Ep. 1 - Awakening from the Meaning Crisis - Introduction

New videos released every Friday.
List of Books in the Video:
•Michael Anderson - After Phrenology: Neural Reuse and the Interactive Brain
•Barry Boyce (Editor) - The Mindfulness Revolution: Leading Psychologists, Scientists, Artists, and Meditation Teachers on the Power of Mindfulness in Daily Life
•Andy Clark - Natural-Born Cyborgs: Minds, Technologies, and the Future of Human Intelligence
•Michel Ferrari and Nic Weststrate (Editors) - The Scientific Study of Personal Wisdom: From Contemplative Traditions to Neuroscience
•Harry Frankfurt - On Bullsh*t
•David Lewis-Williams - The Mind in the Cave: Consciousness and the Origins of Art
•L. A. Paul - Transformative Experience
•Massimo Pigliucci - How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life
•Matt Rossano - Supernatural Selection: How Religion Evolved
•Daniel Siegel - Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation
•Steve Taylor - Waking From Sleep: Why Awakening Experiences Occur and How to Make Them Permanent
•John Vervaeke, Christopher Mastropietro, and Filip Miscevic - Zombies in Western Culture: A Twenty-First Century Crisis
•Michael Winkelman - Shamanism: A Biopsychosocial Paradigm of Consciousness and Healing
•Susan Wolf - Meaning in Life and Why It Matters
Series Playlist: • Awakening from the Mea...
Facebook: / vervaeke.john
Twitter: / vervaeke_john
First episode of Dr. John Vervaeke's Awakening from the Meaning Crisis.

[@rawasmhd]

When you strike gold in the Mines of KZbin.. It's rare and an ecstatic experience.

[@wisemindz7771]

How amazing is it when you stumble across a series and think yes, this is food for the soul.

[@SapientEudaimonia]

Yesss!

[@philmessina476]

Yes, indeed. I'm back one year later, after doing my best to work through these lectures "carefully and rigorously" last year. I'm ready to revisit this entire series again. Let's get this.

[@foresttrucking]

I agree. Is there anything else you would personally recommend? I am always on the lookout for good material.

[@santosfelipe13]

Amazing. These concepts opened such a big new space for me. Watching it for the second time is even more insightful

[@tobyharper7577]

Coming to this from Lex Fridman, thank you to everyone who listens to this kind of thing, these times are so difficult on so many levels but it is discussions and peoples interest in things like this that gives me hope.

[@frederik188]

Same here. First video was very interesting already. Looking forward to the ones ahead. 😀

[@juliehall3581]

Agree. I’m obsessed with the course. I’m listening to each one at least 2-3 times.

[@brucewade7719]

Same.

[@freeda4100]

Yes me too Lex is a beautiful soul.

[@psibarpsi]

@@freeda4100 +1

[@michealhuver3043]

Ignorance is a lack of knowledge, foolishness is a lack of wisdom - that hit me

[@shermanhoman5984]

First pass: I'm doing things around the house, listening on headphones. Second pass: Still listening on headphones, sitting still, taking notes.

[@protestanttoorthodox3625]

"I can't be unbiased that's not a thing." LOL the honesty is refreshing

[@willieearles3151]

I always enjoy when people acknowledge that being unbiased is impossible.

[@jenniferbrantley5931]

I loved this too!. My undergraduate mentor, who taught us Plato, walked us down these paths… RIP Dr. Ethan Fishman.

[@aellsworth5050]

The deeper I get into these videos, the more convinced I become that they represent one of the greatest resources and public goods available to people, and remain relevant for any age. For anybody who has struggled with the Meaning Crisis, the lethargy, aimlessness, or frustration of depression, a pointless job, or chronically experienced pathology of any intensity - you can appreciate the sheer amount of lost ‘productive’ people hours, and the future ones that are at stake. Without reducing it to pure utilitarianism, think simply of the consequences of the compounding effects of knowing this when you’re 30 vs when you’re 40; a life sidetracked even temporarily by aimlessness and despair has a cost that we are often at a loss to accurately quantify, but if it is already enormous in an individual life, it is pure tragedy when added up among the many it affects, not to mention the complimentary effects that are lost by having many people committed to their own self-actualization available to network and cooperate together. This compilation should be considered Nobel-level stuff, IMHO. Thank you, Mr. Vervaeke. (Though, on the other hand, if everybody suddenly became bullshit-proof, the entire economy might collapse, but that’s another story…)

[@matthewparlato5626]

Yep

[@buildar8434]

As someone suffering from meaning crisis. What steps does one have

[@matthewparlato5626]

@Sachin S read the books. Watch this series. Follow this "Little Corner of the internet". Get out into a church or community that is open to this type of dialogues and its substance. After that, Love and quest after Wonder.

[@5hydroxyT]

"Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced"

[@AktivistMusik]

It's unbelievable that we have access to these "wells" of wisdom at the click of a button. For free!!!!! What!!!!!!?????

[@underthefigtree9524]

Exactly! I’m so grateful for that. The possibilities for growth and learning are really mind-boggling.

