Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Thank you for joining us LIVE for our monthly Silk Road Seminar.
In this second conversation, John Vervaeke is joined by James Matthew Wilson and D.C. Schindler for a live, unscripted dialogue exploring philosophy, theology, poetry, metaphysics, beauty, freedom, and the recovery of wisdom in contemporary life.
James Matthew Wilson is a poet, literary critic, and philosopher whose work explores the intersections of classical philosophy, theology, and aesthetics. He is the Cullen Foundation Chair in English Literature and the founding director of the MFA in Creative Writing at the University of St. Thomas. His writing engages questions of form, beauty, and the recovery of classical realism in contemporary thought.
D.C. Schindler is a philosopher and theologian known for his work on metaphysics, freedom, and the nature of reality. He is a professor at the John Paul II Institute and the author of numerous works exploring the relationship between truth, being, and the good. His thought draws deeply from Plato, Aristotle, and the Christian philosophical tradition.
Silk Road Seminars are live, exploratory dialogues where John engages leading thinkers across philosophy, theology, cognitive science, and contemplative traditions. These conversations unfold in real time through dia-logos, inviting us into deeper participation with the questions that shape human meaning, wisdom, and transformation.
This seminar, including the Q&A, is being streamed entirely on YouTube.
To join future live sessions and gain access to exclusive Q&As, sign up at the Gamma Tier or above on The Lectern:
lectern.teachable.com/p/lectern-lounge
University students, including doctoral students, receive free access.
Email proof of student identity to: ethan@vervaekefoundation.org
If you would like to support John’s work, please consider joining the Patreon:
patreon.com/johnvervaeke
Follow John Vervaeke:
johnvervaeke.com
youtube.com/@johnvervaeke
patreon.com/johnvervaeke
https://x.com/drjohnvervaeke
Thank you for joining us LIVE for our monthly Silk Road Seminar.
In this second conversation, John Vervaeke is joined by James Matthew Wilson and D.C. Schindler for a live, unscripted dialogue exploring philosophy, theology, poetry, metaphysics, beauty, freedom, and the recovery of wisdom in contemporary life.
James Matthew Wilson is a poet, literary critic, and philosopher whose work explores the intersections of classical philosophy, theology, and aesthetics. He is the Cullen Foundation Chair in English Literature and the founding director of the MFA in Creative Writing at the University of St. Thomas. His writing engages questions of form, beauty, and the recovery of classical realism in contemporary thought.
D.C. Schindler is a philosopher and theologian known for his work on metaphysics, freedom, and the nature of reality. He is a professor at the John Paul II Institute and the author of numerous works exploring the relationship between truth, being, and the good. His thought draws deeply from Plato, Aristotle, and the Christian philosophical tradition.
Silk Road Seminars are live, exploratory dialogues where John engages leading thinkers across philosophy, theology, cognitive science, and contemplative traditions. These conversations unfold in real time through dia-logos, inviting us into deeper participation with the questions that shape human meaning, wisdom, and transformation.
This seminar, including the Q&A, is being streamed entirely on YouTube.
To join future live sessions and gain access to exclusive Q&As, sign up at the Gamma Tier or above on The Lectern:
lectern.teachable.com/p/lectern-lounge
University students, including doctoral students, receive free access.
Email proof of student identity to: ethan@vervaekefoundation.org
If you would like to support John’s work, please consider joining the Patreon:
patreon.com/johnvervaeke
Follow John Vervaeke:
johnvervaeke.com
youtube.com/@johnvervaeke
patreon.com/johnvervaeke
https://x.com/drjohnvervaeke




![Exploring the Connection Between Wisdom, Love, and the Really Real
Elizabeth Oldfield is a writer, speaker, and advocate for intentional community living based in South London. Her work, including her book Fully Alive, explores the intersections of faith, culture, and ethics through a deeply personal lens.
In a world that often trivializes love and deep connections, how can we cultivate a life of wisdom, virtue, and transcendence amidst our finite existence and growing polarization?
