Ep. 10 - Awakening from the Meaning Crisis - Consciousness

In this episode of "Awakening from the Meaning Crisis," Dr. John Vervaeke explores the nature of transformative experiences and altered states of consciousness, particularly in relation to enhancing meaning in life. He discusses the function of consciousness, referencing the global workspace theory and integrated information theory, to explain how consciousness helps in realizing relevance and optimizing insight. Vervaeke introduces the concept of salience, presence, and depth landscapes, explaining how consciousness dynamically creates these landscapes to help individuals zero in on relevant information and achieve an optimal grip on reality. He poses the problem of the ontonormativity of higher states of consciousness, questioning why these temporary, ineffable experiences are often perceived as more real and prescriptive than everyday experiences, and sets the stage for a deeper exploration of how these states can lead to developmental improvement and wisdom.