Esoteric Coffeehouse

Welcome to my Esoteric Coffeehouse – I am your host, Jo, and I invite you to take a look around my place and then have a sit in a comfortable couch, sip on a virtual coffee (or perhaps a spiced chai) and engage in a real discussion on esoteric topics.

First, it is perhaps desirable to clarify the term “esoteric” in our conversation. To be sure, there are numerous academic definitions of what is meant by the term “esoteric”, which I will expand in a future post. However, we are not here to engage in a purely academic discussion, but a friendly exchange on a topic broadly defined as ‘esoteric’. Surely, as it happens with every interaction, the definition we will use for ‘esoteric’ is bound to evolve.

To begin with, I will propose to start with a fairly large perspective of ‘esoteric’ as ‘a spiritual vision of what lies beneath the ordinary’. I believe that the esoteric is actually about an attempt of ‘seeing’ beyond the surface, hence challenging common perceptions. In this, ‘esotericism’ is a meeting between the intellect and the spirit; moreover, it is generally associated with a practice or technique that allows someone to delve into the vision. In this framework, I envisage such wide-range topics as:

• Alchemy
• Magic
• Hermeticism
• Rosicrucianism
• Alternative medicine
• Astrology
• Neoplatonism
• Scientific views
• Philosophy
• Mysticism
• Freemasonry
• Sufi practices
• Movies and books with esoteric theme
• Art & music
• Mythology
• Folklore
• Esoteric or esoterically-related thinkers
• Academic esotericism
• Esoteric lifestyle
  

What I am basically proposing through this blog is to incite in-depth, substantial and thoughtful discussion on esoteric themes.

I will also lay down a few ground rules (the host always has the latitude of choosing these!) which I will try to uphold and would like you to as well:

• Tolerance: the esoteric currents have always included an ethos of tolerance in their vision. This has not always been the actual practice (the quarrels between different esoteric groups stand witness), but as a core of esoteric belief I will do my best to uphold this principle. This implies that I will be rather intolerant with intolerance! The reason is that any intolerant attitude stifles the flow of discussion, and I intend to maintain the coffeehouse as a place of free interaction. It’s all in the tone perhaps: constructive and polite criticism and debate are encouraged, but personal attacks or denigratory remarks about other people’s beliefs are not acceptable.
• No aggressive selling of ideas: in the spirit of discussion and tolerance, please refrain from selling your or your group ideas to me or other people. It will be ok to post a link to your group, or to explain what your beliefs are, but aggressiveness of any sort is discouraged. Again, the pragmatic approach: I don’t want to have to close down my coffeehouse!
• No destructive beliefs or behavior: as with everything, my coffeehouse’s tolerance has its limits too: any advocation of destructive behaviors or practices will be banned. Esotericism has always been constructive in its attempts (practical or intellectual) to get closer to the divine, or spiritual.
  

I might add (or subtract from this) as experience suggests. I do not believe in overregulated or underregulated places: as with all esoteric practices, there is something commendable about a balancing act. I am also a big fan of humor and playfulness, as well as of pragmatism. I will not try to enforce this attitude on others, but I believe that there is something profoundly tolerant and philosophical about an attitude that engages in playful exchanges and does not claim absolute knowledge.  

How will this work? Frankly, I’m not entirely clear about this yet. As it could have become clear by now, I believe in ‘evolving frameworks’. I set forth a concept, a few ground rules, and it all goes from there. If it all goes well, I will be challenged by the coffeehouse’s own development.

I can tell you the way it will start: I will publish my thoughts, research or summary on different topics. Since I read and research a lot on the topic, it is possible that at the beginning the coffeehouse will be slightly skewed toward reviews of books, articles and websites. Since I myself am constantly looking for interesting conferences, seminars or events of esoteric content, I will be try to keep others informed of these as well.

At the same time, as you could probably tell, my interest is not in one-way communication! I’m by no means a guru nor would I want to be one –  I believe there’s much more beautiful things originating in debates and interactions. Therefore, I encourage you to contribute in the discussion forum, challenge me, propose alternative views, debate with other people etc. I do aim for a healthy platform of discussion!