‘Stories That Can Change Your Life’

     
I’m drafting a Magpie post that will praise the School of Practical Philosophy, and explain why you should enroll, but in the meantime an unsolicited, unremunerated, etc. advertisement of upcoming events we learned about in class last night.

Next month, a three-night series titled “Stories That Can Change Your Life” is scheduled. Each night is to be unique in content, and requires separate registration. (This is the New York City school on East 79th Street.) From the publicity:

Stories That Can Change Your Life

Can a story change your life?

An ancient legend teaches that if you enter a spice shop and do not even buy anything, you will leave smelling a little differently than when you walked in. So it is with stories, with their capacity to enrich and enlarge our lives and remind us of truths we may have forgotten.

Come listen to “Stories That Can Change Your Life” three Mondays in July. Invite family and friends for evenings of good company, engaging conversation and light refreshments.

Click on these links for tickets: Mondays, July 7, 14, and 21
at 7 p.m. $10 each evening.


Also, Mr. David Beardsley will return to the school on Wednesday, July 16 at 7 p.m. to present his lecture “Homer’s Odyssey as Spiritual Quest,” described thusly:

Along with the Iliad, Homer’s Odyssey is the wellspring of Western literature. It offers a glimpse into the lives of humans and gods in ancient Greece and a rousing adventure story with evil monsters, beautiful goddesses and narrow escapes. But it’s also an allegory of a soul journeying from multiplicity and strife back to unity and love. Overcoming trials and temptations, including a visit to Hades, Odysseus casts off his warlike persona and learns to restrain his senses and desires. In this presentation we will trace his return from darkness to light, his reunion with his family, and his reclaiming “my very self,” the rightful ruler of “my native land.”

$15 per person. Click here for tickets.


I attended Mr. Beardsley’s lecture last month, and can tell you it is very worthwhile, and that tickets sell out.
     

‘The Odyssey as Spiritual Quest’

     
The School of Practical Philosophy in New York City will host David A. Beardsley next month for a lecture on one of the cornerstones of Western literature that also just happens to be an allegory of a journey of a soul. From the publicity:

Along with the Iliad, Homer’s Odyssey is the wellspring of Western literature. It offers a glimpse into the lives of humans and gods in ancient Greece, and a rousing adventure story with evil monsters, beautiful goddesses, and narrow escapes. But it’s also an allegory of a soul journeying from multiplicity and strife back to unity and love. Overcoming trials and temptations, including a visit to Hades, Odysseus casts off his warlike persona and learns to restrain his senses and desires. In this presentation we will trace his return from darkness to light, his reunion with his family, and his reclaiming “my very self,” the rightful ruler of “my native land.”

Join us to explore this eternal masterpiece. Light refreshments will be served.

School of Practical Philosophy

12 East 79th Street

Saturday, May 10 at 7 p.m.

$20 per person

Please Note: Special Events tend to sell out quickly. It is suggested that you register well in advance to secure a seat. Lecture and event registrations are non-refundable and not transferable to other events/lectures.


That’s no mere boast about tickets selling out quickly. Last night there were 66 seats up for grabs; a minute ago there were 50; and right now there are 49 because I bought mine. Click here.