Explore the delicate balance between philosophical rigor and spiritual experiences with Christopher Mastropietro and Andrew Sweeny. They discuss love, wisdom, and existential inquiry, blurring boundaries between philosophical inquiry and religious practice. Dive into transformative spiritual journeys, the evolution of Christianity, philosophical intersections, personal growth, and embracing mystery and transformation.

Welcome back to episode 2 of After Socrates. In this installment, Dr. Vervaeke continues to add insight into the Socratic Way as we go deep into dialogue and the practices of "Finding Your Root" and "The Humble Wonder Practice." Please consider joining my patreon to support our work: https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke -- You are invited to join me live, online, at the next Circling & Dialogos Workshop where we discuss & practice the tools involved in both Philosophical Fellowship & Dialectic into Dialogos.   You can find more information, and register, here:   https://circlinginstitute.com/circling-dialogos/ -- Thinkers Referenced: Drew Hyland Erich Fromm Robert C. Fuller Harold North Fowler Christopher Mastropietro Aristophanes Iris Murdoch John R. Wright Francisco J. Gonzalez Sara Ahbel-Rappe Sean D. Kirkland     Show Notes: [0:00] Introduction to episode [0:23] "Socrates the Monstrous" [1:06] Socrates described himself as atopos, which means "strange" or "out of place," not belonging to any known category. It resembles the modern word "atypical" but is deeper and more powerful. [1:48] Metaxy: as fundamentally in between the human and the divine [2:17] Finitude and Transcendence [2:35] Eros [3:26] The monster distorts the normal categories in a way that is startling, challenging and disruptive. [4:57] Questioning [7:12] By practicing this kind of dialogue, Socrates has come to know that he does not know. [7:48] "One has been pretending - deeply, unconsciously, automatically, reactively - to know." [8:25] Learned Ignorance [12:03] Horizon of Wonder [12:17] The psychoanalyst and social psychologist Erich Fromm successfully combined psychological and sociological thinking in a social psychological theory and method. World-wide known are his books Escape from Freedom, The Art of Loving and To Have Or to Be? and his humanistic concept of man. [12:25] Professor Fuller's research concerns the relationship between psychology and religion as well as the study of contemporary religion in the United States [13:00] Wisdom begins in Wonder [13:30] Educe: to bring out, or draw forth. Closely related to the word "education." [13:59] To be on the Horizon of Wonder is to be in a place in which you are calling yourself and your world into question. So a new self in a new world can deeply be born. [18:48] The process of dialogos is not something we do. It is something we participate in, the way we participate in love and friendship. It is between us, and between us and the world. [19:13] Harold North Fowler was the original translator of a number of Plato's works for the Loeb Classical Library collection. [21:07] we seek to bind ourselves to things [21:30] We seem by nature to be looking for things other than ourselves, to complete us. Self-transcendence; I'm looking for something that's other than me to become me so that I am more than me, but completed as me. [30:15] The unexamined life is not worth living. [34:49] 1) The best life is the life of virtue. [35:33] 2) Virtue depends on knowledge. [35:44] 3) He does not have the knowledge needed for virtue. [36:06] Aristophanes was a famous comic playwright of ancient Athens. His play The Clouds gives a critical portrayal of Socrates as a man of nonsense and deception. Socrates addresses the slander in Plato's Apology. [41:50] Iris Murdoch was a prominent British philosopher of the second half of the 20th century, best known for her moral philosophy. She combined her grounding in Wittgensteinian and linguistic/analytic philosophy with a strong influence of 19th and 20th century Continental philosophy, Christian religion and thought, and Hindu and Buddhist philosophy. [45:47] Is Socrates just Plato's mouthpiece? [59:11] Practice Intro. [59:44] Finding Your Root. [1:11:16] The humble wonder practice [1:12:08] There is so much I do not know about myself because of all of the facts. [1:12:49] There is so much I shall never know about myself because of all of the fate. [1:13:45] There is so much I refuse to see about myself because of all of my foolishness. [1:16:32] There is so much I am unable to see about myself because of all of my faults. --- After Socrates is a series about how to create the theory, the practice, and the ecology of practices such that we can live and grow and develop through a Socratic way of life. The core argument is; the combination of the theoretical framework and the pedagogical program of practices can properly conduct us into the Socratic way of life. We believe that the Socratic way of life is what is most needed today because it is the one that can most help us cultivate wisdom in a way that is simultaneously respectful to spiritual tradition and to current scientific work.

