Mahon McCann

• #104- Robert Freese - From Buddhism to Catholicism: A Spiritual Journey

  Robert Freese converted to Catholicism in 2020 after 20 years of practicing and eventually teaching Vipassana meditation. He and his wife Gosia are volunteers in the Faustinium, the lay order of Saint Faustina who initiated the devotion to Divine Mercy.In this conversation, Robert shares his profound journey from a secular upbringing in Texas to exploring Buddhism and eventually returning to Catholicism. He discusses the influence of his family background, the transformative power of meditation, and the importance of community in spiritual practices. Robert reflects on his experiences with Vipassana meditation, the challenges of balancing spiritual commitments with worldly responsibilities, and the ongoing quest for self-discovery and meaning in life. In this conversation, Robert Freese shares his profound journey of faith, detailing his experiences of encountering Jesus during meditation, the integration of his Buddhist practices with Catholicism, and the transformative power of suffering and grace. He reflects on the significance of communion, confession, and the importance of bringing one’s suffering to God, emphasising the deep connection between personal experiences and spiritual growth.Chapters00:00 Journey of Spiritual Exploration10:11 The Shift to Buddhism19:57 Deepening the Practice29:49 Teaching and Transformation39:57 Navigating Challenges in Spiritual Life49:51 Encountering Jesus in Meditation54:00 The Cross and Personal Suffering58:08 Navigating Faith and Personal Crisis01:01:22 The Journey to Catholicism01:07:20 Integrating Buddhism and Catholicism01:14:14 Desire, Suffering, and Spiritual Growth01:20:50 The Role of Confession and Grace Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe

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• #103 - Martin McManus - Why This Irish Psychologist Returned to the Catholic Church

  Martin McManus is a Lukewarm Catholic to anti-Catholic psychology postgrad to schismatic traditionalist to now a normal Catholic devoted to Our Lady and working to help others back to their home, the Catholic Church.In this conversation, Martin shares his profound journey from a lukewarm Catholic upbringing in Longford to a period of atheism influenced by modern psychology and prominent atheists. He discusses his struggles with nihilism and the eventual rediscovery of faith, sparked by the works of Jordan Peterson and his experiences in the mental health field. Martin emphasizes the importance of community and tradition in his return to Catholicism, particularly through the Legion of Mary, and advocates for sharing faith with love and understanding.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Martin’s Journey02:39 Early Catholic Upbringing and Its Impact05:34 Drifting Away from Faith and Academic Pursuits08:27 Encountering Atheism and Intellectual Influences11:12 The Shift Towards Seeking Meaning13:56 Exploring Freedom and Reality16:44 The Role of Jordan Peterson in Rediscovering Faith19:42 The Paradox of Freedom and Responsibility22:34 Finding Harmony in Faith and Reality28:04 Awakening to Faith30:20 Exploring Different Christian Denominations32:04 The Search for Truth in Catholicism35:09 Understanding the Magisterium38:29 The Role of Doctrine and Tradition40:49 Living Out the Faith in Modern Times47:15 Engaging with the Legion of Mary52:32 Encouragement for Faith Sharing Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe

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• Understanding the Good: Plato's Sun Analogy & Divided Line Explained | Plato's Republic Book Six

  In this lecture, we delve into the Good! Particularly Plato’s analogy of the Sun, and the Divided Line from ‘The Republic’ to explain the un-hypothetical first principle of everything. After a quick re-cap of the Philosopher Kings, we discuss the change from politics to philosophy in the Republic book six. Plato’s analogy of the ship for the state, and why Philosophers know appearance from Reality and the three roles of the Good in Plato’s ethics, epistemology and ontology. Finally, the lecture summarises the dialectic process leading to the Form of the Good, emphasising its critical role in understanding reality and achieving a just society.Chapters:00:00 Plato’s Good and the Divided Line00:26 Philosophers as Kings02:39 The Analogy of the Ship04:13 Corruption and Education07:17 The Form of the Good09:18 The Sun and the Divided Line17:21 The Nature of Ultimate Reality19:23 Conclusion and Next Steps Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe

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• The Philosopher Kings: Plato's Republic Book Five

  In this fifth installment of Mahon McCann’s lecture series on Plato’s Republic, we delve into Book Five to explore one of Plato’s most influential and controversial ideas: philosopher kings. McCann, a philosophy PhD researcher and lecturer, breaks down the concepts of love of wisdom, the distinction between appearance and reality, and the significance of forms in understanding true knowledge. This episode specifically addresses why Plato argues that philosophers should be rulers and provides an in-depth analysis of the philosopher king’s characteristics and their ability to discern real justice from mere appearances.Chapters: 00:00 Philosopher Kings in Book Five of Republic00:17 Overview of Book Five01:02 The Concept of Philosopher Kings02:21 Philosophy vs. Politics02:59 The Nature of Philosophical Love05:04 Plato’s Theory of Forms13:48 Conclusion: Why Philosophers Should Be KingsWant to support the series and the production of more lectures like these?? Consider sharing or becoming a patron 👇👇 Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe

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• #102 - The Logos Project - Can the Catholic church digest modernity?

  In this conversation, Mahon McCann and Dom from @thelogosproject7 delve into the complexities of modernity, its impact on religion, and the Catholic response to contemporary challenges. They explore the historical context of modernity, the secular-religious divide, and the implications of the Renaissance on individualism and philosophy. The discussion highlights the need for a return to a relational ontology that integrates theology and philosophy, emphasizing the importance of tradition in addressing modern issues. Check out dom’s Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thelogosproject7Chapters:00:00 Exploring Modernity and Its Challenges06:52 The Crisis of Religion in Modernity14:03 The Renaissance and Its Impact on Philosophy20:54 The Catholic Response to Modernity33:41 Revisiting Nature and Supernature in Theology33:59 The Nature of Supernature37:42 The Second Vatican Council and Its Impact42:17 Overcoming Dualisms in Modern Philosophy46:51 The Role of Plato and Aquinas in Modern Thought52:39 Blondel and Ulrich: Philosophical Giants56:39 The Future of Theology and Philosophy Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe

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