2011 -2012 ACTIVITIES. PROGRAM
READINGS & COMMENTARIES
The Wisdom of the Great Buddhist Sutras: the Heart Sutra and the Diamond Sutra
Led by Marià Corbí, Montse Cucarull and Marta Granés
These sutras are central to the Mahayana branch of Buddhism; they are short and very dense. They offer a message of wisdom independent of gods, religion or beliefs. In-depth study of these sutras is a wonderful investment. Delving into them offers insight into silencing through use of the mind, which is of great relevance to the acquisition of profound human quality in societies that live off of the creation of knowledge.
From 4th October 2011 to 29 May 2012* every two weeks on the first and third Tuesday of each month, from 19:30 to 21:00
Complete course: €190
Profound Quality in Christian tradition: Meister Eckhart
Led by Jaume Agustí, Montse Cucarull and Marià Corbí
Eckhart (1260-1328) was a master of non-duality, albeit as expressed in language pertaining to the Christian tradition. He begins with the myths and beliefs of his tradition and then transcends them, positioning himself as an authority on human quality for all times and cultures, including new societies.
From 6th October 2011 to 29th March 2012* every two weeks on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, from 20:00 to 21:30
Complete course: €125
The Masnavi by Rumi: Poet, thinker and Sufi Sage
Led by Marià Corbí
Rumi (1207-1273) was one of the main proponents of Sufism, an Islamic spiritual movement. Poetry and profound thought combine in Rumi’s Masnavi, often referred to as the “Persian Quran”. This literary work guides us in the recognition and cultivation of profound human quality.EscucharLeer fonéticamente
From 13th October to 31st May* every two weeks on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, from 20:00 to 21:30
Complete course: €190
A Key Hindu Text: The Yoga Vasistha
Led by Montse Cucarull and Marta Granés
Is reality truly real, or is it illusory? Is every human being an isolated individual? Are the world and the individual truly as we have learnt to interpret them? These are some of the questions addressed in this fundamental work from the Advaita (non-duality) school of belief. The course is structured as a shared exploration of the tenets proposed by Vasistha.
From 25th October to 7th June* every two weeks on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, from 19:30 to 21:00.
Complete course: €190
Journey to Ixtlan by Carlos Castaneda
Led by Raúl García
Castaneda’s third book highlights – in a very agreeable manner – the elements that should be cultivated by anybody desirous of travelling what he calls the “path of knowledge or the path of the warrior”, a means of delving into secular spirituality. Breaking with routine, the pursuit of fluidity and impeccability of action as well as erasing personal history are some of the actions suggested in this literary work as criteria for the attainment of profound human quality.
17th – 28th November (6 Mondays), from 19:30 to 21:00
Price: €85
The Recognition of Wisdom
Led by José Reche
The Vivekachudamani [The Crown Jewel of Discrimination] by Adi Shankara (8th century) is considered one of the most important works in the Hindu non-duality school of thought. Shankara’s thesis in this work is that discrimination is the main human faculty that must be developed in order to realise the true nature of self (atman).
The text is structured as a dialogue between teacher and student, in which the teacher explains the nature of the atman and the path to self-realisation. The key concepts of this school of thought are reviewed, as are the problems that may be encountered upon attempting to surpass conceptual limitations.
25th January – 29th February (6 Wednesdays), from 19:30 to 21:00
Price: €85
SEMINARS
Contemplative Painting: The Art of the Icon
Led by Pepa Armenté
Icon painting in modern times can be approached with a variety of different attitudes, from the most classic (imitating an image in order to become ‘one’ with it) to working on an image to find out what it will reveal to us, speak to us about, where it wants to take us, etc. To do this we must open ourselves to one world by silencing another.
Work Method: each participant chooses the icons he or she will paint. The first will be done on paper to practise technique while getting ready for the second, to be done on wood.
Every Wednesday from 19:00 to 21:00. Course begins 28th September and runs until the end of June.
Site: Pas-per-tu studio. Address: C/ Sant Pere més Baix 63, int. 3ª. Phone number: (+34) 93 310 7862
Price: €85 per month (material included)
The Foundations of Human Quality
Led by Salvador Juncà
"Human quality", "spirituality", "inner development”... How are these concepts to be interpreted in the 21st century? What are their foundations? Does it make sense to talk of spirituality in the absence of religion? This course offers a multidisciplinary approach to the area of silent knowledge and religious fact, providing tools with which to interpret their presence in the contemporary world, and invites participants to consider these concepts in a more personal manner.
