 Talk Sat 23rd May from 1pm to 2:30pm Online Talk: World Bee Day Celebration The first World Bee Day, proposed in 2014 by the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association and unanimously adopted by the United Nations, was celebrated on the 20th of May in 2018. The 20th of May was chosen as the date because it is the birthday of Anton Jansa (1734-1773), one of the first teachers of modern beekeeping, who was appointed by the Empress Maria Theresa as a teacher at the beekeeping school in Vienna, Austria. This year we will be celebrating it on Saturday 23rd May and in view of the current uncertain situation, this will run as an online talk between 1pm and 2.30pm. For tickets please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/world-bee-day-celebration-tickets-101967647980  Talk Sun 3rd May from 7pm to 9pm Nikola Tesla and his Vision of an Ethical ScienceOnline Talk Nikola Tesla was and remains an enigmatic figure, sometimes portrayed as brilliant, sometimes as passionate and sometimes even as crazy. This was because his ideas were, and still are for some, ahead of their time. This talk will look at Tesla the idealist and his ambitious vision for raising humanity to a higher level of existence, with the help of science and technology. The talk will explore a little of the the mystery that was this innovative and forward-thinking man. Tickets are free but we are asking for donations to help support the school, suggested amount for those who can afford it £8 (£5 cons) and can be made on eventbrite at the following link - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nikola-tesla-and-his-vision-of-an-ethical-science-tickets-103605448686  Workshop Sat 18th April from 10am to 5pm 1- day workshop: Develop your Inner Philosopher Due to the corona virus outbreak we have to postpone this event to a later time in the year. We will announce the new date on our website once it is safe to reopen our premises.
According to the teachings of classical philosophy, we all possess a ‘Philosopher within’ - a part of us that asks questions and searches for the meaning in our lives and the world around us. This deep but often quiet voice within can be cultivated and brought more readily into our daily lives through simple principles and practical techniques. A stronger connection to your ‘Inner Philosopher’ will help you to practise the art of living well and become more conscious of your relationships and roles within society as a whole.  Talk Tue 24th March at 7pm Lost Civilisations-Online Event This talk will now be held online, please email to inbox@acropolisuk.org to receive a link for the event or to request a refund. This talk will explore some of the remarkable monuments and artefacts around the world that indicate that civilization could be much older than we think. We will look at a number of archaeological remains that have often been mistaken for more recent constructions, and consider how it is possible that, separated by so many thousands of miles, ancient civilizations could have used the same techniques and skills and also shared very similar traditions and myths.  Introductory Course Thu 27th February and Mon 9th March at 7pm Discover PhilosophyPhilosophies of East and West Philosophy means love of wisdom (philo-sophia) and is an active attitude of awareness towards life. In this sense, we are all born philosophers, with an innate need to ask questions and with the intuition that there are answers to be found. Every civilization has passed on to us its experience and understanding of life.However, most of us have had little opportunity to learn about the vast heritage of ideas that have inspired and guided humanity throughout history. This 16-week course will introduce you to the major concepts of Eastern and Western Philosophy and explore their relevance and practical application for our lives. Course FrameworkEthics: Understanding yourself Ethics enquires about moral principles and the impact of individuals on their environment. But it is also related to happiness, as it helps us to find the right 'inner attitude' to deal with different life situations in ways that are beneficial to ourselves and to others. Sociopolitics: Living together in harmony with others Sociopolitics looks at relationships in society, both between individuals and between the individual and the group. It is concerned with finding principles by which we can create harmonious communities where everyone can flourish. Philosophy of History: Being part of something greater We are all products of history and at the same time we all contribute to making history. Philosophy of History seeks wisdom in the study of the past and how to apply the lessons of history to the present. Philosophy for Living: Practical Application What is the value of thinking without action? Action is the real measure of what we are, theory and practice inform each other. Each course evening will explore the practical relevance of philosophy and its potential to transform ourselves and society. Fees for the course are £190 (£130 concessions) inclusive of all hand-outs and printed material. The first evening can be attended separately for £10 which can then be redeemed against the full course fee if you enrol for the whole course.  