DECEMBER 2023 – AQUARIAN PIONEERS AND EXEMPLARS and other topics
This universal Aquarian diffusion of the true ideal of spiritual science and lifelong learning will enable human beings to awaken a vibrant sense of universal justice, universal compassion and universal concord. It will enable people to learn anew how to think, how to speak and how to contribute fearlessly yet appropriately to the collective fund of human wisdom: how to evoke benevolent spirits. Raghavan Iyer
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5
NONVIOLENT APPROACHES TO MARGINALIZED WOMEN AND CHILDREN
Marcia Warrecker will discuss Gandhi’s writings in support of marginalized women and children in his era. Did he adhere to his nonviolent principles when dealing with his own wife and children, or just when protesting social and political injustices? How have conditions and attitudes changed today?
Reading: "A Sacred Recollection and Penance", Chapter X. Then skip to Chapters XXXII, "As Schoolmaster" and read through the other chapters.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12
UNITY, LAW AND THE TREE OF PEACE
We will watch excerpts from video footage of Oren Lyons, Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan and member of the Onondaga, one of the peoples of the Iroquois Confederacy in New York state, as well as a Professor of American Studies at SUNY and Director of the SUNY Native American Studies Program. He is also an activist for indigenous rights and cultural values. "At first", he has said, "I wanted to defend the Iroquois. Then my sight broadened to embrace other Indians. Then I saw that this had to include defending indigenous peoples all over the world."
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WINTER SOLSTICE, MID-WINTER SUN AND YULE
The focus will be on understanding the historical significance of the season as well as the universal values inherent in the seasonal cycle.
How can the seasonal cycles associated with the sun have any spiritual significance?
Why has the Winter Solstice been a universal, ancient celebration? Our recommended readings below will provide some clues.
Reading: The Sun in Plato's Republic
Reading: Druid Hymn to the Sun
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26
NO MEETING UNTIL JANUARY. CHECK BACK IN 2024 FOR NEW TOPICS FOR A NEW SET OF TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION!
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NOVEMBER 2023 –AQUARIAN PIONEERS AND EXEMPLARS
This universal Aquarian diffusion of the true ideal of spiritual science and lifelong learning will enable human beings to awaken a vibrant sense of universal justice, universal compassion and universal concord. It will enable people to learn anew how to think, how to speak and how to contribute fearlessly yet appropriately to the collective fund of human wisdom: how to evoke benevolent spirits. Raghavan Iyer
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7
TONI MORRISON AND THE USE OF LANGUAGE
The group will discuss Toni Morrison's acceptance speech for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993. The speech tells the story of an 'old woman, blind but wise" – "She is worried about how the language she dreams in, given to her at her birth, is handled, put into service, even withheld from her for certain nefarious purposes. Being a writer she thinks of language partly as a system, partly as a living thing over which one has control, but mostly as ageny – as an act with consequences."
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14 -- WE WILL NOT BE MEETING ON THIS DATE.
Santa Barbara participants are encouraged to attend the Robin Wall Kimmerer lecture, part of the Arts & Lectures Series in Campbell Hall, instead as she is an example of an Aquarian pioneer.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21
WILLIAM BLAKE AND THE AGE OF AQUARIUS
The title of the book,"William Blake and the Age of Aquarius" shows how "Blake's myths, visions, and radicalism found new life among American artists who valued individualism and creativity, explored expanded consciousness, and celebrated youth, peace, and the poser of love in a turbulent age."
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28
ROBERT MAYNARD HUTCHINS
Former dean of Yale Law School, chancellor of the University of Chicago, president of Fund for the Republic, and founder of the Center for
Democrati Institutions in Santa Barbara, Hutchins believed the object of eduction was to teach what it means to be a human, which to him meant studying universal principles and asking questions in a lifelong quest for wisdom.
"It is not the object of a college to mke its students good, because the college cannot do it; if it tries to do it, it will fail; it will weaken the agecies that should be discharging this resposibility, and it will not discharge its own responsibility." – Robert Hutchins
OCTOBER 2023 –WHAT IS DYIING AND WHAT IS BEING BORN IN THE DAWNING OF THE AQUARIAN AGE
Aquarius is symbolically bound up with destruction and regeneration, as well as with a conception of a creative humanity not bound up with static forms. Raghavan Iyer described one of the characteristics of the Aquarian humanity as a kind of elevation of consciousness through spiritual intelligence, symbolized by the development of aerial flight since the dawn of the Aquarian Age in 1902. Initially, we will focus on the thought and ideas of Aquarian pioneers. Click here for October flyer
"The idea of aspiration, the idea of harmony, the idea of solidarity in its deepest sense _ any of the ideas that are the living germs of Aquarian therapeutics – can be put to use and made to light a fire." – Raghavan Iyer
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3
The Ideals of the Aquarian Age
The group will discuss Raghavan Iyer's comments about the Aquarian Age, as well as the symbolism of Aquarius.
