EPISODE · May 18, 2026 · 1H 14M
Sweeny vs Bard #68 - The Path to Enlightenment part 1
from Parallax · host Andrew Sweeny
In this first conversation in a new series on enlightenment, mysticism, and civilization, Andrew Sweeny and Alexander Bard explore the relationship between enlightenment, ancient spirituality, and digital culture.The discussion moves through Peter Kingsley, Jung, Gurdjieff, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Göbekli Tepe, mountain civilizations versus river civilizations, shamanism, altered states, René Girard, mimetic contagion, social media, and the collapse of symbolic depth in modernity.Themes explored include:• Enlightenment as wholeness rather than salvation• The mystical origins of Western philosophy• Semi-nomadic and mountain cultures as sources of ecstatic spirituality• Göbekli Tepe and ritual consciousness before agriculture• Shamanism as transformation of perspective• Jung’s *Red Book* as initiatory descent• Girard, scapegoating, and digital mass psychology• Gurdjieff and the idea that modern humanity lives asleep• The return of mysticism during periods of civilizational collapseMore Sweeny vs Bard:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuseeco8fLSmX1HUEmKV0WFecRg2Z1G6S&si=6e1Ry-WfechSySo6More Substack articles by Andrew Sweeny:https://substack.com/@andrewsweenyParallax is supported by readers and members who participate in the Parallax Academy, a space for deeper exploration of philosophy, media, myth, and culture.Free Subscribers• Receive selected public essays and podcast excerpts• Stay informed about Parallax events and conversationsMembers — €12/month• Full access to Parallax articles and essays• Participation in Parallax groups and community sessions• Access to member discussions and the growing Parallax archiveParallax Academy Members — €500/year• Everything included in Member access• Full access to all Parallax Course Library + Bonus Live Courses• Invitations to academy salons, dialogues, and special gatheringsSubscribe to join the Parallax community and Parallax Academy:[https://www.parallax-media.com/the-parallax-academy]
What this episode covers
In this first conversation in a new series on enlightenment, mysticism, and civilization, Andrew Sweeny and Alexander Bard explore the relationship between enlightenment, ancient spirituality, and digital culture.The discussion moves through Peter Kingsley, Jung, Gurdjieff, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Göbekli Tepe, mountain civilizations versus river civilizations, shamanism, altered states, René Girard, mimetic contagion, social media, and the collapse of symbolic depth in modernity.Themes explored include:• Enlightenment as wholeness rather than salvation• The mystical origins of Western philosophy• Semi-nomadic and mountain cultures as sources of ecstatic spirituality• Göbekli Tepe and ritual consciousness before agriculture• Shamanism as transformation of perspective• Jung’s *Red Book* as initiatory descent• Girard, scapegoating, and digital mass psychology• Gurdjieff and the idea that modern humanity lives asleep• The return of mysticism during periods of civilizational collapseMore Sweeny vs Bard:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuseeco8fLSmX1HUEmKV0WFecRg2Z1G6S&si=6e1Ry-WfechSySo6More Substack articles by Andrew Sweeny:https://substack.com/@andrewsweenyParallax is supported by readers and members who participate in the Parallax Academy, a space for deeper exploration of philosophy, media, myth, and culture.Free Subscribers• Receive selected public essays and podcast excerpts• Stay informed about Parallax events and conversationsMembers — €12/month• Full access to Parallax articles and essays• Participation in Parallax groups and community sessions• Access to member discussions and the growing Parallax archiveParallax Academy Members — €500/year• Everything included in Member access• Full access to all Parallax Course Library + Bonus Live Courses• Invitations to academy salons, dialogues, and special gatheringsSubscribe to join the Parallax community and Parallax Academy:[https://www.parallax-media.com/the-parallax-academy]
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Sweeny vs Bard #68 - The Path to Enlightenment part 1
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