Darren Harper

This retreat will lay the foundations of Stoicism as a guide to life by focusing on the basic tenets of Stoic practice.  Using lectures, discussion and meditation, we will explore the Stoic concepts of ‘Living in agreement with nature,’ the three lived disciplines, the ‘Nature of the good’ and ‘indifferents,’ to see how these might help us to achieve Happiness (Eudaemonia).

This course will increase our understanding of Stoicism as a guide to life by focusing on the first of the three stoic disciplines, the Discipline of Desire. Using lectures, discussion and meditation, we will explore the Stoic framework of fate and free will, their attitude of joyful acceptance, their approach to love and friendship, as well as their ideal of the Sage.

This course will further enhance our understanding of Stoicism as a guide to life by focusing on the second of the three stoic disciplines, the Discipline of Action. Using lectures, discussion and meditation, we will test such Stoic tools as the ‘reserve clause’ and the ‘premeditation of adversity’ as we explore the concept of Stoic philanthropy.