Reading: Raghavan Iyer's Statements on the Aquarian Age
Reading: Aquarian Symbolism
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10
The Age of Resilence, Jeremy Rifkin
"Future generations, suggests Rifkin, will likely experience existence less as objects and structires and more as patterns and processes ane come to understand that each of us is literally an ecosystem made up of tje microorganisms and elements that comprise the hydrosphere, lithosphere atmosphere, and biosphere."
Reading: The Age of Resilence by Jeremy Rifkin
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17
We will focus on three articles relating to Seeds and the Future of Humanity, Decoloniziing the Global Economy: Vandana Shiva
Reading: Oneness vs. the 1% by Vandana Shiva with Kairtikey Shiva
Reading: Philanthrocapitalism and the Erosion of Democracy edited by Vandana Shiva: Introduction
Reading: Philanthrocapitalism and the Erosion of Democracy edited by Vandana Shiva: Treaty to Protect our Agricultural Biodiversity
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24
Morphic Fields and the Music of the Spheres
"Morphic resonance is the influence of previous structures of activity on subsequent similar structure of activity organized by morphic fields. it enables memories to pass across both spce and time from the past. The greater the similarity, the greater the influence of morphic resonance. What this means is that all self-organizing systems, such as molecules, crystals, cells, plants, animals and animal societies, have a collective memory on which each individual draws and to which it contributes. In its most general sense this hypothesis implies that the so-called laws of nature are more like habits." – Rupert Sheldrake. This week we will have a discussion of the ideas of Rupert Sheldrake, combined with a superficial look at the String Theory of the Universe. The circle will view videos of Sheldrake anmd Professor Michio Kaku as a basis for dialogue.
Reading: The Presence of the Past: Morphic Resonance & The Habits of Nature by Rupert Sheldrake
Reading: Habits and Memory
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31
The Wheel of Life and Cultural Health
We will watch a YouTube conversation with Warren Brush and disciss his ideas on The Wheel of Life and cultural healh. Warren Brush is a global resilience design consultant, educator, lecturer and storyteller.
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SEPTEMBER 2023 – WHAT IS DYIING AND WHAT IS BEING BORN IN THE DAWNING OF THE AQUARIAN AGE
Aquarius is symbolically bound up with destruction and regeneration, as well as with a conception of a creative humanity not bound up with static forms. Raghavan Iyer described one of the characteristics of the Aquarian humanity as a kind of elevation of consciousness through spiritual intelligence, symbolized by the development of aerial flight since the dawn of the Aquarian Age in 1902. Initially, we will focus on the thought and ideas of Aquarian pioneers. Click here for printer-friendly flyer
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
A helpful beginning to understanding the changes and challenges that humanity faces, the Circle will focus on an article containing an interview with author Pico Iyer on the topic of "The Contemplative Traveler". In the article, Iyer tells us that when he called is latest book "The Half Known Life", " it was a way of saying we don't need certainity and we don't need hard conclusions. But we probably do need spiritual counsel and wisdom to navigate a world that''s always going to have shodow as well as light."
Reading: An Interview with Pico Iyer
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
Author Peter Friesen will join us via Zoom to talk about the subject of "A.I. and Beyond." Friesen studied philosophy and public administrtion and has a doctorate in law.
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SUMMER BREAK JUNE THROUGH AUGUST 2023
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MAY 2023 – CONCERNS ABOUT CONTEMPORARY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
May 2nd
Contemporary Technology as "Creative Destruction"
Discussion will focus on a selection from Mauro Guillen's book, "2030". The book explores what the world might look like in 2030. We will consider what he has to say about the impact of technology. Per Guillen: "Technology disrupts the status quo by changing one or more of the following: the concept of the product, the way it is made, how it is sold, who uses it, how people use it, or how people interact with one another."
Reading: Technology as Creative Destruction
May 9th
The Battle for your Brain
In her book, Nita Farahany discusses the practical and ethical implications of commodified neuroscience, especially the issues of cognitive liberty and privacy.
Reading: Battle for Your Brain
May 16th
Concerns About Artificial Intelligence
The news is full of conversations about Artificial Intelligence. The Circle will consider what the concerns are about A.I..
May 23rd
Is Contemporary Academic Science Credible?
A guest will speak to us about the credibility of contemporary academic applications of the scientific method, and the function and reliability of modeling and algorithms.
May 30th
What Climate Science Tells Us, and What it Doesn't
Steven Koonin's book, "Unsettled", makes the case that the science of climate is neither settled nor sufficient to dictate policy. He states that climate scientists have downplayed the uncertainties and exaggerated the risks of climate change. Koonin has good academic credentials, so we will consider what he has to say.
Reading: Summary of "Unsettled"
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APRIL 2023 – THE HALF KNOWN LIFE (continued from March)
In the interest of understanding the controversial and conflicted, we will take a look at Iran and Jerusalem through the eyes of author Pico Iyer. His newly published book, The Half Known Life – In Search of Paradise, provides the reader with a unique, and in some ways intimate, view of these places of which we hear so often in the news. If you can purchase the book that would be helpful.
