, taking him at his word. Exploring his writings, artwork and life, Vernon illuminates Blake's vivid worldview and shows how his thinking is still relevant for us today.Please note that the ideas expressed in this lecture do not necessarily represent the views of L'Abri Fellowship.For more resources, visit the L'Abri Ideas Library at labriideaslibrary.org. The library contains over two thousand lectures and discussions that explore questions about the reality and relevance of Christianity. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit englishlabri.substack.com

"El Tigre" de William Blake es una obra que explora la naturaleza ambivalente del tigre, simbolizando tanto la fuerza y la belleza como el terror y lo desconocido. El poema, un diálogo con el creador, plantea preguntas sobre la creación de una criatura tan poderosa y peligrosa, contrastándola con la figura del cordero, símbolo de inocencia y mansedumbre, creando así una tensión entre los opuestos. Escucha el episodio completo en la app de iVoox, o descubre todo el catálogo de iVoox Originals

In 1797, in mid-life, Blake attempted an epic The Four Zoas. Remaining in manuscript because he was not satisfied with it, it is indispensable in tracing the development of Blake's mythology, and also contains some of his greatest poetry.

WILL GRAHAM & HANNIBAL LECTER HUNT A KILLER!! Red Dragon Full Reaction Watch Along:   / thereelrejects   Start your online business with a $1 per-month trial when you visit https://www.shopify.com/rejects! RED DRAGON Reaction, Recap, Commentary, Analysis & Full Spoiler Review!! Roxy Striar and Andrew Gordon sink their teeth into Red Dragon (2002), the chilling prequel to The Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal!! Directed by Brett Ratner and based on the novel by Thomas Harris, the film sets the stage for Hannibal Lecter's reign of terror by diving into the case that first brought him down. Edward Norton (Fight Club, American History X) stars as Will Graham, a gifted FBI profiler pulled out of retirement to track down a serial killer known as “The Tooth Fairy.” To catch him, Graham must confront the brilliant and sadistic Dr. Hannibal Lecter—played once again by Oscar-winner Anthony Hopkins (The Silence of the Lambs, The Father) in one of his most iconic roles. Ralph Fiennes (Schindler's List, Harry Potter) delivers a haunting performance as Francis Dolarhyde, a reclusive killer obsessed with transformation, while Emily Watson (Breaking the Waves, Punch-Drunk Love) plays Reba, a blind woman who sparks an emotional conflict within him. The cast also features Harvey Keitel (Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction) as FBI agent Jack Crawford, Philip Seymour Hoffman (Capote, The Master) as sleazy tabloid reporter Freddy Lounds, and Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds, Fried Green Tomatoes) as Molly Graham, Will's wife. Famous and highly searched moments include Lecter's cryptic manipulation from his cell, the terrifying home invasion sequence, and Dolarhyde's dragon transformation imagery—especially the chilling use of William Blake's painting The Great Red Dragon and the Woman Clothed in Sun. With psychological tension, disturbing visuals, and a legacy of terror, Red Dragon cements itself as a key chapter in the Hannibal Lecter saga. Follow Andrew Gordon on Socials:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieSource Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/agor711/?hl=en Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Agor711 Follow Roxy Striar YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@TheWhirlGirls Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roxystriar/?hl=en Twitter:  https://twitter.com/roxystriar Intense Suspense by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Support The Channel By Getting Some REEL REJECTS Apparel! https://www.rejectnationshop.com/ Follow Us On Socials:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reelrejects/  Tik-Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@reelrejects?lang=en Twitter: https://x.com/reelrejects Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheReelRejects/ Music Used In Ad:  Hat the Jazz by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Happy Alley by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... POWERED BY @GFUEL Visit https://gfuel.ly/3wD5Ygo and use code REJECTNATION for 20% off select tubs!! Head Editor: https://www.instagram.com/praperhq/?hl=en Co-Editor: Greg Alba Co-Editor: John Humphrey Music In Video: Airport Lounge - Disco Ultralounge by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Ask Us A QUESTION On CAMEO: https://www.cameo.com/thereelrejects Follow TheReelRejects On FACEBOOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM:  FB:  https://www.facebook.com/TheReelRejects/ INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/reelrejects/ TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/thereelrejects Follow GREG ON INSTAGRAM & TWITTER: INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/thegregalba/ TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/thegregalba Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features an interview with Pam Beal, a board member of Radio Tacoma (KTAH 101.9), a grassroots low-power FM station dedicated to democratizing media and amplifying local voices. Pam attended Wilson High School, Concordia Lutheran College, and Reed College. She received her Ph.D. in English (dissertation on William Blake and Enlightenment philosophy) from SUNY Buffalo, which provides a perfect background to run a community radio station. Radio Tacoma is part of the rise of low-power FM (LPFM) community radio stations, focusing on local content that includes progressive politics, labor rights, climate activism, indigenous rights, and the homegrown music and poetry scene. Coming From Left Field has been added to the content broadcast on Radio Tacoma, making this a reciprocal interview that blends media critique, local activism, and radical philosophy, with a common “left field” ethos shared by the podcast and station.   Radio Tacoma (KTAH 101.9): https://radiotacoma.org Also streamed on TuneIn: http://tun.in/sfyVw Radio Tacoma Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RadioTacoma101.9 Find your LPFM station: https://lpfmdatabase.weebly.com/ Good resource for LPFMs: https://recnet.com Greg's Blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com/  Pat's Substack: https://patcummings.substack.com/about   #PamBeal #CommunityRadio #LowPowerFM #LeftistPodcast #MediaJustice #Tacoma #Activism #CommunityRadio #LowPowerFM #IndependentMedia #GrassrootsJournalism #MediaReform #Political & Philosophical #LeftistPodcast #Marxism #Socialist #ProgressiveTalk #AntiCapitalism #ChristianSocialism #LiberationTheology #Tacoma #GritCity #LocalPolitics #ActivistRadio #ClimateJustice #IndigenousRights #PublicBanking #RadioTacoma #SarahAugustine #PoliceReform #NoamChomsky #GregGodels# PatCummings#CFLF#ComingFromLeftFieldPodcast #zzblog #mltoday

