Let's Talk Religion

In this video we explore the life, death and legacy of the 5th century Alexandrian philosopher Hypatia, the very dramatic events that led to her brutal murder and what this can tell us (or not) about the transition from antiquity to the middle ages.

Check out my linktree for socials, music & more: https://linktr.ee/filipholm

Support Let's Talk Religion on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/letstalkreligion

Or through a one-time donation:

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/letstalkreligion

Sources/Recomended Reading:

Athanassiadi, Polymnia (ed.) (1999). "Damascius: The Philosophical History: text with translation and notes". Apamea Cultural Association.

Gerson, Loyd P (2008). "Cambridge Companion to Plotinus". Cambridge University Press.

Gregory, John (ed.) (1998). "The Neoplatonists: a reader". Routledge.

Shaw, Gregory (2014). "Theurgy and the Soul: The Neoplatonism of Iamblichus". Angelico Press/Sophia Perennis.

Wallis, R.T. (1998). "Neoplatonism". Second Edition. Bristol Classical Paperbacks. Hackett Publishing Company.

Watts, Edward J. (2018). "Hypatia: The Life and Legend of an Ancient Philosopher". Academic.

Socrates Scholasticus: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/26017.htm

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we explore the fascinating character of Fazlallah Astarabadi and his Hurufi (Lettrist) movement, as we dive into the world of Occultism and Esotericism in medieval Iran.

Sources/Recomended Reading:

Bashir, Shahzad (2005). "Fazlallah Astarabadi and the Hurufis". Oneworld Publications.

Burrill, Kathleen R. F. (1972). "The Quatrains of Nesimî Fourteenth-Century Turkic Hurufi". De Gruyter.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dive into the timeless wisdom of Ibn Sina, also known as Avicenna, and his philosophy. Explore the profound teachings and contributions of this influential Islamic philosopher, physician, and polymath. From his groundbreaking philosophical works to his advancements in medicine and even a famous "proof" for the existence of God. In this episode, we explore the historical context and legacy of one of history's greatest minds.

Sources/Recomended Reading:

Adamson, Peter (ed.) (2011). "The Cambridge Companion to Arabic Philosophy". Cambridge University Press.

Gohlman, William E. (translated by) (1974). "The Life of Ibn Sina: A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation". State University of New York Press.

Inati, Shams (translated by) (1984). "Remarks and Admonitions: Part One - Logic". Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies.

Inati, Shams (1996). "Ibn Sina & Mysticism: Remarks and Admonitions (Part 4 - Sufism)". Routledge.

Inati, Shams (translated by) (2014). "Ibn Sina's Remarks and Admonitions: Physics and Metaphysics: An Analysis and Annotated Translation". Columbia University Press.

Marmura, Michael E. (translated by) (2005). "Avicenna: The Metaphysics of The Healing". University of Chicago Press.

McGinnis, Jon (translated by) (2010). "Avicenna: The Physics of The Healing – A Parallel English–Arabic Text". University of Chicago Press.

Morewedge, Parviz (1992). "Neoplatonism and Islamic Thought". State University of New York Press.

Suhrawardi (1187). "The Philosophy of Illumination". Translated by John Walbridge & Hossein Ziai. Islamic Translation Series. University of Chicago Press.

Winter, Tim (ed.) (2008). "The Cambridge Companion to Islamic Theology". Cambridge University Press.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of Dune and the religious themes that we can find in the books and movies.

Sources/Recomended Reading:

Amir-Moezzi, Mohammad Ali (1994). "The Divine Guide in Early Shi'ism: The Sources of Esotericism in Islam". Translated by David Streight. State University of New York Press.

Amir-Moezzi, Mohammad Ali (2011). "The Spirituality of Shi'i Islam: Beliefs and Practices". I.B. Tauris.

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.

Corbin, Henry (1998). "Alone with the Alone - Creative Imagination in the Sūfism of Ibn 'Arabī". Princeton University Press; Revised edition.