[@raymondsiu2688]

Seriously.. right at your finger tips literally

[@miladdjavanmard3065]

And uoft students pay 10k a year for this

[@gb4375]

Agreed!! These geniuses available for free is the best part of the pandemic by far.

[@mz4637]

yessss sell all your information to china. Free indeed hehehe

[@ChocolateJewels]

And I’m ecstatic that Jordan Peterson made me aware of you! Deeply grateful.

[@thegoodthebadandtheugly579]

Same here. My new favourite.

[@jamisonbonds9757]

Gurrrrllll - same, gurll.

[@gustavoracho1]

Same here

[@kassy677778]

They did a show together recently. Made my brain hurt but it was amazing.

[@mikedevine3984]

@@melodydabmore it made me feel so dumb i didnt know i was feeling dumb lol

[@jakubeden]

Dear Prof. Vervaeke I've listened to whole series 6 months ago and it completely undermined my "bubble of ignorance". I am 20 years old and I felt as if my fundamental beliefs and ways of perception has been changed, but it was too much information overload for me to vitaly absorb everything and make a organized whole of it and I rather felt into kind of chaos conflicting worldviews. But I am going through all the lectures again bit by bit with notebook, writing down core concepts, reflecting and integrating. Thank you SO MUCH for your work, you have my unspeakable admiration. This has been the most "awe inspiring" series I've ever listened too. Greetings from Czech Republic With gratitude Jakub

[@eun-jaehwang3061]

I'm feeling that now. I'm afraid that I suddenly feel uneasy these days and anxious of the question that "what if the knowledge is the problem?". Is it better now? I also find it difficult to talk about it with other people and get helps.

[@eun-jaehwang3061]

I don't know whether the constant feeling of chaos is the cause.

[@eun-jaehwang3061]

Is there really an answer to the problem?

[@nicholibaldron8171]

Book List: 1:21 - The Mindfulness Revolution by Boyce 2:15 - The Scientific Study of Personal Wisdom by Ferrari & Weststrate 2:32 - How To Be a Stoic by Pigliucci 4:26 - Meaning in Life by Wolf 4:58 - Transformative Experience by Paul 6:43 - Zombies in Western Culture by Vervaeke, Mastropietro & Miscevic 7:07 - On Bullshit by Frankfurt 31:06 - Supernatural Selection by Rossano 36:38 - Mindsight by Siegel 39:55 - After Phrenology by Anderson 42:53 - Shamanism (2nd edition) by Winkelman 44:27 - The Mind In The Cave by Lewis-Williams 45:30 - Natural-Born Cyborgs by Clark 51:00 - Waking From Sleep by Taylor This is a great lecture, and his high energy/enthusiasm makes it easy to follow along. He knows where to punctuate his points, and where to offer analogies to strengthen understanding. This man is one of the great professors.

[@becknamitth]

Nicholi Baldron yes, thank you, but what is the piano tune in the beginning called?

[@matiapolano1552]

Thanks for listing all these!

[@WezzelTV]

Alex Gustafson: Erik Satie - Gymnopédie No.1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/iV67nmqpbsp6rrc

[@SapientEudaimonia]

Thanks for these lists! Very helpful. :-)

[@laurensdesmet70]

Thanks for the timestamps. However, The Mind In The Cave is by David Lewis-Williams. Thames & Hudson is the publisher :)

[@p00kaah]

I cannot thank you enough! Nothing has excited me as much as this for many years. It's like having Carl Jung, Joseph Campbell, Alan Watts and a dash of Carl Sagan all together.

[@beluga2841]

On point!

[@OZMus]

Marshall McLuhan, Noam Chomsky, and Graham Hancock :P

[@Jerzius]

Absolutely!

[@fabricedemonaco6886]

tarot - Liber T pdf

[@paulhardin9731]

The Unified Field Theory of Meaning. That's a big claim. I'm looking forward to the journey through these videos to see if they live up to the claim.

[@SanjuroSan]

Just came here from your JBP conversation. *cracks open a drink and takes out a notebook* If you see this message John, your introducing Peterson to the difference of propositional and participatory helped me so much to make a huge breakthrough in my perspectives. I have been stuck where Jordan seemed stuck and, in my case, coping with my own feelings towards God eality. I was so happy to now have a new way to view what I was wrestling with that aligned so many things that seemed to be at odds. For that alone, thank you thank you thank you thank you! I feel more confident than ever about teaching my son about the world and to continue my journey of understanding. Time to start your series from the beginning.

[@theeskatelife]

what are you going to do with your notes??

[@yungavelle]

I'm still a little hung up on the difference. And I had to stop the JBP interview halfway and just come here to see Dr. Verveaka finish his thoughts because I felt there was a breakthrough in there somewhere. Please share what you found out brother? If you'd like 😊

[@CharlesGorrie]

Just came from the chat with Peterson. Deeply interesting.

[@cooljerk4362]

same her just now

[@TheWhitehiker]

Dont follow you, it's a bit vague.

[@tomato8ish]

I have no idea what Jordan's motivation was having you on his podcast, but the fact that he did not let you speak inspired me to listen to your work. Your patience and levelheadedness despite being cutoff and dismissed was inspiring.