In my book, I want to draw out two facets of William Blake, which I think get routinely sidelined now. My conversation with Jane Clark and Nikos Yiangou enabled us to explore these dimensions.One is that Blake was a very sharp thinker. He had a very accurate and clear critique of the ideas that were beginning to bed down in his time and have really shaped our times in the modern Christian West. A second is that he is a religious figure, which gets sidelined in two ways. He lived daily with perceptions of angels and other entities: the divine, the dead. I don't explain that away by pathologising Blake. He is also a clear Christian mystic, a very important voice in Western Christianity since the Reformation - connecting us back to a mystical core, which again is very often sidelined.For more about my book, Awake! William Blake and the Power of the Imagination see - https://www.markvernon.com/books/awake-william-blake-and-the-power-of-the-imaginationFor more about Beshara Magazine see - https://besharamagazine.orgA transcript is online here - https://besharamagazine.org/podcast/mark-vernon-awake-william-blake-and-the-power-of-imagination/0:00 Introductions1:57 Blake as thinker and mystic5:20 The power of the imagination14:40 Blake and science21:12 The interconnection of music and poetry26:04 Innocence and wisdom32:29 Blake's Christianity39:57 Blake the philosopher

James Harpur's new book, "Dazzling Darkness: The Lives and Afterlives of the Christian Mystics", begins with an account of a mystical experience that happened to him - “an implosion of light”, as he describes it. That led to his book, Dazzling Darkness, in pursuit of the path that leads to ultimate reality: God.Mark Vernon's new book, "Awake! William Blake and the Power of the Imagination", is the result of Mark's engagement with his local mystic, William Blake, as well as practices based on encounters and texts including The Cloud of Unknowing.In this conversation they explore the nature of mystical experience, as well as the mystics that speak powerfully to them, from Saint Columba to William Blake, via Marguerite Porete and Teresa of Avila, Ramana Maharshi and Krishnamurti.For more on James's book, Dazzling Darkness - https://www.hurstpublishers.com/book/dazzling-darkness/For more on Mark's book, Awake! - https://www.hurstpublishers.com/book/awake/0:00 Two books on mysticism!01:55 James's mystical experience07:00 Mark's encounter through contemplative practice11:58 The Irish mystics that speak to James18:00 Living the porous life22:49 Mysticism after monasticism29:30 Church life and mystical life32:01 Seeking spiritual directors33:00 The voice of Krishnamurti40:32 The presence amidst the diversity42:30 What happens after the ecstasy?52:00 Sustaining the double vision