McNelly, Willis E. (1987). "The Dune Encyclopedia". Berkley.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we explore the fascinating and controversial Qalandariyya and similar movements like the Haydais & Shams-i Tabrizis. We also dive into the historical development of this movement, from the early Malamatis to the extreme ascetic dervishes in the Ottoman empire.

Sources/Recomended Reading:

Dahlén, Ashk (2004). "The Holy Fool in Medieval Islam: The Qalandariyat of Fakhr al-din Araqi". Orientalia Suecana, vol.52.

De Bruijn, J.T.P (1999). "The Qalandariyyat in Persian Mystical Poetry, from Sana'i Onwards". In "The Heritage of Sufism, Vol. 2" (Edited by Leonard Lewisohn). Oneworld Publicaions.

Karamustafa, Ahmet T. (2006). "Gods Unruly Friends: Dervish Groups in the Islamic Later Middle Period, 1200-1550". Oneworld Publications.

Sviri, Sara (1999). "Hakim Tirmidhi and the Malamati Movement in Early Sufism". In The Heritage of Sufism, Vol. 1 (Edited by Leonard Lewisohn). Oneworld Publications.

Toussulis, Yannis (2011). "Sufism and the Way of Blame: Hidden Sources of a Sacred Psychology". Quest Books, U.S.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this third and final installment of the introductions to Shi'i Islam, we dive into the history and teachings of the Zaydis, the smallest but stillvery significant school that has been a significant part of the history of Yemen.

Sources/Recomended Reading:

Amir-Moezzi, Mohammad Ali (1994). "The Divine Guide in Early Shi'ism: The Sources of Esotericism in Islam". Translated by David Streight. State University of New York Press.

Amir-Moezzi, Mohammad Ali (2011). "The Spirituality of Shi'i Islam: Beliefs and Practices". I.B. Tauris.

Daftary, Farhad (2007). "The Isma'ilis: Their history and doctrines". Cambridge University Press.

Haider, Najam (2012). "The Origins of the Shi'ia: Identity, Ritual, and Sacred Space in Eighth-Century Kufa". Cambridge University Press.

Haider, Najam (2014). "Shi'i Islam: An Introduction". Cambridge University Press.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discover the remarkable life and enduring legacy of Abd al-Qadir al-Jaza'iri. From his leadership during the Algerian resistance against French colonization to his commitment to his Islamic religious beliefs & sufi mysticism. Abd al-Qadir impact reverberates through history. Join us as we explore one of the most fascinating and inspiring figures of modern history.

Sources/Recomended Reading:

Bouyerdene, Ahmed (2012). "Emir Abd El-Kader: Hero and Saint of Islam". World Wisdom Books.

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.

Chodkiewicz, Michel (ed.) (1995). "The Spiritual Writings of Amir ʿAbd al-Kader". State University of New York Press.

Caner Dagli (translated by) (2004). Ibn 'Arabi - "The Ringstones of Wisdom (Fusus al-Hikam)". Great Books of the Islamic World. Kazi Pubns Inc.

Kiser, John W (2015). "Commander of the Faithful: The Life and Times of Emir Abd El-Kader". Monkfish Book Publishing Company.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dive into the fascinating world of Zoroastrianism, its ancient hsitory and ethical teachings, from its origins with the prophet Zarathushtra through the Achaemenid, Parthian and Sasanian empires and all the way until today. Discover how Zoroastrianism might be one of the most important religions in history, influencing some of the most famous and popular religons and philosophies in the world.

Sources/Recomended Reading:

Boyce, Mary (2000). "Zoroastrians: Their Their Religious Beliefs and Practices". Routledge; 2nd edition.

Dahlén, Ashk (transl.) (2023). "Zarathustra: Sånger". h:ström.

Humbach, Helmut & Pallan Ichaporia (transl.) (1994). "The Heritage of Zarathushtra: A New Translation of His Gathas. Universitatsverlag Winter.

Moazami, Mahnaz (ed.) (2016). "Zoroastrianism: A collection of Articles from the Encyclopedia Iranica". ENCYCLOPAEDIA IRANICA FOUNDATION. 2 Volumes. Rose, Jenny (2019). "Zoroastrianism: An Introduction". I.B. Tauris Introduction to Religions. Bloomsbury Academic.

