Dante's Inferno and the meaning of descent. A conversation with Rupert Sheldrake
11/12/21 • 30 min
The Divine Comedy by Dante is one of the great spiritual works of the Christian tradition. But how can it be read and what does it mean?
In this episode of the Sheldrake-Vernon Dialogues, Rupert Sheldrake and Mark Vernon discuss the first part of Dante’s cosmic pilgrimage. It takes Dante through the circles of hell, until he reaches the lowest point of reality, the region furthest from God.
It becomes clear that descent into darkness is a key part of personal transformation because it helps the individual discern the dark side of experiences such as love, anger and fame, in order that the light they also bring might be discerned. This also explains why the Inferno can comfort as well as disturb: troubling experiences and spiritual emergencies can be as much a part of enlightenment as those that are delightful and satisfying.
Rupert and Mark will talk about the Purgatorio and Paradiso in future discussions.
The Divine Comedy by Dante is one of the great spiritual works of the Christian tradition. But how can it be read and what does it mean?
In this episode of the Sheldrake-Vernon Dialogues, Rupert Sheldrake and Mark Vernon discuss the first part of Dante’s cosmic pilgrimage. It takes Dante through the circles of hell, until he reaches the lowest point of reality, the region furthest from God.
It becomes clear that descent into darkness is a key part of personal transformation because it helps the individual discern the dark side of experiences such as love, anger and fame, in order that the light they also bring might be discerned. This also explains why the Inferno can comfort as well as disturb: troubling experiences and spiritual emergencies can be as much a part of enlightenment as those that are delightful and satisfying.
Rupert and Mark will talk about the Purgatorio and Paradiso in future discussions.
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Dante and Otherworld Journeys - online conference booking now!
Dante was clear: he wrote so that others might follow him on otherworld journeys. So what might this mean?
With the Scientific and Medical Network, an online conference, Sat 27th Nov, to explore this issue. Join individuals who have studied it and others who have so travelled.
Full details here - https://scientificandmedical.net/events/dr-kayleen-asbo-lorna-byrne-dr-peter-fenwick-mariel-forde-clarke-david-lorimer-felicity-warner-dr-mark-vernon-dante-and-otherworld-journeys/
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Angelology with Lorna Byrne. A conversation and inquiry with thoughts from Dante and Blake
Dante and Otherworld Journeys was an online conference organised with the Scientific and Medical Network - https://scientificandmedical.net/events/dr-kayleen-asbo-lorna-byrne-dr-peter-fenwick-mariel-forde-clarke-david-lorimer-felicity-warner-dr-mark-vernon-dante-and-otherworld-journeys/
This is the conversation, with extra thoughts, that I had with Lorna Byrne - https://lornabyrne.com
I was particularly glad to compare her experience with those of other angel seers, from Socrates to Dante and William Blake. We heard something of her story, and explored the nature of spiritual perception, as well as what she sees of our now and the future.
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