✣ Unlock God Mode Course: unlockgodmode.org  Join this 30-day life-changing program today. ✣ Free Neville Goddard PDF: manifestwithneville.com✣ God Mode 2025 Retreat: godmoderetreats.com----------------------In this lecture, Neville Goddard explores the spiritual purification process that every individual undergoes on the path to self-realization and divine awakening. He focuses on the Beatitude:“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)This is not a metaphorical statement—it is a literal spiritual experience. To see God is to become God, for man inevitably becomes what he beholds. However, before this vision is granted, a purification must take place.Neville explains that purification is not something man can achieve on his own. Instead, God initiates and orchestrates the entire process, leading individuals into experiences that will dissolve their illusions, false beliefs, and prejudices. Every obstacle, every hardship, and every struggle in life serves to break down mental walls and unveil the truth.The Process of PurificationThe journey to purity of heart involves the dismantling of deep-seated delusions—the false assumptions that shape one's perception of the world. Neville emphasizes that these beliefs are like buildings that must be torn down. As it is written in Mark 13:2:“Not one stone will be left standing upon another that will not be thrown down.”These "buildings" represent false identities, prejudices, and limitations that keep man from recognizing his divine nature. But as each false belief crumbles, God unveils Himself.Neville references William Blake, who wrote:"What seems to be, is, to those to whom it seems to be, and is productive of the most dreadful consequences to those to whom it seems to be... but Divine Mercy steps beyond and redeems man in the body of Jesus."This means that life reflects back to us our own assumptions and beliefs, making them appear real. Yet, through divine grace, we are redeemed from these false perceptions and awakened to truth.Seeing God and Becoming One with HimThe ultimate purpose of purification is to remove all veils that separate man from his true identity. Neville explains that, at a certain stage of spiritual awakening, God lifts the veil, and man sees Him.This unveiling is not the end but an ever-expanding revelation. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:18:“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into His likeness from one degree of glory to another.”This transformation is gradual and infinite—as man purifies his heart, he beholds God more clearly, and in doing so, he becomes what he sees.How to Apply This UnderstandingNeville urges his audience to recognize that all life experiences serve a higher purpose:Every difficulty is a divine tool for transformation.What seems to be real is only a reflection of one's own assumptions—change the assumption, and reality changes.Dare to assume the highest and noblest concept of yourself, for what seems to be, is—to those to whom it seems to be.Trust that divine mercy is always at work, leading each person toward awakening, no matter how impossible it may seem.Final Revelation: Man's True DestinyNeville concludes by affirming that everyone will ultimately be redeemed and unveiled as God. The process of life, with all its seeming struggles and contradictions, is actually God's plan for man's awakening. The veil will be lifted, and every individual will recognize their divine nature.This is the great mystery—the journey from illusion to truth, from separation to oneness, from man to God. ***Download the free Neville Goddard PDF Guide at manifestwithneville.com - Discover the transformative power of Neville Goddard's wisdom with this FREE 60-page guide on his 12 timeless principles of manifestation and reality creation.★ Follow the podcast for daily lectures from the mystic Neville Goddard ★FREE RESOURCES:• Join the FREE Neville Goddard newsletter• Join the FREE Telegram Channel• Feeling is the Secret • Full Audiobook* * *The James Xander Trip Podcast:• Listen on Spotify• Listen on Apple Podcasts• Listen on YouTubeDIVE DEEPER:• The Unlock God Mode Course• The Infinite Wealth Guided Meditation* * *ABOUT NEVILLE GODDARD:Neville Goddard (1905-1972), was an English writer, speaker and mystic. He grew up in Barbados and moved to the United States of America as a young adult. Neville Goddard was perhaps the last century's most intellectually substantive and charismatic purveyor of the philosophy generally called New Thought. He wrote more than ten books under the solitary pen name Neville, and was a popular speaker on metaphysical themes from the late 1930s until his death in 1972.Possessed of a self-educated and uncommonly sharp intellect, Neville espoused a spiritual vision that was bold and total: Everything you see and experience, including other people, is the result of your own thoughts and emotional states. Each of us dreams into existence an infinitude of realities and outcomes. When you realize this, Neville taught, you will discover yourself to be a slumbering branch of the Creator clothed in human form, and at the helm of limitless possibilities.Neville's thought system influenced a wide range of spiritual thinkers and writers, from bestselling author Dr. Joseph Murphy to Rhonda Byrne and Wayne Dyer.He has inspired and continues to inspire millions of readers around the world.* * *SOCIALS:• Neville Goddard Newsletter• Neville Goddard Telegram• Neville Goddard Instagram• Neville Goddard Threads• Neville Goddard Twitter• Neville Goddard YouTube* * *ABOUT THE COURSEUnlock God Mode is a transformative 30-day course designed to accelerate your journey towards greater weal...

