Yeah, I was raised at first in an ashram community, by two shramana practicing renunciates, though my mother was looking for Bhakti, and a more radical personalism, and my dad was a deeply Advaita philosopher/mystic; I'd listen to Guru Prem Rawat's, or Mahatma Pardarthanon, or my dad's Satsang (usually my dad's satsang) throughout my childhood, and so when I started reading religious anthropology, and the Gita, I quickly recognized that I knew the Gita well already. I would come to learn that about a lot of Sutras and Upanishads too. That probity had something to do with my adolescent nerdy love of reading world religion philosophy, particularly loving the collection of books called the World Mystic Classics with the Gita, the Tao-te-Ching, a wonderful introduction to Kabbalah in book on the Zohor called Tree of Knowledge, a great intro to Rummi (that left me with questions that wouldn't be answered till "Let's Talk Religion" put out their Sufi religion youtube series) called the Whiling Dervishes, I think there were one or two more world mystic sacred texts that where in the published series, but you get the idea. There is another, nerdier part to my love of studying this material. Something geeeeeky and maybe even a bit embracing, ...but, if one can get past that hurdle, it's awesome tooo; There's a book based table top roleplaying game called "Mage: the Ascension" which is a brilliant setting/system entirely about this material from the standpoint of stories who's paradigm ranges and shifts from Historical Fiction, to fantasy-fiction/sci-fi, to high-fantasy/science-fantasy, and includes, and explores every major world religion and mysticism and science-philosophy and with a reality-system that is itself an unreliable narrator, or one that often gives pluralistic answers, constructed from the use of dynamic standards, a system reality that teases truth, and can look like its saying yes to one paradigm and to a number of contradicting paradigms as well. Clearly the Scientists dominate the common paradigm of modern age with their Technocratic Union, but the mystic tradition, the Hermetics, Chakravanti the Akashayana, the Celestial Chorus, the Cult of Ecstasy, etc. continue to have an influence, despite being branded reality deviants, arrested by terminator-robots, deported off-world, and lobotomized in a matrix battery prison if they were to use their mystic powers to demonstrate the also truth of their mysticisms in public; on the flip side, though their are science-mysticisms that have splintered away form the Union, like the Virtual Adepts, or the Sons of Ether, in some vary palpable ways, the Technocratic Union has delivered on raising humanity out of the much were those mystic traditions either failed, failed to try, or failed to care. Great game for us World Religion, and Anthropology nerd/geeks, and a great way to research, theorize and experiment. Still, I've seen some scholars be insulted instead of delighted. I think learning world religion is an important part of being an informed cosmopolitan adult, and the fun role-playing-game is an easy way to structure and motivate learning (in conjunction with the imagined stories you and ur group will payout) I have secret fantasies that one day @Lets Talk Religion, @Esoterica, and @Justic Riddle will join a Mage the Ascension roleplaying group with me, and we can play out some really really great historical fiction of world mysticisms and religion (perhaps eventually with @Matt Dillehunty, and @Aron Ra, and @ShannonQ as well). One day:D
I must admit that it’s my first time ever watching a Q&A session on RU-vid :). I don’t usually bother to spare time for such type of videos. I hope you get your first choice phD position. Looking forward to more of your videos !
This channel is a true hidden gem.👌 Now days I feel like it is very hard to find a channel that can represent religion in a objective way. Thank you for letting me see things through a different lens Hälsningar från Norrköping 🙏
I just started watching your videos during Covid lockdown and immediately became a fan. Like many of the others who commented here, I have been a religious "nerd" all my life. It began at age 9 when, although I was brought up Roman Catholic, I started to go to the library to read about ancient mythologies. My interest in religions remained an important but private endeavor, although it seeped through in my selecting William Blake as the focus of my dissertation in English literature. I am now 70 years old and I wish I could live my life over to learn all the things that I did not have the time or opportunity to study. So I am happily a patron of yours, Filip, since I imagine you some incarnation of my Student Self. But in you as incarnation, you have the courage to go where you are led... Something I was never able to do. On scholarship, in music, in whatever, may you always have that courage.
I have watched your channel for sometime.Was surprised when you said" here in Sweden ".I am from USA and had assumed you were American making videos here.
You may brag☺️. I found your channel whilst looking for more information on Ibn Arabi yesterday and grateful for all your thorough efforts. A perfectionist🙏🏽you are. Thank you 🙏🏽
It's so nice to find/meet you here. Your videos are so informative and helpful. I am not very much into metaphysics but is nice to think/learn about it sometimes. Thanks.