[@LilyWillow22]

What was the reason he did not let him speak?

[@tomato8ish]

@@LilyWillow22 I listened to JBP's podcast with John months ago, but i think it comes down to ideological differences and the fact that they were colleagues at U of T's psych department.

[@shaunokane9600]

I noticed that too, I do think the title JBP gave it was spectacle orientated and far too tailored towards his income stream rather than helping anyone. It's certainly inspired me to check out this lecture series and whilst I'm not going to make any judgments before finishing it... it already seems significantly more authentic as a message and wow such a wholesome comment section! I look forward to making my mind up.

[@anatolrocke]

they are friends and former colleagues

[@jacobroper6276]

​@@shaunokane9600 A much more charitable reason that Jordan was interrupting John was Jordan's extreme enthusiasm to be talking to his friend - which you can plainly hear in the tone of Jordan's voice. Further, Jordan's career as a clinical psychologist was all about "helping people." I don't think he's so disinclined towards helping others.

[@cashflow3465]

WOW when Mr. Vervacke described how the shaman became the deer I got goose bumps. I am retired, but in my job in tool & die they would often bring me in to diagnose a machine that was malfunctioning. I know it sounds crazy but if I could feel/become the machine. I could see in my mind why the machine could behave in the manner it was. Never heard anyone describe the feeling so well.

[@stevegee9087]

Hey there. I totally get what you are saying! I recommend searching for John et al's work on how the Mars Rover "drivers" inhabit the machine. It's a trip! Talk about proprioception to the nth level!

[@avilash2383]

Wow… it never ceases to amaze me how all this knowledge is free. Thank you sir!!

[@ADPax10]

Old Wisdom* =)

[@somesecret]

You had me at Gymnopédies. Really looking forward to this series. Thank you, Mr. Vervaeke.

[@D3ADSY]

Thanks you for this comment. I was wondering what the intro music was, and now I know! :)

[@maroamr3203]

Me too, excellent choice

[@theyoungstriker]

That caught my ear as well. Beautiful piece. Great comment BSYMKR.

[@VaughanMcCue]

The umbrella collector Erik Sati

[@sebastiangheorghiu4751]

This is the type of stuff thats constantly looping in my head and the future of our society. Most of the time I feel like I am the only one whos thinking about this stuff and I constantly get depressed because I feel like I am alone. I also know there are social and worldly hints and I see patterns. All this is supernatural and interconnected somehow. But if you mute the bullshit, sit silently and listen to the world, your eyes will open and you will see. Thank you for making these series.

[@Bryan61sk8]

I feel this way also. I try to engage these type of ideas or even realities of today's world with coworkers it's family and no one has interest. Most doubt realities and only look forward to the next iphone update. They will be the first to tell me false information they vaguely read on Facebook that was written or started by a non media source and 9/10 is incorrect when doing a simple google search of said information. So quickly to accept lies as truths without researching yet deny ideas or realities of the lie they believe backed by scientists, scholar's, researchers, ect. I feel you... Alone or a dying breed. I want to know how we all work, why we work and how long we will work. Where we are going and so forth. Technology is a double edged sword and it now looks like we are here to bring the A.I to robots and merge with the 2. I don't like it one bit. And being alone watching these technology ideas of transhumanism while not fully understanding is as people yet wanting to push evolution in man's way rather than nature's just sounds stupid.

[@reosato9541]

I hope your interest in such ideas takes you to amazing places, Sebastian

[@athiefinthenight6894]

Preach

[@elizabethkirkham7732]

I feel similar. I constantly wish for other humans to engage in these types of conversations with. Most people I know and meet, seem unwilling, or unable, to "go there". So I continue to find this kind of joy and stimulation online. So thankful for the amazing content being shared! I enjoy it and it means I'm not alone.

[@bbronko1]

@@elizabethkirkham7732 I'm the same way, these dudes on youtube (mostly Jordan Peterson) pulled me out of my own meaning crisis. Now I'm on the path of self improvement and studying that they set me on, Spending most of my free time reading books or watching things like this on youtube, but I've no one to share it with. It seems people are afraid of the hard questions, or finding out more about who and what they/we are, but the lack of answers or real attempts to address the hard problems has always tortured me. Jordan's prevalence online, and the other people in this comment section shows that its not an uncommon situation, but we philosophers seem to be doing a bad job of finding each other in the offline world. For now I have Dostoevsky and Neitzche, who understand me better than any of the people I see on a regular basis.

[@alisaruddell3484]

Coming back to episode 1 after listening my way through the whole series! It’s so good! This might need to be an annual ritual for me.

[@matthewparlato5626]

Im on round 3....lets go

[@hankbadfinger2780]

I've come back for my second gaze into the sacred also.....what a brilliant series

[@FrankDracula_]

Hey Alisa, John and Lex Fridman just released a great podcast on Lex's channel, you should check it out!

[@alisaruddell3484]

I was just listening to it last night-so good! I’m thrilled to see John’s ideas reach so many people.

