Huston Smith (1919-2016): Psychology of Religious Experience, Thinking Allowed w/ Jeffrey Mishlove

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One of the most widely read writers in the field of philosophy and religion, Huston Smith's classic book The Religions of Man has sold over two million copies. In this stimulating program Dr. Smith discusses the relation between psychedelic experience and religious practice, the god within and the cultivation of psychic experiences within religious and shamanic traditions.

[@pamelarosephd2273]

I'm pre-inclined to watch any interview by Jeffrey Mishlove: he draws out the interviewee with gentle observations and his own shared experiences with positivity, dignity, delicacy and with respect : his approach is a huge relief from the usual aggressively challenging style from a negative pov.

[@oxiigen]

Pamela Rose PhD i agree

[@Man_with_no_name]

yes, his questions are very honest and un-attacking.

[@BothSidesNow52]

Wow Jeffrey this is all of 25 years old! I remember watching it a long time ago. Have always been a fan of Huston Smith right up to his last days. Always has a twinkle in his eye and very knowledgeable.

[@BillGreenAZ]

It's good to see Jeffrey Mishlove interviewing. It brings me back to the late 90's when I use to watch "Thinking Allowed" on The Wisdom Channel on C-band satellite. Good times.

[@susanwoodward7485]

One of the most important videos on KZbin - this is a gem of psychological science history! Resonance, reflection, relationship, reality.

[@artistdeluxe09]

Thank you for making this interview available on KZbin. Huston Smith has studied religion as extensively as Joseph Campbell, another profound thinker.

[@lnbartstudio2713]

Thanks for this. He will be missed greatly.

[@theGalacticTravelChannel]

These talks are invaluable. Such a pleasure.

[@friendoengus]

how i love these videos both 'thinking allowed', and 'new thinking allowed' certainly more than most, dear jeffrey, you found your true calling early on we are all the beneficiaries many thanks, jeffrey mishlove and thanks for huston smith as well

[@waynemcmillan5970]

Excellent interview with a remarkable man.

[@thom8406]

rest easy Huston..

[@stevekornegay5819]

Huston Smith was a lovely person...his wife Kendra as well.

[@juliekemp419]

Lovely man's journey!

[@MadderMel]

What a great man !

[@jamesgardner9583]

Spiritual and brilliant 👏 Brother James 🙏

[@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

[@vazen33]

Thanks for this.

[@williamisabell9539]

Wonderful interview.

[@MerrySuu]

Oh my! I think he’s my favorite!

[@skyblue-lb9kr]

love!

[@pr4f603]

21:40 "Australian Aboriginal - had telepathic powers . .. These are normal human powers, but like any power it can atrophy if unused.. or short-circuited if our conceptual mind doubts.."

[@pr4f603]

23:00 warning: "These powers are there and do increase as spiritual advancement occurs. However - if you make this the goal ... there is some danger.. this is treacherous water - there is a strong temptation ...people can become egotistical... which can be counterproductive to the spiritual quest."

[@paulwillisorg]

Incredible

[@terencewinters2154]

William James first wrote about the Psychology of Religious experience in the book by the same name in the late 1800s. The numinous moment is generally the starting point for true religious experience rather than the study of dogmas. Religious experiences have been testified to by members of all faiths . I'm glad houston Smith clarified the Natural Religious experience is different from the induced chemical experience. The overlap of the similar BUT different experiences is both serendipitous and unfortunate in part. There are bad trips but God doesn't want you to have them. That's the slippery slope of psychedelics. What seems to be similar is the slipping of ego in those moments. ' spirit not being confined by space time. ' if I may roughly paraphrase Smith. It's these UNITIVE MOMENTS that they are generally describing. They've escaped the dualistic minds idea of separation from the ALL, and see ALL in all. Call it in some ways expanded consciousness. Smith has interesting stories of Merton.

[@roselotusmystic]

InOutUpDown . . . ALL is 'Divine'

[@friktermind]

Off the topic here, but it's a bit weird that they sit so close.

[@kurtk7521]

I feel like it is deliberate. Because it is that way in almost all of the old videos. Idk, doesn't bother me.

[@JeffPopplewell]

Note that Huston Smith is wearing two hearing aids.

[@antoniacrook]

They had to fit into a small square-format for the old TV screens

[@thinkagain2033]

It has a lot to do with the microphones used and camera angles.

[@dan020350]

💚

[@artbasss]

When was this recorded?

[@artsmart]

Judging from the hair and clothes I'd say the 70s;)

[@threestars2164]

If religious experience was special it would be different than inhaling nitrous oxide, but it isn't.

[@whitestone4805]

A shame this (excellent) interview did not take the direction that would allow discussion of the prohibition in the Judeo/Christian faith of engaging with the occult (hidden) in ANY form. “When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the LORD your God. The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so. (Deuteronomy 18:9-14) Also in the New Testament. “Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds. A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.” (Acts 19:18-20) The demonic enters through the gates we open knowingly or through deception. “For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. 2nd Corinthians Ch. 11. There is endless testimony (on you tube) concerning the outcome of engaging with the occult both past and present. Including a five part, non sensationalist, exploration of the work undertaken by an exorcist within the Catholic tradition. Father Vincent Lampert. The various gateways are identified by him and it is very sobering to reflect on the widespread acceptance of the occult in our day. The devil plays the long game, and his pagan trickle has surely become a flood, from the 60’s until now, a generation, just as always, the people of God become deceived over time and drift away to detestable practices. Take note: God always responds. He is not slow in this as some might imagine, as He is outside of time, but he ALWAYS acts. Hope. Yes. Repent therefore: this means turn, turn back to him. Pray for help and divine intervention NOW. Do this if you have been involved in ANY way in the occult. Jesus is “The Way, The truth The life.” No man comes to the Father except through me.” That’s either true or false. The consequences of accepting Him (or not) are eternal. That is, not alterable beyond physical death. Amen. (So be it)

[@NorthStarGeneral]

Houston Smith has the last of the old timey western gentlemen's names .

[@alexandercle]

Seem like just a chit chat on the surface level, as if they hesitated to stay deeper on the topic.

[@roselotusmystic]

TheMysteryOf NonLocality

[@grosbeak6130]

Get some rest.

[@schinaro]

...and God said: let there be hair Jeffrey

[@roselotusmystic]

AtBrahMan

[@chrislaro1396]

Further, the idea that the only definition for god is 'perfection' has always irked the hell outta me. Whys that anyway? First of all, any human verbiage related to the origins of our universe could never describe the unfathomable. Perfection, a human word was written to describe 'us' as human beings - self interest and vanity/narcissism nothing more. I think in the 21st century we all must redefine the word and more, STOP saying it. Simply mouthing the word god does nothing to enhance it or make it more real or validate a fkng religion. Just please stop with both. Non essential. Aho.

[@throgwarhammer7162]

I think what he means by "perfection" is more like infinite or all-encompassing. This comes from old philosophical arguments for a necessary being that isn't dependent on anything else for its existence and which gives rise to all contingent forms of being.

[@atamtaki9336]

Mr Huston Smith had his mind quite limited. Didn't look at things with curiosity. Only standard frames. Sad.

[@chambermuses7802]

Nothing "standard" about Huston at all. I knew him personally, and his intellect embraced realms most people have never begun to imagine, and fit into no frame whatsoever.

[@grosbeak6130]

Go back to sleep.