Mark Vernon is a British psychotherapist and writer In this episode we discuss his book Awake! William Blake and the Power of the ImaginationBook link: https://www.hurstpublishers.com/book/awake/Vernon's site: https://www.markvernon.com/---Become part of the Hermitix community:Hermitix Twitter - ⁠⁠ / hermitixpodcast⁠⁠ Hermitix Discord - ⁠⁠ / discord Support Hermitix:Hermitix Subscription - ⁠⁠https://hermitix.net/subscribe/⁠⁠ Patreon - ⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/hermitix⁠⁠ Donations: - ⁠⁠https://www.paypal.me/hermitixpod⁠⁠Hermitix Merchandise - ⁠⁠http://teespring.com/stores/hermitix-2⁠⁠Bitcoin Donation Address: 3LAGEKBXEuE2pgc4oubExGTWtrKPuXDDLKEthereum Donation Address: 0xfd2bbe86d6070004b9Cbf682aB2F25170046A996

Imagine words so sincere, that the author appears as a close friend, speaking directly through time to the deepest part of who we are? This week, Dylan Giles joins Rosalind to share how reading Walt Whitman's “Song of Myself” in a time of personal drift opened a direct experience of connection. Dylan describes nights spent under the Californian moon, feeling Whitman's words as a living presence, breaking him free of rigid traditions.  In this episode I find out from Dylan about Whitman as mystic, and we use him to understand yogic ideas such as shaktipat, ishta, and guru parampara.  We explore how reading Whitman can lead to a shift from cleverness to sincerity in our own writing, the subtle ways we unconsciously believe we are separate from greatness, and the challenge of integrating moments of inspiration into daily life. In this conversation we track the shift from being a FAN of a mystic like Whitman of William Blake, to being a fellow participant in the great mystery called life. With our artists and mystics holding our hands. Subjects Explored Meeting Whitman in a moment of drift and loneliness The freedom of Whitman's meterless, sincere poetry Sensing Whitman's living presence through reading How sincerity cuts through patterned language Moving beyond cleverness to honest writing Recognizing unconscious beliefs of separation Yoga as the way we integrate grace into our lives Key Phrases or Quotes “I was reading this and feeling from the page that Walt Whitman was directly communicating to me, like he was in the room.” “True sincerity really moves me.” “I felt as if his words were so sweet. I felt it in my heart that he was just around me somehow.” “There's erosion of spontaneous human expression. You sort of felt like you'd discovered a fountain of spontaneous human expression in a desert.” “I realized he wasn't different from me. We are made of the same stuff.” Key Takeaways Sincerity Creates Real Connection – Honest words carry a power that reaches others directly. Poetry Reveals Yoga – Words infused with life transmit a sense of presence and unity. Admiration Sparks Recognition – Seeing beauty in Whitman helps us see it in ourselves. Yoga Grows in Integration – Grace opens possibilities, and Yoga helps us live them fully. Spontaneous Words Are Alive – Breaking from scripts nourishes life and brings clarity. We Share the Creative Force – The same life that moved Whitman moves through each of us. Suggested Reading Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman – Explore the groundbreaking free verse poems that celebrate the body, nature, death, and the joy of existence. The Marriage of Heaven and Hell by William Blake – A visionary work challenging traditional views of good and evil, exploring the unity of opposites, and the energy of life. Timestamps 00:02:00 Intimate Yoga revealed in Whitman's poetry during Dylan's personal drift 00:04:00 Whitman's presence felt through words alive and immediate across time 00:06:00 Scripted language blocking authentic, heartfelt human communication 00:08:00 Shaktipat-like realization ignited by powerful, sincere words 00:09:00 Shared creative power with Whitman dissolves illusions of separation 00:20:00 Radical embrace of body, sexuality, death, and life celebrated by Whitman 00:29:00 “What is the grass?” reflects on life, death, and universal connection 00:32:00 Eternal life recognized within finite human experience through Yoga 00:36:00 Bold authenticity inspired by Whitman's lines urging courage beyond comfort 00:46:00 Body-soul unity illuminated in Blake's vision of eternal creative energy You are the beauty. You are the intelligence. You are already in perfect harmony with life. You don't need to seek it. You need only participate in it. Learn more and access the course at https://www.heartofyoga.com. Support the Heart of Yoga Foundation. This podcast is sustained by your donations.  