Wow I am now majoring in Political Science too. And I’m also a huge nerd about religion, mythology, history, and anthropology. I think both politics and religion are intertwined, especially, I think, because both have a tendency to attempt to holistically explain and conceptualize societal phenomena. Anyway, keep up the great work. You have already contributed many informative and valuable work. I hope that you can continue doing this as long as you can. I’m sure all the videos in your channel will help people in some forms or another. Thank you from me and on behalf of everyone who benefited and will benefit from your work. May God bless you.
I truly appreciate your efforts,I watched a lot of ur videos for the last few days and loved all of them, I've always found religions fascinating,it never failed to amaze me,So I'm wholeheartedly grateful for ur hard work,u've doing so far an amazing job
Hi, I'm so glad this video came up in my feed. When I saw you sitting in a boat on a lake I suspected you were in Sweden, and then you confirmed that when you spoke about how in Sweden it is a little stigmatized to be religious (or however you expressed that). I lived in Sweden for 20 years and always felt frustrated by religion there. As a practicing Christian, my Swedish was never really good enough to feel comfortable worshiping or even talking about religion in Swedish. Your English is flawless and you are very articulate, but I could never learn how to express religious pondering in Swedish. It requires a special vocabulary that I just didn't have and was not able learn from people around me. I also felt frustrated that so many people there were not just non-believers but anti-believers. You also said somewhere in a video, maybe this one, that many people quickly dismiss religion based on a very shallow understanding of it. That is so so true. Isn't it surprising that even very intelligent people refuse to look just past the surface. After I had lived in Sweden I moved to California. The difference was startling. In Sweden if I said that I went to church, people would look at me with suspicion. In California I would get a similar reaction if I said that I didn't. Anyway, I really enjoy your videos. I like to listen to them while I work. Recently I have been curious about the very early Christianity, before the Romans adopted it. I wonder if interest in pre-Roman Christianity will ever become more mainstream. Many thanks! Cheers
I am a Baha'i from the US. I found your video (part 2) fair and thorough. I haven't see part 1 yet. Keep up the good work. Your videos on the less know streams of thought in Islam are very fascinating. I am glad to have found your channel. Thank you.
I agree with you on that is hard to define oneself since society has fix preconceptions of how religion/religious person looks like and what people see God as. I have previously studied Advaita Vedanta and non-dual Shaivism which completely changed my view on what religion/God is (I'm raised Orthodox Christian from Romania). Watching your videos on the unity of being has helped me a lot to understand how outwardly very different religions can be very alike. Maybe I will continue my quest into Christian mysticism. Glad midsommar!
I've been wanting to dive into "Kashmir Shaivism" lately. Shaivism in general has always appealed to me in its language and imagery, I like the very raw and sometimes frightening ways it is often expressed. And there is plenty of great stuff in Christianity to be sure :) Glad midsommar!
@@LetsTalkReligion Oh please do it. I am from Kashmir and we barely know anything about the Shaivism in Kashmir, or the Buddhism in Kashmir. Due to the conflict, it's really really hard to find any sources that might not be biased etc. Idk how you do it, but your sources are always more of educational and strictly from that point of view. I'd love to see that video.
@@ishubetterthanyou1582 I have read books by Christopher Wallis(one is "the recognition sustras" ) , an Oxford scholar of Sanskrit. He explains very well the tradition and makes thorough translation in English of the Sanskrit tantras.
@@LetsTalkReligion I have read that Kashmiri Sufism is special in its own way with the meeting of traditions. There are saints that both religions claim like Laleshwari.
Thank you for your work. The video “Unity of Being” it was especially fine. Have you considered a video about Bayazid Bastami? I respect and appreciate your clarity relative to mystical death; the disappearance into Being. I would like to become a patron.
Me also I think religion is a great subject to study, to deeply understand and comprehend. I hope you'll fix your camera soon, and keep up the great work you do!👍 Thank you.
No apologies for religion: there is an area of the brain that does not become active under normal intellectual activities. But when one prays or meditates on religion that very frontal lobe becomes active. The neurologist responsible for the study joked that religious people were literally "enlightened". There is more to this than meets the intellectual or skeptical eye!
What a wonderful channel! You have also linked me to some other RU-vid channels that are also very interesting, like Religion For Breakfast. Many many years ago, I completed a BA in Religious Studies in Vancouver as I too found the field fascinating. Unlike you, though, I would not have been able to have created such knowledgeable videos, like your video on Gnosticism, which I need to view again as there is a lot there that needs to be digested for me. I hope you continue to publish your videos. I am enjoying them.
I have watched a number of your videos. You are a brilliant presenter with wonderful discussions. You are a perfect representation on "Nerd Power"; that ability to know something well and convey it well. I count you as a High Quality component of my RU-vid addiction!
I've never knew that being religious could be a stigma somewhere! Coming from a catholic country, it seems unusual to me. Hope you keep making your good work on analysing different mores and worships and bringing some good material to youtube!
