Mark Vernon on Looking East in Winter by

Rowan Williams has written another hugely significant book, one ripe with meaning for now.
In this talk, I unpack its themes of non-dualism and Trinitarian life, eros and kenosis, politics and justice, seeing truthfully and destroying the world.
For more on Mark Vernon, see www.markvernon.com.

[@PlatosPodcasts]

0:39 Addressing the Anthropocene 1:28 The need for an epiphany 2:52 What is our key problem? 4:32 Nondual non-identity 7:12 Trinitarian life 9:05 The erotic life of the divine 13:30 True kenosis and ecstasy 17:42 The truth of ourselves 20:49 Watchfulness, angelic awareness, mindfulness 23:39 Apatheia and anger 25:19 Being in the world, not of the world 28:20 The artist and philosopher 29:43 The gift of wisdom and remedying ignorance 30:27 Rationality and relating 31:55 Being natural 33:11 A new solidarity and Maria Skobtsova 34:32 A new apologetics 35:25 A new politics and sense of justice 38:48 Hospitality as a way of life 39:10 Freedom and fulfilment 40:39 Divinization and the future

[@SpiritualPsychotherapyServices]

Are you VEGAN? 🌱

[@lindacarroll5018]

Thank you so much for all these insights and understandings.

[@susanbachelder9521]

I am touched by your succinct observation at 28:50 on the transmission of spirit through art and philosophy - the beauty of Unity when it manifests in a single line, or poem, or in the case of Arabic calligraphy, the name of God, speaks so directly to the heart, it remains beloved for generations and one does not necessarily need to know all the ramifications of its structure - whether Lincoln cathedral or the Arabic alphabet - to stand in awe of them.

[@NGC-catseye]

Thank you 🙏 that was one of the best book reviews I have ever heard. But it was so much more. So many ideas in an easy to understand chronological order.

[@thomassimmons1950]

Great respect for RW. Not so much for the Woke Anglican Church. Shame it's been captured like so many institutions. Begs the difference between the sacred and profane. What's it all about Alphie?

[@bayreuth79]

The Anglican Church has collapsed into the secular culture of Britain and Europe. One of the ironies of this is that they have an obsessive concern for 'minorities' while simultaneously holding that the more conservative Anglicans in Africa (Nigeria, etc) are more or less 'homophobes' and 'patriarchal' etc. Most of the Anglican priests I have known personally support every fashionable 'ism', even if its evidently in contradiction with the scriptures and centuries of tradition. I even had one Anglican priest tell me that he doesn't believe in the resurrection (in any sense of that term). The Anglican Church does some good social work, which is what a church ought to be doing, but I think its reduced church to that.

[@thomassimmons1950]

@@bayreuth79 I'm a Yank from St. Louis. Not unlike T. S. Eliot, bit of a bloody Anglophile and a Christian, but Lutheran not Anglican. I've been very disturbed by what I consider the "elites," and their hysterical reaction formation, otherwise known as WOKE. It all seems to be too cute by a half. Is it simply the targeting of middle class western values to keep some upper class illusion of control in tact? It's rot has infected every major institution from education, politics, journalism, art, entertainment, media, and yes...sadly, the Church. The question going forward is will they succeed and turn the whole enchilada into some Marxist-technology- commodified-Gehenna, run by the few for the few with Woke slogans to distract the Masses?....anyway, hang in there mate, and thanks for your comment. The irony is that folks like us are in the majority, another reason: (this is them)... "Democracy and the nation state, with all it's reactionary- constitutional trappings has gots ta go! Silly peasants and their delusional notion of a voice. Brexit? Trump? LET THEM EAT CAKE!" I think that's the way THEY THINK. It's a top down revolution. We could use another Cromwell right about now. Anyway, (CHEERS LAD)!

[@floydwilkes9904]

Excellent Mark! Gracias! Grateful I am for your brilliance. I am indeed

[@m5ivec750]

Beautiful video. Thank you

[@Pawsz]

resonating

[@maxzoe948]

Many thanks for these videos. Always such interesting themes and ideas, such erudite discussion. Greetings from Melbourne

[@Pawsz]

Spot on.. I have to read this

[@restandtrust]

Thank you, Mark, for the presentation. It reminded me of Nikolai Berdyaev, how he talks about the erotic nature of wisdom. As we encounter the divine Sophia in all creation we become part of the cosmic eros, rejoicing always in His presence.

[@montenegroalexandra646]

Thanks so much! Wonderful review.

[@bruceclark2277]

Excellent video - demands whole concentration but worth it. Reference to the Trinity and how that contributes towards the idea that theism accommodates (?) non-dualism is very helpful. Also the introduction of ecstasis as an addition (perhaps the flip side of) kenosis is extremely helpful for me - I will look into this further. I have concentrated on "self emptying" in my spiritual journey as an important aspect of relating to God and others but now see how ecstasis - "a going out towards the other(s)" (?) further enhances our growth in love and grace. Also meaning of Eros love needs to be released from our limited Western interpretation. I'm so excited to be learning these things. Thank you Mark for your books and videos - and for being someone who remains faithful to his Christian roots and yet brave enough to explore beyond the man-made boundaries that stifle our potential 👍