Dr. John Vervaeke

In this presentation delivered at the "Metaphysics and the Matter with Things: Thinking with Iain McGilchrist" conference—a collaborative event by the Center for Process Studies (CPS) and the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) in March 2024—John Vervaeke explores the concept of "mattering" and its critical role in understanding the meaning of life. He contrasts "meaning in life" with the broader "meaning of life," emphasizing the importance of connectedness and belonging over mere purpose. Vervaeke draws on research to introduce "religio," a deep sense of connectedness that underpins our existence, and critiques materialism for overlooking the relational aspects of human life. Through cognitive science, biology, and philosophy, Vervaeke demonstrates how our intelligence and problem-solving abilities are deeply intertwined with our capacity to find what truly matters.

 

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Metaphysics and the Matter with Things: Thinking with Iain McGilchrist was a collaborative conference put on by the Center for Process Studies (CPS) and the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) in March of 2024. This three-day conference brought leading process thinkers across various disciplines, including physics, neuroscience, psychology, philosophy, and theology, into critical dialogue with McGilchrist’s work in a collegial effort to assess, question, extend, and apply it. For more information on the conference and to purchase recordings, please visit https://ctr4process.org/mcgilchrist-conference/

 

Embark on a journey of personal growth and meaning with us. Join our Patreon Patreon community, where shared wisdom fuels transformation.

 

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0:00 Introduction to the Metaphysics of Mattering

1:05 Meaning in Life: Purpose, Coherence, Significance, and Mattering

6:40 Connectedness and Religio

10:10 Relevance Realization and General Intelligence

12:45 The Problem of Relevance Realization

21:20 Formalization and Ill-Defined Problems

27:10 Relationality and the Sacred

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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. 

 

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Ideas, People, and Works Mentioned in this Episode

 

Matthew Segall

Richard Tarnas

Kelly-Ann Allen

Evan Thompson

Read Montague

Michael Levin

Aristotle

Zak Stein

Nietzsche

Iain McGilchrist  

Christopher Cherniak

Jerry Fodor

J.L. Schellenberg

Relevance Realization

Religio

Conformity theory

Duhem–Quine thesis,

Susan Wolf, Meaning in Life and Why It Matters

John Searle, The Rediscovery of the Mind

Catherine Pickstock, Aspects of Truth: A New Religious Metaphysics

Harold Brown, Rationality 

James Filler, Heidegger, Neoplatonism, and the History of Being: Relation as Ontological Ground

J. Jaeger, A. Riedl, A. Djedovic, J. Vervaeke, and D. Walsh, Naturalizing relevance realization: why agency and cognition are fundamentally not computational

Frank Martela and Michael F. Steger, Distinguishing coherence, purpose, and significance

 

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Thank you for Listening!

 

Kasra Mirzaie is a clinical researcher, psychotherapist, and university teacher. His work focuses on adolescents, examining the intersection of psychotherapy, dynamical systems theory, and the meaning crisis. Kasra is dedicated to exploring how self-organizing criticality and Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy can drive transformation and personal growth in young people.

Dr Robin Barre has over 30 years of experience working with adolescents. Her dissertation focused on trauma and the archetypal nature of adolescence. She runs a small psychotherapy practice and consults with parents, caregivers, and organizations to enhance adolescent well-being.

How does the intricate dance of self-organizing criticality relate to the turmoil and transformation of adolescence?

In this episode of "Voices with Vervaeke," John Vervaeke, Kasra Mirzaie, and Dr Robin Barre explore the transformative potential of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy in addressing the meaning crisis and supporting adolescents on their developmental journey. The conversation delves into the complex interplay of IFS, dynamical systems, and the critical phase transition of adolescence. They discuss principles such as self-organizing criticality, entropy, and insight, explaining how these concepts drive change and present unique challenges and opportunities. The episode highlights cultural shortcomings, the significance of wisdom traditions, and the role of IFS as a modern initiation process.

 

Connect with a community dedicated to self-discovery and purpose, and gain deeper insights by joining our Patreon.

