As a new follower of pantheism who’s having a spot of trouble incorporating it into my practices, I’d definitely like to watch more videos about your experiences with pantheism. I really enjoyed this one!
3 года назад+6
Thanks for the feedback, it's definitely a topic I'll enjoy getting into more!
I love hearing you talk about pantheism. I've always felt that I fall somewhere in between paganism and atheism and it's difficult when I try to explain it to other people, even if it makes sense for me. I use the word "pantheist" to describe myself but in my experience it always requires and additional explanation to be understood by others, and you put it so well.
3 года назад+10
Yes, absolutely. Outsiders are always surprised when I say I sometimes feel I don't have much in common with most Pagans! Pantheism is the perfect bridge for me.
I had a similar experience with atheism and the cold nihilistic feeling that comes with bare materialism, but there’s always been an ambiguous feeling that I couldn’t ignore, like the feeling of experiencing great art. That’s what drew me to pantheism. Great video!
It seems to me that Taoism, Zen Buddhism and Hinduism are all Pantheistic philosophies. Which makes a lot of sense to me. I come from a Christian background, which didn't make sense to me when I explored my beliefs more deeply. I'm glad I found your channel and I look forward to watching more of your videos.
8:17 "I could choose to look out at the world every day and think 'This is worthy of reverence.'" - This really sums up what has brought me here. I was raised christian and have lived as an atheist for the past 10 years, but the whole time I felt like I wasn't acknowledging my spiritual values. I was drawn to pantheism, naturalistic pantheism specifically, as a way of bringing spirituality back into my life without delving into magical thinking.
i remember back in 2012 or so ,i felt stuck between atheist friends and chriistian family, didn't know or care why, and your videos helped me realize the 'normalcy' of my ideology. good stuff & great to hear this so many years later. *eternal spirit is everywhere*
I read a book from 2005 (I think) about trends in religion. The writer predicted there would be more attention for 'green' religion and my head went "yeah, obviously! We're going back to respecting and venerating nature, and the world darn well needs us to do so!". He also predicted more individuality in religion rather than organized religion where everybody beliefs the same and practices the same, at which I rebeled and stopped reading. Because how I shape my religion and spirituality feels so true, so real, and I couldn't really handle being part of a trend. This is why I really enjoyed this video, and especially your explanation of the origin of pantheism in light of other historic trends. Looking at it that way, somehow I can more easily accept that the expression of spirituality has always been developing over the history of humankind and that it will continue to do so :) I hope you'll make more videos on the topic of pantheism, which I feel so connected to as well, and would especially be interested in deep ecology, dark green religion, eco-feminist spirituality and the like.
3 года назад+3
Yes there's definitely been a stronger leaning towards green spirituality I think in the last 15 years, and I'll be very curious to see how that continues to evolve now that environmental issues have pervaded popular consciousness. I'll definitely make more on these topics in future!
Nice video! Was Christian but questioned the moral system and historical inaccuracies and became atheist for a while with a hatred of all religions. I then came across the Law of One channelings by Ra and Q'uo and it still gives me chills on it's in depth descriptions of the universe and meaning of all things along with it's claims about history and science that have been proven true.
i love this, it's been so hard to identify with something, I've always felt connected to nature and have explored paganism, secularism and was raised wiccan/unitarian. pantheism perfectly sums up my thoughts that it's us, our molecules, our processes, our systems, our cycles, our world and the great expanse that truly make up the power of God. I'm not a fan of the word God because it feels so connected to personification and masculinity honestly, but it's the best well known word for the sense of reverence i feel when thinking about this concept. It's amazing that we are constantly searching for what created whatever this space we inhabit is, while the fact that it exists in itself is the magic.
"The scientific and materialistic world view that my education gave me left me doubting my own feelings. I wanted to believe in a god or goddess but I couldn't." Oh my goodness - I recognise this exact struggle within myself! I'm a Cambridge educated scientist and have worked as a neuropharmacologist and a science teacher and lecturer. Science is brilliant in that it tells a story which is actually continually verifyable by experimentation and very cohesive. But it doesn't answer the need in me for a spiritual Goddess. I don't even know why I should have a need like that, but I do. Yet if I try to hold an actual belief in such a goddess its like part of me scoffs at my own spirituality and I feel embarrassed to feel that way. I used to think of this in terms of archetypes, but more and more I want something real. In many ways for me Patheism gives me a get out clause to this psychological tension. Nature is real and the idea of nature as a single whole living ecosystem is not at all new. So if I call myself a pantheist and I call nature God it gives me the wriggle room I need hold onto the Goddess in some way. Hmm, that's probably as clear as mud. Anyway, totally interesting video! Many thanks!
Pantheism is the label created for a practice that goes back to the first humans, who had a great reverence for the world they lived in. Your videos always remind me of the book The Sacred and the Profane, which I think you would like if you haven't read it.
3 года назад+2
Yes I've dipped into it, Durkheim is a big influence on the field of religious studies :)
Well, I get it. What about human and animal sacrifice in those beliefs ? Christianity ended human and animal sacrifice among pagan societies…. You think it could end with just pantheistic philosophy ?
@@ispislc Christians have also committed ritualistic sacrifices as well and the sacrifice of animals or even humans is something that has been present in humans since we leaved the caves. Christianity took away the connection we had with nature and the spirituality behind it. They took us towards an intangible spirituality that was based on pure faith and demanded us to repent for sins we never committed. I am very sure the world would be a much better place if Pantheism took more part on our history because pantheism doesn't launch crusades on other cultures or dictates that we must follow a certain way of behavior or else we will doomed in torment.
