A Thorough Critique of Popular and Psychological Accounts of Meaning of Life
Dr. John Vervaeke
This is John’s second video essay, and it delivers a thorough critique of contemporary theories of meaning in life. With his student Arjun Arora assisting, John dismantles the standard psychological and folk categories — purpose, coherence, significance, and mattering — showing why they fall short of capturing the depth of what “meaning” actually is. Arjun Arora is a cognitive science and physics scholar whose work bridges science, philosophy, and the search for meaning. As a student collaborator of Dr. John Vervaeke at the University of Toronto, Arora explores questions at the...
info_outline
Silk Road Seminar - Jonathan Pageau
Dr. John Vervaeke
Thank you for joining us for our monthly Silk Road Seminar! Today’s guest is Jonathan Pageau is a Canadian artist, writer, and public thinker exploring the patterns that unite art, symbolism, and meaning. As an icon carver and lecturer on symbolic thinking, Jonathan has become a prominent voice in the growing movement to recover traditional ways of seeing the world. His work brings together theology, myth, and modern culture to help audiences rediscover the sacred patterns underlying reality. He is the host of The Symbolic World, a popular podcast and YouTube channel where he examines...
info_outline
Virtuosity as a Way of Life | Ethan Hsieh and the Tiamat Process
Dr. John Vervaeke
Something is coming: https://lectern.johnvervaeke.com/p/whatnext What if mastery isn’t about perfection—but about transformation? In this episode of The Lectern, John Vervaeke is joined by Ethan Hsieh to explore how the cultivation of virtuosity—typically associated with the arts—can become central to philosophical and existential growth. Ethan introduces his Tiamat process, a three-tier developmental framework integrating performance training, cognitive science, and dialogical practice. Together, they explore what it means to live a deliberately developmental life, moving...
info_outline
Silk Road Seminar - Elizabeth Oldfield
Dr. John Vervaeke
Thank you for joining us for our monthly Silk Road Seminar! Today’s guest is Elizabeth Oldfield. Elizabeth Oldfield is an experienced leader, writer, consultant and podcast host with a passion for intelligent public engagement on issues of reconciliation, identity, and healing our common life. She is currently working with a range of organisations and individuals as a coach and consultant focused on building clarity, courage and connection. Elizabeth appears regularly in the media, including BBC One, Sky News, the World Service, and writing in Prospect Magazine, UnHerd and The...
info_outline
Exploring Jewish Neoplatonism: The Life and Philosophy of Solomon Ibn Gabirol
Dr. John Vervaeke
Watch the first episode of our new season of Lectern Dialogues! This season’s guest is Zevi Slavin. Zevi Slavin is a philosopher, educator, and public scholar whose work explores the intersections of mysticism and philosophy across traditions. As the creator of Seekers of Unity, he is dedicated to reviving and reinterpreting the voices of philosophical mystics, with a focus on Jewish thought and its dialogue with Greek and Islamic philosophy. A leading voice in the study of Jewish Neoplatonism, Slavin highlights figures such as Solomon Ibn Gabirol, whose integration of poetry, metaphysics,...
info_outline
Why Reason Needs Spirit | John Vervaeke
Dr. John Vervaeke
Thank you for joining us for this in-depth solo lecture from Dr. John Vervaeke, where he continues his exploration of cognition, meaning, and spirit from the perspective of relevance realization and predictive processing. In this talk, John takes us on a journey through the architecture of the mind, explaining how voluntary necessity, scientific idealization, and porous participation form the basis of how we understand ourselves and the world. He unpacks the imaginal dimension of cognition, the deep entanglement of anticipation and rationality, and how the fellowship of the spirit provides an...
info_outline
Silk Road Seminar - Rick Repetti
Dr. John Vervaeke
Thank you for joining us LIVE for our monthly Silk Road Seminar! Today’s guest is Rick Repetti. Silk Road Seminars are a live event where John weaves together threads from his various theoretical conversations along with a distinguished guest. These hour-long conversations are live on YouTube followed by an exclusive Q&A, where you can ask questions directly to John and his guest. To be entered onto the guest list for these Q&As, you can sign up at the Gamma Tier (and above) on The Lectern at . Currently enrolled university students at all levels up to doctoral studies get free...
info_outline
Navigating the Trust Apocalypse: Examining Collective Agency and Distributed Cognitio
Dr. John Vervaeke
How do we rebuild trust and meaning in a world where certainty and connection are breaking down? In this episode of The Lectern, John welcomes Kieran McCammon and Jordan Hall to discuss the 'trust apocalypse' and its intersection with the meaning crisis. They delve into the vicious cycle between the loss of trust and the fragmentation of communities, exploring how these issues reverberate through society. Kieran introduces his work on the Trust Foundation, which aims to address these challenges by leveraging collective agency, distributed cognition, and extended distributed labor. John...
info_outline
Silk Road Seminar - Bishop Maximus
Dr. John Vervaeke
Bishop Maximus is a theologian, scholar, and Orthodox bishop whose work bridges ancient Christian thought with contemporary philosophical inquiry. A leading voice in the revival of patristic epistemology, he focuses on the integration of faith and reason through figures such as Clement of Alexandria. His research explores how early Christian thinkers synthesized Greek philosophy with theological doctrine, offering compelling alternatives to modern skepticism. Bishop Maximus is a key contributor to the Philosophical Silk Road project, advocating for the transformative power of faith as both...
