Layman Pascal, a collaborator focused on metamodern politics, shares his insights on the tumultuous political landscape following the recent election. He discusses how to approach the complexities of differing political views without blame and emphasizes valuing nonrational collective intelligence. Pascal critiques the Democratic Left and questions the traditional notions of revolution. The conversation delves into the emotional fallout of election results and the importance of diversifying media consumption to foster a more open discourse.

Doug Scott, a clinical social worker and pastoral minister, explores his SH!PS approach to interpersonal transformation. He emphasizes perspective-taking and solidarity, highlighting the importance of connection in personal growth. Hope is presented as a powerful motivator to cultivate purpose, while honoring processes allows for authentic development. Scott wraps up with insights on the need for service and empathy in improving human relationships, reinforcing a collective journey towards flourishing and spiritual well-being.

In this engaging conversation, Gregg Henriques, author of 'UTOK: The Unified Theory of Knowledge,' shares his journey from rigid materialism to evolving spiritual insights. They explore how his new book transcends traditional narratives, blending alchemical traditions with contemporary thought. Topics include the significance of personal mythology, the interplay between meaning and the sacred, and the role of ritual in shaping a new worldview. Henriques offers a fresh perspective on the quest for purpose in modern life, bridging ancient wisdom with today’s existential challenges.

Matt Segall, an associate professor at the California Institute of Integral Studies and a thinker on metaphysics and consciousness, engages in a profound discussion on reality and abstraction. He reveals the 'blind spot' of modern science regarding direct experience. Topics like the interplay of quantum mechanics, human agency in the cosmos, and the concept of pan-mathematicism are explored. Segall also shares insights on art's relationship to divine presence and the importance of individual and collective consciousness in understanding existence.

In this engaging discussion, Rafe Kelley, a transformative thinker exploring the intersections of Christianity and personal experience, shares his recent spiritual awakening. He delves into the complexities of faith, suggesting that direct encounters with the Christ archetype can sometimes transcend traditional doctrines. Kelley emphasizes the significance of experiential faith over rigid theology, and explores how personal growth can arise from acting 'as if' certain beliefs hold truth. The conversation balances myth, emotion, and the search for understanding in the spiritual journey.

Neil Theise joins me to talk about his book Notes on Complexity: A Scientific Theory of Connection, Consciousness, and Being. As a liver pathologist gazing daily through his microscope, Neil lives in an ongoing liminal state between scales: the micro cellular and the macro organismic. How is it, he asks, that any given "thing" seems to disappear when you zoom in or out? Neil brings a complexity science lens to this issue of lensing, which he synthesizes with his longterm practice of Zen meditation to interesting conclusions. Is this processual "no-thing-ness" what the Buddhists speak of as "emptiness"? What is the "I" if it can be similarly deconstructed? What insights can meditation add to the metaphysical picture once we appreciate the limits of other ways of knowing? 0:00 Introduction 0:57 Spark-'Notes on Complexity' 4:30 Neil's Interdisciplinary Background 14:33 Body or Cells? Scale, Process, and (Relative) No-Thing-ness 40:29 "Self" and Complimentarity 50:03 Self and the Limits of Science: Consciousness and Quantum Physics 56:24 Self and the Limits of Mathematics: Incompleteness and Intuition 1:08:45 Can Meditative Practice Reveal Metaphysical Realities? 1:26:51 No Separation

Tim Freke, a philosopher and author known for his book 'Soul Story', shares his insights on emergent spirituality. He discusses the evolution of consciousness, merging scientific and spiritual perspectives. Freke challenges traditional views on suffering, advocating for a deeper understanding of personal trauma. The conversation explores the continuity of consciousness beyond death and the relational nature of information in the universe. He encourages listeners to recognize the profound significance of their lives within this emerging worldview.

Layman Pascal, an author with a keen interest in G.I. Gurdjieff and modern spirituality, shares insights from his new book. He discusses the relevance of Gurdjieff’s teachings in today’s metamodern context, exploring themes like sincere irony and the integration of pluralities. Pascal unpacks Gurdjieff as a trickster figure, blending humor and depth in spiritual growth. He emphasizes the importance of myth in spirituality while advocating for a humanized approach to personal growth, merging ancient traditions with contemporary practices.

Diving into the concept of catechism, the discussion explores what supportive spiritual education could look like in a metamodern context. It highlights phases of faith development from childhood enchantment to rational meaning-making, encouraging a journey that embraces doubt and complexity. Each stage of growth reflects evolving understandings of belief and the divine. The creators advocate for lifelong learning and invite listeners to reflect on what's missing in their spiritual journeys.

Who is the Christ of faith? What if he is the telos of existence itself? the direction to which all of thought and action tend? What if Christ Consciousness is the goal of a more comprehensive, open, de-centered, contextualized, and other-sensitive perspective? What if we (you and me) actually participate in the unfolding of God in the world?... 0:00 "After Deconstruction Must Come Reconstruction" 6:34 Metamodernism and Relating to the Christ of Faith 9:18 Moving Beyond Postmodern Relativistic Perspectivalism 19:43 Metamodernism: Seeing the Pattern of Perspectives 34:28 Christ as the Aim of Sacred History 48:13 "Christ" as Expanding Consciousness 54:10 Idols vs. Icons: The Death and Resurrection of "God" 1:00:19 Metamodern Informed Naivete 1:03:07 Forking the Lightning of God