School of Philosophy | Melbourne

Some would say that the biggest breakthrough in science in the last half century has been the mapping and deciphering of the genetic code. This interactive workshop will explore some of the basic principles in genetics from both scientific and philosophical perspectives. Particular emphasis will be given to the emerging field of epigenetics which examines how the mind, lifestyle and environment impact upon how our genes express themselves and the implications for staying well or recovering from illness.

A timeless way of building is a process of conformity with a search for wholeness within ourselves. The power to design beautiful spaces and buildings lies within each of us. You are invited to discover this gift and to practise it in your daily life.

What is spirituality and what place does it have in your life? What is the significance of contemplation? This is a hands-on, experiential workshop, in which we will explore our own direct experience of spirituality through the use of art materials, personal reflection, paired and group discussion. No artistic experience or talent is necessary!

Dialectic has been described as the art of discovering the truth. There is much to be learned about this and much that we can put into practice in our own search for truth and wisdom. This session will take the form of an exploration into this mysterious subject, and will include some practical exercises so that we can get a taste of it for ourselves.

Arjuna is not sure if he should fight for the good or give up to the perceived over whelming army of evil. Arjuna asks wise Krsna for counsel and Krsna speaks what we now know as the Bhagavad Gita. Come and join us in penetrating a small part of this great work.

Have you ever experienced the joy of writing with a calligraphy pen? Watch and feel the ink as it flows out of the pen at your fingertips, and take delight in the handwritten letterforms. This is a practical workshop and no prior experience is necessary.

Embrace the season of Autumn through dance. A time to feel the wind beneath your wings and gently let go of the burdens no longer needed to be carried. Enjoy these simple movements - no previous dance experience required.

Each one of us has a unique set of gifts or talents. One of our challenges in life is to discover our own special talents and then to decide how we will use them. By discovering, developing and putting our talents to use, we all have the potential to make a difference in the world. This presentation will help you to discover your gifts.

Do our expedient actions ultimately save time and energy? In the long run do they produce satisfying results? We will consider the effects of expediency. Are there other options that can be more efficient and satisfying?

Metaphorically speaking, we're all "sailing on the Titanic”. There's an iceberg waiting for everybody. So how do we prepare? Hamlet says, "The readiness is all". How do we follow Marsilio Ficino's direction to turn the inevitable into the voluntary? With dignity. Can Fate be transposed into My Will?

Once in a few lifetimes, something happens in history to change the direction of a civilisation. The Renaissance was one such time. What happened and why? What was the role of philosophy and Marsilio Ficino in this re-birth?

When adversity strikes how do you respond? This gracious and noble virtue may hold the key. Hear what the poets Shakespeare, Kipling and others have said about forbearance and how it has featured in the lives of some of humanity’s greats. Consider how it applies to us right here, right now, in these challenging times.

The senses continually receive impressions. Thoughts, feelings and emotions arise in response and the result of these forces produces a reaction. Despite our best efforts, our reactions in the moment are not always what we would wish. Let us explore in action some such moments and see the forces at play.

What is it about Fra Angelico’s art? It seems to pare back the soul’s accretions and reveal its pure essence. How did a young village man find himself in a place that seemed to be waiting for him to arrive on the stage and paint? Consider how talent and the moment come together naturally to create a symphony of beauty.

The Gayatri has been described as having the power of 1000 nuclear bombs; a famous singer performed the mantra in all 200 performances of her farewell concert tour; and a renowned scientist said that the Gayatri should be carved on the door of every science laboratory. Discover the power and beauty of the Gayatri while its sounds awaken the vital energies which lead to liberation. A practical session requiring no singing experience.

"If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs..." So begins Rudyard Kipling's famous poem "If" which gives advice on facing adversity. What is adversity? What are the many forms it takes in our daily lives? Can it be avoided? Or do we simply need to be able to meet it head on? Join us for a discussion using the poem "If" as our guide.

How much do we really know about the oldest surviving continuous cultures in the world, the ones on our own doorstep? What sort of spirituality and philosophy has been practised in Australian Aboriginal communities, and is this still alive today? What can our own and other indigenous cultures teach us about operating under natural law, caring for family and country, and living out the truth of the connectedness of all things? This session aims to encourage students to consider what these cultures might have to offer our modern civilisation.