[@songofthetrees579]

@@FrankDracula_ I'm here because of that podcast!

[@lukesode]

Jordan Peterson sent me here. - Thanks John for making this available publicly!

[@timtakacs4534]

As a U of T alumni and former student of Prof. Vervaeke, I cannot express how glad I am that Prof. Vervaeke has moved and continues to move into this space.

[@cartergomez5390]

Where is u of t located?

[@akhidhabi6346]

@@cartergomez5390University of Toronto

[@goyo0620]

Wow. Really thought Third Eye Drops podcast was overselling this series. 59 mins felt like 15 and I've got chills. This is how you lecture. Especially with a topic that can be terrifying yet uniquely bland and boring. I love it but if you play this type of video for a friend they are like zzzzz. His energy is great and you can tell he's not just teaching some shit he memorized in some monotone lecture but he feels what he's saying. Passion, that's the word.

[@Itssleepaviation]

Dear John, after having listened to 50 hours, I feel close enough to call you by your first name. You have been a great influence in my life and I am grateful that you made these videos available to everyone here. May all your wishes come true. You have a follower in me for life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. ❤

[@GingerDrums]

What an incredible thing this democratisation of academia is. Thank you for your sincere efforts to excavate these difficult topics, what a fantastic process it is to be involved in!

[@GingerDrums]

hey andrew, its surely many things, but I dont think democratisation is ruled out here. its unlikely to be either or.

[@matthafer2415]

Fifth time is a charm. One episode at a time, nice and slow, taking notes...

[@adammontgomery5532]

Just starting out (thanks, Rebel Wisdom!) - a half-hour in and I feel like I'm embarking on a unique adventure...

[@karin6927]

Thanks John and hello everyone, I decided to write a VOCABULARY after the 30th. video. It is getting more abstract and difficult to understand. Some concepts of the vocabulary don´t have its definition because they are mentioned, but not explained; those will on further videos. Nevertheless you can already search them and be more prepared for next videos. I will make more dynamic my posts, adding more material. I was wondering abour self-transcendence in such a violent world. I think we are connected in a way that doesn´t make sense for our survival and it induces different mental states like depression, drug abuse, suicides, etc. Of course, As you said, John! There is a historical evolution of this meaning crisis and self-destructive practices. On the other hand, I find very selfish to only focuse on myself and stay there. I disagree with the system that we have created and I am thinking to build a commune. This video is a summary of the series but not my post. Many terms will be explained later. I encourage you to contribute to this post and add new elements, analysis, arguments, related writers and reviews of the books for a deeper understanding. This video is about a summary of the next videos and The Upper Paleolithic Transition (25:50) from a social cognitive perspective and a Introduction to Shamanism. KEY WORDS: Upper Paleolithic Transition - Rituals - Psychotecnologies - Introduction to Shamanism VOCABULARY: 1. Buddhism: religion 2. Stoicism: philosophy 3. Psychodelics: it is a drug that causes thought and visual/auditory changes and altered state of consciousness via serotonin receptor agonism (agonists for the 5-HT2A serotonin receptors) include LSD (also known as "acid"), psilocin (the active constituent of psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as "magic mushrooms" or "shrooms"), mescaline (the active constituent of peyote), and DMT (the active constituent of ayahuasca and an endogenous compound produced in the human body. 4. Contentedness: 5: Meaning: 6. Transformative Experience or quatum change: it is a radical transformation of life. 7. Mystical Experience: it is a spiritual experience that is a subjective experience which is interpreted within a sacred or religious framework. 8. Mental Health Crisis: Increasing of depression, loneliness, suicides. 9. Nihilism 10. Cynicism: 11. Futility: pointlessness or uselessness. 12. Wisdom: it is about realizing in both senses of the word, becoming aware and making real, it is about realizing meaning in life in a profound way. 13. Self-trascendence: 14. Altered states of consciousness: 15. Shamanism: it is a cultivated practice for altering states of consciousness, enhancing indsights and the ability to manipulate and control mental and emotional states. This set of disruptive and attentional practices are designed to disrupt everyday framing in insight and mindsight ways, triggering the placebo effect that can improve cognition. 16. The Flow State or "the zone": 17. Awakening experience: it is a subset of mystical experiences, in which a person comes back and says "I need to change my world. 18. Enlightenment: 19. Endimicity: condition regularly found among particular people or in a certain area. 20. Ignorance: It is a lack of knowledge 21. Foolishness: it is a lack of wisdom. When your capacity to engage your agency and to pursue your goals are undermined and threatened by the self-deception and self-destructive behavior. That is like a perennial vulnerability to cognition. 22. Absurdity: 23. Alienation: 24. Meaninglessness 25. Mindsight: it is the ability to pick up on other people´s mental states, developing the ability to pic up on the own mental states; it is going to be part of the origin of metacognition and mindfulness. 26. Trade Rituals: 27. Metacognition 28. Mindfulness 29. Initiation Rituals: Rituales that are designed to show right our commitmment to the group. 30. Exaptation: it is an evolutionary mechanism in biological terms in which a structure was made for a purpose and is able to exact it and use it for another. For example, the tongue wasn´t made to speak. 31, Shamanic rituals 32. Archetypal Figure: Term related to collective unconscious of Carl Jung´s Theory. 33. Psychotechnology: it can fit the brain and enhance the software of your cognitive machinery, for example: literacy helps to standardize a set of tools to process information, Shamanism is also a psychotechnology. 34. Natural-Born-Cyborg: Humans has the ability to turn things into tools. It means the brain can exapt things. 35. Participatory knowing: 36. Salience 37. Relevance 38. Things can make you adaptive o self deceptive 39. How to reframe (reality): Going outside the box, Altering attention, Changing perspective and what´s salient and relevant for a person. 40: Placebo effect. 41. Shaman: Person who can do insight and mindsight through disruptive and attentional practices, that becomes rituals; with the purpose to find patterns in the world. That enhances the capacity for cogniton. 42. Participatory Knowing: IMPORTANT: Connection of Meaning making, altered States of Consciousness and enhanced capacity to be in touch with the world; and what is the connection with wisdom. LIST OF BOOKS (accoding to the sequence of the video) 1. Boyce, Barry (editor). The mindfulness revolution: leading psychologists, scientists, artists and meditation teachers on the power of mindfulness in daily life. 2. Ferrari, Michel. The scientific study of personal wisdom: from contemplative traditions to neuroscience: 3. Pigliucci, Massimo. How to be stoic: using ancient philosophy to live a modern life 4. Wolf, Susan. Meaning in life: and why it matters. 5. Paul, L. A. Transformative experience. 6. Verveake, Mastropietro & Miscevic. Zombies in Western Culture; twenty-first century crisis. 7. Frankfurt, Harry G. On Bullshit. 8. Rossano, Matt. Supernatural selection: how religion evolved. 9. Anderson, Michael L. After phrenology: neural reuse and the interactive brain 10. Winkelman, Michael. Shamanism: a biopsychosocial paradigm of consciousness and healing. 11. Lewis-Williams, David. The mind in the cave: consciousness and the origin of art. 12. Siegel, Daniel. Mindsight: the new science of personal transformation 13. Clark, Andy. Natural-born cyborgs: minds, technologies and the future of human intelligence. 14. Taylor, Steve. Walking from sleep: why awakening experiences occur and how to make them permanent.