Christopher Mastropietro, an innovative thinker behind the Philosophical Silk Road, joins educator, writer, and musician Andrew Sweeny for a thought-provoking discussion. They challenge conventional ideas about sainthood, weaving together Zen Buddhism, Neoplatonism, and tantric practices. The duo shares personal stories illustrating the significance of humor and humility on spiritual journeys. They advocate for a fresh perspective on sacredness, emphasizing authentic engagement with the divine and the transformative power of genuine saintliness.

John Vervaeke and Christopher Mastropietro discuss the concept of virtue and its role in personal development and community building. They explore the practical application of virtues in everyday situations, emphasizing the importance of balancing finite and infinite aspects. The speakers also discuss upcoming projects of the Vervaeke Foundation and the need for active participation. They reflect on the figure of Marlow and being open to the horror in certain experiences.

I sat down with Christopher Mastropietro, a trained philosopher who has been working with John Vervaeke on various projects. They wrote a book together called ‘Zombies in Western Culture: A Twenty-First Century Crisis’ and Chris is currently helping John to turn his Meaning Crisis lecture series into a book. In our conversation we discuss how these ideas about symbolism in a postmodern world are changing our culture, what the new world will look like and what it takes to get there. We also talk more generally about growth and repentance, breakdown, grace, academia VS this online world, our upcoming projects, and the process of doing creative work. - Zombies in Western Culture: A Twenty-First Century Crisis, by John Vervaeke (Author), Christopher Mastropietro (Author), Filip Miscevic (Author): https://www.amazon.com/Zombies-Western-Culture-Twenty-First-Century/dp/178374328X/ -Article: Love in the Time of Covid, by Christopher Mastropietro: https://medium.com/@CJMastropietro/love-in-the-time-of-covid-4f9f69bce94e ======= - Original video: https://youtu.be/o2IgD5cv9Vo - The Symbolic World website and blog: www.thesymbolicworld.com - Merch: www.thesymbolicworld.store - Language of Creation, by Matthieu Pageau: www.amazon.com/Language-Creation…ook/dp/B07D738HD8 Support this podcast: - Website: https://thesymbolicworld.com/support/ - Patreon: www.patreon.com/pageauvideos - Subscribestar: www.subscribestar.com/jonathan-pageau - Paypal: www.paypal.me/JonathanPageau Join the conversation: - Unofficial Facebook discussion group: www.facebook.com/groups/1989208418065298/ - The Symbolic World Reddit: www.reddit.com/r/TheSymbolicWorld/ Social media links: - Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld - Twitter: www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan - Instagram: www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson. My website designers, Anomalist Design: www.anomalistdesign.com/

John Vervaeke and Christopher Mastropietro discuss exploring the philosophical Silk Road, creating a meaningful passage between religions, delving into diverse philosophies, universal salvation, and the profound nature of unaccountable love and grace. They touch on the essence of Christianity, navigating cultural challenges, embracing mystery, and the interconnectedness of philosophy, wisdom, and love.

Christopher Mastropietro and Guy Sengstock discuss spiritual practice, workshops, and transformation. They explore the joy of the journey to discovery, the structure of influential workshops, and the power of fellowship. The importance of relational dialogues and having a guiding 'North Star' is highlighted. This episode offers a blend of academic rigor and experiential insights for deepening understanding of life's complexities.

Dr. John Vervaeke and his colleagues introduce "Awaken to Meaning," an online platform for wisdom cultivation and self-improvement. They discuss the purpose and offerings of their dojo, emphasizing practical application, transformative impact, and maintaining accessibility. They express gratitude to patrons and invite listeners to contribute and engage with their practices. They explore their approach to religion, highlighting their work's benefits for all individuals. Encouraging participation, they express excitement for future interaction with listeners.

Experts in human relationships and communication discuss the impact of modern communication technologies on relationships, the epidemic of loneliness, the loss of wisdom and knowledge in modern society, and the transformative power of dialogue. They also explore the role of memory in relationships, the essence of what happened, and the power of relationships and connection. The speakers delve into grief and the transformative nature of grief, emphasizing the importance of doubt. The conversation concludes with gratitude and reflection on the profound insights gained from engaging in dialogue.

Join Dr. John Vervaeke, Christopher Mastropietro, and Guy Sengstock as they explore the intricacies of the dialectic process and the concept of the I-Thou relationship in relation to virtues. They discuss Martin Buber's ideas and how they can transform current practices. The conversation also delves into the role of errors in shaping our perception of virtues, generating insights on humility and openness.