Thanks God you started making these videos. First time i am watching videos on theology and mysticism at purest neutral level. Unbiased knowledge. Therefore, i think Great souls selected u for the purpose. I expect your viewers also should comment without biases and must avoid insulting or hurting one an others beliefs.
My own interest in religion is as a sort of historical forensic study. For this reason I find your approach to be very useful and informative. Thank you very much. Gott nytt år, kan du hitta det ljus du söker.
I hope you do a video on the Gnostics and though not a religion, but very influential on Islam, Judaism and Christianity....the Neoplatonists and Plotinus.....Oh, Asatru.....just some suggestions. Cheers! Your channel is excellent!
I think Asatru falls short. Neopagan Hard Polytheism doesn't make sense on a metaphysical or theological level. Polytheism should be interpreted through the lense of Monism. It would make more sense for Norse pagans to apply Neoplatonism to their beliefs, or to view the gods as avatars of The One, like is commonly done in Hinduism. I doubt the pre-Christian Germanic peoples would agree with how Asatruar view their beliefs.
I think the reason for the question of your religiosity is because it is easier to be able to understand from which standpoint you come from It is always easier for people to give an opinion if they can put you, and therefore your ideas in a box. Even though you state from which point of your thesis/opinions originate come, it is hard to disregard preconceptions. There are of course scientists that are religious and therefore might believe in ideas that are contradictory to the subject they are researching. Speaking of which, that is one of my all-time favorite subjects. I want to know how their mind works in those situations. What dictates, for them which hat they are wearing, the scientific or the religious hat. Long story short, I think it is a good idea to keep your religiosity hidden. :) All the best from a fellow Swede who is also very interested in religion and would have loved to be able to research it for a living.
Interesting video, I'm binge-watching your channel right now and really got to learn new things. I think it's great to see the perspective on religion from someone who lives in a non-religious society like Sweden. I like how you tackled the question are you religious because there are so many preconceived notions attached to it, I personally feel uncomfortable answering that question as well. Hope to see more videos and deciphering religion and lack of it, of both dead and alive religions..
Hi Philip. Delight with your thoughts. Hope we are like minded. Indeed knowing all religions make human more open and accepting rather than isolating themselves. I am accepting your videos and thought process. Indeed present people should know about religion more. I encourage you to make more videos. 👍❤️
Hello, I wanted to ask how you transitioned from your bachelor's in political science to religion and as to whether they was any deep struggle there or if things had come more naturally due to your interest in religions as a subject. I am now in the same exact position you described with a major in political science just now nearing the completion of my bachelor's. My true interest I would say now is philosophy and what had initially brought me to political science was primarily political theory and the study of governing structures. Now I feel as if I'm betraying myself to a sense for feeling forced into this degree because I am unsure if I can easily shift to an academia natured setting in the subject of philosophy if I end up changing my mind. Your videos have been knowledgeable and inspiring in my growth in learning more of Islam and varying other concepts proposed by the intellects of the Arab world. For that I thank you and hope you have some guidance on the issue you once faced that I am now being faced with.
It wasn't a hard for me at all. Both are academic subjects in the broader field of the humanities. I think what made it easier for me was that I didn't study a full 3 year program but individual courses. So I studied political science for 3 semesters and then took religious studies for another 3, after which I got a bachelor's degree in both subjects. I felt that they complemented each other and that my experience in Political science helped me in religious studies. Let me know if you have any specific questions :)
There is a response to the story hayy ibn yaqdhān by ibn alnafees الرسالة الكاملية في السيرة النبوية or the story of fādhil ibn nātiq you might be interested in doing video about it
Hello Philip , I'm honored to subscribe at your channel . I like your presentation, your familiarity with the available resources, and the fairness of the proposal and of course objectivity. I suggest you to make a reaserch about Jaafar Alsadiq
Welcome! Glad to have you here :) Jafar al-Sadiq is an interesting figure indeed. He will be coming up more when I do videos on shiism, esotericism and the occult sciences.
