Transforming Identity: The Power of IFS Therapy and Ancient Wisdom | Paul Vander Klay
Release Date: 07/26/2024
The Crisis of Being
Dr. John Vervaeke
The Crisis of Being James Filler is a philosopher, theologian, and leading voice in metaphysics and post-Cartesian thought, specializing in substance ontology, the meaning crisis, and relational models of reason. With a PhD in philosophy and expertise in ancient and contemporary ontology, Filler is the author of Heidegger, Neoplatonism, and the History of Being Relation as Ontological Ground and Substance Ontology and the Crisis of Reason. His work traces the genealogical roots of modern nihilism and skepticism while advancing a powerful case for relationality, participation, and...
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Embarking on the Philosophical Silk Road: Exploring Pilgrimage and Theosis
Dr. John Vervaeke
This conversation marks the beginning of a deeper inquiry for Dr. John Vervaeke: What if pilgrimage is not a retreat from the world, but a return to what is most real? Joined by Ethan Hsieh, John explicates his intent to preregister his intellectual and philosophical orientation before beginning his metaphorical pilgrimage. Drawing on parallels with psychology's preregistration practice, John's aim is to document his internal state at various stages of his journey. The conversation delves deep into the concepts of theoria, theophany, and theosis, advocating for a pilgrimage that is not...
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The Return of the Sacred: Mysticism, Tradition, and the Challenge of Modernity
Dr. John Vervaeke
Ritual, Wisdom, and What’s Lost Sebastian Morello was trained in philosophy by Sir Roger Scruton and Andrew Pinsent. He is a lecturer, columnist, and popular public speaker in the United Kingdom and throughout Europe. Morello has previously co-authored books on subjects of philosophy and education. He lives in Bedfordshire, England, with his wife and children. Each quarter, John engages in thought-provoking extended conversations with a leading expert in psychology, philosophy, and spirituality. Each season offers a unique exploration, bringing together their diverse fields of...
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What AI Can Never Be | John Vervaeke
Dr. John Vervaeke
Can artificial intelligence truly become wise? In this landmark lecture, John Vervaeke explores the future of AI through a lens few dare to examine: the limits of intelligence itself. He unpacks the critical differences between intelligence, rationality, reasonableness, and wisdom—terms often used interchangeably in discussions around AGI. Drawing from decades of research in cognitive science and philosophy, John argues that while large language models like ChatGPT demonstrate forms of generalized intelligence, they fundamentally lack core elements of human cognition: embodiment, caring, and...
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Sacredness After Deconstruction
Dr. John Vervaeke
Britt Hartley is a certified spiritual director, meditation teacher, and leading voice in secular spirituality, specializing in religious trauma, deconstruction, and nihilism recovery. With a Master’s in Applied Theology, doctoral work in Open and Relational Theology (ABD), and training across Sufi, Mormon, and meditation traditions, she is the author of No Nonsense Spirituality: All the Tools, No Faith Required and a respected scholar on Gen Z and the future of American religion. Britt Hartley: | | Each quarter, John engages in thought-provoking extended conversations...
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Hacking Humanity: Data, Desire, and the Future of Free Will
Dr. John Vervaeke
What happens when data knows us better than we know ourselves? In this raw and riveting conversation, John Vervaeke and Christopher Mastropietro sit down with Andy Russell — a former architect of data-driven persuasion — to expose how AI, behavioral profiling, and social media algorithms can hijack human desire, threaten our agency, and reshape our civilization. But there’s hope: what if the same power that manipulates us can be used to heal us? This episode lays bare the disturbing origins of persuasion tech, how it was used in politics and commerce, and what it will mean when AI takes...
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Lectern Q&As: The Virtue of Love | Featuring John Vervaeke, Ethan, and Ellie
Dr. John Vervaeke
Welcome to a special installment of the Lectern Q&A! This month’s theme is Love as a Virtue and Existential Stance. This session dives into the nature of love—not just as a feeling, but as a participatory, person-making virtue that binds us to reality and each other. Joining John and Ethan is Ellie, who brings both a deeply reflective presence and insightful contributions to this exploration. Lectern Q&As are a monthly gathering where John and Ethan take questions from The Lectern’s members, threading through important themes that are most pertinent and perplexing to the...
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Autonomy, Authenticity, and the Fragmented Self
Dr. John Vervaeke
If you find yourself torn between rationality and spirituality, science and mysticism, facts and belief; The Lectern's inaugural 8-week course will offer you a new lens through which to reflect on these dilemmas. Click here to enroll: “What does it really mean to be authentic, and can this virtue be meaningfully understood and measured across psychology and philosophy?” John Vervaeke, Gregg Henriques and Matthew Schaublin embark on a discussion covering the concept of authenticity. The discussion explores authenticity as one of the premier virtues of modernity, comparing it with autonomy,...