 

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00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions

02:45 Self-Organizing Criticality & IFS

07:20 Entropy and Insight in Change

20:20 Curiosity and Transformation

23:15 Adolescence and the Meaning Crisis

47:05 Culture's Disabling Effects

50:00 IFS Initiation for Adolescents

01:04:50 Remembering Adolescence and Navigating Mistakes

01:13:40 Communicating Conflict and Validating Adolescents

01:21:10 Embracing Transformation in Adolescence and the Meaning Crisis

   

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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. 

 

—

 

Ideas, People, and Works Mentioned in this Episode

 

Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy

Tatjana Schnell

Dr Kelly-Ann Allen

Bill Plotkin

James Hillman

Vygotsky 

Richard Frankel, The Adolescent Psyche National Scientific Council on Adolescence, Cultivating Purpose in Adolescence

 

Relevant Episodes

Engaging the Imaginal: Kasra Mirzaie on IFS and the Meaning Crisis

Is IFS a Path to Self-Knowledge or Self-Deception? Insights from Kasra MirzaieTransforming Identity: The Power of IFS Therapy and Ancient Wisdom | Paul Vander Klay

Inside the Mind: Marc Lewis on Transformative Healing with Internal Family Systems Therapy

Attachment Theory Beyond Therapy: Seth Allison on Wisdom and Connection

Exploring the Depths of Internal Family Systems with Seth Allison

Wisdom Through the Imaginal: IFS Insights with Seth Allison Part 3

 

Follow John Vervaeke: Website | Twitter | YouTube | Patreon

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Thank you for Listening!

 

 

Can we find meaning in a world without religion?

 

In this episode first released on Dissident Dialogues, Freddie Sayers hosts John Vervaeke and Alex O'Connor, formerly known as Cosmic Skeptic, to explore the deep question of meaning in an increasingly secular world. They discuss the historical role of religion in providing purpose and narrative, the modern challenges of finding meaning, and the rise of non-propositional forms of knowledge and practice. O'Connor and Vervaeke share personal anecdotes and philosophical insights, highlighting the timeless struggle for meaning, the limitations of relying solely on logical arguments, and the potential of emerging communities and practices to fill the void left by traditional religious structures. 

 

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Embark on a journey of personal growth and meaning with us. Join our Patreon Patreon community, where shared wisdom fuels transformation.

 

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00:00 Introduction: The Loss of American Narrative

02:00 The Meaning Crisis in a Secular Age

04:32 Exploring Atheism and Meaning

07:35 Philosophical Perspectives on Meaning

12:35 The Role of Non-Propositional Knowledge

18:31 The Search for New Narratives

30:19 Conclusion: Emerging Communities and Future Prospects

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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. 

 

Follow us:

 

John Vervaeke: Website | X | YouTube | Patreon

Alex O’Connor: YouTube

Freddie Sayers: X 

Dissident Dialogues: X | Instagram | Facebook

 

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Thank you for Listening!

 

Nicholas Janni is a pioneer in executive development, having co-founded Olivier Mythodrama Associates, where he created leadership programs based on Shakespearean stories. He continues to work globally with leaders and organizations through his consultancy, Core Presence, and his innovative 'Leader as Healer' program, which promotes integrated, conscious leadership.

How can the ancient practices of spirituality and modern leadership development intersect to create transformative experiences?

 

In this episode of “Voice with Vervaeke,” John Vervaeke and Nicholas Janni explore this question through a conversation about leadership, spirituality, and human connection. Nicholas shares his transformative journey, from his school days to his encounters with Tibetan Buddhism and immersive theater, which led him to develop a unique approach to spiritual and embodied leadership. They discuss the importance of leaders connecting with their bodies, emotions, and the transpersonal, and the role of practices like bodywork, deep breathing, and poetry in facilitating this connection. Their conversation also explores the metaphysical realm, including prayer and spiritual guidance, and their impact on leadership. John and Nicholas discuss the cultural implications of their work and stress the importance of leaders who can promote this holistic approach to leadership and foster supportive communities for transformative experiences. 

