James David Parker 

Philosophic Mentor – Master of Insights – Teacher of Presence

Wisdom, insightful learning, contemplation and a Zen-like approach to life.

Indulge yourself in a delightful cup of tea (or any other heavenly brew that pleases your palate), while you take some of your time to peruse the following information in the column below and then on the right. Should it resonate with you or strike a chord, we encourage you to reach out to us for further details on this unique approach.

James, as an independent philosopher, has journeyed to explore life’s most profound questions. James is a polymath who has dedicated significant time and effort to studying various texts and practices across a diverse range of philosophical and intellectual traditions. James discovered philosophical and spiritual teachings and learned meditation from the age of 17, which established the basis for his dedication and engagement for the following twenty-five years. James’ immersion into Applied and Eastern philosophy commenced with the discovery of philosophical inquiry during these formative years.

James has spent countless hours in meditation exploring the sense of separation in mental standpoints and subjective attitudes that manifests constrictions. James underwent a profound philosophic shift in his twenties, dedicating many years to deep meditation and ultimately leading him to a profound realization in his thirties. During this crucial period in his life, he experienced a profound transformation, and went through a significant change, an awakening, and a psychological transformation. 

After earning a degree in politics in 2004 and a Masters in International Law in 2007, he initially worked at the epicenter of law and politics. However, he was driven by the conviction that the quest for how to live exists at a philosophical and spiritual level and this should permeate everyday life. Through his innovative literary and presentations, James has made significant contributions to avant-garde creations, inspiring individuals to delve deeper into the complexities of the human mind and the world around us. James recognized that transformation must now occur worldwide for humanity to survive as a species. True societal change begins with shifts in the psychology of the people.

His exploration deepened as he delved into contemplative practices and embraced their balanced composition, shaping his interests and practices, providing a reflective canvas for his philosophical inquiries.

During this transformative period, James continued his dedicated study of luminaries like Jiddu Krishnamurti, Immanuel Kant, and Ramana Maharshi, alongside exploring various philosophical works resonating with his understanding at the time. His pursuit led him to explore a creative discipline, honing his skills and establishing a body of work that resonated with audiences.

James has a deep understanding and reverence for the philosophical insights. 

Acting as a catalyst for exploration, James draws from a rich of teachings that intricately weave direct insights from Advaita Vedanta, Dzogchen Buddhism, Longchenpa, Mahamudra, Chan Buddhism of Bodhidharma, Zen Buddhism such as Dogen and Huang Po, Vedic philosophy, Bhakti yoga, Jnana yoga, Karma yoga, Kriya yoga, the Satipatṭhāna Sutta, the Mahāsatipatṭhāna Sutta, and the Abhidhammapiṭṭhāka, as well as Universalism, Christianity, Judaism, Sikhism, Gnosticism, Humanism, Inter-Faith, Deep Ecology, Contemporary Philosophy, The Three Principles, Integral Philosophy, Knighthood chivalry, Greek philosophy, Greek mythology, Confucianism, Stoicism, Japa, Kirtan, the Maha Mantra, Taoism, many areas of Western philosophy, the Direct Path tradition, and Christian mysticism.

Meditation is a central axis of his life, and he has participated in extensive retreats, including ten-day vipassana sessions taught by S.N. Goenka and residencies in Thai Forest tradition monasteries. Now, he lives the choiceless awareness articulated by Krishnamurti, the Buddha, Zen teachings, and other spiritual guides, simultaneously dedicating several hours each day to sitting meditation.

This fusion offers a comprehensive understanding that resonates across cultures and eras, affirming its authenticity and relevance in our apparent modern world.

This transformation what James calls “presence,” is beyond average awareness and mental conceptualisation. James’s life was also marked by his interactions with others, where his presence had a powerful, transformative effect. This presence gives people an ambiance and impression, which is like a quality in a person’s character and personality that leaves a strong impact on others.

