About
Open Enlightenment is a project dedicated to the honest and down-to-earth discussion of the very real and natural human phenomenon known as enlightenment. Some of the questions we are investigating are:
What effects will newly emerging technologies and marketing have on the face of spirituality?
How is enlightenment currently understood, and how will this change during the beginning of the 21st Century?
What will the honest discussion of enlightenment mean for the human race as we progressively become more connected?
Open Enlightenment produces books, organises talks and events, and works towards presenting the reality of awakening for those that are interested. The project is financed by donations and a micro-patronage scheme. If you find the website useful, please consider supporting us.
Information on regular meetings and teaching events will be posted on the blog.
Open Enlightenment began in 2009, and its founders are Alan Chapman and Duncan Barford.
Alan Chapman is a human being who decided to experience enlightenment and did. He often wonders why so many others don’t do the same, considering enlightenment is our birthright and the most profound and beautiful thing we can do for ourselves and each other. Alan thinks enlightenment is very much like becoming a parent: it is absolutely mind-blowing and life changing, but at the same time ordinary and a possibility for everyone, regardless of race, culture, sexual orientation, geographical location or religious belief; the only difference is, parenting is openly discussed in a sane and honest manner within our contemporary global culture. With this in mind, Alan recently begun the Open Enlightenment project in order to remedy the situation.
Alan experienced enlightenment within the framework of the hidden (or ‘occult’) Western tradition of enlightenment known as Magick. For several years, Alan has maintained The Baptist’s Head website with his colleague Duncan Barford, where a record of their experiences with magick and the process of enlightenment – known to magicians as ‘The Great Work’ – can be found, alongside numerous essays, podcasts and articles on the Western tradition. Alan is author of the magical primer Advanced Magick for Beginners.
Duncan Barford dabbled in magick as a teenager and underwent certain experiences that nagged him throughout his later life, until he finally investigated reality properly and found himself following the path to enlightenment alongside Alan.
Since his awakening in March, 2009, Duncan has become interested in sharing his insights with others through writing and teaching. He figures that if he can get enlightened then probably a whole lot of other people can too. Occult Experiments in the Home, his book on the paranormal, magick and spirituality, is due out later this year. Currently he is particularly interested in exposing how contemporary culture can obstruct our realisation of the Good.
