logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2021
58 m

The Upanishads

Michael Lavers
About this episode

I aim for a brief glimpse of the grandeur of these ancient scriptures, and think out loud about their central message: all is one. Along the way I ramble about death, unity, grief, the Self, the transcendent vs. the immanent, and more. 

Up next
Mar 2023
Adam Zagajewski
We talk about the life-affirming poems of Adam Zagajewski.    Check out my new book of poems here.  And listen to Claire's new album here.  
43m 55s
Aug 2022
Frank Norris, McTeague
Check out Claire's music, art, and writing here: www.claireakebrandart.com   Claire and I have one of my favorite discussions about a very under-read book. We talk about the relationship between America and money, love and money, obsession, greed, expectations vs. reality, imagin ... Show More
1h 2m
Aug 2022
Robert Frost, ”Home Burial”
Check out Claire's music, art, and writing here: www.claireakebrandart.com   In this episode, I present a recording from a class in which students and I discuss Frost's masterpiece, "Home Burial."  
56m 16s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2021
3: “God is Dead!"
Today we'll study the words of a saint, a pope, a madman, the ugliest man, and Zarathustra himself - in order to find out what they all have to tell us about one of the most momentous events in world history, but one which is not yet perceived or understood by the great many. Thi ... Show More
58m 45s
Jun 2002
The Soul
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Soul. In his poem ‘Sailing to Byzantium’ WB Yeats wrote:An aged man is but a paltry thing, A tattered coat upon a stick, unlessSoul clap its hands and sing, and louder singFor every tatter in its mortal dress. For Plato it was the immortal seat ... Show More
28m 13s
May 2017
Introduction to the Idea of God
Lecture 1 in my Psychological Significance of the Biblical Stories series from May 16th at Isabel Bader Theatre in Toronto. In this lecture, I describe what I consider to be the idea of God, which is at least partly the notion of sovereignty and power, divorced from any concrete ... Show More
2h 39m
Oct 2020
ما ليْ أَحِنُّ لِمَنْ لَمْ أَلْقَهُمْ أَبَدَا
‏ما ليْ أَحِنُّ لِمَنْ لَمْ أَلْقَهُمْ أَبَدَا ‏وَيَمْلِكُونَ عَلَيَّ الرُّوحَ والجَسَدَا ‏إني لأعرِفُهُم مِنْ قَبْلِ رؤيتهم ‏والماءُ يَعرِفُهُ الظَامِي وَمَا وَرَدَا ‏وَسُنَّةُ اللهِ في الأحبَابِ أَنَّ لَهُم ‏وَجْهَاً يَزِيدُ وُضُوحَاً كُلَّمَا اْبْتَعَدَا 
2m 37s
Sep 2023
كوكب المثرثرين
العلاقة بالله تعالى، التفكير وبناء فلسفة حياة ، السيطرة والتحكم، العمر والطموحات ، هذا هو مايدور في اذهاننا غالبا، كيف تلتقي تلك المفاهيم وكيف ننطلق منها في حياتنا وقرارتنا ؟ هذا ما تصفه عهد في هذه الحلقة تابعونا على تويتر وانستقرام وتلقرام ahadpodcast11 
5m 4s
Apr 2024
In Memoriam: Dan Dennett on Mortality, Life, and Existence
I filmed a conversation about death shortly after Dan Dennett recovered from a life-threatening condition. In addition to discussing personal mortality, we talked about bereavement. I thought this time it would be appropriate to listen again to his wisdom—the wisdom of a great th ... Show More
14m 55s
May 2020
Ignatian Contemplation/ Explanation
Explanation of my Ignatian contemplation project and proof of knowledge of gospels, meanings, periods of Jesus’ life, and connections to my own life. 
15m 34s
Dec 2023
Ego: The Stoic Perspective (Part 1)
Today begins a three-part series exploring ego. I question whether ego is the 'big bad boogey monster' of Vice, setting the stage for a week-long thematic exploration. Initially, I discuss a meditation from Marcus Aurelius, which, although not explicitly about ego (since the conc ... Show More
13m 9s
Jan 2024
The Everywhere Soul
In today's episode, I delve into Book 11 of Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations," focusing on a meditation (Meditations 11.1) that sheds light on the concept of service to ourselves and others. This passage from Marcus Aurelius profoundly illustrates the properties of the rational soul ... Show More
27m 43s