@, I'm watching your original "What is Pantheism?" right now and even though I've always loved it and shared it many times, i can see how much more confident and erudite you are now on the subject, so an update was a great idea (even though it's obvious you were incredibly knowledgeable in this area even back then) ; ) Are you familiar with my work on Biopantheism?
3 года назад+1
@@PoFFizdaMan Haha yes that really was a long time ago, apart from everything else I was still quite nervous/awkward on camera. No! I've just clicked onto your channel, gonna check it out
Thank you so much for this video. I grew up Catholic but became very conflicted as a 20 year year old in college. I came across Pantheism while reading about Carl Sagan and thus started me down a path of research and discovery leading up to viewing your video. I’ve learned so much this week and feel more at home listening to you describe your thoughts and feelings. This is something I’d like to explore further.
3 года назад+1
I hope I/my content can continue to help you along your journey!
I always had trouble believing in deity myself, at least in the very literalist way many religious paths seem to view that. I always saw these things as ,at most alegorical or purely metaphorical ways of looking at the mystery of nature. The changing of the seasons , regeneration etc. Thanks for sharing this wonderful insight 🌻🌴🍁🦋🌻
3 года назад+2
Yes, exactly. I don't think I've really believed in deity that way since I was about 11/12. But yes, I think that embracing the mystery of nature and existence is so valuable, and these kinds of allegories are our best ways of wrapping out heads around it.
Great video! I'm currently reading Elements of Pantheism by Paul Harrison but I love how you talked about the human drive for spiritual experiences in a world defined by science. My intro to pantheism was following the wheel of the year and having plants. Tuning into the cycles of nature and watching things grow has been, and continues to be, a magical experience.
3 года назад
Oh I think I've dipped into that, how are you enjoying it? I can totally relate on both counts, I only got into plants in 2019 and now I've moved onto fish, observing them and keeping them healthy and happy has become a huge part of my spirituality!
Loved this video! I describe myself as an agnostic atheist with pantheistic optimism because labels are tricky, but this video and a lot of your others basically encompasses my beliefs/outlook on the world. I personally don't perform or practice any rituals or spiritual stuff because I personally get the same kind of gratification from praying/meditating/etc through just living and thinking and also through my writing, but I feel the same as you nonetheless. I do however, get a lot of spiritual gratification through science, especially astronomy/the study of the universe - I feel at my most spiritual when learning about the cosmos. Part of my pantheism has also encompassed appreciating and also finding spiritual satisfaction in the modern and the urban, instead of being in rejection of it. I see it generally as a sign of human progress and hope. The more we balance and integrate our modernity and urbanisation with nature and plant life, the better I think we'll be.
Thank you for this great video! I recently came across the term pantheism and have been reading so much about it. The more I learn about this belief system, the more interested I have become in it. I consider myself agnostic for the moment, but after coming across pantheism, I just feel like it resonates so much with me. And your video was great and insightful about the history, points, and beliefs.
3 года назад
I'm so glad it was helpful to you! Good luck with your ongoing exploration :)
Great video! Someone once said to me that if you replace the word "god" with "existance" in any pantheism text, then both will make sence. That's what really solidified panthiesm for me, as I find it hard to belive in a diety in a literal way. It's something I think about often Nd let's you be scientific while also feeling awe. Thank you for the videos!
3 года назад+1
Yes! It's easier for me too to take any great element of faith out of it. It gives something to fall back on in times of doubt!
I just discovered your RUclips channel, and I love how concise and informative this video was. I initially came across your name in issue number 35 of the Witches & Pagans magazine. Your article there moved me deeply, and I wrote to the magazine and expressed my own thoughts about it. They loved what I had written about your article and how it related to my own experiences, and they published my email in the following issue. I want to thank you and keep up the wonderful work! :)
3 года назад+1
Ah thank you so much, I shamefully never read the following issue so I missed it, but I do have a copy somewhere so I will dig it out and read your response!
Thank you for this wonderful pantheism introduction. ❤😊 Your 'paving your path' and earlier videos on pantheism have been important for my own pantheist path, as well as one book in particular, Rubenstein's "Pantheologies." I will point others to this video for sure as a 'learn about pantheism' resource for sure.
3 года назад
Oh I'll have to add that to my list of recommendations! Thank you so much, so glad you enjoyed it! ❤️
Fantastic video! You do a really great job covering the history of pantheism, and remind us of the enchantment and wonder this world offers :) also, beautiful nature shots!
3 года назад
Aw thank you, I'm so glad it had the desired effect! 😊
Dispite never actually being raised specifically with pantheistic practises, both my parents do believe in it to a certain degree os I've naturally just kind of found myself believing in the world that way. I find it really great to be honest and it'd be cool to actually start practising some stuff around it to be honest ^^
Thank you for this video. Some ancient eastern philosophies/religions are pantheist, though not necessarily naturalistic. I feel that I most closely align with the perspectives of Alan Watts. I personally shy away from the idea of 'worship', which sounds hierarchical and groveling in the manner of traditional monotheistic religions, though I can embrace the ideas of 'awe' and 'reverence'.
I'm a polytheistic pantheist. Essentially I believe that ultimately everything is part of a great collective singularity that functions as a unified and intelligent system, a "Deity," but that individual, localized entities exist which are naturally endowed with power over certain parts of reality which could loosely be called "deities." I am for example, the God of my own body and mind, as I am a localized intelligent force naturally endowed with power over my mind and body. A tree has its own intelligence that can be said to be the deity of that tree. It's a bit more complicated than this of course. What is your perspective on polytheistic pantheism?
