Study Weekends

Philosophy Café – Free drop-in sessions

April 10, 2025

Philosophy Café

A weekly get together of like minded people, who want to engage or recharge their interest in the practical benefits of studying philosophy.

Free drop-in sessions on Zoom, no need to attend every week. You will need to register, please click here to register.

Weekly topics taken from the philosophy courses with a focus on Practical Philosophy, and what works in ‘my’ life.
Breakout rooms are allocated to allow time to meet and discuss ideas in smaller groups
Participants are encouraged neither to accept nor reject ideas, but to keep an open mind to discover what might be useful.
We will use the four principles of platonic dialogue.

Platonic dialogue

Truth is the goal
Be willing to be refuted
Listen with full attention; give space to the other person, don’t monopolize the stage – everyone’s voice is important
Ask questions

Peter Whitfield has been teaching the introductory courses in Philosophy for over 30 years. His love of great stories and belief in an eternal wisdom that provides practical help to live life fully, truly and happily has helped thousands of students.

The Introductory Philosophy course has transformed so many lives and the Philosophy Café is an opportunity for anyone, current students, past students, family or friends to come along and be inspired.

With Peter’s facilitation, the Friday night Philosophy café promises to be a new, flourishing event. Come along, be a participant and Find Yourself, in good company.

Session Times:

8am/7pm London (Friday)

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Study Group : Conversations with Sri Santananda Saraswati

April 10, 2025

Conversations with Sri Santananda Saraswati

Key to the practice of philosophy in the School has been the conversations between the School leader and the Śankarārcaya, Śrī Śantānanda Sarasvatī, which started in 1965 and have continued, now with their successors, up to the current day.

We will work our way through these conversations in chronological order. As with all our courses, the emphasis will be on discovering for ourselves, in practice, the import of his words in our daily life.

The course this term will be held on-line using Zoom. This software is simple to use and details of how to join the “classroom” can be sent to you when you register.

Sessions start at 9:00am on Sundays during the spring, summer & autumn term.

Class dates vary & will be confirmed upon enquiry.

The study group is free for those currently enrolled in a Philosophy class.
The charge for others will be £50 for the term.

If interested please contact Stephen Silver directly on PhilosophyBerkshire@fses.org

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Study Group : The Bhagavad Gita

April 9, 2025

Online Study Group : The Bhagavad Gita

The Bhagavad Gita is a conversation between Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna, set on a battlefield. It’s a guide for living wisely, facing challenges with courage, and understanding who we really are beneath all the noise.

Anyone is welcome to join this study group regardless of whether or not they are attending the Philosophy courses and you do not have to have attended previously to gain something valuable even from a single session.

The course will be held on-line using Zoom. If you do not know how to use Zoom please let us know when you register.

There are 6 sessions on Sunday mornings during the spring, summer & autumn terms.

If you are interested in joining the group please let Stephen know as soon as possible on 01628 947848

or email PhilosophyBerkshire@fses.org

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outdoor volunteering nanpantan hall sheep

Philosophy study weekend for students from Scotland

May 27, 2019

The School of Philosophy in Scotland, including 40 students from the branches in Ayr, Edinburgh and Glasgow spent a weekend of study at Nanpantan Hall, near Loughborough in Leicestershire. The weather was warm and sunny and the attitude of the students was just as bright.

Comfortable group accommodation

Nanpantan Hall has been substantially upgraded in the last two years and offers self-service accommodation to hotel standard with many rooms having en-suite. During the day students enthusiastically prepared food, setting tables, clearing up and worked in the extensive gardens which everyone so admired, with one student having the blisters to prove his efforts. The Victorian House is set among manicured lawns, extensive woodlands and a walled garden with flowers and vegetables.

Forming and deepening friendships

The students took full advantage of all the facilities, the fine weather and the good company, particularly the latter. The weekend offered an opportunity for students from all three Scottish branches to meet with many new friendships being formed and deepened.

Meditation & discussion

Both days started with meditation followed by work periods then study and group dialectic discussion. As usual following a short reading, discussion would be slow to start then followed by some excellent contributions and like “Question Time” had to be drawn to an end.

Country walks at lambing time

One highlight for a small group who were out walking in the countryside was watching a lamb, no more than a few days old, run out of its field and onto the path, approach one of the students and then caress the head caretaker’s dog. The scene brought to mind the innocence of the young before life’s trials and tribulations cover up the unity of nature. It was a truly wonderful scene.

The general consensus seems to be one of looking forward to next year – whilst living in the present of course!

by David Griffin

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