Join John Vervaeke and Elizabeth Oldfield in a profound dialogue that explores these critical themes of human existence, drawing from Platonic to Christian thought and emphasizing the transformative power of dialogical reasoning, cognitive flexibility, and awe. Elizabeth Oldfield shares insights from her book Fully Alive, an Augustinian blend of autobiographical confession and psycho-spiritual reflection that highlights relational living and the transformative power of love. The conversation addresses the trivialization of love in modern culture and advocates for a deeper understanding while navigating the complexities of polarization in politics, the comparison between psychedelic and spiritual experiences, and the intrinsic value of community and wisdom traditions in achieving a virtuous life. Discover the necessity of grounding transformative experiences in communal practices for genuine personal and societal transformation in this thought-provoking discussion.
Support Johns groundbreaking work and gain exclusive access to live Q&A sessions, early video releases, and more by joining our Patreon community! https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke
Discover a profound exploration of love, wisdom, and the human soul in Elizabeth Oldfields upcoming book, Fully Alive: Tending to the Soul in Turbulent Times. https://www.amazon.com/Fully-Alive-Tending-Turbulent-Times/dp/1587436507
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“I can close my eyes now and know myself’s seen, and the deep knowing of the presence of love in my life and the way that every other moment of love, and encounter, and intimacy reflects that is the ground of my being.” - Elizabeth Oldfield [00:32:48]
Wisdom is about this loving enhancement of our connectedness. The wise person can go into a complex, messy, ill-defined situation and home in on whats relevant, summoning their agency in the right way so that they are properly responsible. - John Vervaeke [00:31:04]
—
0:00 Introduction to Voices with Vervaeke: Elizabeth Oldfield
1:30 Elizabeth Oldfield: Life, Faith, and the Quest for Existential Satisfaction
2:50 Exploring Fully Alive: Deep Dialogues on Belonging, Soul, and Existential Satisfaction
6:05 Platos Insights on the Psyche, Inner Conflict, and the Pursuit of Inner Fullness
10:20 The Quest for Inner Peace, Wisdom, and Understanding Sin
14:20 The Interplay of Love, Wisdom, and the Divine in the Pursuit of Fully Aliveness
27:15 Unpacking the Realization of the Really Real: Connectedness, Love, and Presence
45:50 Identity, Cultural Scripts, and the Tension between Faith and Intellect
47:45 Expanding Our Understanding of Intelligence, Reality, and the Role of Attention
1:00:40 The Challenge of Authentic Love, Reverence, and Awe in a Trivialized World
1:13:10 Reverence, Awe, and the Cultivation of Virtue on the Path to Wisdom
1:22:50 Concluding Reflections on Love, Wisdom, and the Pursuit of Fully Aliveness
—
Join the Vervaeke Foundation in our mission to advance the scientifically rigorous pursuit of wisdom and make a meaningful impact in the world. https://vervaekefoundation.org/
Discover practices that deepen your virtues and help you connect more deeply with reality and relationships by joining Awaken to Meaning today. https://awakentomeaning.com/
—
Authors, Ideas, and Works Mentioned in this Episode
Plato
Freud
Pascal
Dialogos
Kenosis
Thumos
Homo Inconvartis in Se
Plato’s Dialogues
—
Follow John Vervaeke:
https://johnvervaeke.com/
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https://www.youtube.com/@johnvervaeke
https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke
Follow Elizabeth Oldfield:
https://www.elizabetholdfield.com/
https://www.instagram.com/elizabethsaraholdfield
https://twitter.com/esoldfield
—
Thank you for watching! Exploring the Connection Between Wisdom, Love, and the Really Real](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GDPBQBOXLi4/mqdefault.jpg)

![Bridging Mindfulness and Philosophy | Philosophy of Meditation #5 with Evan Thompson
In the fifth episode of the Philosophy of Meditation series, hosts John Vervaeke and Rick Repetti engage with Evan Thompson, a renowned cognitive scientist and philosopher, to explore the symbiosis of meditation, cognitive science, and philosophy. The episode highlights how Evans early meditation practice shaped his philosophical outlook, emphasizing the experiential depth revealed by meditative states about consciousness. Discussions cover the transformative social aspects of meditation and philosophical views on death, underscoring Evans perspective that meditation enriches, but should not solely define, philosophy. This insightful conversation traverses the transformative potential of meditation beyond calming the mind, delving into its role in personal development and intellectual growth. By merging philosophical rigor with meditations lived experience, this conversation offers a nuanced understanding of meditations role in enhancing human cognition and self-awareness, presenting a compelling case for its profound impact on philosophical thought.
