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Discovering Unity: a seven week evening class exploring human consciousness and meaning

3 April 2013 18:45 to 15 May 2013 21:00
Central Oxford
Beshara School


A course combining theory and practice, group investigation and private contemplation, uncovering some of the profound meanings entailed in being human.

Our premise is the ultimate unity of all existence. The course's development reflects this unity as it reveals itself by degrees in our everyday experience, as light and love, knowledge and beauty. It is a journey of self-enquiry and discovery of the unified whole that is our human nature.

This course is offered by alumni of the Beshara School and is based on material and a structure developed by the School for the completely independent use of its students.  

Dates: Wednesday evenings from 3 April – 15 May
Time: 6.45 – 9pm
Location: venue in central Oxford
Booking and more information: info@discoveringunity.org / 07771 707178

The course consists of seven evening meetings held weekly over forty-three days, together with personal enquiry through selected readings, audio, video and contemplative daily practice at home. Its inspiration and direction derive principally from the teachings of two spiritual giants of the 13th Century, Muhyiddin Ibn 'Arabi and Jalaluddin Rumi.

The course material and its method have been distilled from forty years experience of running Beshara School courses at Chisholme House in the Scottish Borders.

Syllabus

The evening meetings will start with a guided mindfulness meditation, followed by 'checking in' and discussing any questions, feelings and insights which may have arisen during the previous week. After a short break, the week's new theme will be introduced, with discussion and notes relating to the theme including texts, artwork, film and audio material, as well as specific questions to contemplate over the week.

Week 1: Beginning from the Beginning:
How can we create an ideal space, within ourselves and as a group, for this course to happen? How can we establish 'beginners mind'?

Week 2: The One and the Many, Being and Consciousness:
An exploration of the principle of unity and its relationship to diversity and multiple points of view.

Week 3: The Human Reality and Experience:
What is the place of the human being and how do we experience unity in everyday life?

Week 4: Relationships What is the nature of relationship, be it to ourselves, to others, to the earth and its other inhabitants or to God and reality?

Week 5: Closing the Shop that Sells Fishhooks:
What kind of work is required to realise our essential reality and to become free of our habitual mindsets?

Week 6: Love & Beauty:
What do we mean when we speak of love and what is its relationship to knowledge, service and beauty?

Week 7: Conclusions and Beginnings:
A final meeting to address endings, new beginnings and to tie up as many loose ends as possible.

Facilitators:

Derek Elliott lives in Oxford. He has been a student of the Beshara School for 37 years. He has a degree in Religious Studies and works as a designer of contemporary furniture. He is currently completing his training as a yoga teacher.

Kasia Gryszczuk completed a 6-months residential course at the Beshara School. She has an MSc in Neuroscience and a keen interest in human nature. She lives in Oxford and works as an interpreter.


A course combining theory and practice, group investigation and private contemplation, uncovering some of the profound meanings entailed in being human.

Our premise is the ultimate unity of all existence. The course's development reflects this unity as it reveals itself by degrees in our everyday experience, as light and love, knowledge and beauty. It is a journey of self-enquiry and discovery of the unified whole that is our human nature.

This course is offered by alumni of the Beshara School and is based on material and a structure developed by the School for the completely independent use of its students.  

Dates: Wednesday evenings from 3 April – 15 May
Time: 6.45 – 9pm
Location: venue in central Oxford
Booking and more information: info@discoveringunity.org / 07771 707178

The course consists of seven evening meetings held weekly over forty-three days, together with personal enquiry through selected readings, audio, video and contemplative daily practice at home. Its inspiration and direction derive principally from the teachings of two spiritual giants of the 13th Century, Muhyiddin Ibn 'Arabi and Jalaluddin Rumi.

The course material and its method have been distilled from forty years experience of running Beshara School courses at Chisholme House in the Scottish Borders.

Syllabus

The evening meetings will start with a guided mindfulness meditation, followed by 'checking in' and discussing any questions, feelings and insights which may have arisen during the previous week. After a short break, the week's new theme will be introduced, with discussion and notes relating to the theme including texts, artwork, film and audio material, as well as specific questions to contemplate over the week.

Week 1: Beginning from the Beginning:
How can we create an ideal space, within ourselves and as a group, for this course to happen? How can we establish 'beginners mind'?

Week 2: The One and the Many, Being and Consciousness:
An exploration of the principle of unity and its relationship to diversity and multiple points of view.

Week 3: The Human Reality and Experience:
What is the place of the human being and how do we experience unity in everyday life?

Week 4: Relationships What is the nature of relationship, be it to ourselves, to others, to the earth and its other inhabitants or to God and reality?

Week 5: Closing the Shop that Sells Fishhooks:
What kind of work is required to realise our essential reality and to become free of our habitual mindsets?

Week 6: Love & Beauty:
What do we mean when we speak of love and what is its relationship to knowledge, service and beauty?

Week 7: Conclusions and Beginnings:
A final meeting to address endings, new beginnings and to tie up as many loose ends as possible.

Facilitators:

Derek Elliott lives in Oxford. He has been a student of the Beshara School for 37 years. He has a degree in Religious Studies and works as a designer of contemporary furniture. He is currently completing his training as a yoga teacher.

Kasia Gryszczuk completed a 6-months residential course at the Beshara School. She has an MSc in Neuroscience and a keen interest in human nature. She lives in Oxford and works as an interpreter.

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