Let's Talk Religion

The Bezels of Wisdom - Ibn 'Arabi's Controversial Masterpiece

As most of you will know, we did a poll here recently where you got to choose what the next video should be. And you voted for a deep dive into Ibn 'Arabi's "Fusus al-Hikam".

That video is now finished and will be coming out this weekend. But I thought I would give you guys early access to the video.

Thank you all so much for participating in the poll. I've been wanting to make an episode on this topic, but it always felt really big and difficult. Your encouragement really inspir...

What do you guys want to see next? (Leave suggestions in comments, too)

Early Access: David Thurfjell - Full Interview

Hey guys! Sorry for posting so rarely here lately.

If you remember my recent video about the "Religion of Nature", I included an interview with my old professor David Thurfjell. Well, I recently decided to post the entire thing as a separate video, which will be coming out sometime this week. But of course I thought you guys should get to see it early. 

I really enjoyed this conversation, and professor Thurfjell goes deeper into the topic with more nuance than I did in my vid...

Pythagoras & The Music of the Spheres

Hi guys!

I know this Patreon page isn't as active as I would like it to be. But I want you to know that I truly appreciate your support. It makes a big difference!

Here is early access for my upcoming video on the Music of the Spheres! (Comes out officially on Sunday) Let me know what you think!

Mulla Sadra & Islamic Existentialism

This is one of the most requested videos on the channel since I started. Of course, as patrons you get early access to the episode.

I hope you enjoy it! Let me know what you think.

Give me your video suggestions!

Hey guys!

I would love to know what topic you would like to see covered in the near future. I have plenty of ideas myself, but I'd really like to get some input from you as well! Leave any suggestions as a comment here!

Early Access: Organized Daoism & Internal Alchemy (Neidan)

Here is the latest video, which continues to explore the world of Daoism and Chinese religion. Early access for those of the Sage tier and up!

What is Sikhism?

Hey everyone! On Sunday, December 2 I will be releasing my new video on Sikhism! Very exciting, as this is a topic that has been widely requested and which I have wanted to make for a long time!

You guys get early access as always! Leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Early Access: 'What is Hasidism?'

It's already time for the next video, this time about the fascinating 'Hasidic Movement' and its panentheistic (?) mystical theology.

Early access for Patrons above the Scholar category, releases publically on October 8th.

What is Gnosticism?

Here's my latest video about Gnosticism! 

Let me know what you think!

New Q&A!

Hello!

I plan on recording a new Q&A sometime this week.

Hit me with questions!

What do you guys want to see next?

So I have a few options on what video I should focus on next. All of them are very exciting but I thought I'd let you guys give your vote.

Here are the options:

Book recommendation

I've been reading Supriya Gandhi's "The emperor who never was" in preparation for a video on Dara Shikoh.
This is a very impressive book. Not only is it the only comprehensive biography of this fascinating man, but it is an incredibly succesful marriage of accessible, engaging historical narrative and rigourous, nuanced scholarship. The amount of work put into this is so impressive. I highly recommend the book to anyone interested in the subject!

What is Orientalism?

In this video I tackle the question of "Orientalism" and what is means for the study of Middle Eastern culture and beyond. A topic that often comes up in the comments and becomes a source of ciritque.

Hope you enjoy it!

The Origins of the Arabic Language

My latest video on the "origins" and early development of the Arabic language. From its earliest attested examples in northern Arabia, through the important period of the Nabataean kingdom and into the Islamic period, where the Qur'an and its codification played a major role in the development of the language.

Don't forget to check out the soruces in the description and Ahmad al-Jallad's excellent lecture which I have also linked there!

Hope you enjoy it!

What is Hesychasm? - Mystical Practice in Orthodox Christianity

Hey everyone! Summer is finally here, hope you are all having a nice June so far.

For me, summer means less dayjob and (hopefully) more creative energy being dedicated to the channel. And here is the first video of the summer - the frequently requested topic of Hesychasm & mystical theology in the Eastern Orthodox Church!

Let me know what you think, and let's keep the discussion going!

Marguerite Porete & The Mirror of Simple Souls

My new video explores the medieval mystic/philosopher Marguerite Porete, who was executed for heresy in 1310 because of her book "The Mirror of Simple Souls".

Hope you enjoy it!

As usual, my Patrons of tier 3 and above get early access to the video! :)

Silver Creator Award (Patreon Only)

Dear friends,

I just received the silver award for 100,000 subscribers and I wanted to give you patrons a special message in this video.

Thank you everyone for making it possible to reach this many subscribers, I couldn't do it without you. And here's to all the exciting things that the future holds!

New questions for Q&A!

Hey everyone!

I think it's time for another Q&A! I'll probably want to record it later this week, so please leave any questions you have in the comments below!

How is Sufism related to Islam?

Latest video on the channel is here! Hope you guys like it, and don't forget to check out Angela's video too!

What is Jainism?

A common request from you and the larger audience has been for a video on Jainism, and I finally got around to doing it!

Hope you guys enjoy it!

Next video?

I have two finished scripts that I want to start recording in the coming days. But which video would you like to see first?

The First Patron-only Q&A!

I'm very sorry for the long delay with this video. I loved your questions and I hope I answered them to some level of satisfaction!

Abraham Abulafia & Ecstatic Kabbalah

My latest video about the Jewish mystic and Kabbalist Abraham Abulafia (d. 1291). It is another long overview of one of the most significant mystics in history. He really deserves the long run-time, since his life is such an interesting tale in itself. 

Hope you guys enjoy it, and don't forget to check out ESOTERICA's companion video!

Shah Ni'matullah Wali & The Ni'matullahi Sufi Order

New video coming Sunday, January 24! This time we explore another Sufi order - the Ni'matullahi order, prominent in Iran today.

Very significant for the fact that it is a Shi'i sufi order.

Patrons in tiers 3 + above gets early access as always, I hope you enjoy this deeper dive!

Patron only Q&A! + Video suggestions

Hi everyone!

I love to see that this community keeps growing, and I want to get better at providing you with exclusive content that feels worthwhile. If you have any wishes for what you would like to see here, let me know.

For starters, I want to do another Q&A, but one that will only be shared with you guys. So please feel free to leave your questions in the comment section here! :)

I would also love to get some suggestions on videos you would like to see in the near fu...

Music in the Islamic World (Part 2)

Hey, I finally did it! It only took me about 6 months to finally get around to making part 2 to the series about "Music in the Islamic World".

This one is a very general overview of the post-medieval period, including Ottoman, Safavid & Mughal music, as well as a lot of Sufism :)

I hope you guys will enjoy it! 

What happens to religion when people migrate?

This week's video is about migration and how it affects the experience of lived religion.

Some patron's get access a day early this week. The video is a bit more on the academic side, but I hope there are some interesting points in there for you to think about!

/Filip

Meister Eckhart & Christian Mysticism

This week's video is about the medieval Christian theologian Meister Eckhart, his life & works. Another simultaneously controversial and loved figure who often surprises us with his unique ways of talking about mystical awareness through the language of Middle High German.

Zhuangzi - The Sage of Uncertainty

This week's video is about the ancient Chinese sage Zhuangzi, and the text that is named after (and partly composed by) him!

I've revealed in previous videos that this is one of my personal favorites, and I think it's shows a little bit by the fact that I just keep retelling parts from the book. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy it! Looking forward to hearing your opinions!