School of the Wisdom Classes 2009-10
5 January to 4 February 2010
Theosophy and its Practical Implications
Director: Mr Colin Price
There are aspects of Theosophical doctrine which are highly technical and only of interest to the serious student of philosophy and metaphysics. However a major portion of the teachings have direct relevance to human life in the twenty-first century. Their deeper meaning only becomes evident to the student after many steps have been taken into the hall of learning. This session will seek to explore the vastness of Theosophy and its great significance for understanding the meaning of life and the mystery of human consciousness.
Recommended reading:
* The Mahatma Letters
* The Key to Theosophy
* H. P. Blavatsky Collected Writings (Vol. XII)
* Fundamentals of Esoteric Philosophy by G. De Purucker
* Deity, Cosmos & Man by G. A. Farthing
Mr Colin Price is a former General Secretary of the English Section of the TS, a featured speaker at the EuropeanSchool of Theosophy and a member of the Blavatsky Trust in England.
30 November to 11 December 2009
Human Evolution and Spirituality
Director: Prof. C. A. Shinde
Theosophical teachings suggest that there are three schemes of evolution: physical, intellectual and spiritual. Consciousness and matter affect each other because they are two constituents of one whole. Spirit and matter, life and form are ever inseparable. This session will explore of the evolution of form and the unfoldment of consciousness in the light of Theosophy.
Recommended reading:
* Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant
* A Study in Consciousness by Annie Besant
Prof. C. A. Shinde is the Director of the Adyar Library and Research Centre and a National Lecturer for the Indian Section of the TS.
16 to 27 November 2009
Brain, Consciousness and Transformation
Director: Dr Satish Inamdar
This session will explore four subjects: intelligence (sense of survival, significance of life, fear, desire and reasoning); evolution (animal brain, human brain, brain-mind, consciousness); structure and function of human brain and function and behaviour (average behaviour, perversions, creativity, thought, knowledge, superstition, religious life, transformation and mutation of brain cells).
Dr Satish Inamdar worked professionally as a Cancer Surgeon and is interested in enquiring about life. He has been associated with the Krishnamurti Foundation India since July 1988 and is presently the Director of the Foundation’s Bangalore Education Centre. He has also been Director of the School of the Wisdom at Adyar for several sessions in the past.
9 to 15 November 2009
Intuitive Awareness: a Silent Retreat
Director: Venerable Ajahn Sumedho Bhikkhu
Being present here and now with total attention and awareness is the way to liberation from ignorance and suffering. The Buddha proclaimed this truth 2552 years ago and the importance and the reality of this teaching is being increasingly recognized. During these classes we will explore the relevance of such teaching for our lives.
Venerable Ajahn Sumedho Bhikkhu was born in the United States. He went to Thailand in 1966 and became a disciple of Venerable Ajahn Chah (Pbra Bodhinyana Thera) in the forest monastery of Wat Nong Pah Pong, UbonProvince. He is the head of the Amaravati Buddhist Monastery in West Sussex, England. He is also a former President of the Buddhist Society in London. He is the author of The Teachings from the Silent Mind; Mindfulness, Path to the Deathless; The Four Noble Truths and The Way It Is.
Students will be encouraged to take the Eight Buddhist Precepts for the duration of the retreat. Participants are also advised to observe silence during the time of the retreat. Traditional Pali chants, containing the teachings of the Buddha, will be sung at the beginning and ending of each session.