Dr. John Vervaeke

Why does the modern pursuit of happiness so often leave people feeling lost?
In this episode of The Lectern, John Vervaeke speaks with cognitive scientist Mark Miller about the emerging science of happiness and the deeper architecture of the human mind. Drawing from predictive processing theory, the conversation explores how human beings function as epistemic agents who constantly construct models of the world and themselves.
The discussion examines why common cultural narratives about happiness are often misleading and why genuine flourishing requires understanding the underlying cognitive processes that shape perception, motivation, and meaning. Mark introduces the framework behind his Lectern course Generations of Joy, which integrates cognitive science, philosophy, contemplative practice, and modern neuroscience.
Mark Miller is a cognitive scientist specializing in predictive processing, wellbeing, and the cognitive science of happiness. He teaches in the psychology and cognitive science programs at the University of Toronto and conducts research with the Center for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies at Monash University. He is also affiliated with Hokkaido University where he contributes to interdisciplinary work on artificial intelligence, neuroscience, and human nature.
Mark Miller
Website https://www.markdmiller.live/
Cognitive Science https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/cognitive-science/
Philosophical Psychology https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/cphp20/current
Socrates https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/socrates/
Support the Lectern community on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke
Explore the course Generations of Joy on The Lectern https://lectern.johnvervaeke.com/courses/generations-of-joy
00:00 Welcome to the Lectern 03:30 Mark's background and research homes 04:30 Course preview Generations of Joy 06:00 Cutting edge meditation science 08:00 Ancient philosophy meets cognitive science 10:30 Defining happiness beyond media narratives 12:30 First principles cognitive framework 15:30 Humans as epistemic agents 17:45 Knowing your owner's manual 18:00 Meaning wisdom and insight 27:00 Addiction despair and course roadmap 28:00 Flexibility and reframing 29:00 Week one the predictive mind 31:00 Dogen on ignorance 33:00 Neuroscience of emptiness 35:00 Weeks two through eight overview 40:00 Why the course matters 43:00 Interlocking crises and relevance 47:30 Doomscrolling drugs and misinformation 50:00 Discernment versus spiritual buffet 51:00 Meditation risks ethics and education 53:30 Off the shelf spirituality critique
Follow John Vervaeke Website https://johnvervaeke.com Twitter https://x.com/DrJohnVervaeke YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@johnvervaeke/videos Patreon https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke

Lectern Q&As are monthly live sessions where members of the Lectern community explore the practical application of cognitive science, philosophy, and contemplative practice in everyday life.
These conversations typically feature John Vervaeke and Ethan Hsieh responding to questions from the community. In this session, Ethan is joined by Mark Miller to discuss Mark's upcoming course Generations of Joy, and to explore how philosophical practice and developmental insight can deepen meaning across generations.
Participants can submit questions in advance or ask them live on camera during the session. Past recordings are available for members who want to revisit ideas or follow the ongoing thread of conversation within the Lectern community.
Join the Lectern community and access past sessions here: https://lectern.johnvervaeke.com/membership
Generations of Joy is now open for registration on The Lectern: https://lectern.johnvervaeke.com/courses/generations-of-joy

Is reality fundamentally inert, or is it structured by divine desire?
In this episode, John Vervaeke and Zevi Slavin explore the metaphysical vision of Ibn Gabirol and the integration of Jewish thought with Neoplatonism. They examine the claim that all of existence arises through the coupling of matter and form, unified by divine will.
The conversation traces the Philosophical Silk Road and reflects on how Ibn Gabirol shaped Christian, Islamic, and Jewish philosophy. At its center is a contemporary challenge: can we recover a shared philosophical language that orients us toward unity without erasing difference?
Zevi Slavin is the founder of Seekers of Unity and a teacher of Jewish mysticism and integrative metaphysics. His work engages classical Jewish sources and cultivates cross traditional dialogue grounded in participatory metaphysics.
Seekers of Unity YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/c/SeekersofUnity
Zevi Slavin on LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/in/zevislavin
Support the work on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke
Join The Lectern for full length courses and structured learning pathways https://lectern.teachable.com/p/lectern-lounge
00:00 Welcome to The Lectern 02:30 Ibn Gabirol's core metaphysical claims 04:46 Matter and form bound by divine desire 07:30 Zevi Slavin and Seekers of Unity 15:00 Jewish philosophy and identity 24:00 Religious orientation and personal engagement 38:30 Neoplatonism and existential tension 39:30 Existentialism and Jewish identity 42:00 Sacred relationships and divine agency 44:00 Philosophical Silk Road and religious homes 46:30 Jewish Neoplatonism and divine desire 49:30 Divine agency and Jewish mysticism 57:00 The paradox of universal and particular 01:12:00 Toward a shared philosophical language
John Vervaeke https://johnvervaeke.com https://www.youtube.com/@johnvervaeke https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke https://x.com/drjohnvervaeke