info_outline
The Philosophical Silk Road: A Journey to Rediscovering Theosis and Sacred Pluralism
Dr. John Vervaeke
The Calling to Reorient the Self How can the sacred be recovered in a world fractured by autonomy and fragmentation? In this deeply personal episode of Kainos on The Lectern, recorded during a session hosted by Alexander Beiner on Kainos, John Vervaeke shares reflections from his recent pilgrimage across Europe—what he calls the Philosophical Silk Road. Weaving through sacred conversations and historic locations, he explores profound ideas like theosis, theoria, and voluntary necessity, inviting listeners into a lived philosophy of sacred participation. From Istanbul to Rome to Amsterdam,...
info_outlineJoin John Vervaeke, Guy Sengstock, and Kyle Koch as they invite you to a transformative retreat designed to help you reconnect to the real—deepening your connection to yourself, others, and the world around you. They explore the philosophical, spiritual, and psychological concepts behind the retreat and how these ideas will be integrated into the activities. Guy introduces his 'circling approach,' Kyle shares his nature-centered practices, and John elaborates on the importance of dialogical practices for cultivating wisdom and meaning. The retreat will take place from March 17th to 22nd, 2025 at Mount Mitchell Eco Retreat Center in North Carolina and aims to help participants deepen their connections with themselves, others, and the natural world. Lastly, the trio touches on the broader cultural implications of meaning in the age of advancing artificial intelligence, emphasizing the importance of shared, meaningful practices.
Reconnecting to the Real Retreat - Spaces are limited to just 20 participants to ensure a deeply immersive, participatory experience where genuine connection and transformation can take place.
This retreat is a fully participatory experience, where John, Guy, and Kyle will guide you through immersive practices while engaging in them alongside you. Each day follows a carefully designed flow:
Morning Movement: Led by John or Sara, starting the day with embodied practice.
Morning Sessions (9 AM - 12 PM): John will lead transformative practices, including meditation, contemplation, and deep philosophical inquiry.
Afternoon Nature Connection (2 PM - 4 PM): Kyle and Guy will guide participants through core routines of nature connection, helping to cultivate a deeper relationship with the natural world.
Evening Practices: John and Guy will lead Circling and Dialogical practices, fostering deep listening, relational intelligence, and transformative conversation.
Throughout the retreat, you will learn and practice:
-
Wisdom & Awareness Practices
Dialectic into Dialogos
Philosophical Fellowship
Socratic Search Space
Meditation & Contemplation
Yoga
-
The Circling Method & Relational Practices
Group Circling Exercises
1-on-1 Circling Sessions
Deep Listening & Communication Skills
-
Core Routines of Nature Connection
Sit Spot (Attuning to nature through stillness)
Storytelling (Sharing and integrating experiences)
Animal Forms (Embodied movement inspired by nature)
Mapping (Developing a spatial awareness of the land)
Bird Language (Understanding ecological intelligence through avian behavior)
This retreat is an opportunity to engage deeply with practices that cultivate self-awareness, relational depth, and a profound connection to nature.
Location: Mount Mitchell Eco Retreat, North Carolina (ashville)
Cozy cabins and shared spaces with mountain views
Organic and locally sourced meals
Access to nature trails, meditation spaces, and quiet areas
Pricing: Private Suite: $4800
Private Lodge: $4500
Shared Room: $4300
Dorm Room: $4,000
*Includes food
Notes:
-
(0:00) Welcome! Today’s special topic is ‘Reconnecting to the Real’
-
(1:00) Guy’s Introduction - The Power of Circling
-
(3:00) Kyle’s Introduction - Embodied Practice & Nature Connection
-
(4:00) Retreat Details
-
(7:00) John’s Contribution - Dialogical & Imaginal Practices
-
(9:00) Socratic Search Space - Exploring Virtue Through Dialogue
-
(12:00) The Meaning Crisis & The Need for Embodied Wisdom
-
(14:00) Guy's Circling Approach
-
(16:00) Relational Presence & Deep Listening
-
(21:00) The Existential Crisis of What it Means to be a Human Being
-
(27:00) The Call to Practice Connection Now
-
(37:30) ”Knowledge is knowing how to solve the problem and wisdom is knowing what problems to solve.”
-
(40:00) “Theology would become the discipline for the future.”
-
(41:00) The Shared Nature of Meaning
-
(51:00) The Impact of Virtual Connection and Lose Connection
-
(57:00) Rediscovering a Connection with Nature
---
Connect with a community dedicated to self-discovery and purpose, and gain deeper insights by joining our Patreon.
The Vervaeke Foundation is committed to advancing the scientific pursuit of wisdom and creating a significant impact on the world. Become a part of our mission.
Join Awaken to Meaning to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships.
John Vervaeke: Website | Twitter | YouTube | Patreon
Guy Sengstock, the founder of the Circling method, is a renowned facilitator and innovator in the field of authentic communication and personal development. His method blends philosophical rigor with a deep understanding of relational dynamics, offering transformative experiences that foster genuine connection and self-awareness.
Learn more about Guy Sengstock and his methods at his website
Kyle Koch is a movement expert and facilitator of nature-based embodiment practices, Kyle has been working with Evolve Move Play for over a decade, helping people reconnect with their bodies, the land, and the deeper rhythms of existence. He integrates physical play, ancestral movement, and relational presence into his work.
Learn more about Kyle Koch at his website