Luister naar Dr. John Vervaeke

Welcome to a special installment of the Lectern Q&A! This month’s theme is Love as a Virtue and Existential Stance. This session dives into the nature of love—not just as a feeling, but as a participatory, person-making virtue that binds us to reality and each other. Joining John and Ethan is Ellie, who brings both a deeply reflective presence and insightful contributions to this exploration. Lectern Q&As are a monthly gathering where John and Ethan take questions from The Lectern’s members, threading through important themes that are most pertinent and perplexing to the 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: https://lectern.teachable.com/p/lectern-lounge [https://lectern.teachable.com/p/lectern-lounge] If you would like to donate purely out of goodwill to support John’s work, please consider joining our Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke [https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke] The Vervaeke Foundation is committed to advancing the scientific pursuit of wisdom and creating a significant impact on the world. https://vervaekefoundation.org/ [https://vervaekefoundation.org/] 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. https://awakentomeaning.com/join-practice/ [https://awakentomeaning.com/join-practice/] 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: https://johnvervaeke.com/ [https://johnvervaeke.com/] * Twitter: https://twitter.com/vervaeke_john [https://twitter.com/vervaeke_john] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johnvervaeke [https://www.youtube.com/@johnvervaeke] * Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke [https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke] Thank you for Listening!

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: https://lectern.teachable.com/p/einstein-and-spinoza-s-god1 [https://lectern.teachable.com/p/einstein-and-spinoza-s-god1] “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. https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke [https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke]   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/ [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/ [https://awakentomeaning.com/] John Vervaeke:  https://johnvervaeke.com/ [https://johnvervaeke.com/] https://twitter.com/vervaeke_john [https://twitter.com/vervaeke_john]  https://www.youtube.com/@johnvervaeke [https://www.youtube.com/@johnvervaeke/videos] https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke [https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke]   Gregg Henriques: http://www.gregghenriques.com/ [http://www.gregghenriques.com/] https://x.com/henriqgx [https://x.com/henriqgx]   Matthew Shaublin: https://www.instagram.com/matthewschaublin/ [https://www.instagram.com/matthewschaublin/]   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)

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 Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke]. The Vervaeke Foundation [https://vervaekefoundation.org/] 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 [https://awakentomeaning.com/] to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships.   John Vervaeke: Website [https://johnvervaeke.com/] | X [https://twitter.com/vervaeke_john] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@johnvervaeke/videos] | Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke]   Jordan Hall: YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMzT-mdCqoyEv_-YZVtE7MQ] | Medium [https://medium.com/deep-code] | X [https://twitter.com/jgreenhall]   Christopher Mastropietro: Vervaeke Foundation [https://vervaekefoundation.org/]   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

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 Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke].   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) Lectern Dialogues: Philosophical Connections: Relational Ontology and the Modern Crisis [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx6C3neSD78&t=180s] * (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 Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke]. The Vervaeke Foundation [https://vervaekefoundation.org/] 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 [https://awakentomeaning.com/] to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships.   John Vervaeke: Website [https://johnvervaeke.com/] | Twitter [https://twitter.com/vervaeke_john] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@johnvervaeke/videos] | Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke]     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

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. Reconnecting to the Real Retreat [https://circlinginstitute.com/reconnecting-real-retreat/] - Spaces are limited to just 20 participants to ensure a deeply immersive, participatory experience where genuine connection and transformation can take place. This retreat is a fully participatory experience, where John, Guy, and Kyle will guide you through immersive practices while engaging in them alongside you. Each day follows a carefully designed flow: Morning Movement: Led by John or Sara, starting the day with embodied practice. Morning Sessions (9 AM - 12 PM): John will lead transformative practices, including meditation, contemplation, and deep philosophical inquiry. Afternoon Nature Connection (2 PM - 4 PM): Kyle and Guy will guide participants through core routines of nature connection, helping to cultivate a deeper relationship with the natural world. Evening Practices: John and Guy will lead Circling and Dialogical practices, fostering deep listening, relational intelligence, and transformative conversation. Throughout the retreat, you will learn and practice: * Wisdom & Awareness Practices Dialectic into Dialogos Philosophical Fellowship Socratic Search Space Meditation & Contemplation Yoga * The Circling Method & Relational Practices Group Circling Exercises 1-on-1 Circling Sessions Deep Listening & Communication Skills *  Core Routines of Nature Connection Sit Spot (Attuning to nature through stillness) Storytelling (Sharing and integrating experiences) Animal Forms (Embodied movement inspired by nature) Mapping (Developing a spatial awareness of the land) Bird Language (Understanding ecological intelligence through avian behavior) This retreat is an opportunity to engage deeply with practices that cultivate self-awareness, relational depth, and a profound connection to nature.  Location: Mount Mitchell Eco Retreat, North Carolina (ashville) [https://www.mmecoretreat.com/] Cozy cabins and shared spaces with mountain views Organic and locally sourced meals Access to nature trails, meditation spaces, and quiet areas Pricing: Private Suite: $4800 Private Lodge: $4500 Shared Room: $4300 Dorm Room: $4,000 *Includes food Notes:  * (0:00) Welcome! Today’s special topic is ‘Reconnecting to the Real’ * (1:00) Guy’s Introduction - The Power of Circling * (3:00) Kyle’s Introduction - Embodied Practice & Nature Connection * (4:00) Retreat Details * (7:00) John’s Contribution - Dialogical & Imaginal Practices * (9:00) Socratic Search Space - Exploring Virtue Through Dialogue * (12:00) The Meaning Crisis & The Need for Embodied Wisdom * (14:00) Guy's Circling Approach * (16:00) Relational Presence & Deep Listening * (21:00) The  Existential Crisis of What it Means to be a Human Being * (27:00) The Call to Practice Connection Now * (37:30)  ”Knowledge is knowing how to solve the problem and wisdom is knowing what problems to solve.” * (40:00) “Theology would become the discipline for the future.”  * (41:00) The Shared Nature of Meaning * (51:00) The Impact of Virtual Connection and Lose Connection * (57:00) Rediscovering a Connection with Nature   ---  Connect with a community dedicated to self-discovery and purpose, and gain deeper insights by joining our Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke]. The Vervaeke Foundation [https://vervaekefoundation.org/] 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 [https://awakentomeaning.com/] to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships.   John Vervaeke: Website [https://johnvervaeke.com/] | Twitter [https://twitter.com/vervaeke_john] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@johnvervaeke/videos] | Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke]   Guy Sengstock, the founder of the Circling method, is a renowned facilitator and innovator in the field of authentic communication and personal development. His method blends philosophical rigor with a deep understanding of relational dynamics, offering transformative experiences that foster genuine connection and self-awareness. Learn more about Guy Sengstock and his methods at his website [https://guysengstock.wordpress.com/] Kyle Koch is a movement expert and facilitator of nature-based embodiment practices, Kyle has been working with Evolve Move Play for over a decade, helping people reconnect with their bodies, the land, and the deeper rhythms of existence. He integrates physical play, ancestral movement, and relational presence into his work.  Learn more about Kyle Koch at his website [https://evolvemoveplay.com/about-us]