I am a psychotherapist and writer, with a keen interest in ancient philosophy, and particularly the illumination of inner life. My writing covers subjects from friendship and beliefs, to wellbeing and living in the modern world.
My most recent books are on William Blake, spiritual intelligence, Dante’s Divine Comedy and Christianity, as understood by the Oxford Inkling and friend of C.S. Lewis, Owen Barfield.
As a psychodynamic psychotherapist, I have a private practice in London, working with individuals who have a variety of concerns, as well as having worked at the Maudsley Hospital in south London in a personality disorder service.
I contribute to and have presented a number of programmes on the radio and write as a journalist, with my work published by the BBC, Aeon, Church Times, The Tablet, and elsewhere, not least The Idler, where I write a regular column and contribute in a variety of other ways.
I teach on spiritual writers and traditions, not least with The Temenos Academy, where I am also on the Academic Board.
I also lead workshops and give talks, with organisations such as the Pari Centre and Sarum College, and I regularly post on YouTube including in a longstanding series of conversations with Rupert Sheldrake, and my podcast, Inner Life.
I am one half of the improvisation duo, Philosophy Slam!, which is also online as Philosophy Slam! the podcast.
I have been Philosopher in Residence at Broughton Sanctuary, have worked with the International Society for Science and Religion on projects examining human evolution and spiritual intelligence, and also on a project looking at rituals and processes of love with individuals from the Royal College of Arts, funded by the Fetzer Institute.
I am a director of The Realisation Festival at St Giles House, Dorset.
I’ve appeared at a wide range of events including at the Hay, How The Light Gets In, Oxford Literary, Wilderness, Port Eliot, No9, Edinburgh International, Greenbelt, Oxford and Dartington festivals. My books have appeared in translation around the world.
My studies began with a degree in physics, before two degrees in theology, followed by a PhD in philosophy – an academic journey that took me from the universities of Durham and Oxford to Warwick. My professional life began as a priest in the Church of England, from which I resigned about 20 years ago.