PHILOSOPHY WORKS!

This 10-week course boldly introduces participants to two ancient practices: The Exercise and The Pause. These ancient yet mindful practices allow the class to investigate what the wise say about inner wisdom and the truths about self-knowledge. Each week, a new topic is introduced together with practical application of philosophical principles and practices, and participants have the opportunity to share, question, and reveal insights.

As a prerequisite for all other courses, Philosophy Works gives participants a taste of courses to follow in succeeding terms.

The weekly topics are as follows:

WEEK 1: The Wisdom Within
WEEK 2: Know Thyself
WEEK 3: Being Awake
WEEK 4: Attending to the Present Moment
WEEK 5: Living Justly
WEEK 6: The Three-Fold Energy
WEEK 7: The Light of Reason
WEEK 8 The Power of Beauty
WEEK 9: Unity in Diversity
WEEK 10: The Desire for Truth

PHILOSOPHY & HAPPINESS

Over 10 weeks, students investigate the true nature of happiness, how it can be fully experienced and how it is lost. Philosophical explorers also look at the effect of gaining happiness at the expense of others by referencing personal experiences. Hypotheticals are avoided.

New ideas challenge the true nature of happiness as discussions face whether it is permanent or transient. The remaining question is, “Where does happiness go when one is unhappy?”

The weekly topics are as follows:

WEEK 1: Happiness & Service
WEEK 2: Happiness & Law – Is it Natural?
WEEK 3: Happiness & Utilitarianism
WEEK 4: Happiness & Pleasure, Epicurus, Aristippus, Plato
WEEK 5: The Platonic Goods that Lead to Happiness
WEEK 6: An Introduction to Marsilio Ficino
WEEK 7: Lao Tzu: Finding Inner Equilibrium
WEEK 8: Happiness & Contentment
WEEK 9: Finding Happiness in Work
WEEK 10: Happiness & Wisdom

PHILOSOPHY & FREEDOM

To be meaningful, any activity must have some purpose or aim in view.  The aim and purpose of philosophy could be summed up in one word – freedom.  Even though the topic of freedom is a broad one, the desire for freedom is universal.  The course will explore this topic in 11 weeks by asking the following questions:

What is the true nature of freedom?
How may freedom be experienced fully and constantly?
In what ways is freedom lost?
How does this apply both to individuals and to societies?

The weekly topics are as follows:

WEEK 1: Freedom, Truth & Love
WEEK 2: Freedom & the Play of Life
WEEK 3: Freedom of Speech
WEEK 4: Dialectic & Freedom
WEEK 5: The Journey to Freedom
WEEK 6: Emotional Freedom
WEEK 7: Freedom & the Heart
WEEK 8 Valuing Freedom
WEEK 9: Freedom from Tyranny
WEEK 10: Freedom & Humanity
WEEK 11: Freedom & True Being

MEDITATION & CINTANA

This is a closed course. It is for meditating students who are long-standing members of the School and are familiar with Sanskrita, Chanting, and Reflection.