Inspirations (1)

Today, I thought I’d share a few of my current inspirations, people I read and listen to often, be it on their own Substacks or more often in podcast episodes. Every so often I’ll add to this list.

Thank God they are out there, for in a world increasingly dominated by technology, reductionism, and materialism, finding voices that challenge the status quo and invite us to explore deeper dimensions of human experience is both refreshing and vital.

So, three such voices that continue to inspire me are Paul Kingsnorth, Iain McGilchrist, and Malcolm Guite. Each of these writers brings a unique perspective, urging us to reconnect with aspects of ourselves and our world that are often overlooked or undervalued. All men, I know, next time I’ll do a post on the women writers and thinkers I regularly read.

First up,

Paul Kingsnorth: The Poet-Activist of the Machine

Paul Kingsnorth is a writer and thinker who has made a significant impact with his critique of modern civilization. Known in the past more for his deep environmentalism and his exploration of the relationship between humans and the natural world, Paul’s work today transcends traditional activism. His Substack, "The Abbey of Misrule," is a treasure trove of essays, reflections, and provocations that challenge the encroaching dominance of what he calls "the Machine" – a metaphor for the industrial, technological, and bureaucratic systems that shape our lives.

Paul's journey from a radical environmentalist to a more spiritual and introspective thinker is chronicled in his works like "Confessions of a Recovering Environmentalist" and "Savage Gods." His writings invite us to consider what it means to live a meaningful life in the face of overwhelming societal pressures to conform to a mechanistic worldview.

Most interestingly Paul recently converted to Orthodox Christianity, a transformation that he very much didn’t see coming. The story of how that unfolded for him is available on several talks on You Tube and is well worth a listen to. He is very candid and unpretentious.

Paul tends to a small plot of land with his family in county Galway, so, he’s clearly a man close to my own heart.

You can follow Paul's insightful reflections on his Substack The Abbey of Misrule.

Iain McGilchrist: The Philosopher of the Brain

Iain McGilchrist is a psychiatrist, philosopher, and former Oxford literary scholar who has revolutionized our understanding of the brain and its hemispheric functions. I bought a copy of his seminal work, "The Master and His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World," some years ago and found myself challenged and dumbfounded by the breath of this mans learning. He presents a compelling thesis about how the two hemispheres of the brain – the left and the right – perceive and interact with the world in fundamentally different ways.

McGilchrist argues that the right hemisphere, which he calls "the Master," is holistic, integrative, and sees the big picture, whereas the left hemisphere, "the Emissary," is analytical, detail-oriented, and focused on manipulation and control. He posits that Western culture has become increasingly dominated by the left hemisphere’s perspective, leading to a fragmented, mechanistic, and dehumanized society. Albert

Einstein summed it up so;

"The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift."

Iain’s exploration of these themes encourages a rebalancing of our cognitive processes, urging us to embrace the wisdom of the right hemisphere to foster a more integrated and harmonious existence.

Three key things that McGilchrist emphasizes for creating a happy and meaningful life are:

1. Embracing a Balanced Perspective.

2. Cultivating Relationships and Connections:

3. Engaging with Nature and Art:

His work can be further explored through his website and various talks available online.

I personally think Iain is one of the most important voices in the world today.

Malcolm Guite: The Poet of the Imagination

Malcolm Guite is a poet, priest, and scholar whose work illuminates the central role of the imagination in the spiritual and intellectual life, he is also very much one of a kind. As a man of faith, Malcolm weaves together literature, theology, and a deep appreciation for the arts. The sheer love this man has for poetry, literature and the imaginative life is infectious.

Malcolm’s work underscores the belief that the imagination is not merely a source of creative output but a vital means through which we perceive and engage with reality.

In his writings and lectures, Malcolm eloquently argues that the imagination holds a central position in human experience, acting as a bridge between the material and the spiritual, the known and the unknown. His reflections can be found on his You Tube channel, where he shares in short, informal videos on his poetry, sermons, and musings on the intersection of faith and creativity. His talks on Tolkien and C.S Lewis are wonderfully insightful for any fans out there.

There we have it, that’s just some of my inspirations that I feel compelled to share. In a world that seems crazier by the day it’s more than ever important that we have access to voices like this. They offer us profound insights and alternative ways of thinking that challenge the prevailing narratives of our time. They’ve certainly enriched my life and helped me to navigate the complexities of modern life with greater awareness, depth, and meaning.

I encourage you to delve into their works and engage with the conversation about how we can foster a more holistic and integrated understanding of our world and ourselves.

Take care one and all

d