April 4th
On The Lake
Pico Iyer's The Half Known Life – In Search of Paradise. Can we imagine a paradise that does not exclude human suffering and perversion?
This meeting will conclude our discussion of Pico Iyer's book and we will move on to other thinkers.
Reading: A Lotus in Mud
April 11th
The Other Faces of Power
As much as we hear about climate chaos, the real issue concerns the way we live and think. This particularly rings true from our discussion of Pico Iyer's book: The Half Known Life – In Search of Paradise. For the rest of April we will move on to other thinkers, beginning with exerpts from a video interview of Bill Moyers.
April 18th
The Value of the Humanities
Andrew Delbanco, recipient of the National Humanities Medal, was interviewed on Amanpour and Company. This interview will service as a basis for a discussion about the role of the Institute of World Culture in promoting the Humanities.
April 25th
Moral Clarity and Conversations
Two TED talks will form the basis of our discussion this evening. "A Moral Blueprint for Reimagining Capitalism" focuses on gaining "moral clarity" and the other: "How To Have Better Political Conversations"is about connecting to each other's values.
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MARCH 2023 – THE HALF-KNOWN LIFE
The Study Circle will round off the study of "patterns of learning" on March 7th and then,
March 7th
Historical and Contemporary Education in India
We will finish off our theme of Pathways to Learning–A Global Perspective. Shrinivas Chari will present a panoramic view of historial and contemporary education in India to provide us with a basis for discussion.
March 14th
The Walled Garden
Pico Iyer's The Half Known Life – In Search of Paradise, will be the basis for the discussion of Iran.
Reading: Chapter 1: The Walled Garden
March 21st
The Holy City
Pico Iyer's The Half Known Life – In Search of Paradise, will be the basis for the discussion of Jerusalem.
Reading: The Holy City
March 28th
On The Lake
Pico Iyer's The Half Known Life – In Search of Paradise, will be the basis for the discussion of Kashmir.
Reading: On The Lake
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FEBRUARY 2023 – PATHWAYS TO LEARNING – A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
February 7th
Confucian
/ Taoist Patterns of Learning
A presentation of ideas on Confucian and Taoist ideas on learning.
"At home, a young man should be a good son, when outside he should treat others like his brothers, his behaviour should be one of trustworthy and proper, and should love the multitude at large and keep himself close to people of benevolence and morality. If after all these activities, he has any energy to spare, he should read widely to stay cultivated." - Confucius
Reading: Balancing Yin and Yang from Taoism, Teaching, and Learning: A Nature-Based Approcah to Education by John P. Mille
If you wish a copy of the reading, email donna@worldculture.org
February 14
Montessori Methods Around the World
"Our care of the child should be governed, not by the desire to make him learn things, but by the endeavor always to keep burning within him that light which is called intelligence." – Maria Montessori
Reading: Montessori: The World's Most Influential School?
Reading: Elementary Montessori
February 21
Alterative Patterns of Learning
We will discuss one of the oldest alternative schools in English, Summerhill and view a TED talk given by Sir Kenneth Robinson on the value of creativity in learning.
Reading: Summerhill
School
Readig: Liberating Education
February 28
Historial and Contemporary Education in Pakistan
Pakistani educator Ghazala Rahman Rafiq will joint us from Karachi to offer a glimpse into Pakistan's education landscape from a historical perspective and speak about some policies that are obstacles in the way of what she finds to be an enlightened approach in national education planning and delivery.
Link: How to Boost School Leadership in 4 Steps
Reading: Education in Pakistan (Word version) (PDF version)
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JANUARY 2023 – EPICTETUS AND THE ART OF LIVING
"For Epictetus, a happy life and a virtuous life are synonymous. Happiness and personal fulfillment are the natural consequences of doing the right thing . . . Part of his genius is his emphasis on moral progress over seeking moral perfection." – Sharon Lebell
Our focus will be on the work of the Stoic philosopher Epictetus, the teacher of the better-known philosopher Marcus Aurelius. We will be using Sharon Lebell's rendering of the work of Epictetus "The Art of Living: the Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness" (formerly published as "A Manual for Living"). Lebell is able to translate the thought of Epictetus into very accessible language while maintaining the original meaning. In today's world, Epictetus offers us the soothing influence of a philosophy applicable to every person no matter what their station in life or the era in which they live.
Click here for a printer-friendly schedule of topics
January 3, 2023
In the meeting, we will watch a video: "Living the Best Possible Life" with Sharon Lebel
Reading: The Art of Living, Prologue vii - xiii and pp. 2 and 3
Click here for reading
January 10, 2023
Reading: The Art of Living, "Harmonize Your Own Actions With the Way Life Is", pp. 4 - 31
Click here for reading
January 17, 2023
Reading: The Art of Living, "Self-Mastery is Our True Aim", pp. 32 - 57
Click here for reading
January 24, 2023
Reading: The Art of Living, "Conduct Yourself with Dignity", pp. 58 - 79
Click here for reading
January 31, 2023
Reading: Education and the Heart of Social Change by Robert W. Roeser
Click here for reading |
