2023
A Symposium on Wisdom & Pedagogy

Symposium event space with patio and trees

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. 

Download Music Programe

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 

Hosts

ElizabethRovere

Elizabeth Rovere

CharlieStang2

Charles Stang

SophieRoell

Sophie Roell

sarabinh

Sarabinh Levy-Brightman

Speakers & Participants

AngieHobbs

Angie Hobbs FRSA

AnneDorothy

Anne Dorothy Harley

AnnetteTaconelli

Annette Taconelli

AnthonyPinciotti

Anthony J Pinciotti

AyodejiOgunnaike

Ayodeji Ogunnaike

BrandiBeckett

Brandi Beckett

BrianOKelley

Brian O'Kelley

Camilla

Camilla Newman

CharlesOKelley

Charles O’Kelley

CharlieMaynard

Charlie Maynard

DongmeiLiu

Dongmei Peng

ElianaEleftheriou

Eliana Eleftheriou

EmmaBullock

Emma Bullock

Gio

Gio DiRusso

GiovannaParmigiani

Giovanna Parmigiani

Unknown

Giovanni Bazzana

GosiaSklodowska

Gosia Sklodowska

JohnVerveake

John Vervaeke

JuliaHintlian

Julia Hintlian

Katie

Katie Walker

LizBaillie

Liz Baillie

MaryAttwood

Mary Attwood

Mary

Mary Reilly Nichols

NicoleRoshi

Nicole Baden Roshi

PaulaBoddington

Paula Boddington

PhilipGoff

Philip Goff

RahshaanaGreen

Rahshaana Green

RobertPeng

Robert Peng

Sarah

Sara Hansen

SimonCox

Simon Cox

SimonWilson

Dr Simon Wilson

Sravanna

Sravana Borkataky-Varma

TomCheetham

Tom Cheetham

TravisReece

Travis Reece

WilliamRobert

William Robert