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Redefining Human Flourishing: AI and the Meaning Crisis
Dr. John Vervaeke
As AI continues to advance and integrate into our daily lives, can it truly be designed to align with our deepest human values and moral principles? If so, how can we ensure that AI not only understands but also respects and promotes our ethical frameworks, without compromising our privacy or hindering our personal growth and autonomy? John Vervaeke, Christopher Mastropietro, and Jordan Hall embark on a nuanced exploration of the intricate relationship between AI and human flourishing. They explore the concept of "intimate AI," a personalized guardian that attunes to individual...
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Neoplatonism and the Ground of Relationality
Dr. John Vervaeke
What if the deepest truth of reality lies not in substances or isolated things, but in the pure relationality that connects everything? John Vervaeke is joined by renowned scholar Douglas Hedley to explore James Filler's groundbreaking work "Heidegger, Neoplatonism, and the History of Being." John and Douglas examine the profound implications of viewing ultimate reality as fundamentally relational rather than substantial, uncovering significant convergences between Heidegger's later thought and the ancient Neoplatonic tradition. The dialogue goes into how Neoplatonic metaphysics offers potent...
info_outlinePaul Vander Klay is a minister at Living Stones CRC in Sacramento, CA, known for his engaging online discussions on faith and thoughtful community engagement.
How can the convergence of ancient spiritual practices and modern cognitive science redefine our understanding of identity and collective wisdom?
In this episode of "Voices with Vervaeke," John Vervaeke and Paul Vander Klay explore the intersections of personal transformation and collective wisdom. They discuss the role of spiritual practices like Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy in modern society and their implications for personal growth and collective understanding. The conversation highlights the significance of relationality in understanding agency and cognition, emphasizing how our relationships with others shape our sense of self and our ability to navigate the world. John and Paul also address the advent of the sacred in modern culture and the potential for new cultural cognitive grammars. They share insights from their personal and professional experiences, offering a thought-provoking exploration of modern spirituality and relational being. This episode leaves listeners with a deeper understanding of how personal growth and collective wisdom are intertwined.
Connect with a community dedicated to self-discovery and purpose, and gain deeper insights by joining our Patreon.
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00:00 Introduction: Faith, Friendship, and Exploration
03:10 Exploring IFS Therapy, Dialogical Self, and Archetypal Experiences
08:50 Dialoguing with Hermes: Ally Work and Neoplatonic Traditions
14:00 Dialogical Models and Changing Public Perception of Humans
22:50 Rethinking the Self: Transjectivity, Relationality, and the Imaginal
28:00 Beyond Substance Ontology
55:00 Dialogical Presencing and Transjective Ontology in Religion
58:05 Communal Aspects of Christian Tradition
01:01:35 Dialogical Practice and Hermetic Consciousness
01:05:25 Therapeutic Practices and Self-Deception
01:12:15 Exploring the Sacred in IFS and Dialogical Practices
01:40:50 Conclusion: Embracing Vulnerability and Honesty
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Join Awaken to Meaning to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships.
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Ideas, People, and Works Mentioned in this Episode
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy
Dialogical Practices
Hermes (Guiding Figure)
Proclus
Plotinus
Jordan Peterson
Jonathan Pageau
Seth Allison
Kasra Mirzaie
Richard Schwartz
Marc Lewis
Anderson Todd
Jeffrey Raff
Dallas Willard
James Fuller
Robert Falconer
Sam Tideman
Paul Kingsnorth
Martin Shaw
Richard Rohlin (Universal History)
Gregory Shaw, Hellenic Tantra: The Theurgic Platonism of Iamblichus
Ben Alderson-Day, Presence: The Strange Science and True Stories of the Unseen Other
T. M. Luhrmann, How God Becomes Real: Kindling the Presence of Invisible Others
Paul Ricoeur, Fallible Man: Philosophy of the Will
Plato, The Seventh Letter
Charles Taylor
Neoplatonism
Socrates
Relevant Episodes
Attachment Theory Beyond Therapy: Seth Allison on Wisdom and Connection
Exploring the Depths of Internal Family Systems with Seth Allison
Wisdom Through the Imaginal: IFS Insights with Seth Allison Part 3
Engaging the Imaginal: Kasra Mirzaie on IFS and the Meaning Crisis
The Elusive I - Part 1 - The Cognitive Science Show
AI Sages and the Ethical Frontier: Exploring Human Values, Embodiment, and Spiritual Realms
Follow John Vervaeke: Website | Twitter | YouTube | Patreon
Follow Paul Vander Klay: Blog | Twitter | YouTube
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Thank you for Listening!