This sense of presence is constantly influencing his daily experiences and interactions. These profound realizations have had a profound impact on James, marking a significant turning point with life-changing experiences that have shaped his journey and significantly influenced his teachings and approach to life.

James advocates for the liberation of humanity from internal burdens, promoting independence through a deep understanding of the human psyche. Investigating the sense of separation reveals a body-mind cycle where it manifests in the mind as images, ideas, and beliefs, and in the body as feelings of confinement, localization, and limitation. He encourages individuals to be a light unto themselves, urging them not to follow any person, group, or idea but to have their own universal insights into life. James emphasizes the transformative power of philosophical insights and meditation.

Speaking to individuals and addressing audiences simply as a companion on the journey of self-discovery, he encourages them to find insights and understanding within themselves, free from dependence on external authorities. His work serves as a guide and communicator, offering pointers to one’s own insights rather than providing definitive beliefs or conceptual answers.

“The enchanting journey is not just a collection of  experiences, but rather a feeling of both belonging to and being the enchantment itself.”

James engages in dynamic dialogues with scholars from diverse fields, challenging conventional wisdom and offering fresh insights into ancient traditions and modern scientific theories alike. His interactions with contemporary thinkers, commentators, politicians, and scientists enrich his understanding and catalyze new perspectives on spirituality, psychology, and the human condition.

Philosophic Mentoring is not just abstract ideas, but is the process of directly transcending barriers through insight. This is what makes these insights significant and effective. James is a visionary whose philosophic mentoring is an experiential, practical, and transformative approach to philosophy, emphasizing direct experience, insight and realization rather than abstract theories and intellectual speculation.

His unique perspective have been shaped by these extensive studies of various philosophical and practical traditions. His impressive breadth of understanding across multiple philosophical traditions and contemporary teachings has given him a deep understanding of the human experience and our shared being. True philosophical growth is more than accumulating knowledge or mastering specific practices. It’s about embodying wisdom, awareness, and insight and applying it daily.

James has also immersed himself in the works of an eclectic mix of renowned writers, thinkers, artists, and meditators throughout his life. Some examples include:

Professor David Bohm, Albert Einstein, Krishna, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Philippa Foot, Adi Shankara, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Tobias Wolff, Maya Angelou, Tamal Krishna Goswami, Gauḍapāda, Rudyard Kipling, G.E.M Anscombe, George Harrision, Leonard Cohen, Harriet Taylor Mill, Rachel Carson, Aldo Leopold, James Lovelock, Anne Dufourmantelle, William Morris, John Ruskin, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Sydney Banks, Hui-neng, Nagarjuna, Bodhiddharma, Laozi, Alan Watts, Thich Nhat Hanh, Bruce Lee, S.N. Goenka, Mahasi Sayadaw, Gautama Buddha, Krishna, Swami Vivekananda, Rumi, T.S. Elliot, Jesus, Meister Eckhart, Peace Pilgrim, Thomas Berry, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, Werner Heisenberg, Niels Henrik David Bohr, Charles Darwin, Abraham Maslow, Clare Graves, Ken Wilber, Ervin Laszlo, H. G. Wells, Arthur C. Clarke, Alan Dean Foster, Eugene Wesley Roddenberry, Jacque Fresco, Nikola Tesla, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Immanuel Kant, Montaigne, Søren Kierkegaard, Anton Wilhelm Amo, John Rawls, Bertrand Russell, Anthony Giddens, Philip Allott, Cormac Cullinan, Michael Sandel, Nelson Mandela, Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Aldous Huxley, Erich Fromm, Carl Jung, Salvadore Dali, René Magritte, Kazuaki Tanahashi, Alex Grey, Pawel Kuczynski, Rupert Spira, Samuel Beckett, Jeff Sheridan, William Blake, Maurits Cornelis Escher, Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci, Frida Kahlo, Banksy, William Shakespeare, Johann Sebastian Bach, Maurice-Alexis Jarre, Philip Morris Glass, Tracy Chapman, John Lennon, David Bowie, Melvyn Bragg, Grayson Perry, Nathaniel Adams Coles, Bjork, Pink Floyd, Paul McCartney, The Beatles, The Smiths, Stewart Graham Lee, Charlie Chaplin, Fred Astaire, Stephen Glenn Martin, Jim Carrey, Emmet Kelly, Richard Wayne Van Dyke, Jeff Bridges, Bill Murray, Gene Wilder, Paul Newman, Anthony Hopkins, Edward Norton, Terence Stamp, Alfred James Pacino, Antonin Artaud, Darren Aronofsky, Hannah Arendt, Mary Wollstonecraft, George Orson Welles, The Wachowskis, Richard Stuart Linklater, Stanley Kubrick, Akira Kurosawa, David Lynch, Yoshi Oida, Peter Brook, Konstantin Stanislavski, Penn Jillette, Raymond Joseph Teller, Harry Houdini, Isaac Fawkes, Tommy Wonder, Eugene Burger, Jeff McBride, Lance Burton, Dai Vernon, Henry Box Brown, The Great Lafayette, Jean Baudrillard, Max Planck, William James, Bertrand Russell, Darryl Bailey, David Carse, Greg Goode, Atmananda Krishna Menon, George Ivanovich Gurdjieff, Jean Klein, Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, Eckhart Tolle and Ramana Maharshi.

