In this engaging conversation, cognitive psychologist John Vervaeke delves into the pressing 'meaning crisis' facing modern society, addressing the paradox of increased mental health issues in our era of prosperity. He emphasizes the significance of movement practices, like Taiji Chuan, for fostering connection to self and community. Vervaeke highlights how ancient wisdom, combined with cognitive science, can guide us toward self-transcendence and authentic living. The dialogue encourages a re-evaluation of our relationship with technology and meaningful experiences.
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insights INSIGHT
The Meaning Crisis Paradox
Modern society offers safety, abundance, and access to information, yet people suffer from a meaning crisis.
This paradox is evident in rising rates of anxiety, depression, addiction, and a sense of disconnection.
insights INSIGHT
Four Ways of Knowing
Humans possess four ways of knowing: propositional, procedural, perspectival, and participatory.
Meaningful lives rely on integrating these, especially the latter three, for a holistic understanding.
insights INSIGHT
Wisdom and Relevance
Wisdom is not just knowing information but understanding its relevance and application.
This "relevance realization" occurs at a sub-inferential level, often bypassing conscious thought.
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The Ancient Art of Effortlessness and the Surprising Power of Spontaneity
Edward Slingerland
The Kyoto School: An Introduction
The Kyoto School: An Introduction
Robert Carter
Platonic Mysticism
Platonic Mysticism
Arthur Versluis
Religion and nothingness
Nishitani, Keiji
In 'Religion and Nothingness,' Keiji Nishitani explores the concept of nothingness (Śūnyatā or emptiness) and its relevance to contemporary life, particularly in the context of Western nihilism. The book challenges traditional Western ideas such as the dichotomy of faith and reason, the personal and transcendent notions of God, and the Judeo-Christian view of history. Nishitani argues that the acceptance of absolute nothingness can overcome the nihilism inherent in Western civilization. The work is a synthesis of Eastern and Western philosophical thought, drawing on Zen Buddhism and the ideas of philosophers like Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, and Heidegger[1][4][5].
Flow
The Psychology of Optimal Experience
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
In this classic work, Csikszentmihalyi investigates 'optimal experience' and reveals that true happiness and satisfaction can be achieved through a state of consciousness called 'flow.' During flow, individuals experience complete concentration on the task, clarity of goals, and immediate feedback. The book demonstrates how this positive state can be controlled and how it can improve the quality of life by unlocking meaning, creativity, and peak performance.
The perennial philosophy
Aldous Huxley
The Perennial Philosophy, by Aldous Huxley, is a seminal work exploring the common ground between various mystical and religious traditions. Huxley argues for the existence of a universal mystical experience that transcends cultural and religious differences. The book draws on a wide range of sources, including ancient scriptures, philosophical texts, and mystical writings. It explores themes of unity, consciousness, and the nature of reality. Huxley's insightful analysis and eloquent prose have made this book a classic in the field of comparative religion and philosophy.
What Is Ancient Philosophy?
Pierre Hadot
The society we live in today is the safest and most prosperous society that has ever existed on the planet. The likelihood of dying due to illness, murder, or starvation have dramatically plummeted in the last 100 years. More people are being lifted out of abject poverty now than ever before, while the everyday technologies we hold in our hands grant us the full extent of human knowledge and entertainment with just the tap of a finger.
Yet, there’s a problem.
Anxiety, depression, PTSD, adolescent suicide, and many other mental health ailments have skyrocketed in the last decade. In this age of prosperity, humans are feeling more disconnected from themselves and their communities, more detached from the natural world, and are having incredible difficulty finding a sense of meaning in their lives.
This week on the Evolve Move Play Podcast we are very excited to have with us John Vervaeke, a cognitive psychologist/scientist at the University of Toronto who has made it his mission to understand and remedy the meaning crisis; and it just so happens that the way we look at our movement practice may play a key role in developing our ability to transcend the bullshit and find the meaning we are striving for in life.
So grab a pad and pen, sit back, and get ready to take a trip into the realm of our cognitive psychology to see how the very mechanisms that make us susceptible to bullshit also provide us the ability to transcend ourselves, tap into flow states, and maybe even find enlightenment while we're at it.
TOPICS COVERED:
00:00 - Intro
02:12 - Interview Start
03:19 - The Meaning Crisis
08:44 - The Many Ways We Learn
14:36 - Relevance Realization
25:30 - JV's Core Points
30:18 - Bullshit
36:13 - Connection & Coherence
41:06 - The Death of God and Self Trancendance
45:40 - Updating our Systems
52:33 - The Role of Movement Practice
01:07:43 - "Don't tell me what you believe, tell me what you practice"
01:11:28 - Reclaiming Sacredness
01:18:38 - Flow, Nutrition v. Stimulation
01:25:38 - Modal Confusion
01:32:13 - Hope
01:35:16 - Resources and Book List
JOHN'S BOOK LIST:
“Zombies in Western Culture: A 21st Century Crisis” - Chris Mastropietro, Filip Miscevic, John Vervaeke
"What is Ancient Philosophy?" - Pierre Hadot
"Platonic Mysticism" & "Perennial Philosophy" - Arthur Versluis
"The Kyoto School: An Introduction" - Robert Carter
"Religion and Nothingness" - Keiji Nishitani
"Flow" - Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
"Trying Not to Try: The Ancient Art of Effortlessness and the Surprising Power of Spontaneity" - Edward G. Slingerland
LEARN MORE @
youtube.com/johnvervaeke
www.johnvervaeke.com
SUPPORT US @
www.patreon.com/rafekelley
www.evolvemoveplay.com
Also don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review for us on iTunes.
Thanks a lot everyone! Happy moving!
-The EMP Team
Evolve Move Play Podcast 
