Episode 19: Spiritual Evolution, The Problem of Suffering, and the Birth of the Future Human with Judson Davis

Hosted by Stephen Julich (EWP adjunct faculty, program manager) and Jonathan Kay (PhD student, EWP assistant)

Today Judson Davis, East-West Psychology PhD, takes us on a guided meditation and the conversation emerges from themes that arose in this liminal space. Through integral frameworks we discuss the meaning and purpose behind the world of suffering, the role of evolution and reincarnation, and the need for expanding our awareness beyond the purely human dimension. Judson shares his thoughts about the evolutionary mission of the future human and how it is tied to the original goal of CIIS based on the spiritual and evolutionary vision of Sri Aurobindo, as brought to the west by Haridas Chaudhuri. He also calls for a transformation of our existing paradigm that includes the radical emergence of what he calls a diamond luminosity consciousness based on the vision of evolutionary philosopher Christopher Bache. We discuss the nature of original unity as a basis for individuation and the need for surrendering to a wisdom of complete openness and conceptual insecurity in the face of the great mystery of cosmic unfolding. The conversation then explores the intersection of Jungian Psychology and Tibetan Buddhist Tantra in Judson’s own path, and we end by discussing the problems of transcendental idealism, teleology, and the limits of scientific materialism, as well as a future in which one is a co-creator in birthing the divine potential here on Earth.

Judson Davis,PhD,is a university educator, author, spiritual counselor, filmmaker, and world traveler. He holds a Doctorate in East-West Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies (2012) and a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology (with emphasis in Jungian Depth Psychology; 2006) from Pacifica Graduate Institute. He has taught on the university, college, and corporate levels in California, Germany, Japan, and South Korea, has produced documentary films, and has presented his work in a variety of public venues. Dr. Davis is the author of the book The Sacred Image: C. G. Jung and the Western Embrace of Tibetan Buddhism as well as numerous peer-reviewed journal publications. He also provides online coursework and spiritual counseling through The Institute of East-West Interdisciplinary Studies, which can be accessed at the following web address: www.east-westinstitute.com

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The EWP Podcast credits

Produced, Edited and Mixed by: Jonathan Kay

Music at the end of the episode titled Tantrika, by Jonathan and Andrew Kay, from the album Forest Dwellers, released on Monsoon-Music Record Label

Introduction Voiceover: Roche Wadehra