Dr. John Vervaeke

The Official John Vervaeke Podcast Feed

A Thorough Critique of Popular and Psychological Accounts of Meaning of Life 11/07/2025

A Thorough Critique of Popular and Psychological Accounts of Meaning of Life 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 intersection of cognitive science, metaphysics, and existential psychology. His research focuses on the nature of meaning in life. — 00:00 Welcome to the Lectern 01:16 “What makes a life worth living, even when we are faced by frustrations, failures, and our faults?” 01:30 Meet Arjun Arora 03:00 Critiquing the standard model of meaning in life 04:30 Purpose and orientation 06:00 Coherence and its challenges 08:00 Significance and mattering 11:30 Meaning in life vs. meaning of life 14:30 Worldviews and meta meaning systems 17:00 The role of affordance and adaptivity 22:00 The normativity of meaning in life 47:00 The developmental dimension of meaning in life 52:00 Exploring the connection between wisdom and meaning 52:30 Modal confusion and existential modes 53:00 The having mode vs. the being mode 53:30 The cost of modal confusion 55:00 Existential resilience and meaning in life 58:00 The normative aspect of meaning 01:04:00 The role of trust and belonging in meaning 01:08:00 The problem with the current meaning in life construct 01:12:30 The need for a new metaphysics 01:43:00 The importance of phenomenology in meaning 01:45:00 Concluding thoughts and future directions — is committed to advancing the scientific pursuit of wisdom and creating a significant impact on the world. Become a part of our mission. Join to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships. — Ideas, People, and Works Mentioned in this Episode Philosophical Silk Road Intersection of Neo-Platonism and Judaism Ibn Gabirol’s philosophy of matter and form Fountain of Life and the concept of God Dialogical nature of reason Jewish mysticism and its influence Potentiality and actuality in Neo-Platonism Receptivity and creativity in philosophy Coupling of form and matter in existence Desire and the divine essence Logos as the “virtual engine” Purpose of mankind and knowledge Self-organization and complexity The mystery of the divine and analogy of language Ibn Gabirol (Avicebron) Sarah Pessin – scholar, Theology of Desire Zevi Slavin – host/interlocutor Andalusian thinkers Fountain of Life Selected Poems of Ibn Gabirol Theology of Desire Books and literature on Ibn Gabirol generally — Follow John Vervaeke: | | | — Thank you for Listening! /episode/index/show/d0785b51-c8bc-4851-a061-e7c5db34338f/id/38954275

Silk Road Seminar - Jonathan Pageau 10/23/2025

Silk Road Seminar - Jonathan Pageau 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 culture, art, and current events through the lens of symbolism and story. Jonathan’s insights have made him a sought-after speaker at universities, conferences, and major podcasts, including appearances on Jordan Peterson’s podcast and The Portal with Eric Weinstein. Beyond his media work, Jonathan is a skilled icon carver in the Orthodox Christian tradition, producing liturgical and commissioned pieces that embody the very principles he teaches. He is also the editor of The Orthodox Arts Journal and co-founder of Symbolic World Press, which publishes works on theology, philosophy, and art that bridge ancient wisdom and contemporary experience. 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 https://lectern.teachable.com/p/lectern-lounge Currently enrolled university students at all levels up to doctoral studies get free access to the Q&A. To gain access to Silk Road seminars, please email your proof of student identity to ethan@vervaekefoundation.org to be added to the guest list and watch previous seminars as well! If you would like to donate purely out of goodwill to support John’s work, please consider joining our Patreon. . The Vervaeke Foundation is committed to advancing the scientific pursuit of wisdom and creating a significant impact on the world. If you would like to learn and engage regularly in practices that are informed, developed and endorsed by John and his work, visit Awaken to Meaning’s calendar to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships. John Vervaeke: /episode/index/show/d0785b51-c8bc-4851-a061-e7c5db34338f/id/38903910

Virtuosity as a Way of Life | Ethan Hsieh and the Tiamat Process 10/17/2025

Virtuosity as a Way of Life | Ethan Hsieh and the Tiamat Process 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 beyond therapy into embodied transformation. Ethan draws from his background in acting, pedagogy, and philosophy to offer a new model of self-cultivation rooted in agency, feedback, metacognition, and trust. Ethan Hsieh is a facilitator, educator, and philosophical practitioner whose work bridges performance, cognition, and transformative pedagogy. As the creator of the Tiamat process, he integrates insights from embodied practice, developmental psychology, and dialogical philosophy to help individuals cultivate virtuosity as a way of life. Ethan is also a co-founder of Five to Midnight, a community of practice that fosters relational, developmental growth through shared inquiry. Learn more: - 00:00 – Opening and intentions 03:00 – Ethan’s background in theater and philosophy 07:30 – What is Tiamat? Three-tiered developmental model 11:00 – Mapping metacognition through embodied practice 14:00 – Why “meta-maps” matter 17:00 – Habituation and interrupting automaticity 20:00 – Tiamat vs traditional therapy 24:00 – Participatory transformation and co-regulation 29:00 – Why agency must be distributed 1:00:00 – Where transformation lives: tier two dynamics 1:05:00 – Closing reflections - Tiamat Process – Ethan’s developmental model blending performance, cognition, and feedback Meta Maps – Tools for mapping metacognition and lived experience Postures of Presence – Ethan’s term for enacted, relational awareness Five to Midnight – Ethan’s practice-based community: Deliberately Developmental Civilization – Concept by Ken Wilber & Dustin Dene Unified Theory of Knowledge (UTOK) – Metatheoretical cognitive framework: - Ideas, People, and Works Mentioned: Tiamat process Virtuosity and virtue Meta maps and metacognition Postures of presence Embodied transformation Relational ontology Distributed agency Participatory knowing Deliberately developmental civilization Complexification and growth Therapy vs. transformative practice Feedback and co-regulation Performance and philosophy Five to Midnight Unified Theory of Knowledge (UTOK) Ken Wilber Dustin Dene John Vervaeke - Follow John Vervaeke: /episode/index/show/d0785b51-c8bc-4851-a061-e7c5db34338f/id/38615540

Silk Road Seminar - Elizabeth Oldfield 09/30/2025

Silk Road Seminar - Elizabeth Oldfield 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 Financial Times. She also hosts The Sacred, a podcast, events and visual content brand which creates space for a wide range of guests to reflect on their deepest values. For ten years she was Director of Theos, the UK’s leading religion and society think tank, where she was repeatedly accredited by Best Companies as a 3* (world class) manager, reflecting her commitment to building and leading flourishing, high performing teams. She spent the first part of her career working at the BBC in television and radio, contributing to programmes including Beyond Belief and the Moral Maze, as well as Radio 3 and 4 documentaries. She is motivated by the dearth of real wisdom in public life, by a desire to increase empathy across our deep differences and the way spirituality can help individuals and societies flourish. She has a masters in Theology and the Arts and lives in an intentional community in south London. She has spoken with John previously on UnHerd and you can watch the full conversation here: 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 access to the Q&A. To gain access to Silk Road seminars, please email your proof of student identity to ethan@vervaekefoundation.org to be added to the guest list and watch previous seminars as well! If you would like to donate purely out of goodwill to support John’s work, please consider joining our Patreon. The Vervaeke Foundation is committed to advancing the scientific pursuit of wisdom and creating a significant impact on the world. If you would like to learn and engage regularly in practices that are informed, developed and endorsed by John and his work, visit Awaken to Meaning’s calendar to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships. John Vervaeke: https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke /episode/index/show/d0785b51-c8bc-4851-a061-e7c5db34338f/id/38580050

Exploring Jewish Neoplatonism: The Life and Philosophy of Solomon Ibn Gabirol 09/19/2025

