This talk celebrates the republication of Goose of Hermogenes, the classic novel of surrealist and esoteric fiction by Ithell Colquhoun (1906-1988). Written during her membership of the London Surrealist Group in the late 1930s – and her expulsion from it for refusing to curtail her occult interests – the novel incorporates dream imagery and imaginative leaps with practical, down-to-earth advice addressed to young ghosts. Alchemical transformation provides the structure of the book as well as much of its imagery. The new edition includes previously unpublished material and illustrations by the author. The editor, Dr Richard Shillitoe, also maintains the ithellcolquhoun.co.uk website.

One of Tibet’s most profound spiritual gifts to the world is its system of advance visualization practice used for millennia to hasten human evolution. Join Buddhist psychotherapist Dr. Miles Neale as he guides us through what he calls a ‘flight simulator’ meditation to manifest your innate potential for greater wisdom, compassion, and purpose. Miles will discuss some of the Buddhist mind science and current neuroscience underpinning visualization based his new book GRADUAL AWAKENING: The Tibetan Buddhist Path of Becoming Fully Human.

Ancient yogic teachings say that impurities in our internal body adversely affect our state of mind and prevent the attainment of true contentment. As such, a range of ancient yoga techniques called kriyas, which were designed to cleanse the body, mind and emotions, can have far-reaching relevance in today’s society of frequent over-consumption and overwhelm. Swami Saradanand’s new book The Cleansing Power of Yoga explains how removing stuck energy can have not just far-reaching physical benefits but also emotional and spiritual ones, from increased energy, clarity and focus to a stronger sense of connection with the people and world around you.

Science and spirituality are friends, not enemies. Like yang and yin, they focus on opposites that are complementary rather than contradictory. For example, science focuses on exploring the outer world, spirituality on exploring the inner world. Science focuses on what can be measured and written down, spirituality focuses on that which transcends language and maths. The harmonious relationship between science and spirituality is – the author argues – crucial to a healthy society and a healthy mind. One without the other tends towards imbalance. In the talk Oliver Robinson will explore ideas and practices that can be used to bring this kind of head-heart balance into your life.