Just finished your deep chat with Kelly-Ann...loved it and all you both said spoke to me so deeply. Subscribed here and instagram now. Looking forward to learning more of what you offer. 🖤🎯
Came to your channel after watching you and Kelly. Everything happens for s reason, right? Great historical background on Pantheism. Very interesting. Thank you. Will keep following and have a read of the rest of your downloads. Watching from Canada.😊
I saw an interview with Mary-Jane Rubenstein once where she used a bit of a trick to bypass the whole belief debate. She simply said (without advocating any belief or lack thereof) "suppose we just treated things as if they were divine". Rocks, streams, trees, ecosystems, .... doesn't matter. Just suppose you treated them as if they were divine? And I don't think she answered her own rhetorical question, but it certainly inspired a few thoughts for me. I have no belief in magic or gods or any such thing, and I don't feel any need for it. But I see the wisdom and possible great side effects of adopting a demeaner of reverence, care, love and appreciation (even awe) about the world around us. Compared to the perverted ethos of hyper-capitalism (where the planet, and all its resources and people are simply there to be used to increase wealth of a few and that whole "climb to the top" and the oxymoron of "sustainable growth"), it would be like a breath of fresh air (irony of the simile intended). It is literally killing us. We need a better way.
How do you deal with the philosophical critiques of pantheism? For instance- a first principle implies something prior to space and time. This means something metaphysically distinct. It can’t be ‘in’ time because that’s a limit and also it’s own byproduct. In the same way that if you bake a cake you are not suddenly that cake. Also you still have to deal with questions of priority or contingency. Take something like logic- where do you ground it? You can try and claim it’s emergent but if you ground it in the brain universal truth statements break down (because we’re fallible and limited). Grounding it in the brain is the same thing as trying to ground it in ‘the world’ because we are of the world- so same problem (also it’s prior to our experience of ‘the world’ or the mediator between us and it.) so, you need an invariant referent or ‘truth’ or the possibility of knowledge disappears- so transcendental. if you grant it as transcendental then you open the door to metaphysics. And if you do that you basically grant an entire plain of ontology that is prior to/has primacy over ‘the world’. This along with all the identity problems. You basically get a big old category error.
Thank you very much for your videos and your ideas, I have often felt pagan or at least pagan aligned but I struggle with ritual, or at least very expressive forms of ritual, on top of this I come from an environmental science and anthropological back ground and can find my self rationalizing what can be experienced intuitively/spiritually. Over the years your videos have encouraged me to do both and find value in doing so.
Wonderful video! I appreciate it very much. Would you happen to have any book recommendations on pantheism?
3 года назад
I learned most of the basics of the history and philosophy online and through reference books, articles and anthologies, but one favourite book that I recommend a lot is a memoir and overview of some Pantheist philosophers by Sharman Apt Russell called "Standing in the Light". But I'd like in future maybe to compile a short list of recommendations!
@ I did a little snoopy after I watched the video and got a copy of standing in the light from a previous video I think from around Christmas time where you said you had reread it. Thank you so much
Law of One Ra material and Q'uo material. Aaron Abke on RUclips has a great Law of One playlist. Also Brian Scott has great relaxing Q'uo material podcasts.
I contemplate some things that are very strange to some people, because I ask myself questions that few think about. One of these questions I ask periodically, having put a good deal of thought into it over time, is why do I like something. Why do other people like certain things? I have never found a satisfactory answer to this. Why did I like this video? I can say what I liked about it...the content, the lighting, the video quality, the b-roll, et cetera...but something about this video went beyond all of that for me.
I'm just learning about pantheism and was instantly intrigued at the mention of romantic poets and how that movement led to the development of environmentalism. What is the book you are flipping through with the poets?
3 года назад
Oh, good question, should have mentioned that! It's Romanticism: An Anthology, edited by Duncan Wu. Was a required text for my English lit undergrad!
I've been a follower of yours for quite some time now & love your discussions on Pantheism. Can you suggest any books on Pantheism? Would love to hear from you. I, myself, have straddled the fence between Deism / Atheism. Both seem to have something missing, like ritual & emotional nourishment that we need to successfully thrive as living beings.
Hey! I really recommend watching "Awakening From The Meaning Crisis" series of lectures by John Vervaeke. It goes rather well together with a Spiritual Naturalistic/Pantheistic outlook.
3 года назад
Thanks! I'm making a list of recommendations from viewers and I'll them it to it!
Hey, recently discovered your channel. This video was awesome! I have been looking for the earliest thinkers or currents in christianity which could be considered pantheistic, panentheistic, or ”neoplatonic”, as these kinds of perspectives are pretty clear in for example the writings of medieval christian mystics, and of course in certain gospels. Same goes for islam, was sufism really there from the beginning? Judaism is bit more difficult to track I think, since the Torah is all over the place with many topics :) Anyhow, if you have any insights, let me know! Thanks for your time, -Antti, Helsinki
3 года назад
Hey! Sorry, I don't know how your comment slipped through the net when you posted it! This is a really interesting idea, and I feel like I've come across someone writing about this but can't for the life of me remember where/when... Have you come up with any insights since you wrote this? I've been REALLY wanting to deep-dive into the Christian mystics for a few years now and I just never get around to it! I would imagine that a great place to start would be reading the primary sources - writings by popular Christian and Islamic mystics from the time. I had a quick search on my university library catalogue but nothing of note showed up, would required a deeper dive!