Dive deeper into the journey of personal growth and meaning by becoming part of our Patreon community, where shared wisdom fuels transformation.

 

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00:00 Introduction: Convergence of Spirituality and Leadership 

11:25 From Theatre to Leadership Consultancy

16:40 The Birth of 'Leader as Healer'

23:35 Reawakening Non-Propositional Thinking

43:40 The Transformative Power of Poetry

48:05 Therapy vs. Transformational Work

51:10 Integrating Awakening and Healing

01:02:55 Addressing the Modern Meaning Crisis

01:15:50 Embracing Prayer, Reverence, and Connectedness

01:24:30 Concluding Thoughts: The Imperative to Wake Up  

 

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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. 

 

—

 

Ideas, People, and Works Mentioned in this Episode

 

Nicholas Janni, Leader as Healer

Heinrich Päs, The One: How an Ancient Idea Holds the Future of Physics

Vivian Dittmar

Richard Olivier

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

Shakespeare, W. Henry V.

Shakespeare, W. Julius Caesar.

Shakespeare, W. The Tempest.

Malidoma Somé 

Michael Meade

Patrick Connor

Charles Taylor

David Wyatt Mary Oliver, Wild Geese.

Plato

René Descartes

 

Relevant Episodes

Exploring the Transrational: A Journey into the Realms of Consciousness with Vivian Dittmar Transpersonal States: Awakening, Enlightenment, and the Ego | Vivian Dittmar Exploring Emotions and Transrational Wisdom with Vivian Dittmar  

Follow John Vervaeke: Website | X | YouTube | Patreon

 

Follow Nicholas Janni: Website | Email | LinkedIn 

 

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Thank you for listening!

 

Brendan Graham Dempsey is the director of Sky Meadow Institute and the author of the Metamodern Spirituality Series. He explores the evolution of spirituality and the integration of science and religion in contemporary culture. To learn more about his latest book release, "A Universal Learning Process," which is the first volume in his series "The Evolution of Meaning," please visit this link.

 

Can Metamodern Christianity breathe new life into ancient religious frameworks?

 

In this episode of "Voices with Vervaeke," John Vervaeke and Brendan Graham Dempsey continue their exploration of MetaModern Christianity in part two of their discussion. Building on their previous conversation, which addressed the potential for metamodern spirituality to rejuvenate the Christian faith, they delve deeper into the integration of ancient doctrines with contemporary thought. They tackle the limitations of traditional religious frameworks, explore the concept of ultimate reality and the sacred through a non-theistic lens, and emphasize the significance of dialogical relationships in meaning-making. Vervaeke and Dempsey connect these insights to broader philosophical and cultural themes, examining the evolution of spiritual maturity, the interplay between personhood and the universe, and the integration of scientific and mystical perspectives.

 

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Embark on a journey of personal growth and meaning with us. Join our Patreon Patreon community, where shared wisdom fuels transformation.

 

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00:00 Introduction and Recap of Part One

00:45 Brendan's Work on Metamodern Spirituality

02:45 Ultimate Reality and the Sacred

13:25 Integrating Critiques: Schellenberg, Transcendence, and Non-Theism

16:50 Meaning and Learning in Sacred Evolution

29:20  Dialogical Relationship with the Sacred

41:45 God as Cosmic Self-Realization

50:00 Prayer and Maturation in Deep Time

54:30 Prayer and Transpersonal Dialogue

58:30 Prayer and Ultimate Reality

01:15:05 Conclusion: The Evolution of Meaning and the Sacred

 

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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. 

