Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays! We end our Christmas special this year by reading the fourth and last sermon by the catholic mystic Meister Eckhart.

The translation used here is by Maurice O'C Walshe in the volume "The Complete Mysical Works of Meister Eckhart", which is highly recomended.

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The Council of Nicea is probably one of the most misrepresented events in early Christianity, with a lot of misinformation being spread around on social media. The same goes for Arius, the Arians and what they actually believed. In this video, we tackle these topics and try to give a more proper overview of the complexities of early Christian theology.

Sources/Recomended Reading:

Brakke, David (2012). "Gnostics: Myth, Ritual, and Diversity in Early Christianity". Harvard University Press.

King, Karen (2003). "What is Gnosticism?". Harvard University Press.

Williams, Rowan (2002). "Arius: Heresy & Tradition". Eerdmans.

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In this episode, we explore the fascinating spiritual and philosophical teachings of the non-canonical Gospel of Philip. Often termed a "gnostic" text, this incredible ancient document contains some truly interesting ideas, and a very controversial and famous account of Jesus and Mary Magdalene.

Sources/Recomended Reading:

Brakke, David (2012). "Gnostics: Myth, Ritual, and Diversity in Early Christianity". Harvard University Press.

King, Karen (2003). "What is Gnosticism?". Harvard University Press.

Meyer, Marvin (ed.) (2009). "The Nag Hammadi Scriptures: The Revised and Updated Translation of Sacred Gnostic Texts". HarperOne; International, Reprint, Revised, Updated edition. Smith, Geoffrey S. (2020). "Valentinian Christianity – Texts and Translations". University of California Press.

Van den Broek, Roelof (2013). "Gnostic Religion in Antiquity". Cambridge University Press.

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• Gendle, Nicholas (translated by) (1982). "Gregory Palamas: The Triads". In the "Classics of Western Spirituality Series". Paulist Press.
• Greer, Rowan A. (1979). "Origen: Selected Writings". Classics of Western Spirituality. Paulist Press.
• Hart, Columba (translated by) (1980). "Hadewijch: Complete Works". Classics of Western Spirituality Series. Paulist Press.
• Laird, Martin (2004). "Gregory of Nyssa and the grasp of faith: union, knowledge and divine presence". Oxford University Press.
• Lossky, Vladimir (1944). "The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church". James Clarke & Co.
• Luibheid, Colm (Translated by) (1987). "Pseudo-Dionysius: The Complete Works". Classics of Western Spirituality. Paulist Press International.
• McGinn, Bernard. "The Presence of God" Series, in several volumes. Perhaps the best and most comprehensive introduction to Christian mysticism. Published by Crossroad Publishing Co. McGinn, Bernard (2001). "The Mystical Thought of Meister Eckhart: The Man From Whom God Hid Nothing". Crossroad Publishing Co.
• "Meister Eckhart: The Essential Sermons, Commentaries, Treatises and Defense". Classics of Western Spirituality. Paulist Press.
• "Meister Eckhart: Teacher and Preacher". Classics of Western Spirituality Series. Paulist Press.
• Tobin, Frank (translated by) (1997). "Mechthild of Magdeburg: The Flowing Light of the Godhead". Classics of Western Spirituality. Paulist Press.
• Walshe, Maurice O.C. (translated by) (2010). "The Complete Mystical Works of Meister Eckhart". Crossroad Publishing Company.
• Ware, Timothy (2015). "The Orthodox Church: An introduction to Eastern Christianity". New Edition. Penguin Books.

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Finally, we're talking about the incredibly significant Persian sufi poet Jalal al-din Rumi. This video provides an in-depth analysis of Rumi's life, poetic themes, literary contributions, and their significance in the context of Sufism and Persian literature.

Thank you to Safa Mirror for the beautiful reading of the Song of the Reed! Link to channel: https://www.youtube.com/@safamirror

Sources/Recomended Reading:

• Chittick, William (1983). "The Sufi Path of Love: The Spiritual Teachings of Rumi". SUNY Press.
• Feldman, Walter (2022). "From Rumi to the Whirling Dervishes: Music, Poetry, and Mysticism in the Ottoman Empire". Edinburgh University Press.
• Gamard, Ibrahim & Rawan Farhadi (translated by) (2008). "The Quatrains of Rumi". Sufi Dari Books.
• Karamustafa, Ahmet T. (2006). God's Unruly Friends: Dervish Groups in the Islamic Middle Period 1200-1550. Oneworld Publications.
• Karamustafa, Ahmet T. (2007). "Sufism - the formative period". Edinburgh University Press.
• Knysh, Alexander (2000). "Islamic Mysticism: A Short History". Brill.
• Lewis, Franklin D. (2000). "Rumi: Past and Present, East and West". Oneworld publications.
• Thackston, W.M. (translated by) (1999). "Signs of the Unseen: The Discourses of Jalaluddin Rumi". Shambala.
• Williams, Alan (translated by) (2020). "The Masnavi of Rumi: A New English Translation with Explanatory Notes". Book 1 & 2. I.B. Tauris.
• Also check out the work of Sharghzade/Persian Poetics: https://twitter.com/persianpoetics

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Embark on an intellectual journey into the realm of Sufism. Explore the intricate history, philosophical underpinnings, and mystical practices that have shaped this fascinating tradition. Join me as we delve into the topic of Sufi mysticism, shedding light on its profound impact on Islam & its history.

