Dr Athena D. Potari on Plato and Non-Duality
David Lorimer's Guest today is Dr Athena D. Potari, Fellow at the Center for Hellenic Studies at Harvard University (2022/23). She received her PhD from the University of Oxford, specializing in Political Philosophy, and holds an MA in Political Theory summa cum laude from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). In 2020, she was the youngest female scholar to receive the prestigious Academy of Athens Award of Philosophy. She has previously taught at the Universities of Oxford, University of Patras and University of Toulouse 1-Capitol (Athens branch). In 2019 she founded Atheonoa - a school of philosophy based in Greece devoted to the study of Ancient Hellenic Philosophy as an experiential path to the lived realization of non-dual awareness (gnosis) and eudaimonia, combining rigorous textual study with meditation and other embodied practices inspired by the ancient scriptures. She is a Member of the Galileo Commission Steering Group and the author of “A Call for a Renaissance of the Spirit in the Humanities” published by the Galileo Commission.
Imaginal Inspirations is hosted by David Lorimer, Programme Director of the Scientific and Medical Network and Chair of the Galileo Commission, an academic movement dedicated to expanding the evidence base of a science of consciousness. Imaginal cells are responsible for the metamorphosis of the caterpillar into a butterfly, which is the Greek symbol for the soul. These cells are dormant in the caterpillar but at a critical point of development they create the new form and structure which becomes the butterfly.
Works and links mentioned:
Papers by Athena Potari https://harvard.academia.edu/DespoinaAthenaPotari
Plato: The Republic https://uk.bookshop.org/books/the-republic-9780008480080/9780008480080
Kahlil Gibran: The Prophet https://uk.bookshop.org/books/the-prophet/9781513263229
Yogananda Paramahansa: Autobiography of a Yogi https://uk.bookshop.org/books/autobiography-of-a-yogi-9788189535513/9788189535513
Production: Martin Redfern
Artwork: Amber Haas
Music: Life is a River, by Magnus Moone
Imaginal Inspirations
Imaginal cells are responsible for the metamorphosis of the caterpillar into a butterfly, the Greek symbol for the soul. These cells are dormant in the caterpillar but at a critical point of development they create the new form and structure which becomes the butterfly.
In the podcast series Imaginal Inspirations, David Lorimer talks to transformational authors and scientists about the experiences, people and books that have shaped their life and work.
Links
Scientific and Medical Network: https://scientificandmedical.net
Galileo Commission: https://galileocommission.org
- No. of episodes: 60
- Latest episode: 2025-03-23
- Religion & Spirituality Science
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