 

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Ideas, People, and Works Mentioned in this Episode

 

J.L. Schellenberg

Gregg Henriques

Rudolf Otto 

Clifford Geertz

Carl Sagan

Meister Eckhart

Paul Tillich

Iain McGilchrist

Martin Heidegger

Michael Levin

Epicurus

Bobby Azarian

Kasra Mirzaie

Leonard Angel

Spinoza

John Hick

Dan Chiappe

Paul Tillich

Dionysus

Brendan Graham Dempsey, A Universal Learning Process (The Evolution of Meaning)

​​Matt Rossano, Ritual in Human Evolution and Religion

Joseph A. Bracken, The Divine Matrix: Creativity As Link Between East and West

Leonard Angel, Enlightenment East and West

 

Relevant Episodes

 

Reviving Faith with Metamodern Spirituality and the Future of Christianity | Brendan Graham Dempsey

 

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Follow Brendan Graham Dempsey: Website | X | Facebook

 

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Thank you for Listening!

 

Have we confined the true essence of sainthood within too narrow a boundary?

In this episode of 'Voices with Vervaeke,' John Vervaeke welcomes Christopher Mastropeitro and Andrew Sweeny for a discussion that delves into the philosophical and spiritual dimensions of their innovative project, the Philosophical Silk Road. Together, they challenge contemporary notions of sainthood and wisdom, drawing connections between Zen Buddhism, Neoplatonism, and Tantric practices. Through personal anecdotes and reflective dialogue, the trio examines the essence of saints and sages, the importance of humor and humility in spiritual journeys, and the delicate balance between our finite existence and the quest for transcendence. Join John, Chris, and Andrew as they share their spiritual paths and encounters with saintly figures, advocating for a renewed appreciation of the sacred in our modern world.

 

Andrew Sweeny is an educator, writer, musician, and podcaster. He teaches at Sciences Po University in Paris and is an editor at Parallax magazine. Sweeny explores Zen Buddhism, Tantric practices, and music through his media platform, Parallax, offering courses and podcasts.

Christopher Mastropietro is a philosophical writer fascinated by dialogue, symbols, and the concept of self. He is the executive director and an active contributor to the Vervaeke Foundation, collaborating on projects exploring wisdom, spirituality, and transformative dialogue.

 

Connect with a community dedicated to self-discovery and purpose, and gain deeper insights by joining our Patreon.

 

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00:00 Introducing the Guests and the Philosophical Silk Road

02:50 Andrew's Path: Zen, Tantra, and Music

05:05 Exploring the Philosophical Silk Road

07:00 Dialogos and Sacred Emergence

10:40 Setting the Stage: Connecting Zen, Neoplatonism, and Theurgy

21:40 Tantra's Influence in East and West

31:40 Reflections on Saintliness      

44:25 The Enigma of Crazy Wisdom and Non-Conformity

52:10 Understanding the Hidden Order and Profound Humanity of Saints

01:09:05 The Role of Romanticism and Humor in Sainthood

01:17:40 Pilgrimage and the Saintly Path

01:19:30 Final Reflections 

 

   

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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. 

 

—

 

Authors, Ideas, and Works Mentioned in this Episode

 

Kitaro Nishida

Alicia Juarrero

Friedrich Nietzsche 

James Filler

Erich Fromm

Chögyam Trungpa

Heidegger

Plato

Nagarjuna

Christianity

Neoplatonism

Socrates

Thomas Aquinas

Augustine

Joseph A. Bracken, The Divine Matrix: Creativity As Link Between East and West

Gregory Shaw, Hellenic Tantra: The Theurgic Platonism of Iamblichus

Shunryu Suzuki, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice 

Lotus Guru Padmasambhava, The Tibetan Book of the Dead

Albert Camus, The Plague

Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov; The Idiot 

Follow John Vervaeke: Website | Twitter | YouTube | Patreon

 

Follow Andrew Sweeny: Medium | Twitter | YouTube

 

Connect with Christopher Mastropietro

 

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Thank you for listening!

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Key Words:

Philosophical Silk Road, John Vervaeke, Andrew Sweeny, Christopher Mastropietro, Zen Buddhism, Neoplatonism, Tantra, dialogos, John Vervaeke podcast, Voices with Vervaeke, sacred journeys, spiritual growth, transformative dialogue, spiritual wisdom, cognitive science, psychology of religion, meaning crisis, philosophical podcasts, spiritual practices, Eastern and Western traditions, romanticism in spirituality, humor in spirituality, sacred and secular, spiritual transformation, evolutionary psychology

 

Kasra Mirzaie is a clinical researcher, psychotherapist, and university teacher. His work focuses on adolescents, exploring the interplay between psychotherapy, spirituality, and self-deception.