Exploring Jewish Neoplatonism: The Life and Philosophy of Solomon Ibn Gabirol 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, and theology offers profound resources for contemporary seekers. Through his research and public teaching, he advocates for a unified vision of reality that transcends artificial divides between traditions, demonstrating how historical thinkers can inform modern life, meaning, and spirituality. Seekers of Unity YouTube Channel: The Zohar – Foundational text of Kabbalah: Lurianic Kabbalah (Isaac Luria): Sefer Yetzirah – Early Kabbalistic text: 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 knowledge to create fresh insights and understanding. These in-depth discussions, chaptered for your convenience, offer nuanced perspectives and integrative approaches to navigating our complex world. The first episode is free and publicly available. To follow the rest of the season as well as gain access to previous discussions, you can sign up at the Beta Tier (and above) on The Lectern at Shownotes (00:00) Welcome to the Lectern (01:00) Philosophical Silk Road and Andalusian Thinker (01:30) Innovative Intersection of Neoplatonism and Judaism (02:00) Books and Literature on Ibn Gabirol (03:00) Ibn Gabirol's Philosophical and Poetic Contributions (03:30) “I really like about this is his idea of God as an inexhaustible fount of intelligible realness.” (04:00) Dialogical Nature of Reason and Selected Poems (05:00) Sarah Pessin's Work and Theology of Desire (06:30) Jewish Influence and Mysticism in Ibn Gabirol's Work (07:30) Philosophical Context and Relevance Today (08:00) Zevi's Perspective on Philosopher-Mystics (14:00) Discussion on Matter and Form (22:30) Potentiality and Actuality in Neoplatonism (35:30) Receptivity and Creativity in Philosophy (41:00) Exploring the Receptivity of Matter and Jewish Mysticism (41:00) The Coupling of Form and Matter in Existence (43:00) Desire and the Divine Essence (48:00) Logos and the Virtual Engine (52:00) The Purpose of Mankind and Knowledge (57:30) The Journey of Self-Organization and Complexity (01:11:00) The Mystery of the Divine and the Analogy of Language (01:22:00) The Legend of Ibn Gabirol's Death and Legacy — is committed to advancing the scientific pursuit of wisdom and creating a significant impact on the world. Become a part of our mission. Join to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships. — Ideas, People, and Works Mentioned in this Episode Philosophical Silk Road Intersection of Neo-Platonism and Judaism Ibn Gabirol’s philosophy of matter and form Fountain of Life and the concept of God Dialogical nature of reason Jewish mysticism and its influence Potentiality and actuality in Neo-Platonism Receptivity and creativity in philosophy Coupling of form and matter in existence Desire and the divine essence Logos as the “virtual engine” Purpose of mankind and knowledge Self-organization and complexity The mystery of the divine and analogy of language Ibn Gabirol (Avicebron) Sarah Pessin – scholar, Theology of Desire Zevi Slavin – host/interlocutor Andalusian thinkers Fountain of Life Selected Poems of Ibn Gabirol Theology of Desire Books and literature on Ibn Gabirol generally — Follow John Vervaeke: | | | — Thank you for listening! /episode/index/show/d0785b51-c8bc-4851-a061-e7c5db34338f/id/38275550

Why Reason Needs Spirit | John Vervaeke 09/05/2025

Why Reason Needs Spirit | 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 existential framework for collective meaning-making. Drawing from philosophers like Spinoza, Merleau-Ponty, Charles Taylor, and William Desmond, and cognitive scientists like Carl Friston and Andy Clark, John interweaves modern theory with ancient insight to offer a profound vision of how reason, imagination, and love can coexist. Shownotes: 00:00 – Introduction and Opening Remarks 01:17 – Welcoming Remarks 02:59 – The Role of Idealization in Science 04:23 – Predictive Processing and Meta Problems 05:59 – Anticipation and Relevance Realization 16:15 – Opponent Processing and Optimal Grip 20:13 – The Imaginal and Rationality 23:03 – Relevance Realization and Enlightenment Rationality 23:31 – The Dichotomies of Modernity 25:31 – Voluntary Necessity Explained 28:39 – The Role of Faith and Spirit 31:41 – The Levels of Human Existence 41:19 – The Power of Community and Shared Meaning 50:44 – Fellowship of the Spirit 1:12:00 – Closing Reflections on Community as Icon of Reality Referenced Works and Concepts: Books and Authors: "True Enough" – Catherine Elgin "Sources of the Self" and "A Secular Age" – Charles Taylor "Phenomenology of Perception" – Maurice Merleau-Ponty "Ethics" – Spinoza () "The Reasons of Love" – Harry Frankfurt "The Construction of Social Reality" – John Searle "Being and the Between" – William Desmond Thinkers and Researchers: Carl Friston – Free Energy Principle Andy Clark – Predictive Mind Eric Hoel – Consciousness and Science Michael Levin – Bioelectric Cognition Dan Chiappe – Reasoning and Dialogue Mark Miller – Relevance Realization Anderson Deasy & John Geiger – Sensed Presence Core Concepts: Predictive Processing Relevance Realization 4E Cognition (Embodied, Embedded, Enacted, Extended) Voluntary Necessity Imaginal Participation Opponent Processing Internal Family Systems (IFS) Narrative Selfhood Fellowship of the Spirit Related Series and Resources: Awakening from the Meaning Crisis: Philosophical Silk Road: Explore Further: The Vervaeke Foundation is committed to advancing the scientific pursuit of wisdom and creating a significant impact on the world. Learn more: To engage in regular practices informed and endorsed by John, visit Awaken to Meaning: Follow John Vervaeke: Website: Twitter: YouTube: Patreon: /episode/index/show/d0785b51-c8bc-4851-a061-e7c5db34338f/id/38099105

Silk Road Seminar - Rick Repetti 08/27/2025

Navigating the Trust Apocalypse: Examining Collective Agency and Distributed Cognitio 08/13/2025

Navigating the Trust Apocalypse: Examining Collective Agency and Distributed Cognitio 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 and Jordan bring their expertise to discuss the deeper topics related to trust, faith, and the sacred, and how these concepts tie into addressing contemporary societal issues. They also highlight how we are at a pivotal moment where new forms of technology and community organization could help counteract the prevailing distrust and meaning crisis. Jordan Hall is a futurist, systems strategist, and cultural philosopher exploring the deep structures shaping human coordination, meaning-making, and collective intelligence. A former tech executive and early internet pioneer, Jordan now works at the intersection of theory and practice, developing frameworks for catalytic communities capable of responding to complex, civilizational-scale challenges. His work emphasizes the collapse of trust-based and certainty-driven systems, proposing instead a reorientation toward spirit-infused participation, sacred purpose, and voluntary necessity. A key contributor to the Trust Foundation, Jordan draws on cybernetics, epistemology, and meta-theory to guide the emergence of post-bureaucratic forms of social coherence and institutional renewal. Keiron McCammon is a technology entrepreneur and systems thinker whose work addresses the intersection of social trust, digital infrastructure, and collective agency. A veteran of Silicon Valley’s early Web 2.0 era, he helped build the foundations of the social internet before turning his focus to the unintended consequences of digital connectivity. As co-founder of the Trust Foundation, Keiron investigates the societal breakdown he terms the "trust apocalypse," analyzing how technological design, institutional failure, and civic fragmentation have eroded our collective sense of meaning and belonging. Drawing on frameworks from network theory, systems thinking, and military innovation, his work catalyzes action-oriented communities aimed at rebuilding trust across personal, institutional, and technological domains. (00:00) – Introduction and excitement for the conversation (00:30) – Introducing Kieran McCammon and the trust apocalypse (01:30) – Exploring the trust apocalypse and its implications (04:00) – Kieran's background and the evolution of trust issues (05:00) – The role of technology and the breakdown of trust (06:30) – The Trust Foundation and catalytic communities (11:00) – The deep connection between trust and meaning (18:00) – Historical context and the collapse of certainty (28:00) – The need for a shared sacred canopy (30:50) – “A catalytic community can’t exist without a calling—a sacred purpose that’s bigger than any one of us.” (39:00) – Challenges of technology and cross-cultural pluralism (47:30) – Exploring voluntary necessity (49:00) – Certainty vs. trust (50:30) – The breakdown of societal trust (52:00) – The role of technology in trust erosion (54:00) – The attention economy and trustworthy AI (01:02:00) – The concept of abundance vs. scarcity (01:10:00) – Cultivating wisdom and trust (01:23:00) – The spiritual war and meaning crisis (01:27:00) – Call to action: building catalytic communities — is committed to advancing the scientific pursuit of wisdom and creating a significant impact on the world. Become a part of our mission. Join to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships. — Ideas, People, and Works Mentioned in this Episode Philosophical Silk Road Trust Apocalypse Meaning Crisis Collective agency Epistemology of trust Deep knowing by participation Certainty vs. trust Relevance realization Reflective equilibrium (between theory and practice Chris Lich Robert Putnam Clement of Alexandria Bishop Maximus Jonathan Pageau David Hume (implied via discussion on skepticism) G.W Leibniz and René Descartes (mentioned re: Enlightenment certainty) Team of Teams by Gen. Stanley McChrystal Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam The Upswing by Robert Putnam Tim Berners-Lee’s open letter on the internet Aspen Institute report on Information Disorder Follow John Vervaeke: | | | /episode/index/show/d0785b51-c8bc-4851-a061-e7c5db34338f/id/37690545