The voice is the one musical instrument we are all born with and song is the most powerful medium for communicating words of truth. Join in the restful art of singing in unison and harmony. No prior experience is required for this joyful activity.

It is so relaxing to simply pick up a needle and sew; such fun to use a rainbow of colours and enjoy fabric textures. Decorating your home with cushions you have made yourself adds to a real sense of 'Home'. The stitches are very simple and once learnt can be used in so many ways. Find a new hobby and way to enjoy being peaceful.

A philosophic investigation into what influences fashion and dress etiquette. What insights can the Book of Genesis, Plato and the Bhagavad Gita reveal? Is there any truth to the old Roman proverb that clothes maketh the man or woman?

The word ‘Healing’ means ‘to make whole’. Do you find your life is fragmented and stressful? Together we will consider an Ayurvedic approach to bringing ‘wholeness’ and health to our lives. The session will include a first-hand account of an Ayurvedic healing treatment in India.

Like the moon leaving Mother Earth, psychology left philosophy a long time ago and started out on its own. Whether this has been a good move or not still isn’t quite clear. As both a lecturer in psychology and a tutor in practical philosophy it would be nice to believe that the two can help each other and humanity in general. There are psychological theories that are strongly philosophical, such as Abraham Maslow’s Self Actualisation, Martin Seligman’s Learned Optimism, and Clinical Psychology’s Mindfulness as a psychological treatment. This interactive presentation will try to create a unified psycho-sophy that painlessly combines the modern intelligence of psychology with the ancient wisdom of philosophy.

Most of us are aware that as part of a global community we are facing some pressing and unprecedented challenges - social, environmental, political and economic. Eckhart Tolle’s writings suggest we can experience this period as a time of joy, contribution and spiritual awakening by cultivating the ability to be still, present and at peace with the world we have.

A journey of self discovery through the mystery of Plato’s Cave. Who was in the cave; how did one man manage to get out; and why did he return? The story of the cave is found in Plato’s Republic – perhaps his best and most well known dialogue. We will use the cave and other imagery from The Republic, such as the ‘Divided line’, the ‘Simile of the Sun’ and the ‘Mutinous Ship’ to explore Plato’s philosophy. Practical exercises will be used to extend that exploration to a journey of self-understanding.

Princess Sita is abducted by Ravana and taken to an island where she is tempted with every imaginable luxury and precious gifts to accept Ravana as her Lord. Could there be parallels in this ancient parable to our lives? Have we been abducted like Sita?

Join us in listening to Eckhart Tolle’s CD “The Realisation of Being – A Guide to Experiencing Your True Identity”. In this guided meditation session he shows us how to “listen to our entire body” and “merge with this present moment”, and is recommended for those with some experience of meditation or relaxation practices. This session puts into practice the essence of his best-selling books.

The subject of reincarnation or re-embodiment has held a fascination for many over the centuries. What do the wise say about it? Do you have a personal view? In this session we will examine how this concept is viewed in some of the world’s great philosophies and traditions – particularly Plato, the Vedic tradition and Christianity. A chance to consider this intriguing topic and perhaps draw some conclusions for ourselves.

Some works of art and architecture have qualities that immediately bring us to rest. While they are expressions of a culture and an era they share qualities that inspire us to recognise the Sacred in them and consequently in us. You are welcome to explore the nature of ‘Beauty’ and ‘Sacred’ in good company while contemplating extraordinary works of art from East and West.

Our responses to situations can create a sense of being on a treadmill of always responding in ‘automatic’ mode and result in feelings of loss of freedom. Together we’ll explore how these situations arise and how we might adopt and practise a different approach to regain that freedom; an approach that has been known and used for thousands of years.

“What experience, mystically divine,
Transcending all concepts of time,
Made the participants,
All kinds of miscreants,
Taste a magic superbly sublime?”

Particularly Pythagoras, Plato, Plotinus, Rumi, St. Francis of Assisi, Meister Eckhart, and more recently, Eckhart Tolle and Simone Weil. What did they know? What was their secret?

All of us were born creative….many of us have just forgotten how! This session will help you to rediscover and unleash your creative potential. What did Leonardo da Vinci know? Learn Leonardo’s secret and other simple, yet practical techniques that can be applied in all aspects of your life.