“Like the morning sunlight, my mentoring approach will awaken your direction, harness your clarity of perception, manifest insightful understanding, and unlock the freedom of presence.”

James David Parker

Expressing the qualities in your character and personality that have a profound impact on others.

“Vibrancy and life elude expression when confined within static, meticulously constructed forms or through rehearsed gestures.”

James has been mentoring individuals in philosophical insights, meditation and self-inquiry, aiming to guide them toward genuine liberation. Throughout his life, he has collaborated with leaders and creative minds to delve into significant existential issues. Philosophy serves as a prompt for him and others to reassess and question what is often taken for granted.

James travels and speaks to captivating audiences with his profound insights into humanity’s need for fundamental change. Renowned as a visionary philosopher and teacher, he transcends conventional philosophies and religions, focusing instead on universal human concerns: the complexities of modern society, its violence and corruption, and the individual pursuit of happiness and security.

His relentless passion for inquiry and the pursuit of truth delve into the intricacies of human consciousness and the potential for transformative personal growth through introspection and insight. His teachings are timeless and universal, which inspire a new perspective on truth and meaning in life. James communicates with clarity and empathy, tailoring his message to resonate personally with each listener. 

James’ authentic and impactful guidance transcends formula, seamlessly adapting to various manifestations. 

He incorporates these insights into his own life and practice, gaining a first-hand understanding of how they can be applied to daily life. Drawing upon the values of the Stoic sage. These realizations are not just abstract concepts to James – they are realizations that he applies in his everyday life.

It is an approach to spirituality that emphasizes direct experience and insight, rather than simply accepting information. James sees that true spiritual understanding is not gained through blind faith or adherence to external rules and rituals, but rather through the direct experience of one’s own consciousness and the exploration of one’s own being.

So if you’re ready to embark on a journey based on these insights then please do continue reading to find out about your mentoring programme. 

James’ philosophic mentoring is for continuing professional development, and lifelong learning. Within this art, effectiveness is measured by practically using that which attains success. James speaks of a “philosophic” approach to life, he means engaging in clear insights by examining fundamental questions about existence.

His mentoring emphasizes the importance of developing one’s own philosophic insights to deeper understanding, clarity, and wisdom in life. A philosophic inquiry can help cultivate a sense of purpose and foster a harmonious relationship with the world around them.

“As your philosophic Mentor, I am committed to helping you to be insightful.”

Those who have studied his teachings have reported significant development and growth. Avoiding affiliations with terms such as guru, spiritual teacher, he radiates a “natural authority” and presence. James communicates openly and directly with his audience, steering clear of any inclination to sway or assert ideas.

