But some philosophical traditions have gone directly into this abyss—and returned with insight.
The Kyoto School of Philosophy is one such tradition. Arising in Japan through a profound dialogue between Zen Buddhism and Western philosophy, it confronts nihilism at its deepest level—not as a pathology to be eliminated, but as a gateway to transformation through nothingness, emptiness, and self-overcoming.
This course offers a guided entry into that tradition.
If you’ve taken courses with John Vervaeke, you’ve already encountered the Kyoto School—often at pivotal moments.
Names like Nishida, Nishitani, and Tanabe surface whenever the conversation turns to nothingness, self-transcendence, or the limits of modern rationality. Their influence is persistent—but until now, indirect.
Rather than focusing on a single dense text, Notes on No-Thing provides a comprehensive introduction to the Kyoto School as a whole—situating it as a living example of the kind of cross-cultural, interreligious philosophy central to the Philosophical Silk Road.
You’ll see how Eastern thinkers reached toward the West—engaging figures like Heidegger—while remaining rooted in Zen practice and Buddhist insight. Along the way, you’ll explore the tension between self-power and other-power, emptiness and meaning, nihilism and awakening.
This is not philosophy as abstraction. It is philosophy as existential confrontation.
FAQ
Are these courses like other online philosophy or spirituality courses?
Not exactly. These courses are not designed as content dumps or self-help programs. They are structured learning journeys that integrate philosophy, cognitive science, history, and spirituality to cultivate deeper understanding, clearer sense-making, and existential relevance, not hacks or techniques.
Do I need prior background in philosophy, cognitive science, or religion?
No formal background is required. The courses are carefully scaffolded and assume curiosity rather than expertise. If you’re willing to read attentively, reflect seriously, and sit with difficult questions, you’ll be able to engage the material meaningfully.
Are these courses practical, or purely theoretical?
They are intellectually rigorous, but never merely abstract. Each course is oriented toward how ideas shape perception, meaning, identity, and lived experience. While these are not “how-to” programs, they are a conceptual foundation for practice, transformation, and orientation in life.
Is this therapy or spiritual direction?
No. These courses are educational and philosophical in nature. They may be personally challenging and transformative, but they are not therapy, pastoral counseling, or clinical intervention. Growth here comes through understanding, dialogue, and reflection.
How much time should I expect to commit?
Most courses are designed to be manageable alongside work or study. Expect time for watching lectures, doing assigned readings (where applicable), and reflective integration. The depth you get out of the course will largely reflect the care you bring to it.
Are these courses connected to one another, or can I take them independently?
Each course stands on its own, but they are also part of a larger, coherent intellectual and pedagogical arc across The Lectern. Many learners find that taking multiple courses deepens understanding as ideas recur, evolve, and interconnect across contexts.
Will this challenge my beliefs?
Possibly. These courses do not aim to persuade you toward a particular ideology or worldview, but they do invite you to examine assumptions, inherited frameworks, and habitual ways of making meaning. Challenge here is a feature, not a flaw.