Evan Thompson is a renowned philosopher and cognitive scientist, recognized for his significant contributions to the field of 4E cognitive science, which emphasizes embodied, embedded, enactive, and extended aspects of cognition. His work intricately bridges Western philosophy with Eastern contemplative practices, particularly Buddhism, exploring the intersections of consciousness, meditation, and the human experience. Thompsons influential writings include discussions on the philosophy of mind, meditation, and the nature of self, making him a respected figure in both academic and contemplative circles.
Glossary of Terms
4E Cognitive Science: A framework in cognitive science emphasizing four key factors: embodied, embedded, enacted, and extended cognition.
Contemplative Perspectives: Approaches to understanding and experiencing reality that involve introspection and focused attention, often used in the context of meditation and mindfulness.
John Vervaeke:
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Rick Repetti:
Website: https://www.rickrepetti.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickrepetti/
X: https://twitter.com/rickrepetti
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philosophicalpractitioner/
Evan Thompson:
Website: https://evanthompson.me/
X: http://twitter.com/evantthompson
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evan.timothy.thompson
Join our new Patreon
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The Vervaeke Foundation - https://vervaekefoundation.org/
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John Vervaeke YouTube
Awakening from the Meaning Crisis https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLND1JCRq8Vuh3f0P5qjrSdb5eC1ZfZwWJ
Books, Articles, and Publications
Routledge Handbook on the Philosophy of Meditation - Rick Repetti
https://www.amazon.com/Routledge-Handbook-Philosophy-Meditation-Repetti/dp/036764746X
Mind in Life: Biology, Phenomenology, and the Sciences of Mind - Evan Thompson https://www.amazon.com/Mind-Life-Biology-Phenomenology-Sciences/dp/0674057511/
Waking, Dreaming, Being: Self and Consciousness in Neuroscience, Meditation, and Philosophy - Evan Thompson https://www.amazon.com/Waking-Dreaming-Being-Consciousness-Neuroscience/dp/0231136951/
Why I Am Not a Buddhist - Evan Thompson https://www.amazon.com/Why-I-Am-Not-Buddhist-ebook/dp/B082P4FFRG/
Trying Not to Try: Ancient China, Modern Science, and the Power of Spontaneity - Edward Slingerland https://www.amazon.com/Trying-Not-Try-Ancient-Spontaneity/dp/077043763X/
The Blind Spot: Why Science Cannot Ignore Human Experience - Adam Frank, Marcelo Gleiser, Evan Thompson https://www.amazon.com/Blind-Spot-Science-Cannot-Experience/dp/0262048809/
Quotes
I think of myself as first and foremost a philosopher of mind who works very much on cognitive science and in collaboration with cognitive scientists. - Evan Thompson [00:04:31]
Chapters
[00:00:00] - Series Introduction and Evan Thompsons Cognitive Science Expertise
[00:02:13] - Integrating Western Philosophy with Buddhist Concepts in Cognitive Science
[00:04:09] - Philosophical and Meditative Perspectives on Dying and Death
[00:07:44] - Cognitive Flexibility and Death Reflection in Meditation Practice
[00:16:15] - Mindfulness Practices Across Various Traditions and Philosophical Inquiry
[00:36:01] - Transformational Aspects of Meditation, Rituals, and Self-Cultivation
[00:50:29] - The Role of Mindfulness in Modern Culture and Science
[00:57:56] - Meditation as a Conduit Between Diverse Philosophical and Cultural Contexts
[01:00:43] - Enhancing Consciousness and Attention Through Mindfulness Practices
[01:14:00] - Concluding Dialogue Bridging Mindfulness and Philosophy | Philosophy of Meditation #5 with Evan Thompson](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Gos-K8Lstbk/mqdefault.jpg)
![The Philosophical Silk Road: Exploring the Intersections of Philosophy and Spirituality
In the vast expanse of human thought, how do philosophy and spirituality intertwine to shape our understanding of the sacred? In this conversation, first released on Andrew Sweenys channel, The Parallax, John Vervaeke, Andrew Sweeny, and Christopher Mastropietro examine the delicate balance between philosophical rigor and spiritual experiences. They probe the challenges and rewards of navigating this complex terrain, emphasizing the transformative power of love, wisdom, and existential inquiry. By blurring the traditional boundaries between philosophical inquiry and religious practice, this conversation invites listeners to deepen their exploration of truth and meaning, ultimately fostering personal and communal growth.
