Colin Wilson (1931 - 2013): The High and the Low (Part 1 Complete) -- A Thinking Allowed Program

[@gavaniacono]

What an incredible gentleman. I was abt 24 when I read Outsider. I marveled that a 24 yo had written this incredible book. I felt great inferiority. The book is fabulous. Wilson was also.

[@JohnBurman-l2l]

He is the guy you met in a pub or on a bus and had a fantastic conversation....then never met again.

[@Mrariesdave]

Reading Wilson's "The Occult" in the '70s eventually helped me get off hard drugs, his work is rich and practical, he himself is a brilliant gift.

[@aphysique]

Really, are you still around, of so, care to elaborate?

[@bristlefist]

Much of what was discussed in the above conversation relates to the inner transformation the 12 steps (alcoholics anonymous) are designed to achieve. Carl Jung was attempting this inner transformation on patients via various methods with varying degrees of success. Fascinating stuff

[@Mrariesdave]

Yes still around with 31 years abstinent, Wilson's famous concept of Faculty X has been crucial for me.

[@manuelagalan426]

​@@aphysique 😂😮

[@Demilich23]

thats weird nothing in the book has anything to do with addiction faculty x is irrelevant but im happy for you

[@dualsportdadz]

Jeffrey Mishlove is the most delightful man. I watched his recent interview with Gary Lachman regarding Colin Wilson not knowing this one existed. Mr. Mishlove was asking questions with such curiosity, like he had no idea who Colin Wilson was, let alone seeming like someone who had interviewed the man many decades prior. Love me some Mishlove.

[@1995yuda]

Haha, I just came here from that video and you are right, I was thinking the same thing. I actually left Jeffrey a comment on that video saying how great he is at what he does on this channel.

[@matthewarnold1776]

i came here from that video too haha

[@mortalclown3812]

This is one of the Thinking Allowed interviews that I'm glad is here in its entirety. I've returned to listen a few times over the years. For some reason, I was under the impression that he'd passed at too young an age, yet he was 82. Maybe it's more of a sign of his importance. Rest in paradise. ✨

[@jam-nc8ut]

Colin Wilson was one of the most astounding men that I have ever been aware of. He was not only a supreme intellect, he also had an ability to translate complex ideas to those of us much less intelligent than he was, without talking down to us. He was also brave in many of the subjects he took on in his scholarly way, that others would have thought too esoteric for such an approach. The more I learn of him, the most fascinated I become.

[@truthlivingetc88]

he was a sage. yes I agree.

[@robertmilsom226]

I was a young heroin addict and left school a t 11 and had never read a book ever and I went to prison 3yrs and I sufferd deep depression since a little boy.but I allways liked behaviour and motives. So I starting reading much to my surprise I understood it,as I thought I was really stupid, but I read Camus outsider and that changed my life then I got into all philosophy and psychology but I found the outsider from Wilson and it was so profound and helped me in so many ways. Thank you Mr Wilson for yr brilliant and great contribution to the human condition. 🤔🤔🤔😘

[@theGuilherme36]

Same here. I'm finishing his Introduction to the New Existentialism. One of the best books I've ever read.

[@1995yuda]

@@robertmilsom226 Wow brother what a story you lived through. Loved ypur comment. Blessings

[@hypatia4754]

The Outsider was the book that led me into a journey of mysticism and esotericism. It was my first exposure to the idea that we could actively find meaning, something that profoundly helped the bored, despairing, suicidal young woman I was then.

[@Bobbied100]

thank you for posting this. Colin Wilson is the most important voice of the 20th century, in that he is the realization of the Peak Experience. Every artist and writer should read his books and listen to wonderful interviews like this, and his presentations.

[@annaderoo8378]

what a treasure to discover this interview. many thanks.

[@lisadowsett6836]

My favourite author of all time - loved his books since childhood x

[@SkatingErinsMom]

I just bought this dvd and have listened to it several times so far. It's wonderful. A great interview. Colin Wilson is very interesting and such a great writer. Thanks much!

[@feqanhacibalayev6426]

This man cannot move due to his big balls. Homage to Colin Wilson. I love and respect you

[@TheBelilu]

What a joy. How refreshing he is. What a Genius. What an inspiration he gave me.