@ Hey, no problem regarding the "late" reply :) First of all, I think many of the so-called sayings of Jesus, especially in Mark (which is the oldest gospel?) and Thomas, can easily be understood as Pantheistic or something along those lines. But the first Christian thinkers clearly influenced by Neoplatonism were Augustine of Hippo (4th century) and Pseudo-Dionysius (5th century). However, I'm pretty sure many Jews and Christians living in places were Greek culture was present got exposed to Neoplatonism even earlier. In Islam, the Sufis have been there since the beginning most likely, and they are usually pretty Pantheistic, and for example the Ismailis are Neoplatonic even today. Regarding Christian mystics: I started with Meister Eckhart, the book "The Cloud of Unknowing", and the writings of the Desert Fathers found in works like the "Filokalia". Modern dudes like Richard Rohr are pretty great as well..! The Orthodox branches have always been more mystical, and most likely closer to original Christianity than other branches today, but there are many wonderfully "Buddhist" thinkers in Catholicism too..! :)
Wow, I really enjoyed your video. I went from Wicca to Taoist literally within 5yrs. Don't get me wrong, I like some of the occult magic in wicca, but spell work was a bit much for me. Just using the term Pagan never sounded right. It's kind of a derogatory word anyway. You can be a spiritual, or a naturalistic pantheist, it really doesn't matter because the goal is to perceive life as sacred.
3 года назад+4
Yeah I can understand that thought process. I've gone back and forth a lot with how comfortable I feel applying the labels of Pagan and Witch to myself. Pantheist, however, is sticking for life I think.
Here's my take on it. Since we're apparently made in the stars, the element carbon, we could say at least prima facie the universe made us. The BBC conducted an experiment some years ago in which two points on the microwave background radiation were used as the base of a triangle and the Earth as the apex (Horizon series). If the triangle were Euclidean the universe would be deemed bounded. If flat, unbounded in the three dimensions of space and one of time. The result was indeed flat suggesting an infinite universe. It did not begin and has no edge. It is for me no big flight of fancy to see the universe as God therefore. But it's not written in stone. In cosmology we welcome all arguments, we're not doctrinaire. We're not forced to fall back on 'faith' like religionists. We can change when presented with new convincing evidence we're wrong. We don't operate a power base like the clergymen of some religions who feel the need to wear gaudy robes to signal they represent God. At no time do l deny the Godhead. I just say the Universe is an eternal mystery which probably can't ever be understood. After all, there are plenty of ghost and alien sightings which add to the mystery.
1:33 ummmm.....Not all pantheists. I just wanna make this point that pantheism is not some water-down version of atheism that some people wanna believe. Pantheism is a subset of theism. But it's just that functions differently than classical theism does.
Sounds like she's leaning more to Druidism than Panteism. Just because someone believes GOD or Divinity is in all things, doesn't necessarily make you a tree hugger, especially if you stay more on the scientific side of it and away from any ritualism.
Prophets are angels. Revelation 22 6 The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.” 7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.” 8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. 9 But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!” 10 Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. 11 Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.” The Earth is Hell in the future. It gets hit by an asteroid and pushed toward the sun. Isaiah 13:13, 2 Peter 3, and Revelation 9. After death is defeated Jesus returns the kingdom back to God. 1 Corinthians 15 This is the beginning of the kingdom of God. Then and asteroid will strike the Earth Revelation 9. It will open up the bottomless pit and knock the Earth out of its orbit toward the sun. The Earth is Hell is the future. The only escape is in the New Jerusalem. It will take the best of humanity and the glory of the nations to a new Earth. This is the beginning of the kingdom of heaven. Peter was given authority over who goes and stays by Jesus. Protestants are antichrist according to 1 John 2:18-19 ...for they went out from us showing that they were not of us, for if they were of us they would have stayed with us...
There is an alarmingly serious problem with what you have shared. Jesus of Nazareth claimed to be God. You hopefully will see that worship of Him is not only the most logical and true choice when you consider Who He is, but also that upon your own death, you will stand before Him in person in real time. You will then frighteningly realize that all He said about Himself, all that He did, including His own physical death and resurrection, was indeed true. If you continue down your present road, that encounter will lead to an eternity without God. Lovingly I would said, pray. The Lord will show Himself to you in a real and personal way. He is the only Way.
You are so delusional and brainwashed, wake up from matrix God can’t be separated from creation cause God is infinite if you can’t understand that then you need serious help🥰
If Jesus is the only way, what happened to all the people who lived before Jesus'time that have never heard of Jesus or his teachings? I challenge you on answeing this simple question.
@@tonycaine5930 the Christians actually have an explanation for that apparent plot hole - ‘The Harrowing of Hell’ in Christian theology explains that in the days between his death and resurrection, Jesus travels to hell and redeems all the lost souls who came before his salvation. Im not a believer, just answering your question.
I think most "atheists" are pantheists. Most people say that they think that there is "something" but not a person. I think most people just don't know the term "pantheist
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As a new follower of pantheism who’s having a spot of trouble incorporating it into my practices, I’d definitely like to watch more videos about your experiences with pantheism. I really enjoyed this one!
Thanks for the feedback, it's definitely a topic I'll enjoy getting into more!
Just discovered pantheism and non-thiest Druidism- would love to see more videos!!x
I love hearing you talk about pantheism. I've always felt that I fall somewhere in between paganism and atheism and it's difficult when I try to explain it to other people, even if it makes sense for me. I use the word "pantheist" to describe myself but in my experience it always requires and additional explanation to be understood by others, and you put it so well.
Yes, absolutely. Outsiders are always surprised when I say I sometimes feel I don't have much in common with most Pagans! Pantheism is the perfect bridge for me.
I had a similar experience with atheism and the cold nihilistic feeling that comes with bare materialism, but there’s always been an ambiguous feeling that I couldn’t ignore, like the feeling of experiencing great art. That’s what drew me to pantheism. Great video!
It seems to me that Taoism, Zen Buddhism and Hinduism are all Pantheistic philosophies. Which makes a lot of sense to me. I come from a Christian background, which didn't make sense to me when I explored my beliefs more deeply.
I'm glad I found your channel and I look forward to watching more of your videos.