Silk Road Seminar - Bishop Maximus 07/31/2025

Silk Road Seminar - Bishop Maximus 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 epistemological foundation and moral practice. In this episode of The Lectern, John Vervaeke welcomes Bishop Maximus for a compelling lecture on Clement of Alexandria and the epistemological foundations of faith. Delivered originally for a theological colloquium, Bishop Maximus explores how Clement offers a robust response to modern skepticism by rooting knowledge in voluntary, moral, and transformative faith. The conversation examines Clement’s relevance to contemporary issues in epistemology, metaphysics, and the philosophy of science. Vervaeke and Maximus also reflect on how Clement’s ideas converge with modern concepts such as relevance realization, voluntary necessity, and recursive intelligence. This episode delves into topics such as the problem of induction, the relationship between belief and choice, and the limits of rational demonstration—offering a fresh lens on revelation, reason, and reality itself. — (01:00) – How Bishop Maximus inspired the Philosophical Silk Road project (04:00) – Clement of Alexandria and the fusion of Greek philosophy and Christian theology (08:30) – Faith as a foundation for knowledge: critique of Enlightenment skepticism (12:30) – Clement’s response to Hume and the problem of induction (17:00) – Faith as preconception, intention, and intellectual assent (21:30) – Faith versus deterministic belief systems and heretical Gnostic views (25:00) – Voluntary belief as a moral and philosophical act (29:00) – The relationship between faith, will, and moral striving (32:30) – Faith as spiritual ascent and the precondition for rationality (36:30) – Clement’s view of revelation and divine reality (41:00) – Levels of faith and recursive participation in reality (45:00) – The symbolic structure of knowledge and being (48:00) – Concluding Clement’s view: faith makes the world intelligible and livable (53:00) – The necessity of large world “break-ins” and the case for prophecy (57:00) – Dialogue on voluntary necessity in reason, love, and normativity (01:00:30) – Faith as the practice of voluntary necessity (01:03:00) – Closing thoughts on recursion, symbols, and future discussions — is committed to advancing the scientific pursuit of wisdom and creating a significant impact on the world. Become a part of our mission. Join to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships. — Ideas, People, and Works Mentioned in this Episode Philosophical Silk Road Religion that's not a religion Epistemology and Faith as Epistemology Foundation of knowledge in faith Faith vs. Skepticism (especially Hume's skepticism) Induction and the problem of induction Voluntary necessity (Frankfurt) Relevance realization Recursive reality and symbolic recursion Faith as transcendence and revelation Neo-Platonism Agent-arena recursive relationship Realness as comparative judgment Aristotle Clement of Alexandria "Reason and Faith" by R.G. Collingwood Hebrews (book in the New Testament, quoted by Clement) "Contact with Reality" by Esther Lightcap Meek — Follow John Vervaeke — Thank you for listening! /episode/index/show/d0785b51-c8bc-4851-a061-e7c5db34338f/id/38078770

The Philosophical Silk Road: A Journey to Rediscovering Theosis and Sacred Pluralism 07/26/2025

The Philosophical Silk Road: A Journey to Rediscovering Theosis and Sacred Pluralism 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, each location becomes a catalyst for insight and inner transformation. Vervaeke challenges the Enlightenment’s idolization of autonomy and points toward a new possibility: a spirituality of finite transcendence, rooted in embodied knowing and dialogical belonging. This episode offers a raw and unfiltered account of mystical experience, intellectual shift, and spiritual disorientation—all in service of rediscovering what it means to be in contact with reality, in its fullest, most sacred form. Find more of Alexander Beiner’s work at https://beiner.substack.com/ and https://www.studiokainos.com/. If you would like to donate purely out of goodwill to support John’s work, please consider joining our Patreon. The Vervaeke Foundation is committed to advancing the scientific pursuit of wisdom and creating a significant impact on the world. If you would like to learn and engage regularly in practices that are informed, developed and endorsed by John and his work, visit Awaken to Meaning’s calendar to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships. John Vervaeke: Notes: (00:00) The Philosophical Silk Road: Opening Reflections (03:00) "You can go through not an argument, but a passage…and it causes you to fundamentally change how you’re seeing and being in the world." – John Vervaeke (03:00) (3:30) Reclaiming Theoria: Pilgrimage, Contemplation, and the Sacred (06:00) Encountering Maximus the Confessor in Istanbul (07:00) Sufism and Neoplatonism in Spain with Thomas Cheetham (08:00) Athens, Plato, and Embodied Practice (09:30) Rome, Bishop Maximus, and Descending into Mystery (11:00) Amsterdam, Spinoza, and the Liminal Threshold (12:00) Theosis as Transformation through Participation (16:30) From Autonomy to Theo-Agency: Voluntary Necessity (21:00) Dialogical Contact vs. Individual Expression (28:00) Toward a Shared Sense of Sacredness: Pluralism and Depth (32:00) Holding Finitude and Transcendence Together (36:30) Final Thoughts: Who Am I Now? Ideas, People, and Works Mentioned in This Episode Maximus the Confessor Ibn Arabi Clement of Alexandria Gregory of Nyssa Jonathan Pageau Thomas Cheetham Charles Stang Bishop Maximus Jason Vervaeke Spinoza Plotinus Pierre Hadot William Desmond Samantha Harvey, Orbital Capobianco Julian Jaynes Drew A. Hyland Neoplatonism Theoria, Theophany, Kenosis, Henosis “Absolute Zero” Practice The Dialogical Self Agency and Communion Finite Transcendence Attribution This conversation was recorded during a session hosted by Alexander Beiner for Kainos. Learn more at https://beiner.substack.com/ and https://www.studiokainos.com/. /episode/index/show/d0785b51-c8bc-4851-a061-e7c5db34338f/id/37561015