[@gripperstebson1776]

R.I.P. Mr. Wilson. My little obsession with the paranormal is all your fault. Thank you from some great books and wonderful insights.

[@fallspeed]

RIP, Colin. I have about twenty of his books in my personal library. Didn't always agree with him, but he was a great thinker and I learned a lot from him.

[@llsspp]

How do people articulate these feelings with such intricate beauty? This is so true.

[@truthlivingetc88]

you should know Jordan

[@1995yuda]

@@truthlivingetc88 Haha, Peterson! He's the master of articulating what noone else can!

[@smilestreetart]

I really love this interview, Colin is so profound but also so funny!! Thanks Jeffrey.

[@wantabwriter]

I was sorry to learn of Colin Wilson's passing. I enjoyed a few of his books. Mysteries, The Philosopher's Stone, and Alien Dawn. He gave a great amount of information with these I mention and I am sure his other books. I enjoyed his style. His way of presenting information caused me to sometimes look deeper at subjects he was bringing to light.

[@BesharALAzzawi]

Colin Wilson is HUGE! Thanks for sharing this

[@hara3435]

His books are incredible and had a profound effect on me when I first read them all those years ago. The outsider was the one I remember most...

[@starlightlake9666]

RIP Colin Wilson. My life would have been very different without your books.

[@jonathanwobesky9507]

I had my first psychedelic experience (or OBE) at age 13 reading The Philosopher's Stone. The power of the writing of Colin Wilson.

[@markandresen1]

Just watched it... Phew...! This is what I admired about CW; how he'd express complex subjects through personal experience, so making them legible to those of us who've experienced the same, or something similar. Nailing what goes through the head during a building panic attack or suicidal reasoning; can't think of anyone around now who could openly tell it like it is like that.

[@geografiainfinitului]

26:10 Colin Wilson is one of the most frank, genuine people I like to read, listen too

[@Devast8r34]

Thank you for sharing these

[@Steve20127]

One of my favourite writers. Very intelligent and erudite. RIP.

[@runyon888]

Well, that was simply healing to hear and see. How lucky we are all to be alive right now, to view this. I ran across The Occult years ago, and it was the best history book of its kind, explaining things that were plowed over in school. What a guru Colin Wilson was, and still is. Little kids need to see this.

[@jonathansutcliffe3401]

AYE; THAT'S THE POINT... A GLOSSARY OF FUTURE READING... BASIC POINTERS TO ARTISTS AND AUTHORS FOR FUTURE DELECTATION...

[@kevinmayer6137]

One of my favorite interviews. Wilson describes a complex feeling so well as to make those of us who have the peak experience to accept it as a phenomena of mind. Much like experiencing de ja vu without knowing others have the same feeling, and then hearing it explained and defined.

[@hannahspears6879]

Holy shit. That was one of the best things i've ever heard.

[@truthlivingetc88]

yeah Wilson was up there with Kant and William James. history will catch on in that better late than never kind of way that it does.

[@tonymostromable]

@@truthlivingetc88 Very well put.

[@Dino_Medici]

Nah fr lol

[@lilaccilla]

I loved it ! and Jeffrey should have allowed him to continue his train of thought and said to hell with rules , Colin is on a fantastic Roll .

[@ae1550]

I am currently reading his book, of 800 pages, The Occult. One of the most Exquisitely fascinating reads.

[@1995yuda]

Going to get it, just found out about the guy's work

[@Mistersandyrobertson]

Great interview. CW was a wonderful and generous man.

[@seanbradley7414]

Mr Wilson ,certainly went down thought processes ,thought progressions asking with a humble and truthful/positive intent

[@carpo719]

I'm hooked on thinking today..... what a rush :) Great subject, we all need to consider the balance between our highs and lows. We can't ignore that it's a facet of a real life, and there is no escaping it. 4:07 is a classic symptom of being human. Waking up in the middle of the night, freaking out about work, health, life, etc..... I think we can all relate to that. This is really awesome to hear someone else speak about controlling adrenaline. I have been working on this for a couple years, and can attest that it does work! I learned to keep my fears at bay by realizing what they were, and knowing I was going to panic. I used to be stressed out a lot more, and in time, learned to harness it. (Still stress a bit now and again....only human!) Peaceple-

[@lslvn]

I’m hooked on Colin

[@Paddyllfixit]

oh sh!t ! only just discovered that my fave author since first reading *The Occult* and *Beyond The Occult* at the tender age of 14, has passed. No author comes anywhere close to this man and his extensive knowledge,......he had somewhere close to half a million reference books in his garden shed. :) R.I.P. Colin, and thank you.

