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The Subtle Body

Academic Sarah Goldingay examines how different faiths use the concept of ‘the subtle body’ to understand the mysterious relationship between body, mind and soul.

Academic Sarah Goldingay examines how different faiths use the concept of ‘the subtle body’ to understand the mysterious relationship between body, mind and soul.

The question of how these three relate to one another has been a source of fascination and curiosity for centuries. Although many Western traditions have often seen them as separate and distinct elements, the concept of the subtle body envisions them as deeply intertwined.

Tracing the idea of the subtle body across multiple faiths and spiritual practices, from Hinduism and Buddhism to the mystical Jewish Kabbalah tradition, Sarah asks what it can teach us about the mysteries of the soul. Along the way, she examines some of the ways that poets, musicians and thinkers have explored the relationship between the corporeal and the spiritual. The programme features the poetry of Emily Dickinson, the jazz of Alice Coltrane and Beethoven’s symphonies.

Sarah argues that the concept of the subtle body has not only been used to understand the deep connection between the body and the spark of life that animates it, but also as a way of forging a connection to other people and the world around us.

Presenter: Sarah Goldingay
Producer: Caroline Thornham
A TBI production for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4

28 minutes

Last on

Sun 23 Apr 2023 23:30

Tracklisting

Title: Ya Mariam Al BikrPerformer: FairuzComposer: Nouhad HaddadAlbum: Oriental All Stars, Vol. 2Label: Excalibur Recordings
Title: Duniya Men Hum Aaye HainPerformer: Lata Mangeshker, Meena Khadikar, Usha MangeshkarComposer: NaushadAlbum: Mother India (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)Label: Saregama
Title: MotherlandPerformer: Natalie MerchantComposer: Natalie MerchantAlbum: MotherlandLabel: Warner Music
Title: 10 Years of WarPerformer: Marios AristopoulosComposer: Marios AristopoulosAlbum: Apotheon (Original Soundtrack)Label: Marios Aristopoulos
Title: Allaho Akbar (Ya Rahimo Ya Rahman)Performer: Manish Vyas & Dina AwwadComposer: Manish VyasAlbum: Sufi SplendorÌýLabel: White Swan Records
Title: Baby MinePerformer: Betty NoyesComposer: Wallace ChurchillAlbum: Dumbo Original SoundtrackÌýLabel: JB Production
Title: Adi ShaktiPerformer: GurudassComposer: Guru Dass Singh, Gurudass Kaur Khalsa and GurudasAlbum: Mantra MeditiationsÌýLabel: Spirit Voyage Records

Readings


Title: Letter from Princess Elisabeth of Bohemia to René Descartes, 1.vii.1643

Author: Princess Elisabeth of Bohemia

Publisher: Jonathan Bennett

Ìý

Title: I am afraid to own a Body

Author: Emily Dickinson

Publisher: Faber & Faber

Ìý

Title: My Favourite Teaching About Fear

Author: Tar Mohr

Publisher: Tara Mohr LLC

Ìý

Title: Religion and the Subtle Body in Asia and the West: Between Mind and Body

Author: Geoffrey Samuel and Jay Johnson

Publisher: Routledge

Ìý

Title: The Golden Light

Author: Sri Aurobindo

Publisher: Pondicherry

Ìý

Title: Walking the Path of the Jewish Mystic

Author: Rabbi Yoel Glick

Publisher: Watkins Magazine

Ìý

Title: Beethoven’s Conversation Books

Author: Ludwig Van Beethoven

Publisher: Boydell Press

Ìý

Title: The Divine Matrix

Author: Gregg Braden

Publisher:Ìý Hay House

Ìý

Title: Desiderata

Author: Max Ehrmann

Publisher: Crown

Ìý


Today’s programme was presented by Remona Aly

The producer was Sera Baker


Broadcasts

  • Sun 24 Feb 2019 06:05
  • Sun 24 Feb 2019 23:30
  • Sun 23 Apr 2023 06:05
  • Sun 23 Apr 2023 23:30