Agency, Communion, and the Dialogical Self 07/11/2025

Agency, Communion, and the Dialogical Self "To what extent is authenticity a solitary alignment with the inner self, versus a relational and dialogical process shaped through communion with others?" John Vervaeke, Gregg Henriques and Matthew Schaublin come together for a discussion covering the concept of authenticity. Matthew Schaublin presents findings from two studies, one of which employs a mixed-methods design to examine the interplay between authenticity, agency, and self-transformation through both narrative analysis and psychometric assessment. The findings reveal that authentic experiences are often marked not by internal self-consistency alone, but by themes of communion, deep relational connection, emotional resonance, and shared understanding. This challenges static, individualistic models of the self and instead supports a dialogical conception in which authenticity emerges through interaction and mutual recognition. The conversation also highlights how current psychological frameworks fail to account for the complexity of lived, meaningful experience. Together, Matthew, Gregg, and John propose a more dynamic, relational, and transjective understanding of selfhood and agency. Gregg R. Henriques is an American psychologist. He is a professor for the Combined-Integrated Doctoral Program at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, US. Matthew Schaublin is a master’s candidate in psychology at the University of Chattanooga, with a four-year research focus on authenticity. His work blends empirical psychology with philosophical and classical inquiry, investigating how dispositional authenticity is expressed and experienced. Notes: (0:00) Introduction to the Lectern (0:20) John Gives a Recap of Part One: (2:00) Study Design Explained (3:30) Communion in Transformative Moments (5:00) Data Collection and Analysis (7:00) Agency in Authentic vs. Transformative (10:30) Coding the Self - Agency, Communion, and Authenticity Themes (15:00) Themes of Being Unauthentic (16:30) Gregg on Persona, Ego, and the Influence Matrix (21:00) Philosophical Roots of Authenticity (25:00) The Limits of Reductionism - A Mixed Methods Defense (34:30) The Justification Machine - Interpretation and Cognitive Framing (38:30) Narratives of Agency and Self-Actualization (42:00) Communal Connections and Authenticity (44:30) Intimacy and Affiliation (55:00) Predicting Agency in Narratives (58:30) Statistical Findings - Self-Alienation, Agency, and Thematic Expression (1:02:00) Significant Findings and Interpretations (1:15:00) Concluding Thoughts and Future Directions --- Connect with a community dedicated to self-discovery and purpose, and gain deeper insights by joining our . is committed to advancing the scientific pursuit of wisdom and creating a significant impact on the world. Become a part of our mission. Join to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships. John Vervaeke: | | | Gregg Henriques: | Matthew Shaublin: Ideas, People, and Works Mentioned in this Episode The concept of authenticity Communion Carl Rogers Charles Taylor Wilton & McAdams Albert Borgmann Julian Jaynes Self-alienation The dialogical self Authenticity Narrative identity Quotes: “ We tend to leap into the narrative and we ignore this sort of internal dialogue that's going on that makes the narrative actually run in an important way.” - John Vervaeke “That's what intimacy is, transcending the general social conventions and finding the real particulate resonance that person A would have with person B.” - Gregg Henriques /episode/index/show/d0785b51-c8bc-4851-a061-e7c5db34338f/id/36096170

The Crisis of Being 06/27/2025

The Crisis of Being 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 non-discursive forms of knowing. As a teacher and scholar, he brings clarity and compassion to some of the most pressing philosophical and spiritual questions of our time. James Filler: | 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 knowledge to create fresh insights and understanding. These in-depth discussions, chaptered for your convenience, offer nuanced perspectives and integrative approaches to navigating our complex world. The first episode is free and publicly available. To follow the rest of the season as well as gain access to previous discussions, you can sign up at the Beta Tier (and above) on The Lectern at the . If you would like to donate purely out of goodwill to support John’s work, please consider joining our . The Vervaeke Foundation is committed to advancing the scientific pursuit of wisdom and creating a significant impact on the world. . If you would like to learn and engage regularly in practices that are informed, developed and endorsed by John and his work, visit Awaken to Meaning’s calendar to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships. . John Vervaeke: | | | John Vervaeke is joined by philosopher and theologian James Filler to expose the hidden roots of the modern meaning crisis. Together, they trace a powerful philosophical arc from ancient substance ontology to today’s widespread nihilism, skepticism, and isolation. James reveals how centuries of prioritizing “being” over “relation” have led to an inward collapse of reason, relationality, and the self. John and James unpack how non-discursive knowing, theosis, and participatory truth can restore wholeness beyond representational models of mind. They explore the role of liturgy, love, and vertical epistemology as practices that reawaken our connection to what is most real. This Lectern is a profound inquiry into what it means to become truly human—and how we might recover the sacred not through belief, but through transformation. Notes: (00:00) Welcome to The Lectern (00:30) James Filler's Work (02:30) Impact of Substance Ontology (07:00) Cartesian Dualism and Its Consequences (10:30) Critique of Modern Rationality (13:30) Relationality and Knowledge (16:00) The Role of Non-Discursive Reasoning (24:00) Ethics and Becoming Truly Human (40:30) Participatory Knowing and Liturgy (42:00) Secularism and Substance Ontology (44:30) The Buffered Self and Modernity (48:00) Self-Transcendence and Theosis (51:00) Critique of Substance Ontology (01:00:00) The Role of Liturgy in Modern Churches /episode/index/show/d0785b51-c8bc-4851-a061-e7c5db34338f/id/37174035

Embarking on the Philosophical Silk Road: Exploring Pilgrimage and Theosis 06/13/2025

Embarking on the Philosophical Silk Road: Exploring Pilgrimage and Theosis 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 merely a lecture series but a 'meta-noetic passage.' The dialogue anticipates John's encounters with historical figures, sages, and the individuals who embody and interpret their legacy. John expresses his openness to how these encounters might transform him, acknowledging the potential psychological and physiological challenges involved. The dialogue also touches upon themes of the imaginal and the importance of community and fellowship in the pilgrimage process. Ethan contributes by drawing connections to broader themes of perception and philosophical inquiry. The conversation culminates in the hope that this philosophical and spiritual journey will not only deepen John's understanding but also inspire others to embark on their own explorative journeys. —- Notes: (00:00) Introduction to the Philosophical Silk Road (00:30) The Concept of Preregistration in Philosophy (01:00) Defining the Pilgrimage and Its Purpose (02:00) Introducing Ethan and the Dialogical Approach (04:30) Exploring the Original Orientation (05:30) The Challenge of Propositional Tyranny (07:00) Theoria and Theophany: Renewing the Senses (13:30) Meta Noetic Passage and Pilgrimage (20:00) Engaging with Sages and Geographical Perspectives (24:00) Personal Challenges and Psychological Defects (31:30) The Fellowship of the Pilgrimage (33:00) Interlocutors and Sages: A Deeper Dive (54:00) Introduction to Theosis (55:00) Historical Continuity and Henosis (56:00) Henosis and Kenosis in Christian Mysticism (57:30) The Paradox of Self-Transcendence (01:00:30) Theosis and Inner Athea (01:05:30) Personal Reflections and Burnout (01:09:00) The Concept of Unbinding (01:11:00) Non-Theism and Theism (01:25:00) Pilgrimage and Transformation (01:38:30) Reflections on Personal Growth (01:48:00) Concluding Thoughts and Future Questions If you would like to donate purely out of goodwill to support John’s work, please consider joining our . The Vervaeke Foundation is committed to advancing the scientific pursuit of wisdom and creating a significant impact on the world. . If you would like to learn and engage regularly in practices that are informed, developed and endorsed by John and his work, visit Awaken to Meaning’s calendar to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships. . John Vervaeke: | | | /episode/index/show/d0785b51-c8bc-4851-a061-e7c5db34338f/id/36989380

The Return of the Sacred: Mysticism, Tradition, and the Challenge of Modernity 06/06/2025

The Return of the Sacred: Mysticism, Tradition, and the Challenge of Modernity 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 knowledge to create fresh insights and understanding. These in-depth discussions, chaptered for your convenience, offer nuanced perspectives and integrative approaches to navigating our complex world. The first episode is free and publicly available. To follow the rest of the season as well as gain access to previous discussions, you can sign up at the Beta Tier (and above) on The Lectern at the . If you would like to donate purely out of goodwill to support John’s work, please consider joining our . The Vervaeke Foundation is committed to advancing the scientific pursuit of wisdom and creating a significant impact on the world. . If you would like to learn and engage regularly in practices that are informed, developed and endorsed by John and his work, visit Awaken to Meaning’s calendar to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships. . John Vervaeke: | | | Sebastian Morello: | "What practices and philosophical frameworks can help us recover a sense of the sacred in an age dominated by disenchantment and institutional collapse?" John Vervaeke and Sebastian Morello engage in an expansive dialogue that traverses the authority crisis in the Catholic Church, the enduring wisdom of Neoplatonism, and the transformative power of Hermetic practices. Anchored in Morello’s provocative new book, Mysticism, Magic and Monasteries, the conversation unpacks the “double crisis” of our time- one of meaning and one of sanctity, and argues that modernity functions like a spell that must be broken. Together, they examine how monasticism once offered a stable and embodied sanctity, and why recovering mysticism, ritual magic (in the Hermetic sense), and lived devotion might be essential for collective reawakening. Notes: (0:00) Welcome to The Lectern (0:30) John reconnects with Sebastian Morello (3:00) Sebastian Gives a Brief Introduction of Himself (6:00) Diagnosing the Double Crisis - Meaning and Authority (9:00) Critique of Modernity and the Catholic Church (12:00) The Loss of Embodied Wisdom in the West (20:00) Neoplatonism and the Need for Relational Ontology (26:30) Philosophical Anthropology and Cosmic Personhood (31:00) Modernity’s Ontological Truncation (38:30) Sacred Authority and the Failures of Clericalism (42:00) Monasteries as Alternatives to Institutional Collapse (49:00) Christian Liturgy as Baptized Theurgy (54:00) Hermetic Cognition - Practicing the Theocentric Vision (1:00:00) Recovering Sacred Imagery - Tarot, Ritual, and Mystical Space (1:04:00) Digital Gnosticism and the Threat to Embodiment (1:07:00) The Future of Privacy - Personhood, Property, and Charity (1:11:00) The Philosophical Silk Road - East-West Interpenetration /episode/index/show/d0785b51-c8bc-4851-a061-e7c5db34338f/id/36537425