[@planeofinertia7433]

Thanks for your efforts. ...yet what is a list without 'Terrance Mckenna's contributions? Peace ~Inertia "This is the shamanic dance in the waterfall. This is how magic is done. By hurling yourself into the abyss and discovering it's a feather bed.” ― Terence McKenna

[@alkisbarbas]

Thank you for this effort. Especially the terminology, you have caught things I didn't even notice.

[@leoarnstein9444]

Thanks for this. You should add the ‘Upper Palaeolithic Transition’.

[@karin6927]

@@planeofinertia7433 Thanks for your post. Well, this list is about this video but I would find cool to expand this post. Could you write more about such contributions?

[@karin6927]

@@alkisbarbas Thanks, that is why I am doing this vocabulary because many terms will appear in different videos to the point that you can't understand what John is talking about, then I thought to share it.

[@LordfizzwigitIII]

Brought here by Sisyphus55. Glad this series is here, looking forward to digesting it.

[@samhQC]

I found this very interesting. It's a striking idea that being around so many strangers is unnatural and requires much cultural infrastructure to make it stable.

[@vicaba02]

Wonderful. I am currently at episode 25. It has been a long and hard way thorough half of the material, but I am starting to feel and act out the changes in my perspective and participation in the world, as well as a change in what things and how things are relevant to me. I also happen to be a professor at the university teaching technology-related material, and I am starting to change the way I teach thanks to John. The flow state is more readily available to me by mirroring John's passion. The way John teaches is a transformative experience by itself, and I can feel the humbleness and compassion in his words.

[@fluxpistol3608]

This speaks so true to my entire life atm. How? I’m not even in the same country & yet every key word you use. I’ve stated at one point or another. Feel like I’m stuck unable to fight against this current of culture that doesn’t seem to go anywhere. Trapped. Watching zombies. There’s no use fighting against it either. If you point it out. The zombies turn on you. Tired of it all. Empty conversations. Empty relationships. Being treated like an object & punished socially if I dare think for myself out loud. Friends determined to ruin my life if I don’t obey. I can go on. I feel like I’m the only one that notices the world has gone completely mad, people are barely conscious. I feel as though I live in 1984. Life is a living hell, this is not a happiness centric culture.

[@technokicksyourass]

You described the twitterverse perfectly!

[@kevin4680]

My favorite thing about science/philosophy, it's in the business of arguments not absolute truths.

[@HeyLiem]

I heard about episode one from a Jordan Peterson tweet, but I stayed because the quality and presentation were great, unique, and interesting. The speaker has an Apocalyptic seriousness then goes back to the dawn of mankind to start the class, that's an intriguing scope. Shamanism using the placebo effect for a productive purpose is new to me, my first exposure to this concept being this episode one. I need to try the Connect the dots with four lines test on my friends. I was having trouble seeing what was written on the whiteboard, on my iPhone. Thanks for a great episode one!

