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The Beshara Lecture 2014: ‘A Heart Capable of Every Form’– atheism, agnosticism and belief

Mar 1, 2014 10:45
Chisholme House, Roberton, Hawick, Scottish Borders TD9 7PH
Beshara Trust & School


In recent years there has been a rash of popular books on atheism; there have also been public debates between atheists and believers, and discussions on the compatibility between science and religion and on the effects of modernism or relativism on religious belief. From the point of view of a mystic such as Ibn ‘Arabi every vision of reality is incorporated in a single vision. The famous quote in the title of this talk is often assumed to mean that all religious belief is ultimately one. The lecture will examine how points of view antithetical to religion, which deny or doubt an ultimate meaning to reality, might also be incorporated in the heart of the gnostic and can provide insight to us all.

Ibn 'Arabi was a mystic, philosopher, poet, sage, and is one of the world's great spiritual teachers. He was born in 1165 AD into the Moorish culture of Andalusian Spain, the centre of an extraordinary flourishing and cross-fertilization of Jewish, Christian and Islamic thought. Ibn 'Arabi's spiritual attainments were evident from an early age, and he was renowned for his great visionary capacity as well as being a superlative teacher. He has articulated the idea of the unity of existence, and the place of the individual person within it, in unsurpassed breadth and scope. 

Jane Carroll has been involved with the Beshara Trust and the Beshara School at Chisholme since the 1970s. A founding member and current Secretary of the Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi Society in the USA, she has lectured on Ibn ‘Arabi, geometry and sacred structures. Jane studied at the Architectural Association under Keith Critchlow, and lives in Ojai, California, where she practises architecture and design.

Coffee and tea will be served from 10.15am onwards. The talk will start at 10.45am with plenty of time for questions and discussion afterwards. You are welcome to stay at Chisholme for lunch, which is at 1pm, and continue the conversation informally. Donations for lunch and refreshments will be gratefully received. 

If you would like to attend or have any questions, please contact secretary@beshara.org
or ring the secretary on 01450 880 215

 

 


In recent years there has been a rash of popular books on atheism; there have also been public debates between atheists and believers, and discussions on the compatibility between science and religion and on the effects of modernism or relativism on religious belief. From the point of view of a mystic such as Ibn ‘Arabi every vision of reality is incorporated in a single vision. The famous quote in the title of this talk is often assumed to mean that all religious belief is ultimately one. The lecture will examine how points of view antithetical to religion, which deny or doubt an ultimate meaning to reality, might also be incorporated in the heart of the gnostic and can provide insight to us all.

Ibn 'Arabi was a mystic, philosopher, poet, sage, and is one of the world's great spiritual teachers. He was born in 1165 AD into the Moorish culture of Andalusian Spain, the centre of an extraordinary flourishing and cross-fertilization of Jewish, Christian and Islamic thought. Ibn 'Arabi's spiritual attainments were evident from an early age, and he was renowned for his great visionary capacity as well as being a superlative teacher. He has articulated the idea of the unity of existence, and the place of the individual person within it, in unsurpassed breadth and scope. 

Jane Carroll has been involved with the Beshara Trust and the Beshara School at Chisholme since the 1970s. A founding member and current Secretary of the Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi Society in the USA, she has lectured on Ibn ‘Arabi, geometry and sacred structures. Jane studied at the Architectural Association under Keith Critchlow, and lives in Ojai, California, where she practises architecture and design.

Coffee and tea will be served from 10.15am onwards. The talk will start at 10.45am with plenty of time for questions and discussion afterwards. You are welcome to stay at Chisholme for lunch, which is at 1pm, and continue the conversation informally. Donations for lunch and refreshments will be gratefully received. 

If you would like to attend or have any questions, please contact secretary@beshara.org
or ring the secretary on 01450 880 215

 

 

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