What AI Can Never Be | John Vervaeke 05/30/2025

What AI Can Never Be | 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 participatory knowing. By distinguishing between propositional, procedural, perspectival, and participatory knowing, he reveals why the current paradigm of AI is not equipped to generate consciousness, agency, or true understanding. This lecture also serves as a moral call to action: if we want wise machines, we must first become wiser ourselves. Connect with a community dedicated to self-discovery and purpose, and gain deeper insights by joining our . — 00:00 Introduction: AI, AGI, and the Nature of Intelligence 02:00 What is General Intelligence? 04:30 LLMs and the Illusion of Generalization 07:00 The Meta-Problems of Intelligence: Anticipation & Relevance Realization 09:00 Relevance Realization: The Hidden Engine of Intelligence 11:30 How We Filter Reality Through Relevance 14:00 The Limits of LLMs: Predicting Text vs. Anticipating Reality 17:00 Four Kinds of Knowing: Propositional, Procedural, Perspectival, Participatory 23:00 Embodiment, Consciousness, and Narrative Identity 27:00 The Role of Attention, Care, and Autopoiesis 31:00 Culture as Niche Construction 34:00 Why AI Can’t Participate in Meaning 37:00 The Missing Dimensions in LLMs 40:00 Rationality vs. Reasonableness 43:00 Self-Deception, Bias, and the Need for Self-Correction 46:00 Caring About How You Care: The Core of Rationality 48:00 Wisdom: Aligning Multiple Selves and Temporal Scales 53:00 The Social Obligation to Cultivate Wisdom 55:00 Alter: Cultivating Wisdom in an AI Future — 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: https://vervaekefoundation.org/ Join Awaken to Meaning to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships: https://awakentomeaning.com/ — Ideas, People, and Works Mentioned in this Episode: Jeff Hinton Jordan Peterson Keith Stanovich Michael Levin Stroop Effect Bertrand Russell Plato (Republic, Symposium) Predictive Processing Relevance Realization Spearman (1926) DeepMind (DeepSeek) — Follow John Vervaeke: https://johnvervaeke.com/ https://twitter.com/vervaeke_john https://www.youtube.com/@johnvervaeke — Thank you for watching! /episode/index/show/d0785b51-c8bc-4851-a061-e7c5db34338f/id/36789685

Silk Road Seminar - Zevi Slavin 05/20/2025

Sacredness After Deconstruction 05/16/2025

Sacredness After Deconstruction 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 with a leading expert in psychology, philosophy, and spirituality. Each season offers a unique exploration, bringing together their diverse fields of knowledge to create fresh insights and understanding. These in-depth discussions, chaptered for your convenience, offer nuanced perspectives and integrative approaches to navigating our complex world. The first episode is free and publicly available. To follow the rest of the season as well as gain access to previous discussions, you can sign up at the Beta Tier (and above) on The Lectern at the . If you would like to donate purely out of goodwill to support John’s work, please consider joining our . The Vervaeke Foundation is committed to advancing the scientific pursuit of wisdom and creating a significant impact on the world. . If you would like to learn and engage regularly in practices that are informed, developed and endorsed by John and his work, visit Awaken to Meaning’s calendar to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships. . John Vervaeke: | | | "How can someone rebuild meaning, a sense of the sacred, and genuine connection after religion, without having to adopt beliefs they no longer hold?" John Vervaeke is joined by Atheist Spiritual Director, Britt Hartley to explore what happens after belief falls apart. Britt shares her personal journey through suicidal nihilism and how mysticism, resonance, and play led her to rediscover meaning and orientation in life without needing to return to religion. John and Britt challenge the limits of therapeutic models, explore the difference between propositional truth and lived wisdom, and ask whether modern secular culture has lost the capacity to sustain sacredness. This Lectern is a philosophical act of compassion, bridging ancient spiritual technologies and contemporary existential pain. John and Britt offer pathways for transformation that bypass belief while restoring depth, connectedness, and awe. Notes: (0:00) Welcome to The Lectern (2:00) Meet Britt Hartley - Theological Background and Faith Crisis (5:00) The Descent into Suicidal Nihilism (10:00) Religion’s Collapse and the Meaning Crisis (15:00) Philosophical vs. Clinical Healing (16:00) Why Therapy ‘Fails’ the Nihilist (21:00) Religion, Secularism, and Building Your Own Path (26:30) Balancing Fundamentalism and Nihilism (31:00) ”The most spiritual atheist and the most deconstructed Christian, the space in between those two people when you actually look at their life is just a hair.” - Britt Hartley (34:30) The Triple Transcendent and Sacredness (40:30) Mysticism and the Sacred (45:30) Building a Life Worth Experiencing (53:00) The Role of Play and Resonance (55:00) Embodied Knowing and Existential Shifts (58:00) Trauma, Depression, and Resonance Recovery (1:09:30) Exploring 'Holy Envy' and Interfaith Learning (1:12:00) The Transformative Power of Sufism (1:19:00) Feminine Perspective on Religion (1:25:30) The Value of Tailored Spiritual Practices /episode/index/show/d0785b51-c8bc-4851-a061-e7c5db34338f/id/36192340

Hacking Humanity: Data, Desire, and the Future of Free Will 05/08/2025

Hacking Humanity: Data, Desire, and the Future of Free Will 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 the driver’s seat. Andy shares his personal reckoning, his brush with death, and how he’s dedicating the rest of his life to restoring dignity and meaning to the human experience — with spiritual urgency. Andy Russell is a serial entrepreneur and former insider in data and media technology. After helping build some of the very tools that now shape persuasion online, he experienced a profound moral and existential crisis. He now advocates for radical transparency, decentralized AI, and human-centered design as a pathway toward societal healing. Christopher Mastropietro is a philosophical writer who is fascinated by dialogue, symbols, and the concept of self. He actively contributes to the Vervaeke Foundation. aims to build tools and systems that foster a healthier relationship between humanity and technology. Notes: (0:00) Introduction to the Series (1:00) Andy Russell’s Journey — From Data Pioneer to Whistleblower (4:00) The Origin of Data-Driven Persuasion Tech (6:30) Persuasion and Political Weaponization — The 2016 Turning Point (9:45) How Data and Emotion Drive Modern Media Campaigns (13:30) “Turning Humans into Puppets”: Behavioral Influence at Scale (15:30) Personal Collapse — Andy’s Reckoning with His Role (18:00) Between Frodo and Boromir: Can Anyone Wield the Ring? (23:30) Toward a Better Future — Rational Hope and Distributed AI (28:00) Scarcity, Hoarding, and the Death of Trust (33:00) Can Social Media Unite Rather Than Divide? (36:00) AI as a Tool for Healing and Transformation (40:30) Free Will and the Power of Influence (47:00) Hacking the Human Soul — Fear, Desire, and Belief (51:00) The Ethics of Deep Behavioral Nudging (58:00) From Suffering to Forgiveness: The Power of Redemption (1:05:00) Andy’s Story of Survival and Purpose (1:10:00) Building the Fellowship — Why This Fight Matters (1:15:00) Final Reflections and the Role of Virgil Connect with a global community devoted to human flourishing. The Vervaeke Foundation is committed to the pursuit of wisdom and advancing our collective capacity for meaning. Join the mission: Explore transformative practice and reflection through Awaken to Meaning: Support John Vervaeke’s ongoing work: Ideas, People, and Works Mentioned: The AI Dilemma (Tristan Harris) Cambridge Analytica The Social Dilemma (Netflix) Plato’s Republic Dante’s Divine Comedy Oppenheimer Syndrome The Rwandan Genocide and Forgiveness Ho’oponopono (Hawaiian Forgiveness Practice) Sundae Labs Free Will, Desires, and the Meaning Crisis Personalized AI vs. Centralized Persuasion Tech /episode/index/show/d0785b51-c8bc-4851-a061-e7c5db34338f/id/36459480