Episode Summary:Growing up evangelical required a preoccupation with external behaviors and moral performance, or what I now understand as sin management. My spiritual life was fear based. Behaviors like sexuality, masturbation, swearing, or drinking were litmus tests of spiritual maturity. The more you controlled, hid, or projected your external behaviors onto others, the closer you were to God. Behavior modification, external conformity, and the avoidance of sin was my ticket out of Hell. In evangelicalism, I was a problem to be fixed, not a person to be loved. What an anemic and harmful understanding of spirituality.Leaving white evangelicalism meant finding deeper streams of spiritual wisdom. Instead of this hyper-fixation on what I was doing, inner Christianity helped me recognize God's eternal presence at the core of my being, no matter what I was doing. God isn't some external deity I need to placate, God is the lover of my soul. As I spiritually mature, I'm coming to realize the importance of cultivating my inner life instead of worrying about external behaviors. Or as Rainer Maria Rilke wrote, “The only journey is the one within."External Christianity is about salvation in the afterlife. Inner Christianity is about personal transformation in this life. Contemplative or inner spirituality doesn't ignore sin—it just approaches it differently. Instead of managing sin, it invites us to be still, to listen, and to let God transform us at the root. “Christ did not preach a mere ethical or social gospel but an uncompromisingly spiritual one. He declared that God can be seen, that Divine perfection can be achieved,” writes Swami Prabhavananda in his seminal work The Sermon on the Mount According to Vedanta. Where does this leave us? How do we cultivate our interior life instead of focusing so much on externals? How do we focus on roots instead of fruits? I rarely quote Augustine, but he's on point about this. "Do not look outside; return to yourself. In our interior the truth resides.” I'll give that an amen. In this final episode in season five, I'm honored to be joined by psychotherapist, philosopher, and mystic Dr. Mark Vernon. Mark is a writer, psychotherapist and former Anglican priest. He contributes to programs on BBC radio, writes and reviews for newspapers and magazines, gives talks and frequently podcasts. His books cover themes including friendship and God, William Blake and Dante, ancient Greek philosophy and wellbeing. He has a PhD in ancient Greek philosophy, and other degrees in physics and in theology. Dr. Vernon's writings and teachings are deeply rooted in the inner life, exploring how we can cultivate spiritual depth and meaning in the modern world. You can connect with Dr. Vernon here!Thanks for listening!Please Follow us on social media (use the buttons below) and help us get the word out! (Also, please don't hesitate to use any of these channels or email to contact us with any questions, concerns, or feedback.)If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review, or share on your socials

Frases de gigantes | Albert Einstein, Rumi, Alfred Korzybski, William Blake, Doris Lessing Sección del programa número 12 de La pregunta infinita.

Philip Hoare on William Blake, revolution, and swimming in the dark.

Iain McGilchrist calls William Blake “the least cosy of poets and one of the most insightful that ever lived.” Blake is cited more often than most figures in Iain's great book, "The Matter With Things".So what did Blake express that might much matter now? How did he understand key features of our humanity such as the imagination and inspiration, as well as the character of our day?In this conversation, prompted by the publication of "Awake!", Iain and Mark often land on wonderful quotes of Blake to unpack them. ”To the eyes of the man of imagination, nature is imagination itself.” “As a man is, so he sees.” "If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is: infinite."They explore Blakean imagery such as the spiral shape of Jacob's Ladder. Contemporary concerns are central too, from architecture to AI. Above all, they celebrate Blake as a figure who can guide our desires, aid us with the contraries of modern life, and sustain our faith that life is good, for all the ills that surround us.For more on Iain's work - https://channelmcgilchrist.comFor more on Mark's work - https://www.markvernon.comMark's new book on William Blake is “Awake! William Blake and the Power of the Imagination” - https://www.markvernon.com/books/awake-william-blake-and-the-power-of-the-imagination0:00 No-one has imagination!05:27 The narrowing of imagination08:36 Fantasy and uncoupling11:55 The misenchantment of the world13:08 Place, space and architecture16:26 Spiritually aware consumerism19:43 The glowing presence of infinity21:13 Cleansing the doors of perception24:38 Speaking from the outside in26:38 The failure of empathy and need for the sacred31:24 Primary connection not separation33:10 Blake's orthodoxy34:37 Jacob's Ladder as a spiral38:12 The good can hold the bad39:55 Data, memory and AI42:33 Memory that inspires45:44 The enlivening of ritual48:10 Blake on divine science53:37 The character of things and insights57:17 Distinctions without difference59:28 Illuminating Blake and Dante

