The Philosophical Silk Road

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.

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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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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 

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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