Can understanding all parts of ourselves sometimes lead us away from the truth?

In this episode of "Voices with Vervaeke," John Vervaeke continues to explore Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy with guest Kasra Mirzaie. They discuss the paradox of IFS as both a path to self-discovery and a potential source of self-deception. Their conversation covers the intersection of spirituality and science within IFS, offering listeners insights into this therapeutic approach. Mirzaie shares personal experiences, emphasizing the transformative roles of love and forgiveness in therapy. Vervaeke and Mirzaie also examine the philosophical and cognitive scientific foundations of IFS, setting the stage for future discussions on self-organizing criticality and the relationship between cognitive science and spirituality. This episode aims to broaden listeners' understanding of the self and provide new perspectives on human psychology.

 

Connect with a community dedicated to self-discovery and purpose, and gain deeper insights by joining our Patreon.

 

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00:00 Introduction and Mirzaie's Background and Work

03:00 Exploring Self-Deception 

17:00 The Role of Love and Forgiveness

22:50 The Spiritual Dimension of IFS

34:40 Self-Deception and Spiritual Bypassing

38:45 Spirit of Self-Deception: The Paradox of Adaptation and Growth

43:00 The Paradox of the Fall and Self-Consciousness

45:40 Relational Reality and the Self

59:50 The Therapeutic Approach to Trauma

01:06:25 Conclusion: Gratitude, Growth, and Ongoing Exploration

   

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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. 

 

—

 

Ideas, People, and Works Mentioned in this Episode

 

Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy

Neoplatonism

Mark Lewis

Paul Vander Klay

Seth Allison

Marc Lewis

Milton's Lucifer

William Desmond

Heidegger

William Blake 

Filler

Jung

Nietzsche

Vygotsky

Nishita

Kirkegaard

Tom Holmes, Parts Work: a Path of the Heart: Healing Journeys Integrating IFS and Spirituality

Christopher Ben Simpson, The William Desmond Reader

Robert B. Brandom, A Spirit of Trust: A Reading of Hegel’s Phenomenology

Relevant Episodes

Transforming Identity: The Power of IFS Therapy and Ancient Wisdom | Paul Vander Klay

Inside the Mind: Marc Lewis on Transformative Healing with Internal Family Systems Therapy

Attachment Theory Beyond Therapy: Seth Allison on Wisdom and Connection

Exploring the Depths of Internal Family Systems with Seth Allison

Wisdom Through the Imaginal: IFS Insights with Seth Allison Part 3

Engaging the Imaginal: Kasra Mirzaie on IFS and the Meaning Crisis

 

Follow John Vervaeke: Website | Twitter | YouTube | Patreon

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Thank you for Listening!

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Keywords

John Vervaeke, Kasra Mirzaie, Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, self-deception, spirituality and science, cognitive science foundations, love and forgiveness, personal transformation, self-organizing criticality, cognitive science and spirituality, relationality in therapy, self-identity and agency, therapeutic practices, modern spirituality, Voices with Vervaeke podcast

 

Paul Vander Klay is a minister at Living Stones CRC in Sacramento, CA, known for his engaging online discussions on faith and thoughtful community engagement.

How can the convergence of ancient spiritual practices and modern cognitive science redefine our understanding of identity and collective wisdom?

In this episode of "Voices with Vervaeke," John Vervaeke and Paul Vander Klay explore the intersections of personal transformation and collective wisdom. They discuss the role of spiritual practices like Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy in modern society and their implications for personal growth and collective understanding. The conversation highlights the significance of relationality in understanding agency and cognition, emphasizing how our relationships with others shape our sense of self and our ability to navigate the world. John and Paul also address the advent of the sacred in modern culture and the potential for new cultural cognitive grammars. They share insights from their personal and professional experiences, offering a thought-provoking exploration of modern spirituality and relational being. This episode leaves listeners with a deeper understanding of how personal growth and collective wisdom are intertwined.

