Filming in the Ancient Knowledge Academy studio in 2025

From a young age I was always fascinated by questions about our place in the universe. My mum and dad always encouraged my curiosity, introducing me to the work of Erich von Däniken, Charles Lyall and Francis Hitching at the age of eleven. My early studies led to a life-changing spiritual encounter when I was seventeen at St Andrew’s Chorleywood, the hub of christian charismatic renewal in the UK. Theological education in North-east Brazil and Amazonia, via northern England, sent me on a global learning journey, from the UK to Australia, and propelled me into the world of Christian ministry. Thirty-three years as a Church Doctor, Theological Educator and Archdeacon for the Anglican church in Australia kept me engaged with the mystical layer of life, while simultaneously stretched by the paranormal themes of our ancient texts and by anomalous experiences in my church doctoring assignments. At the same time the pastoral and governance aspects of those assignments always kept my feet firmly on the ground. Since the 1990’s my books have sought to bring the mystical experience to a mainstream audience. Today my research probes ancestral narratives with respect to our origins and potential as human beings and our place in the cosmos. 

Recording a module for the DINNER WITH PLATO academy course  in 2026

On this journey I have drawn deeply from the world of our spiritual ancestors, being continually inspired by the “great cloud of witnesses.” In particular I owe a great debt to:

• The empowering love and holism of educators like Paolo Freire who have been devoted to giving the power of literacy and the courage to think and question on the basis of their own intelligence. I never met Paolo but was deeply impacted by his followers as I interacted with them in their work of ecclesiogenesis, grassroots political action and community transformation during my months in Brazil in the 1980s.
• Socrates and Plato, whose respective decisions to re-enter the world in their mature years as educators, choosing a strategy of small-group, person-to-person mentoring, and book-writing changed the world and brought profound insight to the human condition. Their appeal to ancestral knowledge, logic applied to observation, insight through altered states and the vulnerability to speculate represent the holism of truth-seeking to which I aspire. Socrates and Plato are examplars to me in every way and were substantially and strategicallt foundational to my career in writing, to my twelve years work curating the Jesus Generation neo-monastic network, and to my work today with Ancient Knowledge Tours and Ancient Knowledge Academy.
• Courageous campaigners like the late Tony Benn, with whom I enjoyed a ten-year long correspondence, whose logic, oratory and personal involvement inspires, empowers and persuades. I applaud his integrity, his advocacy for the people of his contituencies, his clarity of thought, his phenomenal communication skills, sincerity and his ability to change his mind and be public about it. He was not driven by a hunger for personal advantage or career progression. He was like one who had emerged from Plato’s cave, whose ability to see things obligated him to do something about it. Am so grateful for my interactions with him through the years.
• Curators of history like Shelby Foote and Credo Mutwa whose passionate storytelling embodies cultural memory
• Vladimir Lossky, and other greats of the “Apophatic Way”  who model the way of unknowing (I Cor 8:1)
• Hesychasts of Eastern Christianity – Seraphim of Sarov, Theophan the Recluse, and Dmitri of Rostov – alongisde Western mystics like Francis of Assisi and Meister Eckhart. All have taught me to breathe more deeply and to develop a peaceful and receptive spirit.

Click here to read about 22 People who have influenced me…for the better

Pushing the Envelope in 2025

AFTERWORD

“If you browse this website, thinking, ‘Crikey! Paul was no fount of grace and wisdom when I met him!’ then please allow me to ask for your forbearance and forgiveness. In my youth I was often clumsy and insensitive. In my adulthood too! I cringe at the immaturity and poor social skills of my early years in life and ministry. I am thankful for so many friends and colleagues over the years who, patiently, gave me opportunities to find my feet and mature. Life is a n incredible journey of change and transformation. I am still evolving and, I hope, improving. In fact, I still aspire to being a late bloomer!! Wishing You Health and Peace, Paul”

For some visual glimpses of my journey click here for my 3 Photo Galleries…