After Socrates: Episode 13 - Ritual Way of Knowing | Dr. John Vervaeke

Uncover the profound insights of ritual as a form of metaphysical inquiry. Dr. Vervaeke discusses the role of rituals in our lives, how they help us access deeper levels of self-consciousness, and their unique ability to reveal hidden aspects of reality. Our good friend @JonathanPageau is also discussed in this episode, please visit his channel if you have not yet done so!

In this episode, you'll discover:

*The powerful concept of "facing reality" and how it impacts our understanding of the world

*The works of influential philosophers and theologians like Proclus, Iamblichus, John Scotus Eriugena, Nicholas of Cusa, and Ambrose of Milan, as well as insights from Jonathan Pageau, a French Canadian icon carver and public speaker

*The role of synthemata in theurgy and how it can lead to higher levels of self-consciousness and reality disclosure

*The unique way of knowing in rituals that cannot be accessed through other means

*Join Dr. John Vervaeke as he explores the non-reductive noetic function of ritual and its importance in understanding ourselves and the world. If you feel like your life is empty of ritual, this episode might change the way you see things and help you reconnect with this essential aspect of human experience.

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You are invited to join John, Guy, and Christopher 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:

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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.

[johnvervaeke]

I apologize for my error in saying that Proclus influenced Augustine. That is incorrect. I confused Augustine with Dionysus.

[BrodesG]

This episode shines for me. Your work has shown me that Neo-Platonic Christianity is indispensable. There is a necessity for Christ-likeness & self-transcendence. You are a true treasure, John Vervaeke.

[MattWilkinsonwilkoteq]

I love the irony of learning so much propositional knowledge about the non propositional world, in order to achieve gnosis from our entrapment within propositional tyranny. I am not complaining though - it's great learning about these different dimensions of reality. Thanks John and team!

[nugzarkapanadze]

Thank you very much, John! Thank you...

[Jacob]

The fly makes a comeback! I've been watching it very closely. 🙃

[dalibofurnell]

"To face reality, it has to disclose itself. It has to face you in an appropriate way." -Dr John Vervaeke

Then I couldn't help but think you've got BARS, John! When you said .."trying to get a grip between breadth and depth.." You said it with cadence that made me stop and give freedom to the thought that what you said could easily be part of an incredible rap song with fitting gesture and insight flow that has transfer appropriateness most definitely! 😅❤much love

"Reality in itself is dialectic into dialogos." 🙌

[callummilburn]

This encapsulates something I am becoming increasingly aware of with my zen practice, but also my study of mathematics. You can't solve all problems by analysis. New ideas require moving from analysis to play, so you can re orientate your self before re emergence to the the focus on solving the problem, at least in maths. Some of my zen work has definitely influenced my awareness, and practice. But the Zen koan practice is something that definitely fits into what is discussed here.

[JasenRobillard]

As a puzzle designer, artist and pattern maker/observer, this resonates deeply with what I'm aiming for in my craft: puzzles as rituals that, through embodied participation & opponent processing, transfer knowledge and lessons on fittedness.Thanks for another great lecture John.

[gettingtogive]

I have heard you make the ritual argument in multiple places and those lectures gave me the taste to start some new daily practices, but this lecture just landed in a much deeper way. In my opinion this was another or your Masterpieces!

I know you often say you just want to help and humility runs through your being John, but the value you are giving away for this generation and many beyond is truly remarkable. Thank you once again 🙏

[catalinganciu]

Just amazing!

I've created a habit to listen to you as often as possible and do my daily books screenshots recomandations!

By the way is 1:23am Romania time!🙏

[martinchikilian]

Such a profound episode with lots to unpack.

This episode hit a primordial part of my being and I think that’s why I felt it so profoundly. I only wonder how farther and deeper you could go if you didn’t have to guard yourself against criticism from looking too new age-y. I don’t mean that as criticism because I understand where you’re coming from, it’s just I can’t help but think faulty associations with magical thinking prevent us from reaching deeper into reality and, in consequence, you can only skim the surface of what you’re trying to convey to us.

Looking forward to watching episode 14 now!

[dr.amirayousef]

I appreciate your work. Thank you indeed ❤

[marcograziano]

John, loved this! One comment, with the hopes of contribution to the project. Ritual seems to be an incredibly powerful tool for anagogic accent. However, I'm concerned there is a risk in that ritual, via its many mechanisms - imaginal work, music, embodiment, symbolism, smell, sight, touch, etc. can create very powerful forms of self deception. I worry there may be transformative experiences that actually orient us incorrectly, and can be difficult to escape. I think of the many traumatic experiences people have had within religious and pseudo-religious situations, through what can colloquially be referred to as "brain washing". Also, I see some convergence between ritual and many powerful forms of manipulation that have been used in history. Of course, nothing ventured nothing gained... however, I'd love to see some commentary or suggestions on how we can self correct and discern through this non-logical journey. Thank you again for your incredible work.

[vickyturner]

Love, love, Love !! As a long term Ashtanga Yoga Practitioner (a traditional lineage with roots in Patanjali Yoga Sutras), and a Circling practitioner, I have been following your work as a comparative study - east-west philosophy/science - as a practitioner with an evolving experiential journey to work with, (and in particular a potential relationship btwn Patanjali and Socrates/Plato - Axial Age). So exciting. Thank you John for your work and dedication to sharing your wisdom and understanding.

[TheMeditatingPhilosopher]

It's terrific that in ritual people can make a higher order thing and participate with it.

[colorfulbookmark]

I respect and honor for people like Dr.Vervaeke and ritual designing people, some deflections are not by them, and they suggest certain positive and responsible attitude for lives. The existential meaning of life is how to see the world, ritual is what we think as focused and proximal nature of the world, of course, to have reflection and purity in life. The secondary sense of ritual is pitfall sometimes, but not the concept and practice in itself. The impulse to make unrecognition is matter.

[mcnallyaar]

I'm not caught up Literally got goosebumps just reading the TITLE of this I've got work to

[moodbox_no]

I just realized that i've into phenomenology in many years when i was making art. I feel drawn to persuming this form of research again. Love the intelligibility the book "Experiential Phenomenology" brings me. The transframing experience is increasing rapidly.

[mikegarrigan]

Because I am anticipating some of your dialogue, I think I’m getting it. You are using words that fit the experience. Transformative. Thank you.

[zeff]

Thank you so much for these series of videos, John! I love how you go deep with each topic. Really insightful.