Philosophy Courses Wellington
Philosophy courses are available at The School of Philosophy in Wellington, beginning with the Introductory Course.
A range of associated courses, retreats and events are also offered. Some, like the annual Cultural Day, are open to the public, while others are available to current and often former students.
Term start dates for philosophy courses
There are three terms of Practical Philosophy per year.
For returning students:
- Term 1 – starts in early February
- Term 2 – starts in late May
- Term 3 – starts in mid September
The Introductory Course starts 2 weeks later, in the third week of each term.
The 1st term of 2024 starts the week beginning Monday 29 January for returning students (including Part 2). For Introductory students the term begins 2 weeks later: the week beginning Monday 12 February 2024.
How to enrol and pay online for our philosophy courses
- Introductory Course (in-person or online) – Click the “Intro Course” tab for information and how to register
- All other returning students – please email the school. We will let you know what courses are available, and work with you to process your enrolment.
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Meditation
Simple forms of meditation are given in early groups, and then a deeper form of mantra meditation is available at about term 5. This has a strong spiritual and philosophical tradition behind it.
Meditation does not require one to abandon one’s own religion or culture. In fact, some students find that it gives them a helpful understanding of their own traditions.
The main purpose of meditation is to bring the mind and emotions to rest, so that what is left is the awareness one’s true self. Meditation acts like a subtle bath after which one comes out clear and refreshed. This facilitates a deeper understanding of life’s big questions, and therefore it can help in the study of Philosophy.
Retreats
Students are offered study days, weekend retreats or for longer term students week-long retreats in addition to the courses. (Current enrolled students are informed when these are available.) These can provide opportunities to gain deeper understanding.
Helping out
The principle behind helping out is to give back some of what you have received. You could help out with tea-making for example. Also, many philosophical principles can be practiced and realised in this way, such as service, mindfulness and happiness. It can be a philosophical practice of giving freely without expectations or reward. It is voluntary.
Saturday morning maintenance
Learning how to use fine attention in manual tasks is extremely enlightening. The mind and emotions come to rest, and tasks are performed with little loss of energy.
Students practice some simple principles of work designed to allow one to feel present in the moment. This may allow a new perspective on the way we all work. This is a type of enlightenment-in-activity, and it sets the foundation for finer use of the mind and ultimately self-knowledge.
The Saturday morning sessions run most weeks from 8am to midday and you can attend for part of the time if desired. Each session involves performing manual tasks (suitable to the individual) with short breaks for discussion and feedback, and a cup of tea or coffee. The emphasis is on restful observation by attending to what’s in front of you, not doing work. This is open to all current students.