Sources/Recomended Reading:

• Abu-n Nasr, Jamil M. (2007). "Muslim Communities of Grace: The Sufi Brotherhoods in Islamic Religious Life". C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd.
• "Al-Qushayri's Epistle on Sufism - Al-Risala Al Qushayriyya Fi 'ilm Al-Tasawwuf". Translated by Alexander Knysh. 2020. The Center for Muslim Contribution to Civilization.
• Avery, Kenneth S. (2004). "A Psychology of Early Sufi Sama: Listening and altered states". Routledge.
• Casewit, Yousef (2017). "The Mystics of al-Andalus: Ibn Barrajan and Islamic Thought in the Twelfth Century". Cambridge University Press.
• Chittick, William (1989). "The Sufi Path of Knowledge: Ibn 'Arabi's Metaphysics of Imagination".
• Chittick, William (1998). "The Self-Disclosure of God: Principles of Ibn al-'Arabi's Cosmology". State University of New York Press.
• Cornell, Vincent J. (1998). "Realm of the Saint: Power and Authority in Moroccan Sufism". University of Texas Press.
• Caner Dagli (translated by) (2004). Ibn 'Arabi - "The Ringstones of Wisdom (Fusus al-Hikam)". Great Books of the Islamic World. Kazi Pubns Inc.
• Ernst, Carl W. & Bruce B. Lawrence (2003). "Sufi Martyrs of Love: The Chishti Order in South Asia and beyond". Palgrave Macmillan.
• Homerin, Emil (Translated by) (2001). "'Umar Ibn al-Farid: Sufi Verse, Saintly Life". Classics of Western Spirituality. Paulist Press.
• Homerin, Emil (2019). "Aisha al-Ba'uniyya: A Life in Praise of Love". Makers of the Muslim World Series. Oneworld Publications.
• Karamustafa, Ahmet T. (2006). God's Unruly Friends: Dervish Groups in the Islamic Middle Period 1200-1550. Oneworld Publications.
• Karamustafa, Ahmet T. (2007). "Sufism - the formative period". Edinburgh University Press.
• Knysh, Alexander (2000). "Islamic Mysticism: A Short History". Brill.
• Knysh, Alexander (2019). "Sufism: A New History of Islamic Mysticism". Princeton University Press.
• Lewis, Franklin D. (2000). "Rumi: Past and Present, East and West". Oneworld publications.
• Malik, Jamal & John Hinnells (ed.) (2006). "Sufism in the West". Routledge.
• Ridgeon, Lloyd (ed.) (2015). "The Cambridge Companion to Sufism". Cambridge University Press.
• Schimmel, Annemarie (1975). "Mystical Dimensions of Islam". The University of North Carolina Press.
• Van Bruinessen, Martin & Julia Day Howell (ed). (2007). "Sufism and the Modern in Islam". I.B. Tauris.

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Embark on an intellectual odyssey as we delve into the depths of Stoicism, the profound philosophy that has captivated minds for centuries. In this video, we unravel the intricate principles of Stoicism and examine its relevance in history and today. Expand your understanding of Stoicism's enduring impact on the history of philosphy, religion and esotericism.

Sources/Suggested Reading:

• Brennan, Tad (2007). "The Stoic Life: Emotions, Duties and Fate". Oxford University Press.
• Campbell, Robin (Translated by) (2004). "Letters from a Stoic: Epistulae Morales Ad Lucilium (Seneca)". Penguin Classics.
• Dobbin, Robert (Translated by) (2008). "Discourses and Selected Writings: Epictetus". Penguin Classics.
• Gould, Josiah B. (1970). "The Philosophy of Chrysippus". SUNY Press.
• Hammond, Martin (Translated by) (2006). "Meditations: Marcus Aurelius". Penguin Classics.
• Inwood, Brad (ed.) (2003). "The Cambridge Companion to the Stoics". Cambridge University Press.

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Delve into the philosophical and theological parallels that shaped the development of early Christian thought. From the influence of Plotinus and his concepts of the One and the emanation of divine beings, to the fusion of Platonic ideas with Christian theology, this video uncovers the intellectual interplay that helped shape the foundations of Western spirituality. Explore how Neoplatonic concepts, such as the nature of the soul, the hierarchy of being, and the pursuit of the divine, found resonance within Christian doctrines.

Sources/Suggested Reading:

• Gerson, Loyd P. (ed.) (2019). "Plotinus: The Enneads". Cambridge University Press.
• Gerson, Loyd P (2008). "Cambridge Companion to Plotinus". Cambridge University Press.
• Greer, Rowan A. (1979). "Origen: Selected Writings". Classics of Western Spirituality. Paulist Press.
• Laird, Martin (2004). "Gregory of Nyssa and the grasp of faith: union, knowledge and divine presence". Oxford University Press.
• Lossky, Vladimir (1944). "The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church". James Clarke & Co.
• Luibheid, Colm (Translated by) (1987). "Pseudo-Dionysius: The Complete Works". Classics of Western Spirituality. Paulist Press International.
• McGinn, Bernard (2003). "The Mystical Thought of Meister Eckhart: The Man from Whom God Hid Nothing". Independent Publishers Group.
• O'Meara, Dominic J. (1981). "Neoplatonism and Christian Thought". State University of New York Press.
• Pine-Coffin, R.S. (Translated by) (2003). "Confessions". Penguin Classics.
• Proclus "The Elements of Theology: A Revised Text with Translation, Introduction, and Commentary". Translated by E.R. Dodds. Second Edition. Oxford University Press.
• O'Meara, Dominic J. (1999). "Plotinus: An Introduction to the Enneads". Oxford University Press.
• Wallis, R.T. (1998). "Neoplatonism". Second Edition. Bristol Classical Paperbacks. Hackett Publishing Company.
• Ware, Timothy (2015). "The Orthodox Church: An introduction to Eastern Christianity". New Edition. Penguin Books.

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