Apply philosophical principles to everyday living.
The School goes beyond “armchair philosophy” and offers a setting for conscious self discovery.
Week 1: The Wisdom within
Why study philosophy? What is wisdom? Being and Awareness.
Week 2: Self-discovery. Self-Knowledge
Who or what am I? What is my potential in living? How may I realize that potential? These questions are as old as mankind itself.
Week 3: Different levels of awareness
What is our usual state of awareness? Are there greater levels of awareness? If so, how may we
gain access to them?
Week 4: Living in the present moment, the now
What is the potential of the present moment? We will consider the power of attention to connect
with the present moment.
Week 5: What is justice and injustice?
What does it mean to live justly? In particular we will look at what Plato has to say on this subject.
Week 6: How to understand and use energy well
Can we increase the energy available to us?
Week 7: How can reason enrich our lives?
We will consider two practical frameworks for reason.
Week 8: What is beauty?
What is its purpose? Where does it come from?
Week 9: How to see unity in diversity, the common thread of life?
Week 10: How does the desire for truth show itself?
How may it be satisfied?
An inquiry into the true nature of happiness
Exploring the following ideas
- Serving others as a source of happiness
- Seeking happiness for oneself and others
- The difference between pleasure and happiness
Principles
- May all be happy
- The greatest happiness for the greatest numbers
- The four principles of work
Practices
- Observing the body at work
- Observing the movements of the mind
- Appreciation of the eternal present and passing time
Is love universal or limited?
Exploring the following ideas
- Pure love expressed through the creation
- The nature of love in overcoming all limits
- The effect of gratitude
- Sacrificial love
- Love guided by wisdom
Principles
- The unity of knowledge and love
- Decisions based on true principle
- Work - love made visible
Practices
- Open-heartedness
- Law and love
Exploring the following ideas
- Using wisdom to extract nectar from poison
- Plato's analogy of the cave
- Trusting the present moment
Principles
- Effective decision making
- The nature of criticism
- Give what you lack
Practices
- Discrimination of truth from untruth
- Nourishing the mind
- Being in touch with the present
Exploring the following ideas
- The true nature of freedom
- Full and constant experience of freedom
- How is freedom lost?
Principles
- The truth shall make you free
- The Self is indeed below, above, behind...
- The creation is one big play
Practices
- Listening
- Remembering
- Remaining free
Exploring the following ideas
- Discovering our own true nature
- Discovering oneself
- "Full Realization"
Principles
- Aspects of action
- Starting actions from stillness
- Discipline in action
Practices
- Stillness
- Observing the real intention of any action
- Discipline
Meditation is introduced after Part 5. Students can pursue further studies in Practical Philosophy through coursework, meditation classes, retreats and volunteer service at the school.