Richard Smoley

Richard Smoley

Biography:

Richard Smoley is one of the world's most distinguished authorities on the mystical and esoteric teachings of Western civilization. After taking a bachelor's degree magna cum laude in classics at Harvard in 1978, Richard went on to the University of Oxford in the U.K., where he edited The Pelican, the magazine of Corpus Christi College. He took another B.A. in the Honour School of Literae Humaniores (classics and philosophy) in 1980, and received his M.A. from Oxford in 1985.

The most important part of his stay at Oxford came from his contact with a small group that was studying the Kabbalah, one of the mainstays of the Western esoteric tradition. It was here that he was first introduced to many of the ideas he has discussed in his books and articles. In 1986, Richard started writing for a new magazine called Gnosis: A Journal of the Western Inner Traditions. After four years of writing for Gnosis and a brief stint as managing editor, he came on board as editor in November 1990. In 1998 Gnosis won Utne Reader's award for best spiritual coverage. In May 1999, Richard's book, Hidden Wisdom: A Guide to the Western Inner Traditions, coauthored with Jay Kinney, was published by Penguin Arkana. He presently lives in western Massachusetts, where he teaches philosophy as an adjunct professor at Holyoke Community College. He is also editor of Quest Books, operated by the Theosophical Society in America.

Website(s):

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Past Shows:

  • The Rat Pack / Occult Techniques & Magic

    Writer Richard A. Lertzman discussed the legacy of the Rat Pack, and Dr. Max Jacobson, nicknamed "Dr. Feelgood." Followed by author Richard Smoley on such topics as astrology, Tarot, and magic.More »
  • Theology & A Course in Miracles / Power of Hypnosis

    Richard Smoley discussed Christian theology and 'A Course in Miracles.' Followed by Wayne Walker on the uses of hypnosis.More »
  • Spontaneous Human Combustion/ Mysticism & the Bible

    Electrical engineer Larry Arnold discussed spontaneous human combustion. Followed by writer Richard Smoley on events and miracles described in the Bible.More »
  • Occult Traditions

    Highly regarded writer on esoterica, Richard Smoley, discussed various occult traditions, including such topics as prophecy, Nostradamus, and prayer. He detailed his interest in the influential Theosophical Society, begun in 1875, which set out to study the occult, and unknown...More »

Last Night

Near-Death Experience / Astrological Forecast
Near-Death Experience / Astrological Forecast
Author and director Sebastian Junger shared a compelling near-death experience that occurred after his pancreatic artery ruptured. Followed by astrologer Mark Lerner, who discussed upcoming astrological cycles and alignments.

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