Short Course Thu 6th, Thu 13th and Thu 20th February at 7pm Short course: An Introduction to Astrology and its Practice This 3-week beginners course will introduce you to the basic language and building blocks of astrology. We will try to answer questions such as: what is astrology for? and what is a birth chart? We will look at various approaches to birth chart interpretation and try to unlock the spiritual and transformative potential found in astrological symbolism. Course outlineFirst evening: Thurs, 6th Feb : What is astrology for? Erecting a birth chart. The main elements of the astrological language. Second evening: Thurs, 13th Feb : The use and application of astrological data. The various methods of astrological interpretation. Third evening: Thurs, 20th Feb : How do we go about interpreting a birth chart? The astrology of transformation: a spiritual approach to chart interpretation.  Short Course Mon 20th and Mon 27th January at 7pm Short course: Explore the Mysteries of Ancient Egypt The civilisation of ancient Egypt is a continuing enigma – from its hieroglyphs to its gigantic pyramids and temples. What was the mentality behind it, how were the pyramids built and what knowledge did the ancient Egyptians have of the laws of life in this world and the next? This short course, covering four topics over two evenings, will attempt to suggest some answers. First evening, Mon, 20th JanGods of Egypt The first part of this seminar will give a general introduction to the religion of ancient Egypt and explore the symbolic meanings of some of its gods and goddesses, including Isis, Osiris and the Sun God Ra. The Book of the DeadIn the second part, we will look at the rich symbolism of the Book of Emerging Forth into the Light, more commonly known as the Egyptian Book of the Dead. Can it give us some guidance on the art of living, as well as some clues about the nature of the afterlife? Second evening, Mon, 27th JanPyramids The pyramids in general and the Great Pyramid in particular have been a source of continuing fascination to scholars, archaeologists and scientists. The first part of this evening will examine and try to understand these great wonders of antiquity and how they were built. Symbolism of TemplesIn the second part of this seminar, we will look at the typical elements that constitute an Egyptian temple complex, which had a defined symbolism and certain specific functions. One of the main objectives of the awe-inspiring temple architecture of ancient Egypt was to create a bridge between human beings and Gods.  Short Course Thu 28th November, Thu 5th and Thu 12th December at 7pm Discover Classical Music - Sabine Leitner This short course is aimed at people who would like to expand their understanding and appreciation of classical music and discover more of the beauty that has enchanted generations of listeners. We will listen to selected pieces (on CD) and each evening will be dedicated to a particular epoch, starting with Baroque, followed by Classical and finally Romantic music. The evenings will also give an overview of the historical times and the ideas that inspired each of these movements, as well as some information on the composers. By the end of this short course, you will hopefully feel that you have gained in general knowledge and developed your inner senses to connect with music in a deeper way. The presenter, Sabine Leitner, studied music at the universities of Graz and Vienna and ran her own music school in Vienna for several years. She has lived in London since 1996, where she is Chair of the New Acropolis School of Philosophy, and Director of the International Tristan Institute for Music and Art Education. Talk Thu 21st November at 7pm Celebrating World Philosophy Day:Philosophers of the British Isles This year, New Acropolis in London has decided to dedicate World Philosophy Day to an eclectic selection of British and Irish Philosophers. How have these philosophers, from a range of different eras, contributed to the growth and development of culture in Britain and Europe? And can their contributions still help us navigate our lives today? The evening will consist of various short presentations on the theme “Philosophers of the British Isles” .
