True Beauty and the Spiritual Path

An introductory weekend on the Phaedrus
run in conjunction with the Millennium Trust

November 2nd - 4th 2007

At Grove House, Sellindge, Nr Ashford, Kent

This weekend is centred on an exploration of Plato's Phaedrus.  This dialogue has been considered by many commentators as a summary of most of the important insights of the Platonic corpus – it is exceptionally inspiring, as well as one of the most psychologically profound of the works of antiquity.  In it Plato traces the descent of the soul from her pristine state of innocence, her trials of earthly existence, her reawakening to her spiritual destiny through the extraordinary effects of falling in love, and the path which she then makes for herself in order to regain her original union with the Beautiful. In this way, Plato shows his Pythagorean roots, and allows us to join with Pythagoras in his wonderful affirmation, "I am a child of Earth, and of the Starry Heavens."

No thoughtful person can remain unmoved by the vision that the Phaedrus lays before us once we begin to see the half-hidden teachings that lie beneath the surface of the written words.  By considering the dramatic and mythological symbolism used in the dialogue, as well as the psychological responses Plato expects to draw from those who ponder his arguments, we aim to begin that process which the dialogue itself promises: for having acknowledged the shortcomings of written teaching, Socrates encourages us towards the kind of teachings which are written in the soul of the learner.  Comparing true philosophic communion with the science and art of the wise gardener drawing forth flowers and fruits in their season, he says:

"But, in my opinion, a much more beautiful study will result from discourses, when some one employing the dialectic art, and receiving a soul properly adapted for his purpose, plants and sows in it discourses, in conjunction with knowledge; discourses which are sufficiently able to assist both themselves and their planter, and which are not barren, but abound with seed; from whence others springing up in different manners, are always sufficient to extend this immortal benefit, and to render their possessor blessed in as high a degree as is possible to human beings."

The weekend will be led by Tim Addey and Martha Lyn, both of whom are teachers in the Prometheus Trust's education programme.

The weekend will run from Friday evening (which includes an evening meal) to mid-afternoon on Sunday.  Bookings should be made through the Millennium Trust - contact Ronald Lello, Grove House, Sellindge, Kent, TN25 6JX, 01303 813140 email: Ronald@millenniumtrust.co.uk

FEES:

Residential participants £120 including  accommodation and food

Non residential participants £65 including lunches and  dinner*
*an additional £7 50 will be charged to non residents who
wish to join us for dinner on Friday evening

  Bursaries are available for those unable to afford these fees.

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The Seven Myths of the Soul

An afternoon of myth, and some first
steps in their underlying philosophy

Tim Addey

Under the auspices of the Hamblin Trust

17th May 2008, 2 to 4pm

The stories in the world's treasure-house of Myth are whispers of the wisdom of our distant ancestors, and their simple delights have carried this wisdom through long ages of neglect.  Damascius, the last head of Plato's Academy, wrote that the seven myths of Persephone, Dionysus, Prometheus, Hercules, Athene, Apollo and Demeter were the key to understanding the path of the soul from her original home with the Gods, through the trials of earthly existence, and back to her divine source.

Tim Addey will spend an afternoon tracing this path, retelling the stories and offering a few interpretations of them, based on his understanding of the philosophy and initiatory practices of the original Greek tellers of these beautiful tales.

For further details, pleace contact the Secretary, The Hamblin Trust, Bosham House, Main Road, Bosham, Nr Chichester, PO18 8PJ.  Tel. 01243 572109.  Email office@thehamblinvision.org.uk