Enrol in our introductory course: The Wisdom Within

The Wisdom Within is a 9-week online or in-room philosophy course for beginners, and is primarily concerned with providing the student with some fundamental concepts and tools for understanding the inner being. And how that understanding can open up the mind to a better quality of life.

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Following the introductory course

9 Weeks of Exploring Happiness, Love, Freedom, Presence of Mind, and Meditation

9 weeks of 90-minute sessions covering a variety of topics such as Wisdom, Self-Knowledge, Awareness, Mindfulness, Justice, Energy, Reason, Beauty, Unity and Truth.

Week 1 – The Wisdom Within
This class introduces the nature of wisdom and how it may be possible to live wisely. Wisdom, happiness, and love are central to human life.

Week 2 – Knowing Yourself
Self-discovery leads to Self-knowledge. Who or what am I? What is my nature? What is it to be human and what is my unlimited human potential?

Week 3 – Being Awake
Are there different levels of awareness? Are there greater levels of awareness? What is our usual state of awareness and how can we become more aware?

Week 4 - Living in Present Moment
What is the potential of the present moment? We will consider the power of attention to connect with the present moment. We will practice mindfulness.

Week 5 – Living with Justice What are justice and injustice? What does it mean to live justly? We will consider the words of Plato and others, and learn about "the tyrants of the soul".

Week 6 -The Three Energies
How we can understand and use energy well? How we can increase the energy available to us and choose the most useful energy at will, in the moment we need it?

Week 7 – The Power of Reason
We will consider the purpose of reason and how it may be strengthened. We will learn the Socratic method of improving the reasoning powers, where truth is the goal of speech.

Week 8 – The Power of Beauty
What is beauty? What is its purpose? Can we experience beauty more widely and deeply? Is beauty truly in the eye of the beholder or is it much more than just a sensory experience?

Week 9 – The Desire for Truth
How does the desire for truth show itself? How may it be satisfied? How to see unity in diversity, the common thread of life that runs through all life.

Who is this course for?

This course is for anybody who ever questioned the commonly held beliefs in our society.
Or they may have heard something particularly inspiring or challenging and didn’t quite know why. You may be someone who wants to know more about the great ideas that have existed for many centuries across many diverse cultures.
You do not need to have studied philosophy before but it won’t hurt if you have. If you believe you could learn and develop yourself, and are looking for a possible source of guidance, then The Wisdom Within might be just the course for you. Bring a friend and be sure to have some very interesting discussions on the night and afterwards.

2025 Term 1 enrolments are now open.

Please note there are courses available both online and onsite – our current enrolment options are shown below.

Zoom online - Thursday evenings 7.30pm

Enrolments for our online course are open. The course runs from 7:30 to 9:00 PM, starting February 13, 2025.

ENROLMENTS OPEN

Onsite - Mt Eden, Auckland. Thursday evenings at 7.30pm

Enrolments for our onsite course at Mt Eden are open. The course runs from 7:30 to 9:45 PM, including a tea break, on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 27 Esplanade Rd, with onsite parking available.

ENROLMENTS OPEN

Onsite - West Tamaki, Auckland. Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm

Enrolments for our onsite course at East Tamaki are open. The course runs from 7:30 to 9:45 PM, including a tea break, on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 268 West Tamaki Rd, with onsite parking available.

ENROLMENTS OPEN

Returning Students

Returning Students are very welcome to apply to rejoin School of Philosophy courses.
Simply email us at info@philosophy.nz giving your name and address. Our email response will give you details of: the recommended next course; start dates; and fees. Any information you give us is confidential and only used to update our past student database.

About The School of Philosophy Auckland

For over 60 years, we have been dedicated to providing continuous courses in practical philosophy in Auckland. Our offerings include an introductory course in Philosophy and Mindfulness, with subsequent courses focusing on themes like Happiness, Love, and Presence of Mind. Upon completing the Introductory Course, students have the opportunity to participate in a short course that introduces a traditional and proven meditation practice.

In addition to our courses, we foster active interest groups that delve into fascinating subjects such as the Sanskrit language, Economics, and the Greek philosophers.

As an organization, we are proud to be entirely comprised of our student body, which consists of approximately 250 students. Our activities are guided by an elected Executive Committee composed of senior students, ensuring a student-centered approach.

Discover the transformative power of philosophy with us at the School of Philosophy.

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Course Inspiration

The courses are inspired by the ancient Eastern concept of Advaita and also draw from a wide range of other philosophic and spiritual traditions including Christianity, Platonism, Taoism, Buddhism,…

Thought for the day

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matter, compared to what lies within us."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

About the School

The School of Philosophy is a registered charity that has offered courses in practical philosophy continuously for over 60 years in Auckland.

Testimonials

I have to say that, in all my years of questing, the school of philosophy was the catalyst that propelled me into my current experience of completion, tranquillity, appreciation, acceptance. While I left the school five years ago, its impact has transformed my life.