What does it mean to become a student of Platonic philosophy? Especially when that philosophy is understood to be an entrance into those mysteries which reveal the divine nature of the cosmos in which the human soul has its part to play? If we are to enter the Platonic tradition with its depths and wide embrace what qualities should we cultivate, and what disciplines and practices might help that cultivation? We will look at the words on this subject from some of the sages who have gone before us in our tradition: not with a view to demanding from others those qualities, but rather with the desire to fit ourselves for the task that lies before the true lover of wisdom.
We will be drawing from the following paper, please download the PDF here: Preparing Ourselves for the Mysteries
These open sessions usually run twice on the same day to accommodate different time zones. They take particular topics or passages from Plato and other writers in the tradition – these are open to anyone interested, and they attract a wide range of participants. We usually begin with a short 5 or 10 minute introduction to the subject in hand and (when appropriate) a reading of a short text: this leaves a good hour or so to discuss the ideas which arise.
Where a short text is to be discussed you will find it available for downloading a few days before the date of the session.
There are no fees payable. The Trust sees the Platonic tradition as a spiritual one: not only a guide for the outer life, but especially to be treasured for its assistance in the cultivation of the inner self – the soul – for, says Plato in the Timeaus, “we are not terrestrial plants, but blossoms of heaven.” We understand the tradition to be profound and cohesive, and one that repays the long-term effort required to truly embed oneself in it. Our approach is not exclusive – we value other traditions for their insights – nor is it dogmatic or an attempt to proselytise: however we are serious in our attempts to fathom the depths of the tradition, to identify its foundations, and where its teachings seem to run counter to accepted thinking to investigate them thoroughly rather than rejecting them prematurely. Thus our point of focus is on the teachings of the tradition and most especially our own inner response to them.
By joining our studies you are making no commitment beyond that of co-operating with us in our exploration of those truths which have inspired a company of men and women most luminous in their understanding, and unsparingly generous in their teaching.
You can register viz zoom by clicking on the link above or here.
For US-timed session, you can register by clicking here. Start time is 7:30 pm EDT / 4:30 pm PDT.