In this interview I am joined by Dr Thomas Clough Daffern, poet, historian, philosopher, educator, and peace officer for the Council of British Druid Orders.

Thomas recounts an unusual upbringing, a love affair with classics and poetry, and dropping out of school at 15 to pursue philosophical enquiry. We learn of Thomas’ immersion in study of the world’s religious and mystical traditions, and his early tantric and druidic initiations.

Thomas discusses the Ancient Greek mystery schools, the cultural consequences of their closure, and what it would take to revive them in the world today.

Thomas reflects his time as a celibate, why every student of the mysteries should have a brahmacharya phase, and why a sense of duty and civic responsibility eventually saw him marry and start a family.

Thomas also talks about reconciling the schools of Islam, compares Eastern and Western enlightenments, and reveals the inspiration behind his relentless intellectual curiosity.

…

Video version at https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep132-student-of-the-mysteries-dr-thomas-clough-daffern

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

…

Topics Include:

00:00 - Intro

01:07 - Dr Daffern’s family and educational background

03:51 - Discovering classics and poetry

05:50 - Dropping out of school at 15, discovering philosophy, and first love

09:34 - LSD, first druid initiation, and intensive self-study of world religions

15:08 - Psychedelic experiences as a mystery tradition

18:17 - About the Ancient Greek mystery schools

21:51 - Eastern and Western enlightenments

23:33 - What are the essential ingredients of a mystery school?

26:24 - Music and the mysteries

29:53 - Kabbalah and verbal fluency

30:56 - The importance of a brahmacharya phase

33:02 - Thomas’ philosophical enlightenment

35:10 - The consequences of the closing of the Greek mystery schools

39:21 - The Delphic games

40:50 - The influence of Thomas’ mother

51:16 - Baháʼí and interfaith activities

54:42 - Reconciling the schools of Islam

57:24 - Relentless intellectual curiosity

01:01:53 - Writing a sequel to Newton’s ‘Principia Mathematica’

01:06:39 - The secrets of Thomas’ prodigious work ethic

01:09:50 - Enlightenments, the book of Enoch, and Comparative Diabology

…

To find our more about Dr Daffern, visit:

- http://www.educationaid.net/

…

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James