Silk Road Seminar - Khalil Andani 04/28/2025

Lectern Q&As: The Virtue of Love | Featuring John Vervaeke, Ethan, and Ellie 04/16/2025

Lectern Q&As: The Virtue of Love | Featuring John Vervaeke, Ethan, and Ellie 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 collective. Pre-submitted questions form the bulk of the discussion with a Live Q&A segment toward the end. These conversations are particularly important for generating knowledge that is relevant both to John and The Lectern’s broader audience. To participate in these discussions live, submit questions ahead of time and gain access to previous Q&As by signing up at the Alpha Tier (and above) on The Lectern: If you would like to donate purely out of goodwill to support John’s work, please consider joining our Patreon. The Vervaeke Foundation is committed to advancing the scientific pursuit of wisdom and creating a significant impact on the world. If you would like to learn and engage regularly in practices that are informed, developed, and endorsed by John and his work, visit Awaken to Meaning’s calendar to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships. Chapter Timestamps 00:00 Welcome and Opening Reflections on Love 02:45 Love as an Existential Stance 05:00 Love, Participatory Knowing, and Binding Identity 08:45 Eros, Philia, and Agape: The Three Movements of Love 13:00 The Person-Making Nature of Love 17:00 Love as a Doorway to the Sacred 20:30 The Transformation of Self Through Love 23:45 Somatic and Embodied Knowing of Love 28:00 Trauma, Attachment, and the Challenge of Loving Well 32:10 Secure Attachment and Love as Practice 37:40 Circling, Dialectic, and Learning to Love Wisely 40:15 The Role of Worldview in Love and Meaning 46:50 A GI, the Sacred, and What We Truly Love About Humanity 54:20 The Ecology of Religions and Participatory Pluralism 59:30 Final Reflections from John, Ethan, and Ellie Biographical Sentences John Vervaeke is a cognitive scientist, philosopher, and the creator of the YouTube series Awakening from the Meaning Crisis. His work focuses on wisdom cultivation, consciousness, and the scientific pursuit of meaning. Ethan is a co-host and facilitator of the Lectern Q&A sessions. He curates conversations that illuminate existential, psychological, and philosophical insights emerging from the community and John’s teachings. Ellie is a scholar and practitioner deeply engaged in environmental science, interpersonal growth, and attachment theory. She brings a reflective, embodied perspective to the conversation on love. Ideas, People, and Works Mentioned in this Episode Søren Kierkegaard John Bowlby, Attachment Theory Sue Johnson, Hold Me Tight, Attachment Theory in Practice Eric Fromm, The Art of Loving Thomas Kuhn, Paradigms and Worldview Albert Camus, The Stranger Martin Buber, I and Thou Taoism and the concept of the Dao as Mother Mahayana Buddhism, Bodhisattva path Sufism and Divine Love Socratic Knowledge and Dialogos Circling & Dialectic into Dialogos Lauren Barrett, Emotionally Focused Therapy Halcyon Guild Pluralism in religion and spiritual practice Connect with John Vervaeke Website: Twitter: YouTube: Patreon: Thank you for Listening! /episode/index/show/d0785b51-c8bc-4851-a061-e7c5db34338f/id/36183005

Autonomy, Authenticity, and the Fragmented Self 04/09/2025

Autonomy, Authenticity, and the Fragmented Self 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, and tracing its roots through romanticism and existentialism, notably discussing Heidgegger and Kierkegaard. Greg introduces psychological perspectives and client-centered therapy influenced by Carl Rogers, while Matthew shares insights from his empirical research on dispositional authenticity carried out at the University of Chattanooga. The trio also touch on the tensions between self-identification and participation, self-alienation, cognitive fluency, and the societal quest for authenticity, proposing a nuanced and dynamic understanding of the true self. Gregg R. Henriques is an American psychologist. He is a professor for the Combined-Integrated Doctoral Program at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, US. Matthew Schaublin is a master’s candidate in psychology at the University of Chattanooga, with a four-year research focus on authenticity. His work blends empirical psychology with philosophical and classical inquiry, investigating how dispositional authenticity is expressed and experienced. —- Notes: 0:00 Introduction to the Lectern 0:45 Exploring the Concept of Authenticity 3:30 Greg's Perspective on Authenticity 5:00 Matthew's Research on Dispositional Authenticity 9:00 Theoretical Foundations of Authenticity 12:30 Philosophical and Clinical Perspectives 24:30 Relational and Psychological Dimensions 36:30 The Evolution of Self-Definition in Modernity 38:00 The Greek Roots of Authenticity 39:30 Modeling Authenticity and Personality 43:15 Rationalization and Authenticity 44:45 Tensions in Authenticity: Identification vs. Participation 49:00 The SAFE Model of Authenticity 55:00 Empirical Studies on Authenticity and Agency 1:06:30 Key Takeaways and Future Directions —-- 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: Gregg Henriques: Matthew Shaublin: Ideas, People, and Works Mentioned in this Episode Kierkegaard’s Concept of Authenticity Heidegger’s Use of ‘Authenticity’ Maslow’s Theory of Self-Actualization Dispositional Authenticity The SAFE Model of Authenticity Alienation and Cognitive Fluency The Ethics of Authenticity by Charles Taylor On the Concept of Irony and The Sickness Unto Death by Søren Kierkegaard Being and Time by Martin Heidegger On Becoming a Person by Carl Rogers Martin Heidegger Charles Taylor Aristotle Jean-Paul Sartre Quotes: ”Like, meaning, like rational, authenticity is not just a descriptive term.” -John Vervaeke (2:00) ”Inauthentic living… Tough, you know.” -Gregg Henriques (28:30) /episode/index/show/d0785b51-c8bc-4851-a061-e7c5db34338f/id/35908400

Silk Road Seminar with Tom Cheetham 03/26/2025

Redefining Human Flourishing: AI and the Meaning Crisis 03/14/2025

Redefining Human Flourishing: AI and the Meaning Crisis 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 biometrics and psychometrics, offering a protective and challenging presence. The discussion underscores the critical importance of privacy, the perils of idolatry, and the urgent need for a new philosophical framework that addresses the meaning crisis. Jordan Hall is a technology entrepreneur with several years of experience building disruptive companies. He is interested in philosophy, artificial intelligence, and complex systems and has a background in law. Hall has worked for several technology companies and was the founder and CEO of DivX. He is currently involved in various think tanks and institutes and is focused on upgrading humanity's capacity for thought and action. Christopher Mastropietro is a philosophical writer who is fascinated by dialogue, symbols, and the concept of self. He actively contributes to the Vervaeke Foundation. Notes: (0:00) Introduction to the Lectern (0:30) Overview of Today’s Discussion: Can AI be in Alignment with Human Values? (1:00) The Three-Point Proposal - Individual Attunement, Decentralized and Distributed AI, Guardian AI (6:30) Individual AI Attunement (8:30) Distributed AI and Collective Intelligence (8:45) Empowerment of Agency through AI (12:30) The Role of Intimacy in AI Alignment - Why Relationality Matters (22:00) Can AI Help Develop Human Integrity? - The Challenge of Self-Alignment (28:00) Cultural and Enculturation Challenges (31:30) AI, Culture, and the Reintegration of Human Rhythms (38:00) Addressing Cocooning and Cultural Integration (47:00) Domains of Enculturation - Psychological, Economic, and Intersubjective (48:30) ”We're not looking necessarily for a teacher as much as we were looking for the teacherly opportunity in the encounters we're having.” (51:00) The Sanctity of Privacy and Vulnerability (1:07:00) The Role of Intimacy in Privacy (1:13:00) Final Reflections --- Connect with a community dedicated to self-discovery and purpose, and gain deeper insights by joining our . is committed to advancing the scientific pursuit of wisdom and creating a significant impact on the world. Become a part of our mission. Join to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships. John Vervaeke: | | | Jordan Hall: | | Christopher Mastropietro: Ideas, People, and Works Mentioned in this Episode Christopher Mastropietro Jordan Hall Jordan Peterson James Filler Spinoza Marshall McLuhan Plato Immanuel Kant The AI Alignment Problem Decentralized & Personal AI as a Solution The Role of Intimacy in AI Alignment Enculturation & AI’s Role in Human Integrity Privacy as More Than Just Protection The Republic – by Plato Critique of Pure Reason – by Immanuel Kant The Idea of the Holy – by Rudolf Otto Interpretation of Cultures – by Clifford Geertz /episode/index/show/d0785b51-c8bc-4851-a061-e7c5db34338f/id/35685925