[@middleofnowhere1313]

Politics are corrupt, values are cast aside, community is lost, interactions are contentious. It would drive anyone mad. People need meaning in life and community bonds. Someone, something, has to be trustworthy. So we seek anything to bring life back into balance.

[@GlobeHackers]

One of my all-time favorite lecture series. I'm going through it again. I'm also proud to share it. I miss Joseph Campbell, and it's wonderful that there are always people bringing knowledge to us through new communication platforms. Wisdom is indeed required. Technology without wisdom brings more challenges brought about by unintended consequences and negative externalities. It seems to me that wisdom is a loving thing.

[@sduffy9766]

It took me a full year to watch this series right through. I'm now starting it for a second time. Thank you John

[@vettevegas8549]

Your patience with Jordan was awesome. He's almost back to 100%. When he finally relaxes again he will be. Thank you for that. My two favorite researchers of the frontier. You should teach him Tai Chi. What a blessing.

[@TheQuentinExperiment]

Got to episode 26 and realized i needed to start over and pay closer attention in order to absorb this message entirely. Its beyond worth it. Here we go!

[@RobinTurner]

Haha, me too. At least you turned back half way - I got into the 40s before realising I was out of my depth.

[@dannyjquinn880]

I came here from Rebel Wisdom. I look forward to the series. Thanks

[@therapturedmichelle]

THANK YOU!!!! omg.... Speechless.

[@TheKeyToKnowledge]

The profound generosity of teaching that is so inherent in humans is strong in you. Your clarity of communication, and ability to induce "mindsight" in your audience is incredible and a mark of a great teacher. I am young, still cultivating this skill, but in my eyes quite good at it too. I would love a dialogue; conversation between people, even strangers, adept at that skill resembles telepathy, and is incredibly fulfilling to everyone involved and watching.

[@ASMRGRATITUDE]

I assumed that this was filmed recently in the last few weeks. When I checked the description and found out that this was filmed pre covid I was really shocked. I really appreciate how this material is being presented. Thank you.

[@patscheible5140]

COVID has awakened me to the subtle workings of Evil. As an introvert, former molecular biologist, and somewhat somnolent Christian, Evil was not on my radar. COVID changed that. A fortunately mild vaccine injury woke me up. The pervasive corruption I now see appalls and disheartens me, it’s unfathomable, and I’m at a loss as to what I need to do. Still working on that. If anyone can connect me with Francis Collins, I’d very much appreciate it. Thanks.

[@GrapplingwithReality]

It has been very interesting being raised in the United States Catholic by older parents from the baby boomer generation. I am 24 now and I have had the meaning crisis unfold within my own life and struggled to make sense of it until discovering the work of people like Jordan Peterson and John Vervaeke. The collapse of my faith in God, my stable worldview, left me both numb and exposed. I became wildly interested in both cognitive science and Buddhism after succumbing to the nihilism of our times and am still drawn to this material despite the amount of time I have spent with it. Absolutely fascinating stuff and I am so glad to have the opportunity John is presenting us with here. Thank you and I look forward to discussing this material with everyone in these comments

[@azteacher26]

I'm older than you but also an american catholic with boomer parents. I was liberal most of my life, then libertarian for maybe 2 years and now I'm alt right. r/debatealtright.

[@billmartins6555]

That's right. You grew up to witness the tradition that binded your people be destroyed. Having lost your way, you wandered with the hunger for a place in the story of your people. But what did you find? The death cult that destroyed your culture only offered you a place among the dead. No knowledge will save you. No ideology will fix the atomism. Only reconnecting and embracing your people in the real world will restore life.

[@watermelontreeofknowledge8682]

You should watch Jonathan Pageau’s channel. I think you seeking out Buddhism is a consequence of a lack of symbolism in your faith. Also Aquinas-read some Aquinas, he’s another perspective that has an incredibly interesting interplay with Jung several hundred years later

[@GrapplingwithReality]

@@watermelontreeofknowledge8682 I am a huge Jonathon Pageau fan as well. I really do not think that me seeking Buddhism has anything to do with a lack of symbolism but is a pursuit of the psychotechnology of meditation. I would like to get to the Christian mystics some time soon as I think they more properly weight the import of contemplative silence in their spiritual practice, something that seems to be lost to most "Christians". As for developing my Faith, Kierkegaard has been a great conversation partner as of late and my daily practice has had more of impact than anything else

[@billmartins6555]

@@GrapplingwithReality and what does Kierkegaard tell you? That you cannot even have a self until you are committed unconditionally to something.

[@antoniobarbalau1107]

God this is beyond brilliant. It'a a miracle that someone put all this together. Thank you prof. Vervaeke ♥️ we are forever in debt to you

[@l.b.1952]

A random person on an online forum referred to this a few years ago, and now I am here and ready to watch all episodes

[@clearstoryimaging]

50 seconds into Ep. 1. First time listening to John, aside from his JP appearance. At a particularly low point in my life and currently struggling to find meaning. Leaving this comment for myself, as something to hopefully come back to after finishing the 50 hour journey through this series.

