Doing Platonism: Theurgy and the Golden Dawn with Sam Webster and Dr. Gregory Shaw

The Ladder: Journeys in Platonic Mysticism Episode 42 Friend of the podcast Dr. Greg Shaw returns and joins host Dr. Danny Layne to talk with Dr. Sam Webster about his life and what it means to practice Platonism according to the Order of the Golden Dawn. 00-2:00: Introductory content 2:01-4:47: Overview of doing Platonism by theurgy; What is the Order of the Golden Dawn; Kabbalah, polytheism, Freemasons 4:48-19:41: How did Sam Webster get into this? Iamblichus, possession, Whitehead, Buddhism 19:42-23:06: Greg Shaw’s take, comments on alignment with Platonic tradition, a living Platonism 23:07-27:37: Danny brings it back to Iamblichus; What’s the value of theory? Greg and Sam answer, commenting on Plotinus, care for the body, Porphyry, depression, suicidality, energy 27:38-42:00: How to handle skepticism, suspicion, critical thought about all of this magic ritual? More mentions of Iamblichus. Handling doubt, animal sacrifice; Porphyry; Sam shares the story of his wife’s death 42:01-51:22: Socratic initiation; erotic longing for the infinite; connecting with it; acid, LSD; Plotinus; Caring for people throughout the curriculum 51:23-1:06:50: Mind-altering substances as healing, therapeutic; cultural pressures, societal standards; physicalism; in relation to the climate crisis; Whitehead; traditions carried on alongside cultures of domination 1:06:51-1:13:00: Favorite dialogues/texts (you have to listen to get them!) 1:13:01-end: Concluding content