In this episode of The Lectern, John Vervaeke sits down with Zevi Slavin to explore the radical metaphysics of Ibn Gabirol and the role of divine desire at the heart of reality.
Ibn Gabirol, also known as Avicebron, was a major figure in Jewish Neoplatonism whose philosophy reshaped medieval thought across traditions. His view that matter and form seek each other through divine desire challenges mechanical models of existence and reintroduces relational depth into metaphysics.
John and Zevi examine how Gabirol's ideas intersect with Jewish mysticism, medieval philosophy, and contemporary discussions about consciousness and meaning. They explore the tension between universal truth and particular tradition, and whether unity requires sameness or whether difference itself can be sacred.
This conversation invites listeners to reconsider whether reality itself is structured by longing, participation, and sacred relationship.
Support John's work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke
Want to go deeper? Join the Lectern platform on Teachable for full-length courses, guided series, and structured pathways into the ideas explored here. Enroll here: https://lectern.teachable.com/p/lectern-lounge
00:00 Welcome to the Lectern 02:30 Key concepts in Ibn Gabirol's philosophy 04:46 Matter and form bound by divine desire 07:30 Zevi Slavin and Seekers of Unity 15:00 Jewish philosophy and Neoplatonism 24:00 Philosophy and religious orientation 38:30 Existential identity and engagement 42:00 Faith and sacred relationship 44:00 The Philosophical Silk Road 46:30 Divine desire and agency 49:30 Jewish mysticism and metaphysics 57:00 Universal and particular tension 01:12:00 Philosophical common language

How can ancient spiritual practices be reanimated for modern life?
In this compelling episode, John sits down again with therapist Seth Allison to delve deep into the themes of suffering, trust, and growth within the frame of internal family systems therapy and Jungian analysis. Seth discusses his transformative experiences over the past few years, including the impact of previous conversations with John and his own journey through a profound period of liminality. They touch upon voluntary necessity, the role of suffering in cultivating faith, and the transformative power of relationships and community in overcoming personal crises. Seth also highlights the significance of humility in effective leadership and his aspirations for fostering supportive, growth-oriented environments in both personal and professional settings.
Seth Allison is a psychotherapist and depth-oriented thinker whose work integrates attachment theory, Internal Family Systems, and Jungian psychology with spiritual and existential inquiry. Drawing from both clinical training and lived experience, he specializes in helping individuals navigate midlife transitions, relational struggles, addiction dynamics, and identity shifts. Seth's approach emphasizes authenticity, relational depth, and the courageous engagement of suffering as a doorway to growth and deeper participation in life.
Seth Allison: LinkedIn
The Cost of Discipleship 
 Murray Stein
The Serenity Prayer 
 
00:00 — Welcome to the Lectern
05:00 — Voluntary necessity and spiritual depth
08:00 — Bonhoeffer's profound insights
11:00 — Personal reflections and resonance realization
25:30 — Exploring liminality and midlife transitions
29:54 —  You can't serve money and God, and money doesn't just mean money, it means ego, success and accomplishment. 
52:00 — Hermes and the concept of love addiction
52:30 — The arena of partnership and self-discovery
54:00 — Addiction and attachment strategies
56:30 — Faith and recovery: a new perspective
58:30 — The role of symbols and sensory experience
59:30 — Transcendence and metanoia
01:07:30 — The importance of community in recovery
01:18:30 — Navigating betrayal and suffering
01:35:00 — Leadership and humility
01:44:00 — The subversive power of trust
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Want to go deeper? Join the Lectern platform on Teachable for full-length courses, guided series, and structured pathways into the ideas explored here.
 
John Vervaeke: 
Website: https://johnvervaeke.com/
Twitter: https://x.com/DrJohnVervaeke
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johnvervaeke/videos
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke
 
Thank you for Listening!