Transforming Identity: The Power of IFS Therapy and Ancient Wisdom | Paul Vander Klay

Paul Vander Klay is a minister at Living Stones CRC in Sacramento, CA, known for his engaging online discussions on faith and thoughtful community engagement. How can the convergence of ancient spiritual practices and modern cognitive science redefine our understanding of identity and collective wisdom? In this episode of "Voices with Vervaeke," John Vervaeke and Paul Vander Klay explore the intersections of personal transformation and collective wisdom. They discuss the role of spiritual practices like Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy in modern society and their implications for personal growth and collective understanding. The conversation highlights the significance of relationality in understanding agency and cognition, emphasizing how our relationships with others shape our sense of self and our ability to navigate the world. John and Paul also address the advent of the sacred in modern culture and the potential for new cultural cognitive grammars. They share insights from their personal and professional experiences, offering a thought-provoking exploration of modern spirituality and relational being. This episode leaves listeners with a deeper understanding of how personal growth and collective wisdom are intertwined.   Connect with a community dedicated to self-discovery and purpose, and gain deeper insights by joining our Patreon.   —   00:00 Introduction: Faith, Friendship, and Exploration 03:10 Exploring IFS Therapy, Dialogical Self, and Archetypal Experiences 08:50 Dialoguing with Hermes: Ally Work and Neoplatonic Traditions 14:00 Dialogical Models and Changing Public Perception of Humans 22:50 Rethinking the Self: Transjectivity, Relationality, and the Imaginal 28:00 Beyond Substance Ontology 55:00 Dialogical Presencing and Transjective Ontology in Religion 58:05 Communal Aspects of Christian Tradition 01:01:35 Dialogical Practice and Hermetic Consciousness 01:05:25 Therapeutic Practices and Self-Deception 01:12:15 Exploring the Sacred in IFS and Dialogical Practices 01:40:50 Conclusion: Embracing Vulnerability and Honesty     —   The Vervaeke Foundation is committed to advancing the scientific pursuit of wisdom and creating a significant impact on the world. Become a part of our mission.   Join Awaken to Meaning to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships.    —   Ideas, People, and Works Mentioned in this Episode   Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy Dialogical Practices Hermes (Guiding Figure) Proclus Plotinus Jordan Peterson Jonathan Pageau Seth Allison Kasra Mirzaie Richard Schwartz Marc Lewis Anderson Todd Jeffrey Raff  Dallas Willard James Fuller Robert Falconer Sam Tideman Paul Kingsnorth Martin Shaw Richard Rohlin (Universal History) Gregory Shaw, Hellenic Tantra: The Theurgic Platonism of Iamblichus Ben Alderson-Day, Presence: The Strange Science and True Stories of the Unseen Other T. M. Luhrmann, How God Becomes Real: Kindling the Presence of Invisible Others Paul Ricoeur, Fallible Man: Philosophy of the Will Plato, The Seventh Letter Charles Taylor Neoplatonism Socrates   Relevant Episodes Attachment Theory Beyond Therapy: Seth Allison on Wisdom and Connection Exploring the Depths of Internal Family Systems with Seth Allison Wisdom Through the Imaginal: IFS Insights with Seth Allison Part 3 Engaging the Imaginal: Kasra Mirzaie on IFS and the Meaning Crisis The Elusive I - Part 1 - The Cognitive Science Show AI Sages and the Ethical Frontier: Exploring Human Values, Embodiment, and Spiritual Realms   Follow John Vervaeke: Website | Twitter | YouTube | Patreon   Follow Paul Vander Klay: Blog | Twitter | YouTube —   Thank you for Listening!