@@LetsTalkReligion Thank you Philip for your kind response I ask you to talk about Jafar al-Sadiq, because you have an objective, fair and beautiful way. Al-Sadiq was a scholar, he had nearly 4000 students, among them the famous Jabir Ibn Hayyan (the master of chemistry). Jabir always wrote texts that were conversations between him and Jaafar al-Sadiq. Once Jaber asked the Imam: Are there human beings on those distant planets? Al-Sadiq replies: I cannot confirm that they are human, but of course there are other creatures. Where previously his grandfather Imam Ali said: in those planets there are people as you are and cities as you have . it's not my goal to determain if there are aliens or not , but to show how open minded imams were.Where religion is to know God in a correct way and a way to live (a social norm) and does not conflict with science. Not as it appears in the practices of some religions. in religious enviroments , as you know, science has always been the opposite of religion. But Jaafar Al-Sadiq was a scientist. Among his students were those who came to jurisprudence, philosophies, and religious knowledge, and some of them came to science. He is a religious figure (Imam) and the owner of what is known as the Jaafari school (which is the scientific name for the Shiites), knowing that the first imams of the Sunni sects (Hanafi) and the second of them (Maliki) were studied at Imam Jaafar's school. Alawites depend in some of their books on the dialogues between Imam al-Sadiq and al-Mawfdal Ibn Umar al-Ja'afi, as well as the Ismailis, as there is a book called Al-Haft which is almost common between Ismailis and Alawites. Since the Ismailis publish their literature, you can see philosophical solidity. Unfortunately, Alawites (I'm alawie) do not publish (for historical reasons of prosecution and slaughter). But in a historical period around 1400 CE, there were religious debates between Alawites and Ismailis in Syria and the goal was to combine the two methods. But with the death of the head of the Alawite clergy. The debates stopped. There are similarities of philosophies between them. But the Ismailis believe in the dissolution of God in bodies, while the Alawites believe in the manifestation of power (total or partial) and the separation and denial of the apparent image.
I think it is wise for someone who makes Videos about various Religious Beliefs and Practices , to not publicly reveal his personal beliefs , if he has any , so as not to trigger biases and deprive his viewers from looking at all what is being shown with open minds and with the reassurance that the Presenter is being objective .
When people ask if you are religious, it come from good place. That is many people way to find affinity with you... It's like "I am religious, (if) you are religious then we are bro"...
Who cares if you are "religious" or anything else. I only care about what you have to say. Even the biggest opponents will still have something of value to say to one another, if they are willing to entertain a proper conversation. Thanks for the great work that you are offering us.
To me religion is the practical aspect of spirituality. To claim to be spiritual without being religious is comparable to saying that one is convinced of the necessity of physical exercise for the body to be healthy but one does not engage in any type of sport activity whatsoever. And on a purely rational basis believing in God seems to be more logical than the opposite. So reclaim your very legitimate right to express your deepest aspirations to reconnect to the Divine.
Recently found your channel, really binging on your videos. I have been reading about the Islamic Gospels, would love it, if you could do videos abput em. The Injeel, Zabur, and Torait.
I am a practicing Muslim. I found your channel unbiased towards any religion. On top of that your presentation and Language skills are excellent. Clearly you are fascinated by religious mysticism particularly sufism in Islam. In this immortal world Allah almighty rewards those who have sincere quest for the mortal life after death through ilham (inspiration). I sincerely wish and pray for you to be one among them.
You are very knowledgeable in Islam. Yet you are a academic on comparative religion. You do so many videos on Islam and I appreciate it. Are you just more interested in covering Islam or stronger on the history of Islam compared to others?
My knowledge on Islam is definitely stronger, since I've specialized primarily in that subject. That's probably one reason why I make so many videos about it :)
I liked very much your style in the 2 videos that I watched, list of your videos I skimmed, and find you balanced and trustworthy. I wish somebody delve into the origins of religion, may be try to connect symbols found in 12000 year old religious site of göbeklitepe, to the 2-3 000 years old abrahamic religions. May be it will be you?
Gillar starkt din kanal och det du gör! Det är lite ironiskt att en person från ett av världens mest "ateistiska land" kommer ut med en sån här kanal :) men kanske inte så konstigt trots allt..
I don't know other religions he talked about, but when he spoke Islam, he mainly relied non Muslim books. I don't think he spoke Arabic to rely why Muslims write about they religion.
Hello, nice videos:-) Can highly recommend books on Sharia if you really want to dig in - "Reliance of the traveller". Have you also read the book of Robert Hoyland - "seeing islam as other saw it"? Also can wholeheartedly recommend Ibn Ishaq "The life of muhammad". Happy readings :)
@@jondidrikson7096 I think since we cannot research or measure God itself , humanity will never find consesus about God, for you oneness of God is absolute truth,for the other multiplcity of God is absolute truth.
@@LetsTalkReligion No, thank YOU for the video on Sufism. I've heard of it but never in such clear yet detailed explanation. I previously only knew of a Sufi teacher by the name of Usman Nuri Topbas from Turkey. At least now I'm aware of Prof. William Chittick & the early Sufi Masters in addition to Rumi.
i feel that you are a Sufi. from your style and the way you talk about Sufism. However,why you did not mentioned your religion. I am a shia myself. you should be pride about your belief. I also guess you are Swedish.
@@mojtaba486 hi brother nice to meet you too. I don't have twitter or Instagram. What kind of document. Which country you are from.you can send me email if you want. alexdiroz@yahoo.com Good luck