[@capricioussole]

Really? 500,000 books. That better be a pretty big shed. :) I hope it can be preserved and kept together.

[@Paddyllfixit]

capri cious well, to be more accurate, the bulk of them were kept in a garden shed and the remainder were archived in another two rooms akin to a library,........accumulated over 50 years! I hope so too, that they will be preserved.

[@SteveCournane]

capri cious could be 30, 000 I think..still a lot of books and I hope it becomes a museum.

[@Paddyllfixit]

he mentions in one of his interviews that he had close to have a million books,......but thinking about it now, he then laughed,.....if that means anything.

[@Paddyllfixit]

If I recall correctly, in *Strange is Normal: The Amazing Life of Colin Wilson*, he mentions having 300,000 books approx.

[@humanrays]

18:20 This is why I have a Planet Earth poster on my bedroom door. Reminds me to not sweat the small stuff :)

[@HueyTheDoctor]

Thank you so much! I had no idea new videos were still being uploaded to this brilliant channel. Much appreciated.

[@ArgoLupus]

This talk is a must for anyone who has dealt with anxiety disorders and at the same time craves peak experiences at will. A lot can be learned from Wilson and his Faculty X theory, though it was pooh-poohed like much of his work.

[@truthlivingetc88]

what a treat Jeffrey. massive respect to you. thanks.

[@paulasullivan4226]

A wonderful man. Speaks to everyone.

[@themuse11]

Wilson was Genius. RIP.

[@jonathansutcliffe3401]

SPEAKING OR, RATHER, REITERATING THE OBVIOUS... AND, IT SHOULD BE SAID, AN INFLUENCE ON VARIOUS POST PUNK BANDS OF THE 70'S... MOST NOTABLY THE FALL, I SURMISE... IT MAY NOT BE THE CASE... WITH THEIR ORIGINAL MONIKER ALLEGEDLY BEING THE OUTSIDER(S)... THE VARIOUS IDEAS EXPRESSED IN WILSON'S BOOKS THE OUTSIDER AND RELIGION & THE REBEL... LISTEN TO THE SONG, IN ITS ENTIRETY, WINTER... THE FALL BEING CALLED AFTER A CAMUS NOVELLA? I DON' T EVEN THINK THAT'S THE CASE - I SURMISE THAT IT WAS PART OF SOME CONVOLUTED THINKIN ON SMITH OR OTHER BAND MEMBERS PART TO NAME THE OUTSIDERS THE FALL....??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

[@RichardBejtlich]

What a fascinating interview!

[@quietwyatt4045]

“Oh shit.” That’s the greatest compliment one could ever receive at the close of a conversation. ✌️😊

[@natureszodiac]

There is simply no one like him. I am so happy that he has written so many books because I can never get enough!

[@sixteenstringjack]

where would you suggest starting with his books? Thx

[@natureszodiac]

I might suggest starting with Introduction to the New Existentialism to get an idea of his basic framework of thinking and then dive into the Outsider (his first book that rocketed him to fame at the age of 24). Religion and the Rebel and the Age of Defeat are his next two books after the Outsider and they are joys to read. His narrative flow is wonderful and his ideas are life-changing. I also really enjoyed Gary Lachman's biography on him "Beyond the Robot".

[@sixteenstringjack]

@@natureszodiac Thanks very much. I really appreciate the suggestions. His name has cropped up over the years and always meant to explore. Seems like a very interesting and charismatic man. Excited about embarking......

[@natureszodiac]

@@sixteenstringjack Great! I'm so happy I could help!

[@MilaGee14]

Wonderful! Thank you for everything, Colin! RIP.

[@christally3628]

R.I.P.

[@Eriugena8]

Been searching a little lately and I got here by way of Jeff Kripal and Gary Lachman and really like Dr. Mishlove’s interview skills and relevant expertise. And I really love the pared-down intro, a throwback to public access cable programming. Well done you hooked me.