 

Connect with a community dedicated to self-discovery and purpose, and gain deeper insights by joining our Patreon.

 

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00:00 Introduction: Faith, Friendship, and Exploration

03:10 Exploring IFS Therapy, Dialogical Self, and Archetypal Experiences

08:50 Dialoguing with Hermes: Ally Work and Neoplatonic Traditions

14:00 Dialogical Models and Changing Public Perception of Humans

22:50 Rethinking the Self: Transjectivity, Relationality, and the Imaginal

28:00 Beyond Substance Ontology

55:00 Dialogical Presencing and Transjective Ontology in Religion

58:05 Communal Aspects of Christian Tradition

01:01:35 Dialogical Practice and Hermetic Consciousness

01:05:25 Therapeutic Practices and Self-Deception

01:12:15 Exploring the Sacred in IFS and Dialogical Practices

01:40:50 Conclusion: Embracing Vulnerability and Honesty

   

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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. 

 

—

 

Ideas, People, and Works Mentioned in this Episode

 

Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy

Dialogical Practices

Hermes (Guiding Figure)

Proclus

Plotinus

Jordan Peterson

Jonathan Pageau

Seth Allison

Kasra Mirzaie

Richard Schwartz

Marc Lewis

Anderson Todd

Jeffrey Raff 

Dallas Willard

James Fuller

Robert Falconer

Sam Tideman

Paul Kingsnorth

Martin Shaw

Richard Rohlin (Universal History)

Gregory Shaw, Hellenic Tantra: The Theurgic Platonism of Iamblichus

Ben Alderson-Day, Presence: The Strange Science and True Stories of the Unseen Other

T. M. Luhrmann, How God Becomes Real: Kindling the Presence of Invisible Others

Paul Ricoeur, Fallible Man: Philosophy of the Will

Plato, The Seventh Letter

Charles Taylor

Neoplatonism

Socrates

 

Relevant Episodes

Attachment Theory Beyond Therapy: Seth Allison on Wisdom and Connection

Exploring the Depths of Internal Family Systems with Seth Allison

Wisdom Through the Imaginal: IFS Insights with Seth Allison Part 3

Engaging the Imaginal: Kasra Mirzaie on IFS and the Meaning Crisis

The Elusive I - Part 1 - The Cognitive Science Show

AI Sages and the Ethical Frontier: Exploring Human Values, Embodiment, and Spiritual Realms

 

Follow John Vervaeke: Website | Twitter | YouTube | Patreon

 

Follow Paul Vander Klay: Blog | Twitter | YouTube

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Thank you for Listening!

 

Thomas Jockin is a Fellow at the Halkyon Guild and the Founder of TypeThursday. He has taught at Pratt Institute, FIT (SUNY), Queens College (CUNY), and City College of New York (CUNY).

Sign Up for Thomas Jockin’s Course: Plato on Beauty and Virtue | Halkyon Academy

 

Can re-engaging with classical ideals of beauty help us address the meaning crisis?

In this episode of "Voices with Vervaeke," John Vervaeke and Thomas Jockin explore the concept of beauty through the lens of Plato's philosophy. Thomas shares insights from his upcoming course, discussing the interconnectedness of beauty, truth, and goodness. They examine how modern interpretations of beauty differ from Plato's original vision and how re-engaging with classical ideals can address the current meaning crisis. John and Thomas challenge contemporary perspectives and seek to rediscover foundational principles. Join the discussion to learn more about the profound impact of beauty on our lives.

 

Connect with a community dedicated to self-discovery and purpose, and gain deeper insights by joining our Patreon.