There will be buffet-style refreshments provided both during the break and after the event with time for philosophical conversation.  Short Course Thu 10th, Thu 17th and Thu 24th October at 7pm The Language of Symbols - Various Symbols are a language we can all recognise but few of us can read. Over thousands of years, symbols have been used to express the ineffable and to create a bridge between the invisible and visible dimension. Learning to understand them better will help to develop our imagination, which is one of our most important and powerful faculties. Symbols have the power to re-connect us with a world full of meaning. This 3-week course (1 evening per week) will introduce you to symbology - the study of symbols. The course will explore some of the most important symbols of different cultures and reveal deeper layers of meaning in art and architecture. Topics of the 3 evenings
 Introductory Course Wed 25th September, Tue 8th and Mon 28th October at 7pm Discover PhilosophyPhilosophies of East and West  Short Course Tue 17th, Tue 24th September and Tue 1st October at 7pm Mind: Best Friend or Worst Enemy? Our mind has a much bigger impact on our life than we usually realize. Knowing how our mind works allows us to take responsibility for our lives and to become creators rather than remain victims. This short course (3 consecutive Tuesday evenings, starting on 17th September) will explore the mind and mind-related topics such as consciousness, imagination, creativity and meditation. It will also look at collective mindsets and paradigm shifts throughout history. Each evening is led by a different speaker and will consist of both theory and practical exercises. Topics of the 3 evenings
 Talk Wed 11th September at 7pm Aldous Huxley and the Perennial Philosophy - Jules Evans 'Truth is one', say the Upanishads, 'though the wise call it by many names'. The Perennial Philosophy is the idea that all religions offer paths up the same divine mountain, which arrive at the same core mystical experience. This talk will explore the history of this idea, and how it was made famous by Aldous Huxley. It will show how Huxley's work helped to inspire the counter-culture and the field of transpersonal psychology, and how it continues to inspire the psychedelic renaissance and the booming 'spiritual but not religious' demographic. We will also consider possible criticisms of the Perennial Philosophy. Jules Evans is a writer and broadcaster, and author of Philosophy for Life and Other Dangerous Situations (2012) and The Art of Losing Control (2017). His most recent book is Holiday from the Self: An Accidental Ayahuasca Adventure. Talk Wed 21st August at 7pm The Cosmovision of Shamanism - Istvan Orban Shamanism is an ancient and almost universal tradition among societies that live close to nature, and many seekers in the Western world feel that there is a lot that can be learnt from this natural form of practical wisdom. Using Mircea Eliade's seminal work on Shamanism as a starting point, this talk will look at the universal aspects of this inner path, such as the concepts of initiation, death and rebirth, and renewal of the individual and society through deep inner transformation.  Talk Tue 6th August at 7pm The Mystery Behind the Brain How much do we know about the brain? Is it a portal to the soul, the seat of our consciousness, the source of our intellect or just a very complex computing machine? How does it work and what is its true purpose and potential? This talk will give an overview of what modern science has discovered so far, but also what ancient philosophies have to teach us about our little grey matter.  Talk Mon 15th July at 7pm Philosophy of Play Across the animal kingdom the young of every species play – they are learning to hunt, climb and fall – necessary skills to survive. As they age, their play changes, but always remains, to keep their learning sharp. Human play is different, too often led by adults, controlled and limited in time. What is human play about, and why do we stop? Have we lost contact with our child within and how would we change if we learnt anew to have free play? This evening will explore some philosophical ideas behind our play and encourage time to embrace our inner child. Be prepared to shake off some inhibitions and get involved.  Talk Wed 19th June at 7pm C.G. Jung and Roberto Assagioli: Pioneers of a Transpersonal Psychology While most people will have heard of Jungian psychology, many might never have heard about Psychosynthesis. This talk will look at the similarities and the differences between these two contemporaries and try to give an overview of Psychosynthesis in the context of Freud and Jung. The speaker, Sabine Leitner, has trained for several years in Psychosynthesis psychology and is a practising Psychosynthesis coach.  Talk Sat 8th and Sun 9th June from 10am to 5pm Open Garden Squares WeekendVisit our Bee Sanctuary and Alchemical Garden In 2012 volunteers at New Acropolis created a bee sanctuary and garden in a derelict space at the back of our premises. Using the ancient Greek word for ‘bee’, we gave it the name ‘Melissa Garden Bee Sanctuary’. It was established to create a space for bees, not with a view to harvesting the honey, but to give the bees a protected home. Every year in June, we open this hidden garden to the public through the event known as Open Garden Squares Weekend. Visitors have the opportunity to observe the bees and learn about their way of life from our resident beekeeper and guides. You can also hear about the many bee-friendly plants that exist and that help the bees survive in the hostile environment of our monoculture world. The most recent addition to the garden design is an alchemical-themed living wall incorporating some medicinal plants. Fees: See Open Garden Squares Weekend website at http://www.opensquares.org for tickets and more information. |
