The Metagame

In this discussion, Romeo Stevens, co-founder of the Qualia Research Institute and founder of Mealsquares, shares his transformative journey of reducing neuroticism through yoga and community support. He emphasizes the importance of embracing discomfort as a pathway to personal growth while exploring the complex interplay of trauma and resilience. Romeo critiques traditional spiritual practices, advocating for a flexible approach to emotional healing and skill cultivation, all while examining the nuances of human preferences and the philosophy of virtue in societal contexts.

Douglas Tataryn, a long-time meditator and founder of the Bio-Emotive Framework, dives deep into emotional healing and self-discovery. He emphasizes the significance of emotional expression over intellectual processing for genuine healing. Using the inbox analogy, he explains how managing emotions promptly fosters well-being. Discussions on vulnerability reveal how feelings manifest physically, while insights into the Enneagram provide a unique lens into understanding oneself and others. Ultimately, Tataryn advocates for heartfelt communication as a transformative tool.

In this conversation with Stephen Zerfas, CEO of Jhourney, the discussion revolves around accessing specific meditative states known as jhanas through innovative methods. Zerfas shares how participants can enter profound emotional states in just 40 hours, making meditation more accessible than ever. The chat also covers the power of genuine smiles for emotional well-being, parallels between software debugging and personal growth, and how empathy can enhance relationships. Tune in to explore joy through meditation and personal transformation!

Soryu Forall, an ordained Zen Buddhist monk with extensive training across Asia, delves into the intersections of spirituality and technology. He discusses how spiritual awakening can alleviate suffering and critiques humanity's neglect of the consequences of its technological advances. Forall emphasizes the importance of compassion and wisdom in AI development, urging a new spiritual framework to navigate ethical dilemmas. He also explores how modern civilization contrasts with ancient ethical traditions, highlighting the need for clarity and integrity in a rapidly changing world.

Join Andrés Goméz-Emilsson, co-founder of the Qualia Research Institute and an expert in consciousness and neurotechnology, as he dives into the world of qualia and its impact on well-being. He shares insights on emotional processing and meditation techniques, highlighting how psychedelics can transform thought patterns. The discussion touches on neural annealing, the relationship between wisdom and knowledge, and the intriguing effects of Jhana meditation. Andrés also explores the brain's parallels with optical computation, providing a fascinating look at consciousness.

Join Michael Johnson, a philosopher and neuroscientist known for his groundbreaking work in consciousness studies, as he dives into the intriguing world of jhanas and awakening. He explores how language shapes reality and critiques traditional philosophy through Wittgenstein's lens. The conversation reveals the significance of reconnecting with nature to foster cognitive freedom. Johnson also discusses the transformative experiences of enlightenment, the brain's predictive abilities, and the fascinating connection between meditation and our physical states.

World philosopher Marc Gafni discusses First Principles and First Values, urging radical devotion to values amidst societal chaos. Topics include infinite games, embracing purity and sincerity, impact of exponential technologies, cosmo-erotic humanism, evolution of value concepts, and evolving relationships towards soulmates based on shared values.

Philosopher and neuroscientist Michael Johnson discusses qualia formalism, the symmetry theory of valence, and the connection between symmetry and harmony in relation to pleasure and cognition. They also explore somatic practices, creating harmony internally and externally, and building virtue in the nervous system. Additionally, they touch on the concept of major mind dump to improve productivity and Johnson's intellectually ambitious work in philosophy.

Steve Schlafman, a recovering venture capitalist turned professional transition coach, discusses the importance of tuning into our bodies and the power of listening to body signals. They share their own journey of quitting their job and finding their calling in coaching, emphasizing the significance of asking 'why' and optimizing for congruent interestingness. They explore concepts like life transitions, decision-making, the 'adjacent possible', and the role of fear in personal growth.

Wildman systems design expert Malcolm Ocean discusses undomesticated productivity, goal crafting, and intentionality-maxxing. Topics include trust dynamics in building stronger human connections, the importance of embodying wisdom and expanded design thinking, managing tasks as a spiritual discipline, letting go of intentions, finding rest amidst societal pressures, considerations in choosing a name, and defining goals without compromises.