Strausberg, Michael; & Yuhan Sohrab-Dinshaw Vevaina (ed.) (2015). "The Wiley-Blackwell Companion to Zoroastrianism". Wiley-Blackwell.

A second translation of the Gathas: http://avesta.org/dastur/Dinshaw_J_Irani_The_Gathas.pdf

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Delve into the enigmatic practices, sacred rituals, and esoteric beliefs that shaped the spiritual & philosophical landscape of the ancient Hellenic world. From the Eleusinian Mysteries to the Oracle at Delphi, Pythagoreans and the writings of Plato, join us as we unravel the mysticism that infused every aspect of ancient Greek life, exploring the aspects that continues to captivate our imaginations today.

Sources/Recomended Reading:

Bowden, Hugh (2010). "Mystery cults in the Ancient World". Thames and Hudson Ltd.

Burkert, William (1982). "Greek Religion". Harvard University Press.

Burkert, William (1988). "Ancient Mystery Cults". Harvard University Press.

Cooper, John M. et. al (translated by) (1997). "Plato: Complete Works". Hackett Publishing.

Dodds, E.R. (2004). "The Greeks & The Irrational". University of California Press.

Evans, Nancy A. “Sanctuaries, Sacrifices, and the Eleusinian Mysteries.” Numen, Vol. 49, No. 3 (2002): 227-254.

Mylonas, George E. “Eleusis and the Eleusinian Mysteries.” The Classical Journal, Vol. 43, No. 3 (1947): 130-146.

Ustinova, Yulia (2017). "Divine Mania: Alterations of Consciousness in Ancient Greece". Routledge.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We continue our series on mysticism by exploring Judaism and its mystical tradition, including the famous Kabbalah but also going beyond it.

Sources/Recomended Reading:

Dan, Joseph (1986). "The Early Kabbalah". Classics of Western Spirituality Series. Paulist Press.

Fine, Lawrence (2003). "Physician of the Soul, Healer of the Cosmos: Isaac Luria and His Kabbalistic Fellowship". Stanford University Press.

Idel, Moshe (1987). "The Mystical Experience in Abraham Abulafia". State University of New York Press.

Idel, Moshe (1988). "Studies in Ecstatic Kabbalah". State University of New York Press.

Idel, Moshe (1990). "Kabbalah: New Perspectives". Yale University Press.

Idel, Moshe (1995). "Hasidism: Between Ecstacy and Magic". SUNY Press.

Kaplan, Aryeh (translated by) (1990). "The Bahir: Illumination". Red Wheel/Weiser; Revised ed. edition.

Kraemer, Joel L. (2010). "Maimonides: The Life and World of one of Civilization's Greatest Minds". Doubleday & Co Inc.

Krassen, Mosheh Aaron. “Introduction: Rabbi Israel Ba’al Shem Tov: Prophet of a New Paradigm.” In Israel ben Eliezer. Pillar of Prayer. Translated by Menachem Kallus. Louisville, KY: Fons Vitae, 2010.

Lobel, Diana (2021). "Moses and Abraham Maimonides: Encountering the Divine". Academic Studies Press.

Miller, Moshe (translated by) (1994). "The Palm Tree of Devorah". Targum.

Russ-Fishbane, Elisha (2015). "Judaism, Sufism, and the Pietists of Medieval Egypt: A study of Abraham Maimonides and his times". Oxford University Press. Scholem, Gershom (1995). "Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism". Schocken Books; Revised edition.

Scholem, Gershom (1996). "On the Kabbalah and its Symbolism". Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group; Revised ed. edition.

Wolfson, Elliot R. (1997). “Jewish mysticism: A Philosophical Overview,” in History of Jewish Philosophy, Daniel Frank, Oliver Leaman (eds.).

Wolfson, Eliot R. (2011). “Abraham ben Samuel Abulafia and the Prophetic Kabbalah”. In Jewish Mysticism & Kabbalah (ed. Frederick E. Greenspahn). New York University Press.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.