Was just about to say/ask similar
8:17 "I could choose to look out at the world every day and think 'This is worthy of reverence.'"
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This really sums up what has brought me here. I was raised christian and have lived as an atheist for the past 10 years, but the whole time I felt like I wasn't acknowledging my spiritual values. I was drawn to pantheism, naturalistic pantheism specifically, as a way of bringing spirituality back into my life without delving into magical thinking.
i remember back in 2012 or so ,i felt stuck between atheist friends and chriistian family, didn't know or care why, and your videos helped me realize the 'normalcy' of my ideology. good stuff & great to hear this so many years later. *eternal spirit is everywhere*
I read a book from 2005 (I think) about trends in religion. The writer predicted there would be more attention for 'green' religion and my head went "yeah, obviously! We're going back to respecting and venerating nature, and the world darn well needs us to do so!". He also predicted more individuality in religion rather than organized religion where everybody beliefs the same and practices the same, at which I rebeled and stopped reading. Because how I shape my religion and spirituality feels so true, so real, and I couldn't really handle being part of a trend.
This is why I really enjoyed this video, and especially your explanation of the origin of pantheism in light of other historic trends. Looking at it that way, somehow I can more easily accept that the expression of spirituality has always been developing over the history of humankind and that it will continue to do so :)
I hope you'll make more videos on the topic of pantheism, which I feel so connected to as well, and would especially be interested in deep ecology, dark green religion, eco-feminist spirituality and the like.
Yes there's definitely been a stronger leaning towards green spirituality I think in the last 15 years, and I'll be very curious to see how that continues to evolve now that environmental issues have pervaded popular consciousness. I'll definitely make more on these topics in future!
Nice video! Was Christian but questioned the moral system and historical inaccuracies and became atheist for a while with a hatred of all religions. I then came across the Law of One channelings by Ra and Q'uo and it still gives me chills on it's in depth descriptions of the universe and meaning of all things along with it's claims about history and science that have been proven true.
i love this, it's been so hard to identify with something, I've always felt connected to nature and have explored paganism, secularism and was raised wiccan/unitarian. pantheism perfectly sums up my thoughts that it's us, our molecules, our processes, our systems, our cycles, our world and the great expanse that truly make up the power of God. I'm not a fan of the word God because it feels so connected to personification and masculinity honestly, but it's the best well known word for the sense of reverence i feel when thinking about this concept. It's amazing that we are constantly searching for what created whatever this space we inhabit is, while the fact that it exists in itself is the magic.
Sounds like watered down atheism
This was well done - concise and spot on. I also enjoy the pastoral scenes you incorporate in your videos - nice touch! Keep up the excellent work!
Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed it 😊
"The scientific and materialistic world view that my education gave me left me doubting my own feelings. I wanted to believe in a god or goddess but I couldn't."
Oh my goodness - I recognise this exact struggle within myself! I'm a Cambridge educated scientist and have worked as a neuropharmacologist and a science teacher and lecturer. Science is brilliant in that it tells a story which is actually continually verifyable by experimentation and very cohesive. But it doesn't answer the need in me for a spiritual Goddess. I don't even know why I should have a need like that, but I do. Yet if I try to hold an actual belief in such a goddess its like part of me scoffs at my own spirituality and I feel embarrassed to feel that way. I used to think of this in terms of archetypes, but more and more I want something real.
In many ways for me Patheism gives me a get out clause to this psychological tension. Nature is real and the idea of nature as a single whole living ecosystem is not at all new. So if I call myself a pantheist and I call nature God it gives me the wriggle room I need hold onto the Goddess in some way.
Hmm, that's probably as clear as mud. Anyway, totally interesting video! Many thanks!
Thank you very much. for your fics.
Pantheism is the label created for a practice that goes back to the first humans, who had a great reverence for the world they lived in. Your videos always remind me of the book The Sacred and the Profane, which I think you would like if you haven't read it.
Yes I've dipped into it, Durkheim is a big influence on the field of religious studies :)
Well, I get it. What about human and animal sacrifice in those beliefs ? Christianity ended human and animal sacrifice among pagan societies…. You think it could end with just pantheistic philosophy ?
@@ispislc
Christians have also committed ritualistic sacrifices as well and the sacrifice of animals or even humans is something that has been present in humans since we leaved the caves. Christianity took away the connection we had with nature and the spirituality behind it. They took us towards an intangible spirituality that was based on pure faith and demanded us to repent for sins we never committed. I am very sure the world would be a much better place if Pantheism took more part on our history because pantheism doesn't launch crusades on other cultures or dictates that we must follow a certain way of behavior or else we will doomed in torment.
So much of what she said are things I've said myself, but without knowing about the pantheism world. This is really a life changing moment for me
I hope your journey into pantheism has been going well since you posted this.
@@OneTheBlue ❤️ thank you
Thanks SO much for this! Great update on your original video(s) and excellent job highlighting the rich history of Pantheism.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! It was a bit of a daunting task haha
@, I'm watching your original "What is Pantheism?" right now and even though I've always loved it and shared it many times, i can see how much more confident and erudite you are now on the subject, so an update was a great idea (even though it's obvious you were incredibly knowledgeable in this area even back then) ; )
Are you familiar with my work on Biopantheism?
@@PoFFizdaMan Haha yes that really was a long time ago, apart from everything else I was still quite nervous/awkward on camera. No! I've just clicked onto your channel, gonna check it out
Thank you so much for this video. I grew up Catholic but became very conflicted as a 20 year year old in college. I came across Pantheism while reading about Carl Sagan and thus started me down a path of research and discovery leading up to viewing your video. I’ve learned so much this week and feel more at home listening to you describe your thoughts and feelings. This is something I’d like to explore further.
