Here he discusses a variety of plants that are used for both medicinal and entheogenic purposes – including dandelions, mescal, psilocybin mushrooms, cannabis, coca, and ayahuasca. He points out that the use of these substances throughout the world goes back far in history. They emerged from cultures that believed in animistic spiritual forces. Modern, industrial [...]

In this video from 2021, he describes the many threads woven into the intense cultural neighborhood near the British Museum in London. The discussion centers on the literary and artistic endeavors of the Bloomsbury Group, the spiritualist movement and psychical research, publishing, esoteric and occult groups, and the scientistic effort to suppress the realm of [...]

Here he describes the history of the transhumanist movement, with a particular focus on its development in the 1920s – and a view to understanding both proponents and critics. On the positive side, the movement seeks to enhance the human lifespan and human capacities. On the negative side it sometimes treats humans as machines, perhaps [...]

In this video, rebooted from 2021, he shares his passion for and knowledge of a fine art painting. This highly illustrated conversation covers the artwork of Hildegard of Bingen, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, Carl Jung, Francis Bacon, Frank Auerbach, Norman Rockwell, Paul Cézanne, Georgiana Houghton, Édouard Manet, Georges Seurat, Hilma af Klint, Wassily Kandinsky, Francisco [...]

Here he shares his passion for and knowledge of a wide variety of martial arts traditions. He emphasizes western boxing, particularly his distant cousin, the heavyweight champion Gene Tunney. The conversation also covers many other martial art forms including Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Karate, Capoeira, and Kalari. He views martial arts as a positive way of addressing [...]

James offers a critical examination of the life and ideas of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, challenging the popular view that he successfully reconciled science and religion. He argues that Teilhard’s concepts of convergence, the noosphere, and evolutionary spirituality contributed to modern transhumanist and technocratic worldviews while departing from traditional Catholic theology. Tunney explores the implications [...]

In this video from 2020, he points out that, although Swedish culture today is largely secular and materialist, there are ancient esoteric roots and many modern currents. The discussion particularly focuses on Emmanuel Swedenborg, August Strindberg, and Hilma af Klint. The Swedish royal family engaged in a variety of esoteric explorations. Parapsychology is also active [...]

In this video, rebooted from 2020, he focuses on the role of light in mystical traditions, enunciating his own insights regarding five stages of illumination. He distinguishes between authentic illumination and artificial pretensions of scientistic rationality. He emphasizes the role of heart-centered compassion on the mystical path.

In this 2020 video, he notes that ancient traditions throughout the world have recognized the power of sound vibrations to affect consciousness in a variety of ways. Words of power are used in both magical and mystical traditions. This use has also been carried over to the world of commerce and other aspects of everyday [...]

James explores the life and spiritual transformation of Edith Stein, the phenomenological philosopher who became Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. He discusses her journey from Judaism through atheism to Catholic mysticism, and her deep engagement with suffering, empathy, and the nature of the soul.Tunney also examines her philosophical legacy, her martyrdom at Auschwitz, and [...]

In this reboot from 2020, James acknowledges that he is approaching this topic as a mystic and a scholar, but not as a practitioner of ceremonial magic. He reviews various historical cases of conjuring, particularly that of John Dee, the court astrologer to Elizabeth I. He points out that laws against conjuring were established by [...]

James explores the deep mystical roots of the Carmelite Order, tracing its lineage from the prophet Elijah on Mount Carmel through centuries of Christian contemplative practice. He examines key figures such as Teresa of Ávila and John of the Cross, highlighting themes like the “dark night of the soul,” divine intimacy, and the interior experience [...]