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In these two lectures about Sandro Botticelli (1444-1510) and the meaning behind two of his best loved paintings, Angela introduces you to the esoteric worldview which flourished in the early centuries CE in cultural centres such as Alexandria in Egypt, and was reborn in Renaissance Europe. In fifteenth century Florence, a group of intellectuals centred around the great Platonic philosopher Marsilio Ficino (1433-99) instigated a revival of what was then called ‘the ancient wisdom’, now often referred to as the Western esoteric tradition, or the Perennial Wisdom. 1 hours 49 minutes Try a free sample
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Over four lectures, Nicholas introduces us to the lives and sayings of the desert fathers, with a particular focus on the fascinating writings of Evagrius of Pontus (c. 345-399). In doing so, he makes the wisdom of the desert relevant to contemporary spiritual practice. 4 hours 57 minutes Try a free sample
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These three lectures are an introduction to one of the most important schools of philosophy in the ancient world, the followers of Plato (c.348-428 BCE) who are now called the Neoplatonists. Writing from roughly 100 to 500 CE, these philosophers offered interpretations of Plato’s ideas from varying perspectives but always focussing on the nature of the human soul, and its relationship with the cosmos and with the One, the supreme, divine ground of being which gives rise to all that is. Each lecture is devoted to a different personality and viewpoint – Plotinus’ contemplative approach, Iamblichus’ ritual approach, and the visionary mysticism of the legendary Hermes Trismegistus. 2 hours 20 minutes Try a free sample
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In this course John Danvers presents what he calls ‘the mysticism of being-here’ - a particular interpretation of mysticism that differs from many of the more orthodox views. John draws on the writings of a wide range of mystics, and on commentaries by other authors who have addressed different aspects of mysticism; these include: Teresa of Avila, Jacob Boehme, the anonymous author of The Cloud of Unknowing, Meister Eckhart, Martin Heidegger, Thomas Merton, Baruch Spinoza and a number of Buddhist teachers. Total length: 3 hours 11 min Try a free sample
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Purchase our eight Indian Tradition courses for the discounted price of only £80. You will get our courses on the The Philosophy of the Yoga Sutra, The History and Practices of Hatha Yoga, The Upanishads: Stories of the Self, Tantra: Theory and Practice, Women in Yoga, Swami Vivekananda & His Legacy, How Yoga Came to Britain and Hindu Asceticism & its Spiritual Disciplines
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This lecture series with Sarah Shaw looks at several texts in the Pali Canon from the Dīgha Nikāya, the "collection of long discourses”. Over 7 lectures Sarah explores the Buddha’s teachings on subjects including meditation, ethics, meditative states and conditionality. This series is an excellent foundation for understanding the underpinnings of all Buddhist philosophy. Total length: 6 hours 26 minutes Try a free sample
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Get all of our Wise Studies courses exploring Buddhist texts and teachings for one discounted price. You will receive Essentials of Buddhist Philosophy with Bee Scherer, An Introduction to Soto Zen with John Danvers The Early Teachings of the Buddha & Lives of the Buddha with Sarah Shaw.