I hope I/my content can continue to help you along your journey!
I'm polytheist but I have a ton of sympathy with pantheism (I started there after monotheism)
And in turn I have a lot of sympathy with polytheism!
I love when you share information like this. This was a really good video. Wished it was longer!
Thank you! I'll be doing deeper dives in future for sure.
I always had trouble believing in deity myself, at least in the very literalist way many religious paths seem to view that. I always saw these things as ,at most alegorical or purely metaphorical ways of looking at the mystery of nature. The changing of the seasons , regeneration etc.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful insight 🌻🌴🍁🦋🌻
Yes, exactly. I don't think I've really believed in deity that way since I was about 11/12. But yes, I think that embracing the mystery of nature and existence is so valuable, and these kinds of allegories are our best ways of wrapping out heads around it.
Great video! I'm currently reading Elements of Pantheism by Paul Harrison but I love how you talked about the human drive for spiritual experiences in a world defined by science. My intro to pantheism was following the wheel of the year and having plants. Tuning into the cycles of nature and watching things grow has been, and continues to be, a magical experience.
Oh I think I've dipped into that, how are you enjoying it? I can totally relate on both counts, I only got into plants in 2019 and now I've moved onto fish, observing them and keeping them healthy and happy has become a huge part of my spirituality!
Loved this video! I describe myself as an agnostic atheist with pantheistic optimism because labels are tricky, but this video and a lot of your others basically encompasses my beliefs/outlook on the world. I personally don't perform or practice any rituals or spiritual stuff because I personally get the same kind of gratification from praying/meditating/etc through just living and thinking and also through my writing, but I feel the same as you nonetheless. I do however, get a lot of spiritual gratification through science, especially astronomy/the study of the universe - I feel at my most spiritual when learning about the cosmos.
Part of my pantheism has also encompassed appreciating and also finding spiritual satisfaction in the modern and the urban, instead of being in rejection of it. I see it generally as a sign of human progress and hope. The more we balance and integrate our modernity and urbanisation with nature and plant life, the better I think we'll be.
Thank you for this great video! I recently came across the term pantheism and have been reading so much about it. The more I learn about this belief system, the more interested I have become in it. I consider myself agnostic for the moment, but after coming across pantheism, I just feel like it resonates so much with me. And your video was great and insightful about the history, points, and beliefs.
I'm so glad it was helpful to you! Good luck with your ongoing exploration :)
Great video! Someone once said to me that if you replace the word "god" with "existance" in any pantheism text, then both will make sence. That's what really solidified panthiesm for me, as I find it hard to belive in a diety in a literal way. It's something I think about often Nd let's you be scientific while also feeling awe. Thank you for the videos!
Yes! It's easier for me too to take any great element of faith out of it. It gives something to fall back on in times of doubt!
I just discovered your RUclips channel, and I love how concise and informative this video was. I initially came across your name in issue number 35 of the Witches & Pagans magazine. Your article there moved me deeply, and I wrote to the magazine and expressed my own thoughts about it. They loved what I had written about your article and how it related to my own experiences, and they published my email in the following issue. I want to thank you and keep up the wonderful work! :)
Ah thank you so much, I shamefully never read the following issue so I missed it, but I do have a copy somewhere so I will dig it out and read your response!
Thank you for this wonderful pantheism introduction. ❤😊 Your 'paving your path' and earlier videos on pantheism have been important for my own pantheist path, as well as one book in particular, Rubenstein's "Pantheologies." I will point others to this video for sure as a 'learn about pantheism' resource for sure.
Oh I'll have to add that to my list of recommendations! Thank you so much, so glad you enjoyed it! ❤️
Fantastic video! You do a really great job covering the history of pantheism, and remind us of the enchantment and wonder this world offers :) also, beautiful nature shots!
Aw thank you, I'm so glad it had the desired effect! 😊
Dispite never actually being raised specifically with pantheistic practises, both my parents do believe in it to a certain degree os I've naturally just kind of found myself believing in the world that way. I find it really great to be honest and it'd be cool to actually start practising some stuff around it to be honest ^^
Thank you for this video. Some ancient eastern philosophies/religions are pantheist, though not necessarily naturalistic. I feel that I most closely align with the perspectives of Alan Watts. I personally shy away from the idea of 'worship', which sounds hierarchical and groveling in the manner of traditional monotheistic religions, though I can embrace the ideas of 'awe' and 'reverence'.
I know it's unrelated, but you have such a beautiful calming voice
Thank you for your wonderful insights!
So glad you enjoyed it!
I'm a polytheistic pantheist. Essentially I believe that ultimately everything is part of a great collective singularity that functions as a unified and intelligent system, a "Deity," but that individual, localized entities exist which are naturally endowed with power over certain parts of reality which could loosely be called "deities." I am for example, the God of my own body and mind, as I am a localized intelligent force naturally endowed with power over my mind and body. A tree has its own intelligence that can be said to be the deity of that tree. It's a bit more complicated than this of course. What is your perspective on polytheistic pantheism?
Just finished your deep chat with Kelly-Ann...loved it and all you both said spoke to me so deeply. Subscribed here and instagram now. Looking forward to learning more of what you offer. 🖤🎯
Hello please pardon me for intruding in to your privacy I just want to ask if you are a fan?
Came to your channel after watching you and Kelly. Everything happens for s reason, right? Great historical background on Pantheism. Very interesting. Thank you. Will keep following and have a read of the rest of your downloads. Watching from Canada.😊
Hi Marilyn, how are you doing?
Well delivered. Thank you.