Neoplatonism and the Ground of Relationality 02/25/2025

Neoplatonism and the Ground of Relationality 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 solutions to the philosophical dilemmas posed by modernity and postmodernity, and why the notion of strong transcendence is essential yet challenging in contemporary thought. Douglas enriches the discourse with reflections on imagination, symbolism, and theological significance within the Neoplatonic heritage. Douglas Hedley is Professor of the Philosophy of Religion at Cambridge University. He was educated at Keble College, Oxford and at the University of Munich, and has previously taught at Nottingham University. He is the Director of the Cambridge Centre for the Study of Platonism and co-chair of the Platonism and Neoplatonism section of the American Academy of Religion. Dr Hedley’s work centers on concepts of imagination, violence, and the sublime, and he has published widely, from early modern philosophy—particularly the Cambridge Platonists—to Coleridge. He is the Principal Investigator for the AHRC grant on The Cambridge Platonists at the Origins of Enlightenment: Texts, Debates, and Reception (1650-1730), and is co-editor of the Series Studies in Philosophical Theology. Connect with a community dedicated to self-discovery and purpose, and gain deeper insights by joining our . Notes: (0:00) Introduction to the Lectern (01:30) Douglas Headley's Background and Interests (03:30) Overview of James Filler's Argument (05:30) Critique of Substance Ontology (9:00) Neoplatonism and the Trinity (9:30) (10:30) Heidegger's Misreading of Plato (16:30) Heidegger's Theological Influences (26:00) Modernity, Postmodernity, and Transcendence (34:30) Eastern Orthodox Christianity and Neoplatonism (36:15) Pushback on the Trinity Concept (40:00) Greek and Russian Orthodox Traditions (43:00) Western Theology and Neoplatonism (49:30) Dialogical Model of the Self (55:00) Christian Neoplatonism and Love (59:30) Embodiment and Transcendence (01:04:30) Final Thoughts and Parting Words --- Connect with a community dedicated to self-discovery and purpose, and gain deeper insights by joining our . is committed to advancing the scientific pursuit of wisdom and creating a significant impact on the world. Become a part of our mission. Join to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships. John Vervaeke: | | | Ideas, People, and Works Mentioned in this Episode Substance Ontology vs. Relational Ontology Heidegger’s Relationship to Neoplatonism James Filler's Philosophical Contribution The Trinity as Relational Symbolism Mysticism and Theology Embodiment and the Contemporary Crisis of Meaning James Filler Plotinus Iamblichus St. Augustine Marius Victorinus Jonathan Pageau "The Iconic Imagination" by Douglas Hedley "Participation in the Divine" "Process and Reality" by Alfred North Whitehead "Symposium" by Plato /episode/index/show/d0785b51-c8bc-4851-a061-e7c5db34338f/id/35424395

Silk Road Seminar with D.C. Schindler 02/18/2025

Reconnecting to the Real | A Transformational Retreat 02/18/2025

Reconnecting to the Real | A Transformational Retreat Join 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. - 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: 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 . is committed to advancing the scientific pursuit of wisdom and creating a significant impact on the world. Become a part of our mission. Join to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships. John Vervaeke: | | | 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 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 /episode/index/show/d0785b51-c8bc-4851-a061-e7c5db34338f/id/35337855

The Interwoven Mind | Plotinus, Contemplation, and the Structure of Reality 02/14/2025

The Interwoven Mind | Plotinus, Contemplation, and the Structure of Reality What is the true nature of contemplation, and how does it intertwine with our understanding of reality? John Vervaeke is joined by Mateusz Stróżyński to discuss his masterful work, Plotinus and the Contemplation of the Intelligible World. They explore the deep and often overlooked wisdom of Plotinus, one of history’s greatest thinkers. Together, they dive into the connection between thought and experience, revealing how contemplation isn’t just about thinking it’s about actively participating in reality itself. Mr. Stróżyński breaks down Plotinus’ intricate view of the universe, showing how everything is woven together in a way that challenges our modern, fragmented way of seeing the world. They go on to discuss the nature of the self and what it means to truly “know” something, touching on insights from Buddhist Dzogchen, Christian mysticism, and personal experience. Mateusz Stróżyński is a professor of classical philology at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland, and a practicing psychoanalyst. His research focuses on the intersection of Platonism, mysticism, and spirituality, exploring how ancient philosophical traditions inform modern contemplative practice. He is the author of Plotinus and the Contemplation of the Intelligible World. Connect with a community dedicated to self-discovery and purpose, and gain deeper insights by joining our . Notes: (0:00) Introduction to the Lectern (0:30) Mateusz Stróżyński joins John Vervaeke to explore Platonism (2:00) The Interplay of Philosophy and Experience (6:00) A Kinship Between Works (8:00) Interweaving Phenomenological and Conceptual Perspectives (11:30) The Role of Contemplation in Plotinus's Philosophy (15:30) The Threefold Structure of Consciousness (20:00) The Fall and the Multiplicity of Experience (30:00) The Hierarchical Nature of Reality (43:00) Fractal Coherence in Plotinus's Philosophy (50:30) Democratic Views and Reality Perception (52:00) Exploring Plotinus' Worldview (57:00) Plotinus' Analytical Approach (1:05:00) Mapping Cognition and Reality (1:16:30) Skepticism and Participatory Knowing (1:28:00) Modern Science and Metaphysics (1:34:30) Concluding Thoughts --- Connect with a community dedicated to self-discovery and purpose, and gain deeper insights by joining our . is committed to advancing the scientific pursuit of wisdom and creating a significant impact on the world. Become a part of our mission. Join to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships. John Vervaeke: | | | Ideas, People, and Works Mentioned in this Episode The Nature of Contemplation Interweaving of Knowing and Being Fractal Metaphysics The Threefold Structure of Consciousness Modern vs. Premodern Worldviews The Relationship Between Science and Mysticism Plotinus Marcus Aurelius St. Augustine Nishida Kitarō “Plotinus and the Contemplation of the Intelligible World” by Mateusz Stróżyński “Waking, Dreaming, Being” by Evan Thompson Quotes: "Plotinus does not create a system—he reveals a dynamic interplay where intellect and experience are seamlessly interwoven." - Mateusz Stróżyński (10:00) "If we want to truly understand something, we must go beyond it—transcend it—because reality unfolds from higher principles." - John Vervaeke (15:00) "Everything that exists contemplates—existence itself is an act of seeing, an act of knowing." - – Mateusz Stróżyński (20:00) /episode/index/show/d0785b51-c8bc-4851-a061-e7c5db34338f/id/35275375

