What is the true nature of contemplation, and how does it intertwine with our understanding of reality?

John Vervaeke is joined by Mateusz Stróżyński to discuss his masterful work, Plotinus and the Contemplation of the Intelligible World. They explore the deep and often overlooked wisdom of Plotinus, one of history’s greatest thinkers. Together, they dive into the connection between thought and experience, revealing how contemplation isn’t just about thinking it’s about actively participating in reality itself. Mr. Stróżyński breaks down Plotinus’ intricate view of the universe, showing how everything is woven together in a way that challenges our modern, fragmented way of seeing the world. They go on to discuss the nature of the self and what it means to truly “know” something, touching on insights from Buddhist Dzogchen, Christian mysticism, and personal experience.

Mateusz Stróżyński is a professor of classical philology at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland, and a practicing psychoanalyst. His research focuses on the intersection of Platonism, mysticism, and spirituality, exploring how ancient philosophical traditions inform modern contemplative practice. He is the author of Plotinus and the Contemplation of the Intelligible World.

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Notes: 

• (0:00) Introduction to the Lectern 

• (0:30) Mateusz Stróżyński joins John Vervaeke to explore Platonism

• (2:00) The Interplay of Philosophy and Experience 

• (6:00) A Kinship Between Works

• (8:00) Interweaving Phenomenological and Conceptual Perspectives

• (11:30) The Role of Contemplation in Plotinus's Philosophy

• (15:30) The Threefold Structure of Consciousness

• (20:00) The Fall and the Multiplicity of Experience

• (30:00) The Hierarchical Nature of Reality

• (43:00) Fractal Coherence in Plotinus's Philosophy

• (50:30) Democratic Views and Reality Perception

• (52:00) Exploring Plotinus' Worldview

• (57:00) Plotinus' Analytical Approach

• (1:05:00) Mapping Cognition and Reality

• (1:16:30) Skepticism and Participatory Knowing

• (1:28:00) Modern Science and Metaphysics

• (1:34:30) Concluding Thoughts

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Ideas, People, and Works Mentioned in this Episode

The Nature of Contemplation

Interweaving of Knowing and Being

Fractal Metaphysics

The Threefold Structure of Consciousness

Modern vs. Premodern Worldviews

The Relationship Between Science and Mysticism

Plotinus

Marcus Aurelius

St. Augustine

Nishida Kitarō

“Plotinus and the Contemplation of the Intelligible World” by Mateusz Stróżyński 

“Waking, Dreaming, Being” by Evan Thompson

Quotes:

"Plotinus does not create a system—he reveals a dynamic interplay where intellect and experience are seamlessly interwoven." - Mateusz Stróżyński (10:00)

"If we want to truly understand something, we must go beyond it—transcend it—because reality unfolds from higher principles." - John Vervaeke (15:00)

"Everything that exists contemplates—existence itself is an act of seeing, an act of knowing." - – Mateusz Stróżyński (20:00)