[@trueisense]

So good ! Thank you !

[@HMALDANA]

What a fascinating mind Colin had!

[@MysticGwen]

I feel like I could enjoy Mr. Colin's company. Especially with Maslow there!! Lol 🦋💗🌻

[@tshepogaoganediwe5671]

Only 30mins ??? That went by so quick 🤯 totally mind blowing 👌🏾

[@stevebb2915]

only just just discovered him via gary lachmann. amazing.

[@nitemirror1]

I wish this was longer

[@timmccaffrey1326]

I first read Collin Wilson's book on the 'Occult' as a very young man some forty years ago. I was struck not only by the books contents, but the way in which the book was written, namely in a manner which I as a young boy could with some concentration under a great deal of it. Now some forty years later I've grown as a person and hopefully learned much in the process.That Colin Wilson was a very clever man is something that can't be disputed, however his reputation has been tarnished by his tendency to relate case histories for which there is very little proof, in fact if such cases were offered in evidence in a court of law they would be dismissed as hearsay. That he contributed a great deal to the many fields of human behaviour and did a great deal of valuable work in the field of the 'peak experience' cannot be denied.......but it's now my view that the time is right to delve into his work and see just how much of it deseves the merit so many seems to think it deserves. Make no mistake, I respect the man greatly but I think now is the time to revalute his work..........Tme constrants dictate that I can't undertake this task on my own, but if there is a fellow respector of Colin Wilson 'out there' then perhaps together we can produce a book that hopefully will do the great man justice and potray his faults as well as his virtuies...........Should this book come to pass,such is the repect Willson is held by most people,it's bound to be sympathic, but his ideas contained in his books will, and rightly should come under strict scrutiny. Any interested writing partners can contact me here.........best of luck//////

[@fallspeed]

His views on many subjects obviously evolved over the course of his long writing career. I didn't always agree with him about everything, but he was one of the great thinkers of the late 20th century.

[@nielliebenberg8890]

Wow this is so fascinating!

[@Opethian214]

Life changing.

[@rosedragon108]

my personal analysis of what Wilson taught me, after yrs of reading him, is about LEARNING how to be/stay "conscious"

[@donaldwynecoop1281]

This guy was great!

[@ThinkingAllowedTV]

Great news!! Now watch every title and guest in the Thinking Allowed Collection, complete and commercial free. More than 350 programs now streaming. Visit our website at thinkingallowed.com or visit thinkingallowed.vhx.tv

[@SuhamBello]

This man speaks like a book

[@CSlidesable]

Very intriguing

[@DANIELlaroqustar]

Thank you very much Jeff Mishlove for putting up all these videos and writing books and putting your efforts into helping people in a really positive way ☺ i find it really sad that advertisers use the way you speak to sell people worthless crap.

[@TV-fu1ec]

I love this

[@cosmosaic8117]

I have a concept which I call Volity Theory. Volity is the "harnessing of the Ether" through mental Will. Perhaps it is the Ether which floods you and leaves you again at different points which leaves one with this oscillation of depression and Peak Experience. Search "A Hidden Mythology of Quantum Mechanics?" into Google if you are intrigued to learn more about Volity. It seems very much linked to what Colin Wilson is talking about. KZbin is not allowing me to post the link for some reason.

[@TheEvda]

Fascinating

[@nementerc7316]

He is basically hinting at a state of mindfulness. Only in the now we can be free. The problem is to maintain mindfulness and not to allow the robot he speaks about to take over. During mindfulness there is a trend to take the eagle point of view, the panoramic view of things in a broader context of space and time.

[@halvaman3]

I didnt know he had died. RIP Colin.

[@evisceratemtg6141]

“The lower levels seem to take over in the middle of the night,” if that’s the only time they take hold, then you’re doing great

[@anonymoushuman8344]

The Mind Parasites is a good science fiction novel. In it, scientists use mental techniques developed by philosopher Edmund Husserl to combat non-physical parasites that feed on human anguish and misery.

[@Heavypsychoverdose]

Exellent stuff

[@colecalfee]

this is excellent.

