Can predictive processing guide spiritual practice? John Vervaeke and Mark Miller explore prayer, meditation, right view, and the ethics of transformation. In this Lectern Q&A, John Vervaeke, Mark Miller, and Ethan Hsieh explore what predictive processing reveals about the ethics of practice. The conversation moves beyond abstract cognitive science into the lived questions of self-transcendence, belief hygiene, right view, and the conditions under which transformative practice actually helps a person become more real, more integrated, and better attuned to the world. At the center is a serious philosophical tension: if human beings are anticipatory organisms shaped by relevance, framing, and self-organization, then what counts as good practice? John and Mark discuss truth and relevance, secure attachment, meta-optimal grip, contemplative ecologies, and why no single panacea practice can carry the whole burden of transformation. The discussion also turns to Christianity, meditation, prayer, contemplation, and whether predictive processing can deepen rather than flatten our sense of the sacred. Mark Miller teaches Generations of Joy on The Lectern and works at the intersection of contemplative science, predictive processing, and transformative practice. Alongside John Vervaeke, he brings a rare combination of philosophical depth, cognitive rigor, and practical insight into how self-transformation actually works. Ethan Hsieh facilitates the dialogue and grounds the questions in the ongoing concerns of Lectern participants. Guest Links The Lectern: https://lectern.johnvervaeke.com/ Support The Lectern and help sustain serious long-form dialogue: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke For courses, community, and structured transformational learning through The Lectern: https://lectern.teachable.com/p/lectern-lounge John Vervaeke Links Website: https://johnvervaeke.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johnvervaeke Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke X: https://x.com/drjohnvervaeke

Lectern Live Q&A with Mark Miller (03.29.26)

Is Your Brain Built to Mislead You? The Science of Happiness with Mark Miller

Lectern Live Q&A with Mark Miller (02.28.26)

Exploring Predictive Processing and the Science of Happiness with Mark Miller

How Jhana Meditation Facilitates Insight and Cognitive Flexibility

Integrating Science and Contemplative Practice | Philosophy of Meditation #7 with Mark Miller