[@fajitas2202]

How are you doing?

[@waynemcmillan5970]

At last an academic who has drawn together evidence and analyses the meaning crisis from a multi-disciplinary perspective. His work is path breaking. He may not have viable solutions to the crisis but at least he is heading in the right direction.

[@williammaxwell2239]

Check out Integral Perspective. Ken Wilber is a prominent representative, presenter of Intergral Perspective.

[@lockedfn-subpls]

I'm back for a second viewing of the series to firm up on the details. Thank you for sharing all these clear, profound and contemporary ideas. I have no psycology background and your content is very accessible.

[@Lascts25]

Michael OConnor me too.... I have a feeling it might take more than just two passes

[@ThinkBigAnimation]

I can tell this is going to be a great series. Can't wait for the rest!

[@iurysl]

I was interested by you in the convoluted conversation with Jordan. I am going to watch the next video.

[@Ken_Churchill]

The video has been categorised as "entertainment" perhaps because ideas that stimulate the mind are indeed entertaining in a profound and satisfying way.

[@dtrfgr]

Onboard so far. And please don't pull the use of technical jargon. As Peterson discovered, the people tuning in are a lot smarter than we've been given credit for and we're here to learn more.

[@VOLTDOGmusic]

Awesome, thank you very much. The addition of the book cover pictures was great.

[@xwindor]

Wow! I'm so excited to see new stuff here, I'll be watching when I get home, thank you!!!

[@michaelhjerth3564]

What a good teacher!

[@OzzieCoto]

Mr. Vervaeke words are insufficient to express my gratitude for you and your colleagues life’s work. I just took in this first lecture and I am thrilled and moved by what I have just experienced. Thank you for your kindness

[@scottdunbar5155]

I've been pretty familiar with these concepts most of my life but I really kind of needed to be reminded during tough times. I'm not alone in that I've had a rough go of it over the winter and this is a great prompt to re center and move forward. Thank you.

[@DNA912]

Only 4 mins into the video. And I can already tell that this series is going to be amazing to go through.

[@OfCourseICan]

What a series, after 4 or so weeks, I'm just entering into my second reading. So grateful, this should be taught at schools.

[@ricochetsixtyten]

The passion with which you talk about these subjects is so enchanting and is rare these days, you really love what you do, thats the reason for learning, to marvel at the world!

[@slavamicic]

Going through this series a second time! Thank you for sharing your wisdom.

[@milliern]

This is an impressive framing of an immensely important topic. Heck of a fascinating and awe-inspiring start to the series. I’m excited for subsequent talks.

[@chad8537]

I love it when people express themselves enthusiastically! So much more of an impact. Thank you!

[@cattoes1609]

23:30- I am moved to tears as I feel so welcomed. Thank you for creating this and inviting me to the journey.

[@RobinTurner]

I got as far as about episode 45 then realised I needed to go back to the beginning and refresh my knowledge of the basic concepts. Don't whizz through the early episodes, folks - careful listening pays off.

[@Hooz97]

This needs way Way more views. I am very excited for the other videos. Thank you for your precision and directedness. It's refreshing to have a teacher beginning at the point of- let's make this practical and useful. This work is very .. meaningful!

[@stargirlswaggar]

I seek and I found♥️ thanks for making this series. It's not everyday I find something I not only can relate to but also understand!

[@Followthelogos]

Hello dr vervaeke I would like to share my brief life story in hopes you see it, I grew up in the cult known as Jehovah witnesses, after finally detaching myself from the organization I found myself spiritually lost. I found little hope in politics and my passions seemed empty I had lost my spiritual home. Then I fell on psychology. This gave me the clarity needed to begin to understand myself and others around me. Through this I found Jordan Peterson and through his podcast you…. And in turn the awakening to the meaning crisis, this very episode. I have now gone through this entire series twice ( I have adhd it’s really hard to Grasp things) and I have now gone through episodes 123 after socrates twice in a row and am implementing your meditation practice daily. I just wanted you to know that through your teachings of relevance realization and how we form the world around us snd make it our home, you have given me a home when I was lost and I am forever in your debt for that knowledge. Keep doing this life changing work and I will keep following you on the journey.

[@xMartyZz]

I found out about you, and this series in particular, from Jordan Peterson's podcast and I am so grateful for it. This episode gripped me deeply and I look forward to watching the next 50. Thank you so much for doing this.

[@robertorojnic4370]

Great video! Absolutely love it. Kudos to Dr. Vervaeke!

[@nodakrome]

Amazing. I'm so glad I subscribed to you all those months ago!

[@derectumart4684]

I am 25 episodes in and your series is literally and actively shaping my thought. Thank you so much for putting this together. I am convinced that I will be a different person on the other side. You have my greatest respect and admiration and now I'm annoying everyone I know about how they should listen to this.

[@timyoung4083]

I saw the intro to this series yesterday, so hyped to see the first episode up today!

[@ChangeTruth]

John that was awesome! I can't wait to watch the whole series. Great job.