Today's poem, introducing the counterpart to “Songs of Innocence,” is a dialogue that immediately deepens the mood of the more “mature” lyrics that will follow. Happy reading. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dailypoempod.substack.com/subscribe

What if our anger is sacred? What if the rage we feel in our bodies, in our culture, in our Earth, is not something to suppress, but something to honor? This week, Mariana Garcia Flores and I sit again in the Garden of the Moon to invoke the presence of Kali, the fierce face of the Divine Feminine, and the part of us that says no more. We speak into the places where softness meets strength, where grief becomes action, where Yoga becomes the healing of the rift between Shakti and Shiva, within us and in the world. This conversation is not sanitized. It's raw, truthful, necessary. Kali is not here to be palatable. She's here to wake us up. To rewild us. To make our practice real. Subjects Explored The mythology of Kali and the archetype of feminine rage Dissociation and the violence of spiritual bypass Why embodiment is activism The pain of controlling Shakti and separating from Shiva What Yoga teaches us about sacred integration How feminine anger becomes a healing force Key Phrases or Quotes “Shakti is angry. And it is appropriate.” “Kali is here to destroy what needs to be destroyed.” “You don't separate Shiva from Shakti. You gather her.” “Your practice is making love with life.” “She's not killing people. She's killing the delusion.” “It is destroying what is not real.” Key Takeaways Sacred Anger is Real – Feminine rage is not dysfunction. It is sacred correction. Dissociation is the True Demon – When the mind leaves the body, suffering begins. Yoga is the Union of Opposites – Strength and softness, Shiva and Shakti, must be lived together. Receptivity is Power – To receive Shakti is the strength of true masculinity and humanity. Embodied Intimacy is Activism – When we inhabit our wholeness, we reclaim the world. The Feminine Will Not Be Silenced – This is not about gender. It's about life force refusing erasure. Resources Mentioned Tantric Visions of the Divine Feminine by David Kinsley Timestamps [00:00:00] Opening with Kali and the missing piece of feminine rage [00:02:00] The illusion of gendered energy and cultural separation [00:04:00] Trees, nature, and the union of opposites [00:05:00] Reading the terrifying and sacred imagery of Kali [00:07:00] Kali's rage as sacred destruction and healing [00:09:00] Severed heads and the metaphor of cutting dissociation [00:10:40] Yoga as receptivity and the return of mind to body [00:11:50] Gathering Shakti: what real husbanding means [00:12:40] Modern relationships, transactional needs, and intimacy [00:14:00] Feminine rebellion and Kali as a global force [00:16:00] Suppressed anger and the cost of not saying no [00:18:00] Strength, softness, and the spine of Yoga practice [00:20:00] Shiva's surrender and the softening of Kali [00:22:00] William Blake and the marriage of heaven and hell [00:24:00] The sacredness of desire and the distortion of repression [00:27:00] Violence, anger, and sexuality in religious conditioning [00:29:00] Receiving desire vs. grasping in relationship [00:30:00] A meditation on Kali's wrath and the transformation of rage [00:32:00] The world's denial of the feminine and embodied revolt [00:34:00] Kali's names, her sacred sexuality, and final reflections   You are the beauty. You are the intelligence. You are already in perfect harmony with life. You don't need to seek it. You need only participate in it. Learn more and access the course at https://www.heartofyoga.com. Support the Heart of Yoga Foundation. This podcast is sustained by your donations.  

A conversation from History with Chris Harding.In Mark Vernon's new book "Awake!", he argues that we're missing something from our view of the great visionary artist William Blake.It's that word - ‘visionary.'Mark argues that Blake's extraordinary art reveals an expanded experience of the world that Blake lived with every day: angels, fairies, realms beyond our own. Blake wasn't, in other words, making it all up…Mark says that we shouldn't be afraid of the ‘supernatural Blake.' We should embrace him - and even aspire to live a little as he did.00:00 Introduction to William Blake02:45 Blake's Life and Context04:32 Blake and India08:45 The Nature of Perception13:06 Childhood Experiences and Spirituality19:50 Blake's Relationship with Institutional Christianity24:43 The Role of Forgiveness in Jesus' Teachings26:05 Blake's Vision of the Human Form Divine28:00 The Sacrificial Nature of Spiritual Awakening29:28 Blake as a Social Critic 31:30 Blake and Science35:21 The Dangers of Abstraction 36:19 Blake and consumerism43:06 What does Blake offer us now?

