In this episode, Eric interviews Giioke Arturo, a member of the Platonic Path group, about his innovative project, "Threshold of the Cave," which serves as a Platonic worship service. Giioke shares his journey into Platonism, highlighting the challenges he faced in establishing a personal practice and how this led to the creation of a structured worship service designed for modern practitioners. The podcast aims to facilitate Platonic worship in a way that is accessible and meaningful for everyday individuals, incorporating elements like the lunar calendar and traditional Roman practices into a contemporary context.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Platonic Worship

01:12 Creating Threshold of the Cave

08:30 Understanding the Roman Calendar

15:42 Modern Adaptations of Ancient Holidays

23:09 Blending Ancient and Modern Practices

34:38 The Evolution of Religious Practices

39:12 Understanding the Platonic Church Service

44:53 Engaging with the Divine: Accessibility in Worship

51:51 Personal Spiritual Journeys and Community Engagement

01:00:18 Embracing Modern Spirituality

https://thresholdofthecave.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips

https://substack.com/@giiokearturo?utm_source=about-page

In this conversation, Eric and Ethan explore the intricate relationship between Platonism, paganism, and Christianity. They discuss Ethan's spiritual journey, the foundations of Platonism, its role as a religion, and the accessibility of its teachings. The conversation delves into the cultural and ethnic identity in religious practices, the influence of Christianity on Western culture, and the significance of Orphism within Platonism. They also debate the notion of Plato as a proto-Christian and the implications of this perspective for understanding the evolution of Western thought. In this conversation, Eric and Ethan explore the relevance of Platonism in today's chaotic world, discussing its philosophical roots and practical applications. They emphasize the importance of community, the relationship between spirituality and politics, and the need for a modern interpretation of ancient wisdom. The dialogue highlights the challenges facing Platonism today and outlines a vision for its future as a viable spiritual path.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Context of the Conversation

03:04 Ethan's Spiritual Journey and Background

06:00 Exploring Platonism and Paganism

11:48 Understanding Platonism: Philosophy or Religion?

14:57 The Nature of Platonism and Its Texts

20:55 Accessibility of Platonism for Everyday People

26:58 Structure and Rituals of Platonic Path

33:54 Cultural Identity and Religion in the West

39:00 The Influence of Greco-Roman Culture on Western Identity

46:46 Christianity's Cultural Roots and Platonism

51:44 The Role of Orphism in Platonism

56:54 Christianity's Borrowing from Pagan Traditions

01:02:43 Plato: The Proto-Christian Debate

01:14:51 Everyday Practices in Platonic Spirituality

01:27:23 The Pursuit of Eudaimonia

01:29:16 Modern Platonism and Online Communities

01:33:28 Challenges Facing Platonists

01:37:31 Adapting Platonism for Modern Issues

01:41:03 Living as a Philosopher

01:47:33 Religion, Politics, and Their Interconnection

01:51:42 The Role of Religion in Politics

01:58:35 Distinguishing Platonic Path from Other Movements

02:06:39 Long-term Goals of Platonic Path

In this conversation, Eric and Heliotroph delve into the historical significance of Julian, the fourth-century emperor, and his impact on the cultural shift from paganism to Christianity. They discuss the challenges faced by modern pagan communities, the role of spirituality in today's society, and the importance of grounding oneself in reality through practices like meditation and physical activity. The conversation also touches on the dynamics of community building and the potential future of religion in a rapidly changing world.

Heliotroph:

X: https://x.com/Heliotrophy

Substack: https://heliotroph.substack.com/

Books:

amzn.to/3XE4QXa - Julian

https://a.co/d/ilzBzti - Hymns to the Gods

https://a.co/d/9Q82sRF - Hierocles Golden Verses

https://a.co/d/cKL7RkE - Epictetus

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Book Discussion

02:54 Exploring Julian's Historical Significance

06:01 Julian's Character and Influence

08:43 The Fourth Century: A Turning Point

11:38 Cultural Dynamics of Paganism and Christianity

14:41 The Role of Community in Spirituality

17:42 Modern Parallels and Future Possibilities

37:37 Embracing Cringe: The Value of Seriousness

40:58 The Power of Small Communities

43:03 Grounding in Tradition: The Platonic North Star

46:05 The Role of Deities in Communicating Tradition

49:03 Civic Virtue and Individual Action

51:28 The Evolution of Religion in the West

54:46 Navigating Trust in a Digital Age

59:40 Reconnecting with the Body

01:05:06 Spiritual Bypassing: The Dangers of Escapism

01:11:14 Engaging with Christianity: A Call for Dialogue

01:14:43 The Nature of Modern Belief Systems

In this podcast episode, Eric and the founder of the Classical Wisdom Tradition discuss the significance of Platonism, focusing on the new book 'Flower of the Mind.' They explore the scale of virtues, the importance of civic virtue, and the journey of spiritual ascent within the Platonist framework. The conversation emphasizes the need for proper order in learning, the relationship between rationality and spirituality, and the challenges of modern spirituality. They also highlight the revival of traditional Western spirituality and the importance of allowing the tradition to speak for itself.

You can download the PDF of Flower of the Mind in the pinned message on the CWT Telegram (link below).

https://t.me/classicalpolytheism

00:00 Introduction to the Conversation

00:53 Exploring 'Flower of the Mind' and Its Significance 05:53 The Scale of Virtues in Platonism

12:05 Civic Virtue: The Foundation of Platonism

17:52 The Journey of Spiritual Ascent

23:55 Balancing Rationality and Spirituality

29:59 The Importance of Personal Growth and Virtue Cultivation

36:34 The Journey of Learning and Growth

39:48 The Structure of Classical Education

42:44 The Allegory of the Cave and Levels of Knowledge 45:08 Purification of the Soul and the Tripartite Soul

52:53 The Role of Rituals in Spiritual Practice

01:00:06 The Importance of Correct Beliefs

01:06:18 Reviving Western Spiritual Traditions

01:09:53 Challenges in Understanding Spirituality

01:16:03 The Future of Western Spirituality

In this video, the Divine Triad of Jove, Magna Mater, and Dionysus is explained.

More video content is on the way, but check YouTube for more.

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