 

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00:00 Exploring Plato's Concept of Beauty with Thomas Jockin

01:10 Jockin’s Halcyon Course: Plato on Beauty and Virtue

04:25 The Cultural Decline of Beauty

08:00 Plato's Beauty: Love, Reason, and the Soul's Recollection

10:25 Philosophical Implications of Beauty, Love, and Truth

24:00 The Rationality of Beauty Beyond Propositions 

31:45 The Cascade Effect of Moral Virtues in Everyday Life

35:55 Bridging the Material and the Divine

40:55 The Interconnectedness of Beauty, Goodness, and Truth

51:15 Modern Art and the Role of the Artist

01:08:15 Beauty as a Solution to the Meaning Crisis in Modern Art and Architecture

01:14:25 Conclusion: Returning to Foundations in the Modern World  

 

 

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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. 

 

—

 

Ideas, People, and Works Mentioned in this Episode

 

Plato. Greater Hippias.

Plato. Symposium.

Plato. Phaedrus.

Plato. Meno.

Plato. Cratylus.

Plato. Parmenides.

Sonia Sedivy, Beauty and the End of Art

Byung-Chul Han, Saving Beauty

Drew A. Hyland, Plato and the Question of Beauty

D. C. Schindler, “The Primacy of Beauty, the Centrality of Goodness, and the Ultimacy of Truth”

John Russon, Bearing Witness to Epiphany: Persons, Things, and the Nature of Erotic Life

Duchamp (Fountain)

Heidegger

Maurice Merleau-Ponty

Habermas

Neoplatonism

Follow John Vervaeke: Website | Twitter | YouTube | Patreon

 

Follow Thomas Jockin: Website | Twitter | LinkedIn 

 

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Thank you for Listening!

 

Marc Lewis is a neuroscientist and former professor of developmental psychology, who taught at the University of Toronto and Radboud University. He is the author of numerous journal publications and books, including Memoirs of an Addicted Brain and The Biology of Desire.

How can understanding our internal parts lead to emotional healing and personal growth?

In this episode of "Voices with Vervaeke," John Vervaeke and Marc Lewis explore Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy. They examine the emotional landscapes that shape our behaviors, the interaction of different parts of the mind, and the transformative potential of self-compassion in therapy. This conversation provides insights into psychological healing, challenging conventional views and offering new perspectives on personal growth and recovery.

 

Embark on a journey with us to tackle the Meaning Crisis by joining our exclusive Patreon Community.

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00:00 Introduction: Understanding Addiction and Emotional Regulation through IFS Therapy

03:15 Marc's Academic Journey and Neuroscience Insights

05:35 The Power of IFS Therapy: A Faster Route to Healing and Understanding

11:35 Practical Applications of IFS and Why it Works

21:00 Dialoguing with Our Inner Selves

33:50 Exploring the Concept of Self in IFS

43:55 Bridging Therapy, Spirituality, and Emotional Healing

48:20 Balancing Growth, Responsibility, and the Role of the Self

01:00:00 Navigating Cultural Reactivity and Spiritual Dimensions

01:13:35 The Importance of Guidance and Pedagogical Preparation 

01:17:15 Conclusion: The Evolving Nature of IFS Therapy and the Need for Continued Inquiry

   

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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. 

 

—

 

Ideas, People, and Works Mentioned in this Episode

 

Plato, Republic 

Richard Schwartz, No Bad Parts 

Cece Sykes, Internal Family Systems Therapy for Addictions: Trauma-Informed, Compassion-Based Interventions for Substance Use, Eating, Gambling and More 

Wizard of Oz (film)

Seth Allison

Kasra Mirzaie 

Lucas Forstmeyer

Gedankenexperiment 

Relevant Episodes

Attachment Theory Beyond Therapy: Seth Allison on Wisdom and Connection

Exploring the Depths of Internal Family Systems with Seth Allison

Wisdom Through the Imaginal: IFS Insights with Seth Allison Part 3

Engaging the Imaginal: Kasra Mirzaie on IFS and the Meaning Crisis

Follow John Vervaeke: Website | Twitter | YouTube | Patreon

 

Follow Marc Lewis: Website | YouTube

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Thank you for Listening!