A taste of Blake's genius and what he might mean for us. Celebrating the release of "Awake! William Blake and the Power of the Imagination" by Mark Vernon.The full countdown:10. I'll sing to you to this soft lute, and shew you all aliveThe world, where every particle of dust breathes forth its joy.9. I give you the end of a golden string; Only wind it into a ball, It will lead you in at Heaven's gate, Built in Jerusalem's wall.8. Monos ho Jesus7. The ruins of Time build mansions in Eternity. 6. If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, Infinite. For man has closed himself up, till he sees all things thro' narrow chinks of his cavern.5. To see a world in a grain of sandAnd a heaven in a wild flower,Hold infinity in the palm of your handAnd eternity in an hour.4. How do you know but every bird that cuts the airy way, Is an immense world of delight, clos'd by your senses five?3. It is right it should be so Man was made for Joy & Woe And when this we rightly know Thro the World we safely go Joy & Woe are woven fine A Clothing for the soul divine Under every grief & pineRuns a joy with silken twine2. He who binds to himself a joyDoes the winged life destroy;But he who kisses the joy as it fliesLives in eternity's sun rise. 1. There is a Moment in each Day that Satan cannot find,Nor can his Watch Fiends find it, but the Industrious findThis Moment & it multiply, & when it once is found.

Recorded in St James's Piccadilly, the church in which William Blake was baptised, with his life mask also present.Thoughts on Blake's great call to us today from the launch of my new book, “Awake! William Blake and the Power of the Imagination”.

What if everything you were taught to fear is actually sacred? In this intimate, resonant conversation, I sit down with Mariana, a dear friend and fellow teacher whose life story continues to unfold in powerful ways. Raised in a strict Catholic school environment in Mexico, Mariana shares how years of religious repression shaped her understanding of sexuality, embodiment, and spirituality and how the practices of Yoga, meditation, and humanistic psychotherapy helped her unravel those beliefs and come home to her own sacred aliveness. This episode is not a theoretical conversation. It is an embodied testimony to the power of Yoga as life itself as Shakti, as descent, as the energy that we are. Together, we question the cultural scripts that pit spirit against flesh, and remember what it means to live in a world where the seen is the source. Subjects Explored Growing up Catholic and the repression of the body Unlearning religious shame through embodied practice How Yoga reunites what doctrine divides The holiness of desire and the wisdom of William Blake Why the feminine can never be denied, only exiled Shakti as the undismissable truth of nature Key Quotes "Shakti is what we are. There's no denying Shakti." "It was as if I had finally placed the needle on the right record, and the music began to play in rhythm with my own heart." "The body is not a shell to the soul. It is the soul." "Religion told me that the closer I was to God, the further I should be from the body. Yoga showed me they were never separate." "The repression of nature is not safety. It's suffering." Key Takeaways Embodied Awakening – True spiritual life begins when we reclaim the body as sacred. Shakti Cannot Be Denied – The feminine principle is life itself—wild, wise, and ever-present. Beyond Duality – Spirit and matter are not in opposition. Yoga reveals their unity. From Shame to Sovereignty – Dismantling internalized doctrine opens the door to freedom. The Holiness of Desire – As William Blake taught, energy is delight. To feel is divine. Intimacy is the Practice – Yoga is not an escape from reality but a deep participation in it. Resources Mentioned Mariana's offerings: https://www.aliveaslife.com IG @aliveaslife Timestamps [00:00:00] Opening and Mariana's Catholic upbringing [00:04:05] Leaving Mexico and the search for freedom [00:08:17] Early messages about sexuality and sin [00:12:00] Confession culture and fear of the body [00:15:48] Yoga, psychotherapy, and reclaiming desire [00:19:55] William Blake and the holiness of energy [00:23:40] From shame to sovereignty [00:27:12] The myth of ascension and the truth of descent [00:31:06] Shakti as nature, not a concept [00:35:30] The body is the soul [00:39:45] Mariana's current offerings and final reflections You are the beauty. You are the intelligence. You are already in perfect harmony with life. You don't need to seek it. You need only participate in it. Learn more and access the course at https://www.heartofyoga.com. Support the Heart of Yoga Foundation. This podcast is sustained by your donations.  

