The Cow Behind the Barn with Kevin Caldwell: An Artist’s Way of Seeing Life, Humanity, the Universe, and the Divine

Table Collective
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The Cow Behind the Barn podcast is an artist’s way of exploring art, religion, humanity, the universe, and the mystery of the divine, presented by songwriter, poet, and contemplative Kevin Caldwell, PhD, and the Table Collective (www.tablecollective.art). Many of these themes are also explored in the Table Collective course, “Wisdom for Artists from Ancient Wells” which explores spirituality and creativity through the “wells” of Moses, the Bhagavad Gita, Buddha, Lao Tzu, Jesus and Muhammad. (www.tablecollective.art/ancient-wells-course).

  1. 35 | The Final Episode: Divine, Human, Cosmic, Entangled, Consciousness

    JUL 1

    35 | The Final Episode: Divine, Human, Cosmic, Entangled, Consciousness

    In the final episode of "Cow Behind the Barn," Kevin describes art and mutualism as frameworks for religion, and delves into insights gained from figures like Moses, the Bhagavad Gita, Buddha, Lao Tzu, Jesus, and Muhammad. Kevin summarizes his conclusions on the cosmos, time, and consciousness, highlighting entanglement and empathy as central to all three. The Episode emphasizes the hope that cultivating empathy can lead to the positive transformation of everything.For more from Kevin to help you reflect on these religious heritages and grow in your creative expression, check out the Table Collective course, "Wisdom for Artists from Ancient Wells" (https://tablecollective.art/ancient-wells-course)

    35 min
  2. 34 | Panentheism, Quantum Entanglement, Empathy and the Problem of Suffering and Evil

    JUN 24

    34 | Panentheism, Quantum Entanglement, Empathy and the Problem of Suffering and Evil

    Episode 34 dives deep into panentheism, exploring how this worldview allows us to reconcile convictions about divine empathy with the pervasive reality of suffering and evil. Specifically, we explore how panentheism offers a unique perspective on the interconnectedness of the divine and the cosmos, suggesting that the divine shares in our pain. In the face of the enduring mystery of evil's origins, there is hope for the future, through the co-creative role of human and divine empathy in the ongoing cosmic process of transformation.

    33 min
  3. 33 | Empathy and the Problem of Evil

    JUN 17

    33 | Empathy and the Problem of Evil

    In this episode Kevin grapples with the problem of evil through personal experiences and theological perspectives. He shares reflections on the brutality of the world and juxtaposes it with a friend's profound experience of empathy. Kevin explores "360-degree empathy" – feeling the pain of oneself, loved ones, and all of history. He then examines monotheism, pantheism, and atheism's responses to evil, finding none fully satisfactory and leaning towards atheism as a potential but disheartening conclusion. The episode concludes with his poem "St. Patrick," reflecting a "divine-less" world, and a promise to discuss panentheism in the next episode.

    29 min
  4. 32 | Does Empathy Have a Future? The Sin of Empathy, the Challenge of AI

    JUN 10

    32 | Does Empathy Have a Future? The Sin of Empathy, the Challenge of AI

    This Episode 32 explores whether empathy is the core of reality or cointributor to the problems in society. This session also examines the relationship between empathy and the rise of Artificial Intelligence, considering the implications of "garbage in, garbage out" and the possible consequences of embedding human flaws into AI systems, and other big questions about connection, disconnection, and the human condition.

    32 min
  5. 31 | Panentheism, Empathy, and Christianity

    JUN 3

    31 | Panentheism, Empathy, and Christianity

    This Episode of the "Cow Behind the Barn," delves into the concept of panentheism, examining the idea that the cosmos is in God and God is in the cosmos, and describes ways in which Christianity and panentheism are compatable. The episode also explores the role of empathy, both as an existential practice and as a fundamental quality of the divine nature in the New Testament. The Episodes summarizes the connections with empathy, quantum physics, and philosophy, and the contributions each offers to the broader questions about consciousness and reality.

    33 min
  6. 30 | Polytheism, Reality, and Empathy

    MAY 27

    30 | Polytheism, Reality, and Empathy

    This Episode delves into the complexities of polytheism, exploring its various forms and its relationship to empathy and ultimate reality. Discover how different cultures and philosophies have shaped polytheistic beliefs, the various types of deities within these systems, and how they address ethical frameworks. We tackle questions like "Is empathy real, and does it matter?" and examine whether empathy is a quality of the divine in polytheistic worldviews. Kevin shares his poem "Myths and Gods" and his song "Shimmer," providing artistic reflections on polytheism and its spiritual dimensions.

    38 min
  7. 29 | Empathy, Reality, and the Divine in Judaism and Islam

    MAY 20

    29 | Empathy, Reality, and the Divine in Judaism and Islam

    Is empathy a fundamental element of reality, and of the divine nature? This episode explores and examines this question through the lenses of the scriptures of Judaism and Islam. How do these ancient traditions approach compassion, mercy, and the potential for empathy being a fundamental quality of the divine nature, and a cornerstone of what is truly real?

    32 min
  8. 28 | Consciousness and Empathy in the Gita and Lao Tzu

    MAY 13

    28 | Consciousness and Empathy in the Gita and Lao Tzu

    This Episode explores consciousness, empathy, and the divine through the lenses of the Bhagavad Gita and Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching. Host Kevin Caldwell delves into ontological and existential aspects of empathy, connecting these concepts to quantum entanglement, memory, and the fundamental nature of reality. The episode includes readings from sacred texts, personal anecdotes, the sharing of an original song, "Memories of Trees," and Caldwell’s poem, “Ghost Month,” to explore interconnectedness as an essential element of empathy.

    34 min
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The Cow Behind the Barn podcast is an artist’s way of exploring art, religion, humanity, the universe, and the mystery of the divine, presented by songwriter, poet, and contemplative Kevin Caldwell, PhD, and the Table Collective (www.tablecollective.art). Many of these themes are also explored in the Table Collective course, “Wisdom for Artists from Ancient Wells” which explores spirituality and creativity through the “wells” of Moses, the Bhagavad Gita, Buddha, Lao Tzu, Jesus and Muhammad. (www.tablecollective.art/ancient-wells-course).

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