<span class="TextRun SCXW8945955 BCX0" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW8945955 BCX0">Dr Mark Vernon follows the golden string that William Blake said he places in our </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed GrammarErrorHighlight SCXW8945955 BCX0">hands</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW8945955 BCX0"> and which leads to heaven’s gate, built in Jerusalem’s wall.</span></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW8945955 BCX0"><span class="SCXW8945955 BCX0"> </span><br class="SCXW8945955 BCX0" /></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW8945955 BCX0"><span class="SCXW8945955 BCX0"> </span><br class="SCXW8945955 BCX0" /></span><span class="TextRun SCXW8945955 BCX0" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW8945955 BCX0">Blake is one of the most important post-reformation mystics, as well as a figure with a penetrating mind who enjoyed everyday encounters with spiritual beings like angels. His vivid writings, arresting </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW8945955 BCX0">artworks</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW8945955 BCX0"> and fascinating life lead us to what he called Jesus the imagination and pathways to Eternity - a worldview formed in a </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW8945955 BCX0">tumultuous era of war, discontent, rapid technological change, and human estrangement from nature.</span></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW8945955 BCX0"><span class="SCXW8945955 BCX0"> </span><br class="SCXW8945955 BCX0" /></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW8945955 BCX0"><span class="SCXW8945955 BCX0"> </span><br class="SCXW8945955 BCX0" /></span><span class="TextRun SCXW8945955 BCX0" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW8945955 BCX0">But what can be made of Blake today? What is his spiritual analysis of our times? The day will include extensive engagement with Blake’s imagery and poetry, as well as discussion and reflection. No </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW8945955 BCX0">previous</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW8945955 BCX0"> knowledge of Blake will be assumed.</span></span>   <span class="NormalTextRun SCXW222195666 BCX0"><img class="wp-image-36520 alignleft" src="https://www.sarum.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/markvernon.webp" alt="" width="185" height="185" />Mark Vernon is a psychotherapist, teacher, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW222195666 BCX0">podcaster</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW222195666 BCX0"> and writer of journalistic articles as well as books. He has a PhD in ancient Greek philosophy, and degrees in theology and physics. His books include "A Secret History of Christianity: Jesus, the Last Inkling and the Evolution of Consciousness"; "Dante's Divine Comedy: A Guide for the Spiritual Journey" and most recently "Awake! William Blake and the Power of the Imagination". For more information see Mark's website: <a href="https://www.markvernon.com/">https://www.markvernon.com/</a></span>

Description supplied by the event organiser.