Acknowledging that there are complementary modes of perception has become commonplace. But left-hemisphere analysis can diagnose the problem without offering much sense of how better to incorporate the right.Which is where William Blake comes in. He describes the narrowing of perception from the perspective of the wider involvement. The result is a guide to participation that is simultaneously a path of transformation.He speaks of the sometimes useful but confined view called Ulro, which might give way to Generation – a second mode of perception – and then Beulah and, finally, Eternity. In this talk, I consider how each is known and how the one might lead to the other.For more on my book, Awake! William Blake and the Power of the Imagination, see - https://www.markvernon.com/books/awake-william-blake-and-the-power-of-the-imagination

Are you Team Aristotle or Team Plato?Topics in this episode include Charybdis, schoolboys and schoolmen, whether or not Plato was shallow, artists being rejected by Plato's Republic, platonism v. neoplatonism, Aristotle's view of art, Stephen's dagger definitions, the Plato and Antisthenes' thoughts on horses, horse v. horseness, Plato's Forms, the ineluctable modality of the visible, Joyce's thoughts on William Blake, and how to solve an impossible binary.Support us on Patreon to access episodes early, bonus content, and a video version of our podcast.On the Blog:Decoding Dedalus: Horseness is the whatness of allhorse. Blooms & Barnacles Social Media:Facebook | Twitter | InstagramSubscribe to Blooms & Barnacles:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

Were the all-embracing visions of William Blake shaped by Indian philosophy?

A live conversation with Mark Vernon, Katy Carr and Dexter Bentley from the Hello Goodbye Show.Who was William Blake? What might his music have sounded like? What did he say about the imagination? Why might he understand our predicament today?Mark Vernon and Katy Carr joined Dexter Bentley on Resonance FM to talk William Blake on Saturday 31st May 2025. Katy played six songs - her settings of the Introductions from the Songs of Innocence and also from the Songs of Experience, as well as The Lamb and TheTyger, and finally London and The Blossom.For more on Mark see - https://www.markvernon.com/For more on Katy see - https://katycarr.com/For more on the Hello Goodbye Show see https://hellogoodbyeshow.com/For more on the Idler -  https://www.idler.co.uk/Mark's book is Awake! William Blake and the Power of the Imagination (out June 2025 in the UK, September 2025 in the US).

Today's poem is about (not) getting the last word. Happy reading.Walter de la Mare, born on April 25, 1873 in London, is considered one of modern literature's chief exemplars of the romantic imagination. His complete works form a sustained treatment of romantic themes: dreams, death, rare states of mind and emotion, fantasy worlds of childhood, and the pursuit of the transcendent.As a youth he attended St. Paul's Cathedral School, and his formal education did not extend beyond this point. Upon graduation he went to work for the Anglo-American (Standard) Oil Company, remaining with the firm for 18 years. De la Mare began writing short stories and poetry while working as a bookkeeper in the company's London office during the 1890s. His first published short story, “Kismet,” appeared in the journal Sketch in 1895. In 1902 he published his first major work, the poetry collection Songs of Childhood, which was recognized as a significant example of children's literature for its creative imagery and variety of meters. Critics often assert that a childlike richness of imagination influenced everything de la Mare wrote, emphasizing his frequent depiction of childhood as a time of intuition, deep emotion, and closeness to spiritual truth. In 1908, following the publication of his novel Henry Brocken and the poetry collection titled Poems, de la Mare was granted a Civil List pension, enabling him to terminate his corporate employment and focus exclusively on writing.….As a poet de la Mare is often compared with Thomas Hardy and William Blake for their respective themes of mortality and visionary illumination. His greatest concern was the creation of a dreamlike tone implying a tangible but nonspecific transcendent reality. This characteristic of the poems has drawn many admirers, though also eliciting criticism that the poet indulged in an undefined sense of mystery without systematic acceptance of any specific doctrine. Some commentators also criticize the poetry for having an archness of tone more suitable for children's verse, while others value this playful quality. It is generally agreed, however, that de la Mare was a skillful manipulator of poetic structure, a skill that is particularly evident in the earlier collections.….For his extravagance of invention de la Mare is sometimes labeled an escapist who retreats from accepted definitions of reality and the relationships of conventional existence. His approach to reality, however, is not escapist; rather, it profoundly explores the world he considered most significant—that of the imagination. In the London Mercury J.B. Priestley favorably concluded in 1924 that de la Mare is “one of that most lovable order of artists who never lose sight of their childhood, but re-live it continually in their work and contrive to find expression for their maturity in it, memories and impressions, its romantic vision of the world.”-bio via Poetry Foundation This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dailypoempod.substack.com/subscribe