Love
Week 1 - Three forms of love
The important subject of love. What is love, how is it gained and how is it lost? Different aspects: love, friendship, desire. Is love universal or limited? Does everyone have pure love within their nature?
Week 2 - The Expression of love
Pure love expressed through the creation. The effect of pure love being governed by wisdom, attachment or delusion. Thomas à Kempis: the nature of love in overcoming all limits.
Week 3 - The Constancy of love
Is Love the natural in-between?
Introduction to Boethius.
We look at deeper levels of awareness, and consider how we may become more awake to ourselves, our surroundings, and the events we meet.
Week 4 - The Beloved
Directing love to the true essence. Viktor Frankl. The absence of love and its effect. The Upanishad’s view of love.
Week 5 - What are the Causes of conflict in regards to love?
Limiting love to a small circle. Ramatirtha’s story. The desire to control. Meeting people as if for the first time.
Week 6 - Love and Gratitude
The nature and effect of gratitude. Marcus Aurelius, Meditations. Where is love experienced? A model of the structure of mind and heart.
Week 7 - The Sufis: Mystical aspects of love
Introduction to Rumi and Mikahil Naimy.
Week 8 - The Stoics: Choosing the emotional ground
Epictetus's influence on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Phillis Wheatley's poetry and writtings.
Week 9 - Love and Work
Three motivations for work. Do we work for love, duty or reward? What is it to work with love? Kahlil Gibran.
Week 10 - Giving Love
Mary Seacole. Love and wise law.