New Age Spirituality: What to Know and How it Links to Conspiracy Theory with Jules Evans

Today, we’re chatting with Jules Evans about why New Age Spirituality tends to make people vulnerable to conspiracy thinking, which is a topic I discussed previously in episode 59. We discuss why that happens, the shadow side of spirituality, and how to stay grounded while still getting the benefits a spiritual life offers.

Jules is the author of books such as Philosophy For Life And Other Dangerous Situations and The Art of Losing Control: A Philosopher's Search for Ecstatic Experience. He’s also an honorary research fellow at the Centre for the History of the Emotions at Queen Mary, University of London. He researches the history of ideas and how they can help us flourish today. His research has explored everything from the revival of Stoicism in modern life, to the cultural history of ecstatic experiences. 

We talk about…

[2:20] What inspired Jules Evans' work

[4:03] Jules' trauma and how stoicism also helped examine his beliefs

[7:03] Jules' journey through various philosophies and religions

[13:57] What is conspirituality?

[23:23] The deinstitutionalization of spirituality and conspiracy thinking

[28:40] Tendencies of the shadow side of our culture

[32:38] Balancing the Socratic and ecstatic while looking at the flaws of beliefs

[36:09] The power of love and kindness in spirituality

[37:50] The best way to read Jules’ books

[39:36] Jules' thought about spirituality moving forward

 

QUOTES

“The heart of spirituality and not knowing more than someone else, it’s just being kind. That’s the basics.” - Jules

“Usually, we are unconscious and unaware of the beliefs and the opinions we hold and that’s why we get stuck in prisons so we can use all kinds of methods to examine our beliefs.” - Jules  

THIS WEEK’S INTENTION

I radiate with kindness no matter where I am or who I’m with. The energy around me rises with my presence.

WRITING PROMPT

What kind of person do you want to be ten or twenty years from now? In what ways do you see yourself serving your family or community? No pressure here. Even raising your energy and being a comforting presence in your everyday life can change other’s lives.

 
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