Symposium on Wisdom and Pedagogy, July 27-31, 2023, Domaine de Primard, Guainville France.
Wonderstruck (a network creating awareness around the transformational aspects of awe & wonder and embracing the extraordinary as normative), The Center for the Study of World Religions at Harvard Divinity School, and Five Books (expert book curators), created this conference to bring together a multidisciplinary group of professors and practitioners across the globe to explore the nature of wisdom in practice, cultivation, learning and experience. This symposium includes talks, panel discussions, yoga, qigong and meditation. We ask, is wisdom actively cultivated and transmitted today and, if so, how and by whom? We engage both Western and non-Western traditions.
Thursday July 27th
20.00
Welcome by Elizabeth Rovere, Wonderstruck
21.00
A Performance Of Women Awake
Anne Harley, Barbara Poeschl-Edrich, Karola Obermueller
Newly commissioned works setting music to texts and about female esoteric practitioners from all world traditions.
Friday July 28th
09.00-09.30
Introduction and Contemplative Reading -Poem Sunflower by James Crews.
Elizabeth Rovere
09.30-10.00
An Overview Of Wisdom & Pedagogy
Sarabinh Levy-Brightman
10.00-11.00
An Introduction To The Western Philosophical Framework And The Practice Of Dialectic Into Dialogos
John Vervaeke
11.15-12.15
Dialectic Into Dialogos Continued
John Vervaeke
12.15-13.15
Gateways To The Bliss Of The Wisdom Sheath: Simple Tantric Breath Practices For Entering Non-Dual Awareness
Mary Reilly Nichols
Drawing on a classic of Trika Shaivism, the Vijnana Bhairava (Wisdom of Bhairava) Tantra, we will sample a few of its 112 contemplative recipes for a taste of inner stillness and joy.
15.00-17.00
Wisdom Intensive: Dialectic Into Dialogos, A Participatory Workshop
John Vervaeke
Saturday July 29th
08.00-08.45
Yoga: Tuning Into The Wisdom Of Your Body
Rahshaana Green
10.00-11.30
Wisdom In The West: Some Basics
Moderator: Charles Stang
Panelists: Anne Harley, Tom Cheetham and Angie Hobbs
12.00-13.30
Dharmic Perspectives On Wisdom
Moderator: Sarabinh Levy-Brightman
Panelists: Sravana Borkataky-Varma, Tatsudo Nicole Baden Roshi, Simon Cox
15.00-16:30
Unlocking Wisdom, Love And Vitality Through Qigong
Robert Peng
Discovering authentic love and wisdom begins by harnessing our inner life force, Robert discusses the Dantians, which play a crucial role in our capacity for vitality, love and wisdom. Robert will lead us through a qigong ecstasy practice and also facilitate a transformative group session, guiding participants towards healing and wholeness.
Sunday July 30th
08.00-08.45
Sitting Still: An Introduction Into Zen Meditation
Tatsudo Nicole Baden Roshi
9.30-10.30
A Fireside Chat On Philosophy, Wisdom And Artificial Intelligence. Apocalypse? Transformation? Rebirth?
Moderator: Sophie Roell
Panelists: Paula Boddington, Philip Goff, Giovanni Bazzana
11.00-12.00
Exploring The Pedagogy Of Wisdom In The University: Two Case Studies
1) Teaching About And Through Ifa Of The Yoruba And 2) Classical Greek Tragedy
Moderator: Sarabinh Levy-Brightman
Panelists: Ayodeji Ogunnaike, William Robert
13.00-17.00
Excursion To Fondation Claude Monet’s Gardens In Giverny
Mary Attwood
Art of Seeing: Contemplative And Reflection On Beauty, Art and Nature of Giverny Gardens.
18.00-19:30
Discussion On How To Live Wisely
Moderators: Elizabeth Rovere, Giovanna Parmigiani, Sarabinh Levy-Brightman
Panelists: Everyone
Monday July 31st
07.00-09.00
Final reflections