Rethinking Divinity: The Limited God and the Fine-Tuned Universe 01/31/2025

Rethinking Divinity: The Limited God and the Fine-Tuned Universe "How does the concept of a 'limited God' differ from traditional theistic views, and what implications does this have for understanding the purpose of the universe and human existence?" John Vervaeke is joined by Phillip Goff to discuss his influential book, Why? The Purpose of the Universe, and his unique perspective on panpsychism. The duo discuss the intricate philosophical questions concerning the nature of consciousness, the purpose of the universe, and the existential meaning that interweaves with our fundamental worldview. Goff elucidates his nuanced yet respected stance on panpsychism, highlighting his academic contributions at Durham University. Goff introduces the concept of a "goddish" entity, explaining that the universe may have a sense of purpose or goal-directedness without adhering to traditional theistic views. Goff and John examine the commonalities between Goff's ideas and Neoplatonism, as well as Whitehead's process theology, noting the importance of a unifying principle in the universe. The dialogue also touches on holistic perspectives on health, highlighting the interconnectedness of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Phillip Goff is a philosophy professor at Durham University, UK, who dedicates most of his time to unraveling the ultimate nature of reality. In his recent book, Why? The Purpose of the Universe (Oxford University Press, 2023), he explores the middle ground between traditional belief in God and secular atheism. Goff recently converted to a form of 'heretical Christianity,' which he discusses in this article and this interview. Some of the big themes of his research include the nature of consciousness, panpsychism, and the purpose of the universe. He also actively engages in philosophical debates on X and Bluesky and co-hosts the podcast Mind Chat with Keith Frankish, a philosopher who holds polar opposite views. Connect with a community dedicated to self-discovery and purpose, and gain deeper insights by joining our . Notes: (0:00) Introduction to the Lectern (3:15) Philip Goff joins John to discuss Panpsychism (3:30) Background of Philip and his works (6:00) Exploring the Concept of God and Purpose (9:00) Debating Theistic and Non-Theistic Views (11:30) Beyond Traditional Theism (24:00) Eastern Orthodoxy and Neoplatonism (26:30) From Panpsychism to Faith (32:00) Challenging the Limited God (37:00) Divine Creativity and Limitations (46:00) Exploring Panentheism and God's Nature (47:00) The Vine and the Branches - Unity with God (50:00) The Meaning Crisis and Existential Questions (53:00) Four Pillars of Meaning in Life (56:30) Purpose vs. Orientation in Life's Meaning (1:02:30) ”There's a very important social role religion has played historically in bringing the community together, marking the seasons and the big moments of life, birth, coming of age, marriage, death. Giving people a framework and a focus for spiritual practice, a way of interpreting and responding to their deepest experiences.” (1:16:30) Reimagining Religion and Holistic Health (1:22:30) Parting Words --- Connect with a community dedicated to self-discovery and purpose, and gain deeper insights by joining our . is committed to advancing the scientific pursuit of wisdom and creating a significant impact on the world. Become a part of our mission. Join to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships. John Vervaeke: | | | Ideas, People, and Works Mentioned in this Episode: Panpsychism Goddish entity Meaning Crisis Neoplatonism connection Whitehead's theology Holistic health Heretical Christianity John Hick Tim Mulgan David Bentley Hart Karen Armstrong Keith Frankish The Fifth Dimension The Interpretation of Religion Galileo's Error Fine-Tuning in Physics Cosmic Purpose and Human Contribution "The Interpretation of Religion" by John Hick "Awakening from the Meaning Crisis" by John Vervaeke "Mind and Cosmos: Why the Materialist Neo-Darwinian Conception of Nature is Almost Certainly False" by Thomas Nagel "Life After Faith" by Philip Kitcher "The Case for God" by Karen Armstrong Quotes: "Every generation absorbs a worldview it can't see beyond. I think future historians will look back and ask, why did people ignore the evidence for cosmic purpose for so long?" (10:00) "Faith is not about certainty; it’s about trust—a way of interpreting your deepest experiences and shaping your fundamental life goals." (29:00) "If there’s purpose in the universe, maybe we can contribute to the meaning of existence itself. That’s a powerful and hopeful idea." (1:01:00) Philip Goff: | | — Thank you for Listening! /episode/index/show/d0785b51-c8bc-4851-a061-e7c5db34338f/id/35034480

Silk Road Seminar with Gregg Henriques 01/24/2025

How Jhana Meditation Facilitates Insight and Cognitive Flexibility 12/27/2024

How Jhana Meditation Facilitates Insight and Cognitive Flexibility Question - "How does Jhana meditation simplify experience to facilitate insight and cognitive flexibility?" John Vervaeke is joined by Mark Miller, Rick Repetti, to explore the intersection of predictive processing, relevance realization, and embodied cognition in contemplative practices. They introduce PhD candidate Jonas Mago, who discusses his research on Jhana meditation and its impact on cognitive flexibility and insight. The conversation touches on contrasting Jhana practices with charismatic Christian traditions such as speaking in tongues. They also explore how Jhana states temporarily reduce the complexity of perception, allowing practitioners to observe the construction and deconstruction of their experiential models. The neuroscientific evidence provided, such as changes in brain responses during these states, adds depth to this exploration, illustrating how such simplification can lead to profound insights. Mark Miller, a philosopher and cognitive scientist, holds a senior research fellowship at Monash University's Center for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies in Australia, with affiliations at the University of Toronto and Hokkaido University in Japan. His work, which dives into the interplay between human thought, technology's impact on well-being, and human-computer interaction, is at the forefront of integrating cognitive neuroscience with philosophical inquiry. Rick Repetti is Professor of Philosophy at Kingsborough Community College, CUNY, USA. He is the author of The Counterfactual Theory of Free Will (2010), as well as several articles on Buddhism, meditation, free will, and philosophy of religion. Jonas Mago is a cognitive neuroscientist and wellbeing aficionado, deeply invested in understanding the cognitive and neurobiological mechanisms underlying human flourishing. His research explores contemplative practices designed to cultivate wholesome states of mind—spanning meditation, prayer, collective cultural rituals, and psychedelic therapies. I approach these topics from an interdisciplinary perspective, integrating cognitive science, neurobiology, computational modeling, and phenomenology to investigate mechanisms of self-regulation and transformation. He is currently pursuing my doctoral studies in Neuroscience at McGill University under the supervision of Dr. Michael Lifshitz, with co-supervision from Prof. Dr. Karl Friston. His academic journey includes a master’s degree in Mind, Language, and Embodied Cognition from the University of Edinburgh (UK) and undergraduate studies in Liberal Arts and Sciences at University College Maastricht (Netherlands). Connect with a community dedicated to self-discovery and purpose, and gain deeper insights by joining our . Notes: (0:00) Introduction to the Lectern. This is the beginning of The Predictive Processing Series (0:30) Mark Miller, Rick Repetti, and Jonas Mago joins John Vervaeke (1:30) Predictive Processing and Meditation (4:00) Inside Jhanas Meditation (10:00) Phenomenology and Cognitive Functions of Jhanas (11:30) “Is Jhanas essential for the path of awakening?” (13:00) Predictive Coding and Cognitive Models (18:00) Jhana meditation and the transient nature of predictive models (25:00) Analysis of the risks and benefits associated with Jhana practice (30:00) EEG Studies on Jhana Practitioners (37:00) Jhana versus Pure Consciousness (45:00) High Arousal Contemplative States: Jhana and Christian prayer (54:00) The Importance of Context in Contemplative Practices (1:05:00) Final Words --- is committed to advancing the scientific pursuit of wisdom and creating a significant impact on the world. Become a part of our mission. Join to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships. John Vervaeke: | | | Ideas, People, and Works Mentioned in this Episode: Predictive Processing Epistemic Vulnerability Metacognition Absorption States fMRI Studies Sangha EEG Studies Relevance Realization Embodied Cognition Jhana Meditation Thomas Metzinger Michael Lifshitz Alton Ram Dass Buddha Tanya Luhrmann Shaila Catherine Metzinger, T. (2021). The Elephant and the Blind: Insights into pure consciousness experiences. Lerman, T. (2012). When God Talks Back: A study on evangelical experiences of speaking in tongues. Quotes: “What we're trying in, in meditation is starting to model our predictive hierarchy of the brain opaque. So to notice that experience ultimately is not something that's, that's kind of a real grasp on reality, that all we have is this imprint of reality on our experiential or generative modeling, through this, this predictive hierarchy.” "The interplay between micro and macro perspectives mirrors the flexibility we aim for in meditation and science." "Epistemic vulnerability can be a doorway to growth if properly framed—or a risk without it." Mark Miller: | | | Rick Repetti: | | Jonas Mago: | | — Thank you for Listening! /episode/index/show/d0785b51-c8bc-4851-a061-e7c5db34338f/id/34625195

Dr. John Vervaeke

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