Continuing our lengthy exploration of John Lennon’s religious, spiritual and philosophical journey by use of Steve Turner’s excellent book ‘The Gospel According To The Beatles’, Part 3 covers some fascinating chapters spanning the years 1964 to 1968 in the book’s rough chronology.

John starts to consider the limitations of fame, is influenced by Bob Dylan and starts to finally put some of the spirit of his books into his song lyrics. The lads are ‘turned on’ by Dylan and take a somewhat logical trajectory through pot, LSD and meditation, always looking for some kind of answer and meaning.

The concept of ‘love’ is changing in society at this time, and it seems that more and more people are trying to find God on their travels, usually without entering a church. The figure of Jesus Christ continues to linger in John’s life in this period, culminating in one of his most offbeat revelations in May 1968 after returning from their meditation sojourn in India.

Tune in for Part 4 next month

Enjoy!

 

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Antony's 'Life And Life Only' podcast (on Psychology and Alternative media)

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Jon Stewart’s book ‘Dylan, Lennon, Marx & God’

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59593530-dylan-lennon-marx-and-god

 

Steve Turner’s ‘A Hard Day’s Write’ book

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35666.A_Hard_Day_s_Write

 

episode links

John and George discuss meditation on the David Frost Show in 1967 (parts 1 & 2)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpYg2H34piw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXfkdLZLqXg

 

All You Need Is Love in colour! (June 1967)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16IQt0bEqZI

 

Joe Goodden’s superb look at the Beatles and drugs (reviewed in episodes 49 & 50 of this podcast)

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36379732-riding-so-high

 

What is LSD?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LSD

 

Albert Hoffman gets on his bike (LSD discovery)

https://www.bicycling.com/culture/a39763696/bicycle-day-albert-hofmann-lsd-psychedelic/

 

Paul McCartney spliffing very recently

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtklrYCzugo

 

Revolver: Death and Rebirth

https://medium.com/the-riff/the-beatles-revolver-a-spiritual-journey-of-death-and-rebirth-e73113b07242

 

Religion in the Beatles’ songs

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/beatles-songs-religion_n_4760561

 

The religious views of The Beatles

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_views_of_the_Beatles

 

‘The Art & Music of John Lennon’ by Peter Doggett

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/798473.The_Art_And_Music_Of_John_Lennon

 

Excellent audiobook about the Rolling Stones’ Altamont disaster

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_76909yHfc