I saw an interview with Mary-Jane Rubenstein once where she used a bit of a trick to bypass the whole belief debate. She simply said (without advocating any belief or lack thereof) "suppose we just treated things as if they were divine". Rocks, streams, trees, ecosystems, .... doesn't matter. Just suppose you treated them as if they were divine? And I don't think she answered her own rhetorical question, but it certainly inspired a few thoughts for me. I have no belief in magic or gods or any such thing, and I don't feel any need for it. But I see the wisdom and possible great side effects of adopting a demeaner of reverence, care, love and appreciation (even awe) about the world around us. Compared to the perverted ethos of hyper-capitalism (where the planet, and all its resources and people are simply there to be used to increase wealth of a few and that whole "climb to the top" and the oxymoron of "sustainable growth"), it would be like a breath of fresh air (irony of the simile intended). It is literally killing us. We need a better way.
How do you deal with the philosophical critiques of pantheism? For instance- a first principle implies something prior to space and time. This means something metaphysically distinct. It can’t be ‘in’ time because that’s a limit and also it’s own byproduct. In the same way that if you bake a cake you are not suddenly that cake.
Also you still have to deal with questions of priority or contingency. Take something like logic- where do you ground it? You can try and claim it’s emergent but if you ground it in the brain universal truth statements break down (because we’re fallible and limited). Grounding it in the brain is the same thing as trying to ground it in ‘the world’ because we are of the world- so same problem (also it’s prior to our experience of ‘the world’ or the mediator between us and it.) so, you need an invariant referent or ‘truth’ or the possibility of knowledge disappears- so transcendental. if you grant it as transcendental then you open the door to metaphysics. And if you do that you basically grant an entire plain of ontology that is prior to/has primacy over ‘the world’. This along with all the identity problems.
You basically get a big old category error.
Thank you very much for your videos and your ideas, I have often felt pagan or at least pagan aligned but I struggle with ritual, or at least very expressive forms of ritual, on top of this I come from an environmental science and anthropological back ground and can find my self rationalizing what can be experienced intuitively/spiritually. Over the years your videos have encouraged me to do both and find value in doing so.
you definitely have the coolest job ever
Simply brilliant I love your authentic energy, ciao
Wonderful video! I appreciate it very much. Would you happen to have any book recommendations on pantheism?
I learned most of the basics of the history and philosophy online and through reference books, articles and anthologies, but one favourite book that I recommend a lot is a memoir and overview of some Pantheist philosophers by Sharman Apt Russell called "Standing in the Light". But I'd like in future maybe to compile a short list of recommendations!
@ I did a little snoopy after I watched the video and got a copy of standing in the light from a previous video I think from around Christmas time where you said you had reread it. Thank you so much
Law of One Ra material and Q'uo material. Aaron Abke on RUclips has a great Law of One playlist. Also Brian Scott has great relaxing Q'uo material podcasts.
This is a great video. Thanks
Im Ganny Brown a singer songwriter here in the Philippines and the same time founder of KAURI a movement that introduced Panthiesm
I contemplate some things that are very strange to some people, because I ask myself questions that few think about. One of these questions I ask periodically, having put a good deal of thought into it over time, is why do I like something. Why do other people like certain things? I have never found a satisfactory answer to this. Why did I like this video? I can say what I liked about it...the content, the lighting, the video quality, the b-roll, et cetera...but something about this video went beyond all of that for me.
I'm just learning about pantheism and was instantly intrigued at the mention of romantic poets and how that movement led to the development of environmentalism. What is the book you are flipping through with the poets?
Oh, good question, should have mentioned that! It's Romanticism: An Anthology, edited by Duncan Wu. Was a required text for my English lit undergrad!
I've been a follower of yours for quite some time now & love your discussions on Pantheism. Can you suggest any books on Pantheism? Would love to hear from you. I, myself, have straddled the fence between Deism / Atheism. Both seem to have something missing, like ritual & emotional nourishment that we need to successfully thrive as living beings.
Really really great video
I believe that everything is part of god/eternity. We are all made of the same matter so it just makes sense to me that we all are the same.
Amazing! Love to you.
You’re so awesome. I seriously want to be friends in real life.
Are you familiar with Naturalistic Pantheism ? I found out about it recently. Your videos have been really helpful during my research. :)
What does it mean to be (a) god in this metaphysical system?
i've BEEN THINKING that panentheism AKIN TO CHRIS LANGDON'S CTMU MIGHT BE WHAT'S GOING ON
Hey! I really recommend watching "Awakening From The Meaning Crisis" series of lectures by John Vervaeke. It goes rather well together with a Spiritual Naturalistic/Pantheistic outlook.
Thanks! I'm making a list of recommendations from viewers and I'll them it to it!
@ No, thanks! :-)
Hey, recently discovered your channel. This video was awesome!
I have been looking for the earliest thinkers or currents in christianity which could be considered pantheistic, panentheistic, or ”neoplatonic”, as these kinds of perspectives are pretty clear in for example the writings of medieval christian mystics, and of course in certain gospels.
Same goes for islam, was sufism really there from the beginning? Judaism is bit more difficult to track I think, since the Torah is all over the place with many topics :)
Anyhow, if you have any insights, let me know!
Thanks for your time,
-Antti, Helsinki
Hey! Sorry, I don't know how your comment slipped through the net when you posted it! This is a really interesting idea, and I feel like I've come across someone writing about this but can't for the life of me remember where/when... Have you come up with any insights since you wrote this? I've been REALLY wanting to deep-dive into the Christian mystics for a few years now and I just never get around to it! I would imagine that a great place to start would be reading the primary sources - writings by popular Christian and Islamic mystics from the time. I had a quick search on my university library catalogue but nothing of note showed up, would required a deeper dive!
