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The Contemplative Science Podcast

The Meaning Crisis - and what we can do about it

Mar 1, 2022
Dr John Vervaeke, leading expert in diagnosing the spiritual, practical and cognitive causes of increasing isolation and disillusionment, deep-dives into the meaning crisis, the cognitive science of desperation, and the significance of psychedelic experiences.
44:08

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The meaning crisis is caused by disconnection in the modern world, but intentional practices can enhance connectedness and understanding of ourselves and the world.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the meaning crisis, highlighting the need for resilience and practices that help us cope with the complexity of the world.

Deep dives

The Crisis of Meaning and the Human Need for Connection

John Bloveke discusses the concept of the crisis of meaning, which is the convergence of different themes. He explains that human beings seek and are constituted by meaning in life, which involves being connected to oneself, others, and the world. However, the overwhelming amount of information and distractions in the modern world can make it challenging to maintain a sense of connection and presence. Bloveke emphasizes the importance of developing wisdom through practices and ecologies of practices that enhance connectedness and help us navigate the complexity and self-deceptive behaviors that can arise. He argues that evolution alone cannot lead us to our desired goals, and we need intentional practices and interventions to enhance our connectedness and optimize our understanding of ourselves and the world.

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