"Life is not about intellectual understanding or societal success. It is about a personal, inward relationship with God. This is the challenge of faith, the leap into the unknown, into the absurd. Faith is not a matter of proof or certainty. It is a passionate commitment, often in the face of doubt and despair."

Søren Kierkegaard, who lived in the first half of the 19th century, was a Danish philosopher, theologian, and author widely regarded as the first existentialist thinker. He emphasized individual existence, choice, and commitment in the face of uncertainty. Kierkegaard explored themes of faith, anxiety, and the human condition, often using pseudonyms to present differing perspectives. His major works include "Either/Or," "Fear and Trembling," and "The Concept of Anxiety." Kierkegaard criticized the established church and Hegelian philosophy, advocating for a more personal and passionate approach to Christianity. His ideas profoundly influenced later existentialist and phenomenological philosophers, as well as modern theology and psychology.

Interview facilitated by ChatGPT and Claude

Voicing constructed with ⁠Elevenlabs⁠

Music by ⁠Grand_Project⁠ from ⁠Pixabay⁠

Soundscape by rikardo2041 on Freesound

Concept, editing and production by Merijn de Haen

@ 2024 Undead Sages Podcast

"If you observe closely, you will see that most of our suffering comes from the mind’s attachment to the past or its fear of the future. We are constantly seeking security, but life is inherently uncertain. The key is to understand that this search for security is what creates fear. Once you see this clearly, you can begin to live fully in the present. In this state, there is no fear because you are not clinging to any future outcome or past memory."

Jiddu Krishnamurti was born in India but spent most of his time in the West. He started out as a teacher in the Theosophical Society, but found at a certain point that all doctrines, teachings and teachers could be obstacles to genuine freedom. He then espoused a radical and immediate way of paying attention which he named “choiceless awareness”, which is not a technique or a “practice” but rather something the mind does automatically when it is still.

Interview facilitated by ChatGPT and Claude

Voicing constructed with ⁠Elevenlabs⁠

Music by ⁠Grand_Project⁠ from ⁠Pixabay⁠

Soundscape by ⁠rcrath on ⁠Freesound⁠

Concept, editing and production by Merijn de Haen

@ 2024 Undead Sages Podcast

"For sensitive individuals, the practice of mindfulness can be a great comfort. When you observe your thoughts and emotions without judgment, you start to see that they’re not permanent. They come and go like the wind. You don’t need to hold on to them or push them away. By being present and accepting the flow of life, you find peace even amidst uncertainty."

Ajahn Chah is a Thai Buddhist teacher, who followed in the footsteps of the Buddha to wander around the country and experience the truth of the Buddha’s teachings for himself. Without this emulation, he felt the scholarly wisdom was dry and distant, and hard to really understand. After a life of wandering, more and more students flocked to his teachings, and he became a great influence on the development of Buddhism in the West… 

Interview facilitated by ChatGPT and Claude

Voicing constructed with Elevenlabs

Theme song: Music by Grand_Project from Pixabay

Soundscape by Greencouch on Freesound

Concept, editing and production by Merijn de Haen

@ 2024 Undead Sages Podcast

"Controversy? I *AM* a controversy! I did things in broad daylight that would shock people. They’d call me mad, but I was showing them how insane their own customs were. I urinated, defecated, and performed other natural acts in the streets — why not?"

Diogenes was a philosopher who lived in ancient Greece in the 4th century BCE; the time of Aristotle and Alexander the Great. He was well-known for living on the streets of Athens and confronting the regular folks of the city with his uncompromising attitude and behavior. He was the first "Cynic" and influenced many practicing philosophers with his relentless critique of civilization.

Interview facilitated by ChatGPT and Claude

Voicing and soundscape constructed with ⁠Elevenlabs⁠

Music by ⁠Grand_Project⁠ from ⁠Pixabay⁠

Concept, editing and production by Merijn de Haen

@ 2024 Undead Sages Podcast

Ernest Becker is a sociologist from the USA who wrote about the role of the fear of death in our lives. He said that we’re the only animal to experience explicit fear of death, and that we can’t cope with it. Instead, we create elaborate structures of meaning, which help us hide from the explicit realization that our own death is potentially just around the corner. 

"My philosophy offers a framework for understanding your anxieties and fears. By recognizing that much of our behavior is motivated by an unconscious fear of death, you can begin to see how your worries are part of a larger human experience. This awareness can be empowering, as it allows you to confront your fears directly and find meaning in your life. Embracing our mortality can lead to a deeper appreciation for life and a more compassionate attitude toward others who share the same existential struggles."

Interview facilitated by ChatGPT and Claude

Voicing and soundscape constructed with ⁠Elevenlabs⁠

Music by ⁠Grand_Project⁠ from ⁠Pixabay⁠

Concept, editing and production by Merijn de Haen

@ 2024 Undead Sages Podcast

Baruch de Spinoza is a 17th century European philosopher who thought deeply about the nature of God. His surprisingly modern ideas stirred a lot of controversy in the Amsterdam where he grew up.

"In 1656, I was excommunicated from the Jewish community in Amsterdam. I was banished, never to return. My ideas were too radical, too dangerous. I questioned the nature of God and the scriptures. So, I took on the name Benedictus and lived a modest life, grinding lenses for optical instruments, a trade that allowed me the solitude and means to pursue my philosophical endeavors."

Interview facilitated by ChatGPT and Claude

Voicing and soundscape constructed with ⁠⁠Elevenlabs⁠⁠

Music by ⁠⁠Grand_Project⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠

Concept, editing and production by Merijn de Haen

@ 2024 Undead Sages Podcast

Abhinavagupta is a 10th century philosopher and mystic from the Asian region of Kashmir. He is considered a polymath with a strong influence on Indian culture as a whole. He is regarded as a fine exponent of the mystical school of Kashmir Shaivism, a non-dual school of Hinduism which we’ll talk more about in this podcast.

Interview facilitated by ChatGPT and Claude

Voicing and soundscape constructed with ⁠⁠⁠Elevenlabs⁠⁠⁠

Music by ⁠⁠⁠Grand_Project⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠

Concept, editing and production by Merijn de Haen

@ 2024 Undead Sages Podcast