@ Hey, no problem regarding the "late" reply :) First of all, I think many of the so-called sayings of Jesus, especially in Mark (which is the oldest gospel?) and Thomas, can easily be understood as Pantheistic or something along those lines. But the first Christian thinkers clearly influenced by Neoplatonism were Augustine of Hippo (4th century) and Pseudo-Dionysius (5th century). However, I'm pretty sure many Jews and Christians living in places were Greek culture was present got exposed to Neoplatonism even earlier. In Islam, the Sufis have been there since the beginning most likely, and they are usually pretty Pantheistic, and for example the Ismailis are Neoplatonic even today. Regarding Christian mystics: I started with Meister Eckhart, the book "The Cloud of Unknowing", and the writings of the Desert Fathers found in works like the "Filokalia". Modern dudes like Richard Rohr are pretty great as well..! The Orthodox branches have always been more mystical, and most likely closer to original Christianity than other branches today, but there are many wonderfully "Buddhist" thinkers in Catholicism too..! :)
Wow, I really enjoyed your video. I went from Wicca to Taoist literally within 5yrs. Don't get me wrong, I like some of the occult magic in wicca, but spell work was a bit much for me. Just using the term Pagan never sounded right. It's kind of a derogatory word anyway. You can be a spiritual, or a naturalistic pantheist, it really doesn't matter because the goal is to perceive life as sacred.
Yeah I can understand that thought process. I've gone back and forth a lot with how comfortable I feel applying the labels of Pagan and Witch to myself. Pantheist, however, is sticking for life I think.
What do you think of 'Panentheism'
Here's my take on it. Since we're apparently made in the stars, the element carbon, we could say at least prima facie the universe made us. The BBC conducted an experiment some years ago in which two points on the microwave background radiation were used as the base of a triangle and the Earth as the apex (Horizon series). If the triangle were Euclidean the universe would be deemed bounded. If flat, unbounded in the three dimensions of space and one of time. The result was indeed flat suggesting an infinite universe. It did not begin and has no edge. It is for me no big flight of fancy to see the universe as God therefore. But it's not written in stone. In cosmology we welcome all arguments, we're not doctrinaire. We're not forced to fall back on 'faith' like religionists. We can change when presented with new convincing evidence we're wrong. We don't operate a power base like the clergymen of some religions who feel the need to wear gaudy robes to signal they represent God. At no time do l deny the Godhead. I just say the Universe is an eternal mystery which probably can't ever be understood. After all, there are plenty of ghost and alien sightings which add to the mystery.
I'm curious, Aine, have you considered panentheism? Or maybe you don't see a meaningful difference between the 2?
1:33 ummmm.....Not all pantheists.
I just wanna make this point that pantheism is not some water-down version of atheism that some people wanna believe. Pantheism is a subset of theism. But it's just that functions differently than classical theism does.
I like your video, Alohaaa from hawaii
I would have liked to hear your defense of your opening statement that Pantheism is not a religion.
Ty
MotherNature Visible invisible it's Almighty Beautiful 🐬🌊
Books to recommend?
Environmentalism has nothing to do with Pantheism. Pantheism goes way beyond that idea.
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17th century JEWISH philosopher Baruch (Benedict) Spinoza**
Sounds like she's leaning more to Druidism than Panteism. Just because someone believes GOD or Divinity is in all things, doesn't necessarily make you a tree hugger, especially if you stay more on the scientific side of it and away from any ritualism.
Prophets are angels.
Revelation 22
6 The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”
7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”
8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. 9 But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!”
10 Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. 11 Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.”
The Earth is Hell in the future. It gets hit by an asteroid and pushed toward the sun. Isaiah 13:13, 2 Peter 3, and Revelation 9.
After death is defeated Jesus returns the kingdom back to God. 1 Corinthians 15 This is the beginning of the kingdom of God.
Then and asteroid will strike the Earth Revelation 9. It will open up the bottomless pit and knock the Earth out of its orbit toward the sun. The Earth is Hell is the future. The only escape is in the New Jerusalem. It will take the best of humanity and the glory of the nations to a new Earth. This is the beginning of the kingdom of heaven. Peter was given authority over who goes and stays by Jesus. Protestants are antichrist according to 1 John 2:18-19 ...for they went out from us showing that they were not of us, for if they were of us they would have stayed with us...
sht goin on...
wanted 2 more...
Pantheism is like paganism
There is an alarmingly serious problem with what you have shared. Jesus of Nazareth claimed to be God. You hopefully will see that worship of Him is not only the most logical and true choice when you consider Who He is, but also that upon your own death, you will stand before Him in person in real time. You will then frighteningly realize that all He said about Himself, all that He did, including His own physical death and resurrection, was indeed true. If you continue down your present road, that encounter will lead to an eternity without God. Lovingly I would said, pray. The Lord will show Himself to you in a real and personal way. He is the only Way.
You are so delusional and brainwashed, wake up from matrix God can’t be separated from creation cause God is infinite if you can’t understand that then you need serious help🥰
If Jesus is the only way, what happened to all the people who lived before Jesus'time that have never heard of Jesus or his teachings? I challenge you on answeing this simple question.
No one is here for your dreary dogma and sanctimonious drivel Donald, in the words of Jesus himself (John Chapter 6, verse 43) ‘Shut Up’.
@@tonycaine5930 the Christians actually have an explanation for that apparent plot hole - ‘The Harrowing of Hell’ in Christian theology explains that in the days between his death and resurrection, Jesus travels to hell and redeems all the lost souls who came before his salvation. Im not a believer, just answering your question.
@@PRAISE_HASHUT So according to your answer Jesus would "rescue" all souls who lived before Jesus' time even though they neither knew or heard of him?
I think most "atheists" are pantheists. Most people say that they think that there is "something" but not a person. I think most people just don't know the term "pantheist
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