Show Notes
Acclaimed author Gary Lachman, who has appeared on the show previously, joins us in podcast episode 190 to discuss his recent, and arguably one of his most important books, The Lost Knowledge of the Imagination.
Lachman has contributed an important and useful primer to the perennial philosophy and a guide for those ready to explore different, more authentic perspectives of reality. While it may be overshadowed by more sensational or popular material by this author, The Lost Knowledge of the Imagination is my favorite work by Gary Lachman. This book speaks to the soul and invites the reader to consider a way of perceiving that re-enchants the world.
“The ability to imagine is at the heart of what makes us human. Through our imagination we experience more fully the world both around us and within us. Imagination plays a key role in creativity and innovation.
“Until the seventeenth century, the human imagination was celebrated. Since then, with the emergence of science as the dominant worldview, imagination has been marginalized -- depicted as a way of escaping reality, rather than knowing it more profoundly -- and its significance to our humanity has been downplayed.
“Yet as we move further into the strange new dimensions of the twenty-first century, the need to regain this lost knowledge seems more necessary than ever before.
“This insightful and inspiring book argues that, for the sake of our future in the world, we must reclaim the ability to imagine and redress the balance of influence between imagination and science.
“Through the work of Owen Barfield, Goethe, Henry Corbin, Kathleen Raine, and others, and ranging from the teachings of ancient mystics to the latest developments in neuroscience, The Lost Knowledge of the Imagination draws us back to a philosophy and tradition that restores imagination to its rightful place, essential to our knowing reality to the full, and to our very humanity itself.”
Gary Lachman is one of today’s most respected writers on esoteric and occult themes. His many books – including those on Madame Blavatsky, Aleister Crowley, Swedenborg, Jung the Mystic, and Rudolf Steiner— have received international acclaim. A founding member of the band Blondie, Lachman has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He lives in London and you can find his web site at garylachman.co.uk.
In the Chamber of Reflection, we continue the interview with Gary Lachman, straying into territory covered in his most recent book Dark Star Rising: Magick and Power in the Age of Trump. Join us for that fascinating and important conversation!
And I’d like to remind you that although you’re able to listen to this podcast at no charge, it costs time and money to create. We ask you to support our efforts and the creation of future podcasts by joining the membership section at https://chamberofreflection.com. And if you’re already supporting the show or have done so in the past – my heartfelt thanks and I salute you!
https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Knowledge-Imagination-Gary-Lachman/dp/1782504451
intro music – "Awakening" by Paul Avgerinos
outro music – "Imagination" by Zebrat
More from Occult of Personality podcast
Garin Horner is a spiritual practitioner, photographer, professor, author, and Tarot designer. He joins us to discuss his amazing book, A Feather on the Breath of RA: Conversations with an Alchemist on Photography, Light, & Magic. Garin's book is one of the most unexpected and brilliant books about alchemy and Western esotericism that I've ever read. I highly recommend it.
The superlative Ike Baker interviews me about two of my newer books: Peregrine: Crossing Spiritual Boundaries to Find a New Home, An Essay, and The Silent Call of the Heart: A Testimony of Spiritual Awakening. Our conversation focuses on these two new books, which are closely related but distinct in tone: one more comparative and outward looking, the other more personal and inward looking. We cover comparisons between Eastern and Western spiritual traditions, the meaning of pilgrimage, and the idea that different practices may lead to similar experiences of realization. Another major theme we discuss is the role of the teacher in spiritual practice, and the argument that an authentic teacher is needed to recognize enlightenment and divinity, not merely to learn techniques. Our discussion also covers honesty about suffering, weakness, and spiritual bypassing, as well as ways of responding to nihilism.
Georgina Rose — polytheist, ceremonial magician, and Thelemite, and author of Planetary Theurgy: Ascent Through the Seven Veils — joins me to talk about what it actually means to have a spiritual path with a trajectory, rather than a vague collection of borrowed practices. We get into her rejection of psychologized, watered-down approaches to magic, her critique of New Age spirituality's shallow eclecticism, and why she believes discipline and even transgression are essential to real gnosis rather than obstacles to it. This was an excellent conversation and I confidently recommend Georgina Rose's work. She is a qualified guide with a solid approach to the magical path and the courage to speak it. For extended conversations like this one, ad-free episodes, and more, support the show at https://www.patreon.com/occultofpersonality/.
The one and only Jaime Paul Lamb joins us to discuss his wonderful book The Astrological Goetia: The 72 Keys to Angelic and Demonic Astrology (Inner Traditions, 2025). This was an amazing interview with an exceptional practitioner. Enjoy! This is the full interview. Please support the podcast by subscribing to our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/occultofpersonality or our members' website at https://chamberofreflection.com for exclusive content, extra interviews, and more! Jaime's website - https://www.jaimepaullamb.com/ The Astrological Goetia - https://a.co/d/09L2nUyp My new website - https://gregkaminsky.net/
In this episode of Occult of Personality podcast, we have an absolutely epic interview with author, Hermetic practitioner, and meditation specialist Martin Faulks (https://martinfaulks.co.uk/) about Freemasonry, alchemy, meditation, the human subtle body, Tantra, and the book Long Livers: with the Rare Secret of Rejuvenescency, published by Lewis Masonic (https://www.lewismasonic.co.uk/long-livers.htm). I've been anticipating and preparing for this conversation with Martin for years. It's a huge blessing that it's finally come to fruition!