Philosophy has an ambiguous relationship with “resolving” personal problems. It often concerns itself with big ideas. But big ideas only become real in the concrete experience of life, and the pains that come with moment-to-moment decisions. When we obsess over specific problems, we tend to lose the big picture. When we abstract to the big […]

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

Imagination as Knowing: re-imagine, re-inhabit, re-appreciate the imagination Across 8 weeks, explore the imaginal as a way of knowing aspects of reality that are otherwise inaccessible to us. You’ll learn how the imagination unlocks creativity, enhances meaning, unveils the depths of spirituality and bridges the realms of perception and reason. Transform your understanding of yourself,

John Vervaeke engages in a profound discussion with James Filler, author of ‘Heidegger, Neoplatonism, and the History of Being’. They examine the core arguments of Jame’s book, which emphasizes relationality as more fundamental than individual existence in understanding reality. The conversation explores Neoplatonism, Heidegger’s philosophy, and the convergence of these ideas with contemporary physics and

This event will provide a unique opportunity to engage directly with John about the upcoming course, the argument for non-theism and it’s relationship to The Philosophical Silk Road.

John Vervaeke and Evan Thompson continue the exploration of life, cognition, and consciousness, drawing from interdisciplinary collaboration and philosophical discourse. The discussion challenges reductionist perspectives in biology, examines organisms as autonomous agents, and questions the adequacy of current models to explain life’s complexities. Consciousness is explored through presence and embodiment, while also debating the roles

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 In this episode, John Vervaeke and Harvard professor Charles Stang explore the concept of the ‘daimon’’, stemming

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

Beyond Atheism and Theism: Einstein and Spinoza’s Orientation to Sacredness In this 8-week course, John will draw on theology, cognitive science and philosophy to argue for a non-theistic stance toward the sacred. 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

The Lectern, as described by John Vervaeke, represents a pivotal shift in his approach to sharing his work and engaging with his students. In summary, the Lectern will serve as a focused and transparent platform for John’s educational and philosophical endeavors, emphasizing transformational learning, interdisciplinary dialogue, and a commitment to virtue and virtuosity. It will