Andrew Sweeny is an educator, writer, musician, and podcaster who currently teaches at Sciences Po University in Paris and serves as an editor at Parallax magazine.
Christopher Mastropietro is a philosophical writer who is fascinated by dialogue, symbols, and the concept of self. He actively contributes to the Vervaeke Foundation.
Support Johns groundbreaking work and gain exclusive access to live Q&A sessions, early video releases, and more by joining our Patreon community! https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke
Authors, Ideas, and Works Mentioned in this Episode
Mere Christianity - C. S. Lewis
Nothingness Beyond God: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Nishida Kitaro, by Robert Edgar Carter
Zombies in Western Culture: A Twenty-First Century Crisis, co-authored by Christopher Mastropietro
Heidegger, Neoplatonism, and the History of Being, by James Filler
Iain McGilchrist
Daniel Schmachtenberger
Bishop Maximus
Paul Vander Klay
T.S. Eliot
Jordan Peterson
Sallie McFague
Richard Dawkins
Carl Jung
Søren Kierkegaard
Jacob Howland
Douglas Hedley
Jordan Hall
“The more people Im talking to—high caliber, high quality people in this whole arena—the advent of the sacred as a response to the meaning crisis is a growing theme. I have found myself more and more called into service to doing whatever I can to afford the advent of that.” - John Vervaeke [00:02:00]
Nobody lives on the Silk Road; people move along it. - John Vervaeke [00:03:37]
The idea of the Silk Road, to me, is that the wandering, and the traveling, and the encountering different influences, and the metabolizing of a lingua philosophica helps to create a space within oneself into which that inward process can pour itself, discover itself, and metabolize itself. - Christopher Mastropietro [00:10:57]
“The more I engage with this work, the more I realize that so much of the dawning consciousness of our encounter with the sacred is ultimately a process that happens to us. It occurs to us. We can bring consciousness to bear on it, and augment it, and make space for it, and inquire within it in such a way as to invite it.” - Christopher Mastropietro [00:11:23]
0:00 Embracing the Philosophical Silk Road: From Top-Down Religion to an Organic Spiritual Path
17:00 On the Philosophical Silk Road: An Interfaith Journey, Personal Transformation, and Confronting Idolatry
28:30 Beyond the Culture War: Embracing Authentic Dialogue and the Embodiment of Beliefs
35:40 The Unresolvable Dialogue: Embracing the Infinite Game Between Socrates and Jesus
44:10 Rediscovering the Essence of Faith: Beyond Doctrine to Personal Transformation
56:00 The Wildness of the Sacred: Recognizing and Integrating Spontaneous Spiritual Experiences
1:02:50 Philosophical and Sacred Synergies: Bridging the Divide through Love and Wisdom
Join the Vervaeke Foundation in our mission to advance the scientifically rigorous pursuit of wisdom and make a meaningful impact in the world. https://vervaekefoundation.org/
Discover practices that deepen your virtues and help you connect more deeply with reality and relationships by joining Awaken to Meaning today. https://awakentomeaning.com/
Follow John Vervaeke:
https://johnvervaeke.com/
https://twitter.com/vervaeke_john
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Follow Andrew Sweeny
https://twitter.com/andrewpgsweeny
https://andrewpgsweeny.medium.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@parallax_media
Connect with Christopher Mastropietro
https://vervaekefoundation.org/
Thank you for watching! The Philosophical Silk Road: Exploring the Intersections of Philosophy and Spirituality](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Gp4LtTUcSZ8/mqdefault.jpg)


