The Sacred Speaks
Join depth psychotherapist and Jungian scholar, John Price, in an exploration of extraordinary stories and phenomena that lurk beneath the surface of normal and everyday life. Listen in as John interviews experts, dilettantes, sinners, and saints to explore their professional and personal perspective on the underlying purpose of the mysteries which lurk within the seemingly mundane nature of day-to-day life. John received his Master’s degree in clinical psychology and his Doctorate degree in Jungian psychology. He is in private practice and is also on the faculty of The Jung Center and The University of St. Thomas, both located in Houston, Texas. He lectures and teaches classes in subjects ranging from Parenting and Consciousness to Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll. This podcast seeks to accept a challenge laid out by Carl Jung: to explore the universal human feelings of emotional incompleteness, spiritual curiosity and one’s related search for wholeness and meaning. Interviews commence with the belief that, by engaging in this exploration, we can learn more about the psyche, consciousness, spirituality, philosophy and the profound, though often hidden, meaning of the day-to-day lives we lead (or which will lead us, if we aren’t watchful).Come along as John follows people into bars, universities, places of worship, financial districts and the home. He finds each context equally able to provide a setting for this worthy search and also that, through this process, we have an opportunity to come to know each other and ourselves much more deeply.
The Sacred Speaks
113: Barry Taylor: Music, Mysticism, and Modernity
Interview begins @ 3:11
In this episode, I sit down with Barry Taylor to explore the intersections of rock 'n' roll, counterculture, and spirituality. Barry shares his early experiences in the vibrant world of music and discusses how these experiences opened up a new language for understanding the invisible aspects of our world.
Highlights of this episode include:
- Music as a Gateway: Barry and I explore how music acts as a symbolic language that helps articulate the invisible, shaping our perception of the mystical.
- The Famous Quote Explained: Barry elucidates the quote famously referenced by Pete Holmes, discussing how the invisible world is like a blanket we lay to give shape to what we cannot see.
- Forensic Faith and Fluid Reality: We dive into the challenges of making spirituality overly concrete and discuss the benefits of embracing the fluid nature of reality.
- Religion as Interpretive Framework: Barry articulates how religion should be approached as a framework for interpreting reality, rather than a rigid truth.
- Transgression and Kindness: We discuss how simple acts of kindness can be transgressive in a culture that often overlooks them.
- Culture, Tattoos, and Taboos: We examine how tattoos and fashion challenge cultural norms and serve as powerful expressions of individual identity.
- The Digital as Divine: Barry makes a compelling argument that our technological advancements have taken on a divine-like role in society, shaping our responses to societal challenges and the concept of otherness.
Closing Thoughts: As we wrap up, Barry offers insights into the future role of technology in spirituality and the potential illusions of growth in our digital age.
Bio:
Barry Taylor lives and works in London, having returned to the U.K. after many years in Los Angeles. He has committed his life to following his curiosities, which have taken many forms including music, fashion, art, religion, and academia. His interests primarily lie in the areas of religion, theology, and philosophy, particularly exploring how cultural shifts reshape our understanding of what it means to be human, our interactions with others, and our grappling with fundamental questions about human existence and ultimate meaning. His wide variety of interests currently converge around the impact of technology on society and culture. Taylor teaches for an online graduate platform, the Global Centre for Advanced Studies (GCAS), and writes extensively on his Patreon page (patreon.com/barrytaylor). He also engages with the complexities of contemporary life and shares his insights on Instagram (@ukbloke).
https://www.patreon.com/barrytaylor
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