More discourse than lecture, these presentations offer you the opportunity to engage with the subject matter, question and discuss with like minded people. Join the discovery of practical wisdom and how it could be applied in daily life. (Limited to 20 attendees).
OUR CURRENT WORKSHOPS
“How do I make better choices?”
If it’s choice, not chance that determines our destiny, what destiny are you choosing?
The decisions that we make moment by moment, day by day, are steering a course for our lives. So are we fully awake or asleep at the helm? By understanding the nature of the choices we make and the way in which we make them, we can begin to steer a more conscious path for our lives.
This workshop will provide you with practical skills for making better choices.
True confidence
Saturday 5th October 2019 10.00 am -12 noon.
We tend to strive for inner confidence leaving doubt behind. Much of our time and energy can be spent in justifying and covering our not so strong self-esteem. This tends to separate us from the great unity of mankind. Let us discover some of the fundamental practical principles which will help us to be our ‘natural’ selves. This will then allow us to give more of our energy and attention to addressing whatever comes along in life in a more straightforward and insightful manner – no need for acting! Thus, life can be more enjoyable, simpler and more directed.
Presented by Warwick Brewster.
Warwick Brewster was a leader in the development of an integrated design and construction approach to building, both through his lectures as head of the Building & Construction department at RMIT University and practically through the company he founded and directed, as a consultant to a number of larger construction companies.
Warwick’s lectures at RMIT embraced a philosophy for the conscious management of a building company and its work sites.
He has attended the School of Philosophy for forty years in which time he has had many roles culminating in being the founding Chairman of Erasmus Primary School.
Renaissance
Saturday 26th October 2019 10.00 am -12 noon.
Egyptian, Carolingian, Florentine and …. Australian?
At the heart of these great explosions in creativity is a profound understanding of ourselves.
Drawing inspiration from the great teachers and artists of past Renaissance eras, this workshop looks at their common discovery: the inseparability of inner self-discovery and outer self-expression. Their searching culminated in renaissances. What is renaissance today? These teachers speak of it as a new birth of mind, heart and spirit within the one life which is experienced as inner peace and outer creative happiness. Is this our search and wish, too? In this workshop we will consider their practical life-changing guides for self-fulfilment. Having stood the test of time, these guides remain as valid and practical today as ever. Let’s explore them together!
Presented by Helen Nichol
Helen first worked in psychology, as a Practice Manager, Professional Development Manager and Practitioner in couple and family work. In education she was one of the founding Governors of the Erasmus Primary school and her contribution included a role as the Ancient History Curriculum Developer and Coordinator before becoming the Schools first Well-Being Chaplain during which time Helen developed a program called One Humanity: many paths. Recently she completed a Masters focusing on the philosophical works of the Florentine Renaissance teacher, Marsilio Ficino. Her 40+-year involvement with practical Philosophy has naturally led to her current academic studies: examining the Renaissance idea that philosophy is intended to be practical and transformative.
Democracy on trial
Saturday 30th November 10.00 am - 12 noon
Plato and his teacher, Socrates, put democracy as the second lowest of the five main forms of government described in the Republic - just one step above tyranny. In the modern day we tend to think democracy is the highest form of government. What was Plato's reason for doing this? Which view is right? Can reflecting on our own nature, or even modern neuroscience help to shed any light on the matter? Was Plato a product of his day or did he reveal timeless insights that shed light on modern politics and world events? If Plato was right, then what do modern liberal democracies have in store for the future?
Presented by Dr. Craig Hassed
Dr. Craig Hassed’s teaching, research and clinical interests include mindfulness-based stress management, mind-body medicine, meditation, health promotion, integrative medicine and medical ethics. He is regularly invited to speak and run courses in Australia and overseas in health, professional and educational contexts. He was the founding president of the Australian Teachers of Meditation Association and is a regular media commentator. He writes regularly for medical journals and has published thirteen books including, most recently, The Freedom Trap.