Exploring Existence: Recent Episodes
Jack Fernon
Exploring the teachings and practices of the world's religions through history, culture and personal experiences.
We talk to religious practitioners, spiritual seekers, theologians, philosophers, academics and a whole cast of others to learn about the diverse array of religious/spiritual teachings and ideas with a view to understanding what it means to live a spiritual life.
If would like to get in contact please feel free to email me: jackfernon@exploringexistence.org
In this episode, we look at the theology and history of iconography and iconoclasm in the Abrahamic faiths. With recent events in France, this podcast provides a background of the issue that often results in destruction, violence and death.
You can find a transcript of the episode at www.exploringexistence.org.
Thanks for listening.
Ely Cathedral is located in England's East Anglia and began as an abbey in the 7th Century before the Cathedral was built in the 11th Century. Throughout its history, Ely Cathedral has seen turmoil and destruction but has always remained a site of spiritual devotion and today is home to a welcoming and vibrant community.
My guide for the podcast was Rebecca Mundy and in the episode we spoke about the story of Etheldreda, the founder and first abbess of Ely, the magnificent structure of the Cathedral including its famous Lantern, the destruction that occurred in the Cathedral during the English Reformation, and how the modern-day community operates with its commitment to worship and public outreach.
Fr Michael Kelly is a member of the Society of Jesus, better known as the Jesuits. He has spent his career as a journalist, bringing to the interested reader a deeper understanding of the position of the Catholic Church in the world and its message after the Second Vatican Council. We spoke about the Jesuits, their experiential yet intellectual spirituality, and what Fr Kelly sees as living a good Catholic life.
Father Dave Smith is an Anglican Priest who has used boxing as means of pursuing peace and justice in both his parish and around the world.
Zachary Isrow has spent his life asking himself the big questions. This has led him to explore Buddhism, Daoism, and numerous philosophical thinkers such as Martin Heidegger. Through this search he has developed his own worldview, Spectral Ontology. In this episode we discussed Zach's spiritual and philosophical search and also how he now helps other as a meditation and mindfulness coach.
Fr Michael Tate has lived a life guided by the Holy Spirit, which has led him into academia, politics, foreign affairs, and ultimately to the Church.
We are excited to be launching our new website exploringexistence.org where we have also posted a new article exploring the centrality of fire to the human experience.
Richard Lang is headless, and so are you! Richard is a follower of the headless way, a practice developed by Douglas Harding that asks people to look at who they really are.
More information on the headless way can be found on their website at: https://www.headless.org/
Elena started her life in the Anglican Church but through an ongoing journey of faith found solace in the Catholic Church. She has authored an article on her journey that can be accessed here: https://omniainchristo.wixsite.com/website/post/cominghome.
Ann Harrison is a Breathwork practitioner, a spiritual transformative practice that recognises the divine nature inherent in us all.
More information on Ann can be found at her website: annharrison.com.au
Nick Farr-Jones is the former captain of the Australian Rugby Union team and has, since finding God, continually strived to live a Christian life.
Fr Vincent is a member of the Apostles of Jesus, a Catholic African order of missionary priests. In this episode, we explore his journey into the priesthood, his missionary work, and the challenges facing the Church today.
Dr Helen Russ has used teachings from the Western Esoteric Tradition to study the spirit of organisations and places.
You can find more information by Dr Helen Russ at her website: http://www.helenruss.com/
Jolyon is an Anthroposophist, an esoteric worldview developed by Rudolf Steiner that seeks to make the spiritual accessible.
Nicholas is a professional musician that grew up in the Traditionalist Church and uses music to search for the Divine
Christopher Magarey is a devoted follower of Siddha Yoga, a Hindu tradition that emphasises personal divine awakening
Fr Gerard Kelly is a Catholic priest who works in the Australian ecumenical movement to achieve Christian harmony.
Caroline is a student of the Brahma Kumaris, a movement of Indian origins with worldwide vision.