Transition and Transformation w/ Rachel Hayden - Voices with Vervaeke

Rachel Hayden is in the process of gender transition, and she rejects the common romantic, empiricist, and social constructivist frameworks for interpreting the process, She proposes that the Socratic aspirational framework, that incorporates the work of L.A. Paul on transformative experience and the work of Agnes Callard on aspiration, provides a better model. In fact, Rachel argues that for her the gender transition project sits within the more important Socratic project of the cultivation of wisdom. Becoming a sage is more of a transformative experience than changing gender. The two forms of transformative experience can talk to and enable each other. Towards that end Rachel is also involved in the process of transforming a martial arts ecology of practices into a wisdom cultivation ecology of practices that she can she with other martial artists.

[aydanconnor]

Only about halfway through this, just wanted to say how grateful I am that you had this conversation and shared it with us!

I came out as transgender, changed my name and started hormone replacement therapy 4 years ago. I never, however, connected with the proposition that I have “always been a man”. I find this (romantic?) conception to be an erasure of my inheritance of biological, participatory and perspectival knowing from my first 30 years of life.
I recently started to find philosophical framework in your videos to sense of my trans identity, in terms of the agent arena mismatch, as well as seeing my gender as aspirational towards a male divine double who I always new without seeing.

Thank you again for sharing, I have been hoping there are other trans people who see things differently from the popular narrative.

[donnilurman]

This is such a heartwarming discussion. Thank you John and Rachel.

[cattoes]

I resonate with Rachel's thinking. Just wonderful and exciting to listen too.

[JiminiCrikkit]

What a fantastic inspiration to hear this. Thank you both. I especially thought the words 'social health' that Rachel uttered really struck me as a vital concept - something that I try enact with my friends, family and those whom I work with as much as possible. And Also John, your part talking about horror, hope and awe, resonated very strongly with me... In direct relation with the social health idea.

[lynnlavoy]

Rachel, I just wanted to express my graditude for your courage. Agape 2 u. 💜

[thepathofthepolymath]

Very moving!

Can someone link the conversation with Nora Bateson about authenticity?

[pierre]

Thank you for this great discussion John & Rachel !!
I also want to create ecologies of practices. For me what deeply nourish me is natural mouvement (Rafe Kelly style) and freediving <3
I'd love to talk to you Rachel

[ashgary]

Yes! To a sapiential frame on transition! Thank you both for this. May this framework spread like wildfire so we can afford “social health”!

[mechannel]

Great talk. Learned a lot. Wish John had a better microphone - the current one sounds jarring, especially when John was interviewed on The Theory of Everything channel.

[benjaminlquinlan]

I wonder what conversation is coming at the end of the month

[maidenmonster]

I have a question about your idea of a “Community of Communities” and “stealing the culture” 40:45ish.

I grew up and was raised in an ecumenical covenant Christian community which I have now come to label a Cult. They have said incredibly similar phrases to “being a community of communities” and living counter culturally. I was traumatized within this arena.

Do you have a concept of avoiding a cult-like response (could be a possible response to your message given the meaning crisis)? Is this something you have considered?

I have felt so at home watching your series’ and videos. When I heard you reference the community of communities and stealing the culture it gave me pause. I want to believe it’s exactly what I have been looking for - a Tolkienesque return home so to speak. A

[mechannel]

Rachel's approach is fascinating. Never thought about the transgender issue in this way. I think if more people learn about Rachel and her approach, society as a whole will be more able to understand and accept transgender people, and there will be less prejudice against the LGBT community .

[GigiAzmy]

Please put “sexual” or gender transition so ppl can find this conversation

[tneveca]

I will no longer search for wisdom here.