From 3rd October to 28th November (8 Mondays), from 19:30 to 21:00
Price: €100
Human Quality, Freedom and Happiness: the Way of the Buddha without Religions or Gods
Led by Marta Granés
Buddhism is a system that investigates the nature of reality, human quality and happiness. What is human quality? What are happiness and freedom? How can they be cultivated? What does reality look like when we view it without ties to secular or religious beliefs? This is the central tenet of Buddhism. We will scrutinise its precepts and how it suggests we learn to sense the freedom these precepts lead to. The well-known concept of “enlightenment” is nothing more and nothing less than another view of the same reality, achieved through the subordination of conditioning.
From 5th October to 14th December (10 Wednesdays), from 19:30 to 21:00
Price: €115
Foundations of Islam. The Plurality of Islamic Societies
Led by Theodoro Loinaz
An introduction to the plural history of Islam, covering the particular dynamics of Muslim societies. The religion’s founding texts – the Quran and the traditions of Mohammed (the Hadith) – will be used to analyse religious and spiritual as well as cultural and social factors. This course offers a general overview of Islam, its cultural and spiritual contributions and the challenges it faces in an increasingly global world.
From 16th January to 19th March (10 Mondays), from 19:30 to 21:00
Price: €115
What is Mysticism?
Led by Francesc Torradeflot
An overview of the mystical universe through comparative reading of a selection of texts offers insight into the different historical phases and aspects of mysticism. The symbols of light and darkness found in the different traditions enable us to delve into the nature of the path to wisdom. This symbolism speaks to us of an experience that lies beyond experience, of form without form, of the ineffable Reality. We will attempt to explore this school’s peculiar language, which constitutes an experience in and of itself.
19th April 24th May (6 Thursdays), from 19:30 to 21:00
Price: €85
Marguerite Porete: the Radicalism of Non-Duality
Led by Xavier Melloni
Marguerite Porete (1250-1310) went so far as to write that it was “necessary to dispense with God and the self” in one of the dialogues in her The Mirror of Simple Annihilated Souls. Time and again, the Beguine insisted that there could be no “two”: “He is, I am not”, and in spite of threats she refused to renounce her ideas until eventually she was burnt at the stake for heresy. This is a chance to take a look at a literary work whose circulation and translation continued throughout history, considered to be one of the major works in medieval mysticism.
30th April – 21st May (4 Mondays)
From 19:30 to 21:00
Price: €70
Work Lab: Combined Reflection and Silence
Led by Salvador Juncà and Teresa Guardans
An activity combining guided silence sessions and reflection on the cultivation of human quality, through reading and debate of a selection of significant texts. To foster a group work dynamic, this activity is available to all those who have previously participated in one of the activities offered by the Centre.
From 16th January to 28th May, every two weeks on Mondays, from 19:30 to 21:00
Price: €110
SILENCE
Inner silence has been explored from many different angles, and CETR offers the chance to be led through a guided session of some of these.
Registration for silence sessions remains open throughout the year (monthly fee: €15 / per session fee: €4).
From 5th October to 27th May, sessions offered include:
Silence of the Mind (Jnana Yoga)
Silencing the mind and feeling through use of the mind.
With Marià Corbí. Every two weeks on Wednesdays, from 19:30 to 20:30
Music as a Path to Silence
With Marià Corbí
Fortnightly on Wednesdays, from 19:30 to 20:30
Asanas and Pranayama (Hatha Yoga)
Silencing through focusing on different postures and breathing control.
With Lili Beuter
Thursdays from 18:15 to 19:30
WEEKENDS OF SILENCE
In Sant Martí de Sesgaioles, surrounded by nature
The Yoga of Knowledge (Jnana Yoga)
Led by Marià Corbí
An introduction to using the mind’s faculty of reason to break the traditional moulds of interpretation imposed on us by necessity and desire, in order to gain access to knowledge and obtain a silent perception of reality.
26th-27th November
11th-12th February
Silence and Self-Knowledge, with The Cloud of Unknowing
Led by Teresa Guardans
This anonymous 14th century work teaches us to focus attention and increase awareness of our existence with the aid of short phrases. To concentrate and meditate on words such as “love”, “to be”, “God”, “Thou”… becomes a path of inner transformation. We will read a selection of textual excerpts and explore the form of silence they advocate.
21st - 22nd April
For more information please contact CETR cetr@cetr.net or call (+34) 93 410 7707.
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