[@andypike1234]

One of the nicest, interesting and most charming man ever. His experience during a suicide attempt reminds me of that Eckhart Tolle´s one.

[@zetetick395]

LOVE Colin's work, particularly The Outsider and Beyond the Occult are essential reading for any real seeker individuals out there, I know they helped me a LOT! 😸_👍

[@johnstanton8499]

Wow very perceptive and a great interview

[@happikali9568]

Thank You ... . :)

[@irishelk3]

Glad I clicked on this, wasn’t going to. He explained that so well. The Gurdjieff crowds never explain things as well as he just did, they’re too ambiguous and say they have a reason for that, being that Gurdjieff did not teach directly. Very interesting the way he explained that. A new guy to look out for in future, thanks.

[@botanyboy1]

26:10 "OH SHIT!" (then a murmur from behind the camera) lol That was a no-no, especially in those days!

[@eeemotion]

Top stuff!!!

[@carbon1479]

18:17 - great point.

[@deedorothypapineau6920]

Very enjoyable

[@michaelcasey3166]

Is there a part 2?

[@clayandputtyvideos1647]

Having to pull yourself together with such force might be helpful in such emergencies as he described but it is not a regular way of life. When someone suffers like Colin has in his life then living every day and night with this last effort of self restraint is a tormenting life. This is a bad state of mind and we must question ourselves why we got into that state of mind to begin with. We must investigate completely to the core of the substance why we have this or that symptom of misery. Then we need to completely restructure our lives. When things don't work out then we have to change our approach as Tony Robbins said. Jiddu Krishnamurti said that we can live our lives in a meditative mental alertness where every moment becomes a meditation and introspection. Thich Nhat Hanh calls it mindfulness. As I write I am conversing with myself at the same time as I as want to convey it to others. We can make the whole world better. But we also have to be willing to allow any mental state or thought to run it's course without us acting it out but just to sit with it in stillness. Jiddu said it runs it's course that's what it wants to do and has to do because it wants to be seen and heard. We can not suppress things as in denial or resistance. We have to sit with it and really look at it completely and even ask whatever comes up "what is it that you want to tell me?".

[@kevinklearman]

is Part 2 still out there?

[@greenbird704]

A genius

[@user-yk9sk7pg6v]

(wonderful wonderful thank you)

[@demiurge1608]

beautiful man.

[@Goodbaum]

oh shit ! :)

[@theGuilherme36]

This man is the most red pill philosopher I have ever seen.

[@mmendi1114]

I pray everybody's Laurels & Hardys can get along just fine.

[@Sugamari]

Ya really! Lo profile death! RIP Colin! I would like to know what year this interview was - and is it the only video interview ever?

[@LeeGee]

I wish I could paypal to download the full version - posting dvds around the globe is expensive. A pay-to-view YT channel, maybe?

[@tranquil87]

Could they be sitting any closer...?

[@jayv5256]

That was excellent, it made me wonder can we create a peak experience through an activity? For example I'm a passionate birder, I experience great joy, inner peace and a certain disconnectedness when I'm sitting somewhere submerged in nature with my fieldscope and binoculars.

[@trond5656]

Heavy weight training in a gym. You're squeezed between the heavy gravity -weight and the bench/seat w/which you must use all your intense single-minded willpower to overcome, creating the necessary psychological pressure C.W talked about. Remember, the higher the pressure inside a steam engine the more its force output..

[@handyalley2350]

I liked when he cursed :D "Oh Shit!"

[@liammcooper]

I always considered Vladimir and Estragon in Waiting For Godot to be a Double-Act, considering Beckett's themes of memory, I wouldn't be surprised be if they're intended to be a double-act brain.

[@alexpeek8760]

"Oh Shit" - Colin Wilson 26:09

[@VenusXTC]

Does anyone know if a Complete Works of Colin Wilson is available anywhere? In print or pdf/ebook, either is good. Thanks.

[@rhodiusscrolls3080]

The Occult had as a subtitle The ultimate book for those who would walk with the Gods. Did Wilson approve of this title?

[@balasubramaniramalingam7936]

I am only existing nobody else nothing else.

[@UnderStanding_Matters]

Does anyone know when this was recorded?

[@whoknows8101]

Song?