[@jessicarussell878]

That was absolutely incredible. I feel as though my brain has been soaked with the most wonderful information. I am so excited to think about what has been said. Even more so to enjoy the rest of the series. Thankyou doesn’t even cover it

[@ThePeachteats]

40:07 Especially a cat. JP was my gateway drug for your realizations, so glad I have come across you. thanks heaps!

[@sebastiangaete2639]

I can't believe I hadn't watched this before! Completely convergent with my work. Thanks John!

[@yokoharu]

"Real horror is when your grip on reality is being undermined". Thirty minutes later, he proceeds to illustrate the consequences of having literacy ripped from your mind. The horror I felt required I pause the video and recover before proceeding.

[@SennyMarshall]

Just arrived here from the JP podcast, this stuff is solid gold. The idea of the opportunity to pivot away from the 'victory game' and into a dance flow state when in combat was just amazing! Thanks for the content John!

[@zootykins]

Really enjoying the series so far, thank you so much for uploading and making your ideas accessible to the public

[@guixav3]

This is an amazing lecture. Looking forward to the rest!

[@thegodofwar3744]

Draw a metaphor in your mind, keep it, hold it (must be a peaceful one), and draw symbols in the sand and catch a wave while it's fresh in your mind. Send it a la gravitas. I don't do it often at all honest, but when I do ....

[@alexkorabov101]

Amazing work professor... This is what we needed.

[@camdencapps6894]

Every time I rewatch this I gain a new insight that’s how you know it’s a classic

[@jamesscott2605]

The meaning of life is simple. It took me years to find it, it became revealed to me at the lowest point in my life. An old timer told me, “son, we are not human beings seeking for a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings experiencing an human experience”. We can only find wholeness and meaningful lifestyle that consist of spiritual principles, and doing our best to each day to practice them and apply them. Things like, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, service, humility, and self control. You never have to teach a child how to lie or steal, but you do have to teach him to share and be kind and to be honest as much as possible. There is something to that, we naturally choose unspiritual ways of living. Remeber yall! Your Ego is not your amigo!!!

[@justinfreiburger1918]

I'm glad I found this before it gets monetized. I'm not against you monetizing. You're sharing gold. Great lecture made even better without interruptions though. I also appreciate the list of books mentioned in the video description which is something you surprisingly don't see much from academics on youtube. Keep up the good work

[@vidzkid76]

I have found the work of Ken Wilber vitally important with regard to this area of inquiry. His "Integral Theory" makes a lot of sense to me.

[@Bronco541]

I liked his appearances on podcasts but here I can see how he really shines as a teacher/professor.

[@nomadchad5733]

I’m also here from Lex, John you are a new hero of mine. Thank you so much for what you are doing. You are the antithesis to the throw-away, instant, simplified, self-help, hustle-porn culture. You are letting us know that it is far more complex, nuanced and deep than any of this which is a huge endeavour you have offered that seems to be driven by passion and true altruism.

[@robertc783]

much love. much gratitude. thank you.

[@zigyh]

Thank you very mutch for taking time to share all this with us, to be in your class, you open my mind with your videos. Greetings from Romania!

[@lacsativ1]

Respect

[@katharina5841]

!! I was enrolled in Cognitive Science in Toronto and dropped out my first year due to struggles rooted in a dissociative disorder. I am SO grateful to have found your channel, I had to do a lot of healing and feel like I missed out on Uni. I did about 10 years of solo psychedelics instead! (and Vedanta) I was out of body for years prior and experiencing fugue or lost time, many thanks for your uploads.

[@alecwelwood3642]

Really excited to see this series happening!

[@NOnerf97]

After a tough year this year, i have ended up feeling incredibly isolated and lonely, as a result of lots of family and friends disappearing in a very difficult time, I have continually told myself i must be over reacting because of the stress im under, to be so angry and feel so isolated when these people haven't hurt me or done anything directly to me, other then not being there at a difficult time. After listing to this i wonder if its because there is a human need to feel like part of you group / tribe, and myself knowing that these people were not able to accept any pain, for example - lose time, effort or miss out of things them selves to support my situation in any way, the result has separated me from the tribe i believed myself to be in. It makes a lot of sense, maybe i havnt been over reacting, maybe if people dont feel pain for you, you are alone in the world.

[@justinbirkholz7814]

Wow. Truly epic introduction. I can't wait to watch the rest of the series! I feel like this is a university level course that we get to watch for free. Thank you! 🙏

[@reverie4632]

Thank you for recording your lectures.

[@robertwrath8751]

This is one of the best lecture series I've found in life, thank you so much!

[@karinivertsen4778]

Thank you so very much for taking time to share all this with us. Imagine how much more energy is flowing when experiencing your lectures live- must be amazing! You truly rock, open and inspire my mind with your videos. Greetings from a Dane living in Switzerland!

[@AP-ob9pm]

So True

[@fraser_byrne]

Just starting on this series. This whole project seems so noble and well intended, thanks for putting it out there.

[@gorgius31]

I wanted to thank you for all the work you and your crew put into these videos. Thank you very much.