This 10 week course of philosophy offers an entirely practical approach
to the study of philosophical principles that have transformed mankind's
appreciation of its fundamental nature.
It draws from great eastern and western streams of understanding and
introduces powerful principles in a way that can be immediately applied
to the situations all of us face.
The topics explored:
Week 1: The importance and meaning of philosophy; what is wisdom?
how can wisdom be expressed in practice? the qualities of a
wise person; a practical exercise to develop inner poise and
efficiency in action.
Week 2: Self-knowledge as the basis for good living; the constant
underlying the changeable world; the importance of clear
observation; viewing the world with an open mind.
Week 3: The levels of awareness; the qualities of higher consciousness;
Plato: the immortality of the soul.
Week 4: Seeing the unity underlying everything; inner stillness
- the
basis for developing our full potential; Plato: justice, injustice
and wisdom; acting with justice and wisdom.
Week 5: The great power of reason; the right and wrong use of reason;
finding strength and efficiency through inner stillness.
Week 6: Raising one's level of consciousness; beauty: outer and
inner;
beauty of form, thought and character; absolute beauty as the
basis of all; connecting with the present moment; expressing our
finest inner qualities in life.
Week 7: What am I? the characteristics of the human being; body,
mind,
heart and the unchanging inner observer; developing the power
of attention.
Week 8: Teachings from the ancient wisdom of India; the three
primordial forces in creation; how the three forces operate in the
world; recognising our true Self; rising above the duality of
pleasure and pain.
Week 9: The effect of the three forces on body, mind and heart;
using the
three forces wisely; developing the power of attention in
practice.
Week 10: Review of the term’s work; background to the development
of
philosophy in the School; Truth, the essence of our being; inner
stillness - the way to Truth.