There exists no fixed abode, no defined structure, no institutional confinement, and no philosophical mould for truth. Upon recognizing this, you grasp that this dynamic essence is an intrinsic part of your own existence.

The philosophic approach involves questioning and testing one’s own assumptions and experiences, and being open to new insights and perspectives. This process of inquiry and self-exploration is a key aspect of the spiritual journey and can lead to greater understanding, inner peace, and spiritual growth.

Referring to a holistic approach to life that involves deep questioning, self-exploration, and a commitment to wisdom, James understands that true happiness and fulfillment come not just from achievements, but from the sense of being.

Genuine learning involves a down to earth and authentic letting go of limited assumptions about existence.

At the heart of every philosophical journey is a desire to discover one’s inner truth, purpose, and connection to the world around us. It’s an intimate journey that requires dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to face the challenges and uncertainties that come with any journey of self-discovery. 

This unique philosophic mentoring can help you integrate critical thinking, creativity, and presence awareness. While he can provide guidance and support, ultimately, the responsibility for your philosophical growth and well-being rests with you.

His approach encompasses all aspects of life, providing insights that  appreciates the common threads, recognizing their profound impact on everyday life and making it his purpose to share these insights.

“The evolution of humanity lies in its philosophical realization, which is a journey that requires dedication. Philosophical mentoring is free from mere concepts and emotional dependencies. Many individuals are eager for a rapid transformation, which is reminiscent of a historical act of idol worship, but it is deceptive and unproductive.”

The philosophic mentoring will invites us to engage in deep reflection, question assumptions, and seek greater understanding of the mysteries of existence through contemplation. James sees the power of shared responsibility and cooperation, understanding that these qualities have the potential to motivate us. 

His philosophic mentoring is unique in that he doesn’t simply regurgitate; he uses his extensive insights with an exceptional ability to utilise them. The programme understands that everyone is different, and what resonates with one person may not resonate with another. That’s why the mentoring applies a unique perspective to connect with individuals in a way that speaks to them.

“At the heart of life lies the insight that experience are indivisible expressions of existence. However, the unexamined energies of routine and habit often control our thoughts, emotions, and actions, leading us to believe the false notion that we are disconnected individuals, separate from the external world and those around us. To challenge this misconception, I demonstrate that everything and everyone are expressions of existence with no inherent separation. This realization highlights the primary essence in which all things occur.”

Transcendent of a fixed formula, James’ mentoring effortlessly integrates with diverse formulas. It embraces all avenues without being constrained by any, and employs methods or approaches that align with its purpose without attachment to it.

James’s insights always communicates the reality of the present moment, which may change your habitual patterns of thinking, reminding you that this moment is an opportunity for self-discovery. This realization has enabled James to be fully present for others and facilitate profound transformations in their lives.

By understanding how insights resonate with different personality types is crucial in offering a practical and philosophic journey. The mentoring programme encourages humanity to see ourselves as interconnected and work collaboratively with our shared being both for the present and to manifest the apparent brighter future.

Today, James actively shares his insights and practices in the realm through hosting sessions. Reflecting on this transformative period, his exploration led James to understand and embrace these non-conceptual and direct insights into our shared existence. The journey of one’s inner truth unfolds without a prescribed route. It thrives on vitality and, consequently, evolution. Through his comprehensive  journey, James harmonizes contemporary discoveries with ancient wisdom.

“The inherent wonder comes from recognizing the marvels of existence.”

“Join me on a journey of captivating creativity, and experience the beauty and complexity of the human experience in a whole new way.”

 (James’ philosophic mentoring is for continuing professional development, and lifelong learning.)

(While James’s teachings may provide insight and guidance on how to navigate life’s challenges, they are not a substitute for therapy or treatment. It is important to note that James’ philosophic mentoring is not to replace any counsellor, psychologist, psychotherapist, or psychiatrist for any mental health issues. Please do contact them if that is the type of assistance you require.)