Philosophy Café

Held online via Zoom. Facilitated by Peter Whitfield

Next Philosophy Café is on Friday 27 March.

Scroll down for more information.

Register to take part and receive information about upcoming topics.

A weekly get together of like minded people, who want to engage or recharge their interest in the practical benefits of studying philosophy.

Free drop-in sessions on Zoom, no need to attend every week. You will need to register, please click here to register. 

  • Weekly topics taken from the philosophy courses with a focus on Practical Philosophy, and what works in ‘my’ life.

  • Breakout rooms are allocated to allow time to meet and discuss ideas in smaller groups

  • Participants are encouraged neither to accept nor reject ideas, but to keep an open mind to discover what might be useful. 

  • We will use the four principles of platonic dialogue.

Platonic dialogue

  1. Truth is the goal
  2. Be willing to be refuted
  3. Listen with full attention; give space to the other person, don’t monopolize the stage – everyone’s voice is important
  4. Ask questions 
Peter Whitfield

Peter Whitfield has been teaching the introductory courses in Philosophy for over 30 years. His love of great stories and belief in an eternal wisdom that provides practical help to live life fully, truly and happily has helped thousands of students.

The Introductory Philosophy course has transformed so many lives and the Philosophy Café  is an opportunity for anyone, current students, past students, family or friends to come along and be inspired. 

With Peter’s facilitation, the Friday night Philosophy café promises to be a new, flourishing event. Come along, be a participant and Find Yourself, in good company.

Usual Session Times:

7pm London (Friday)
7pm Sydney (Friday) / 9am London (Friday morning) 

International Guide to Session Times

Session A (Sydney Evening)    Session B (London Evening)
7pm Sydney (Fri)         7pm London (Fri)
8am London (Fri)         6am Sydney (Sat)
9pm Auckland (Fri)     8am Auckland (Sat)
3am New York (Fri)     2pm New York (Fri)
12am Los Angeles (Fri)  11am Los Angeles (Fri)

Topic this Friday: Making the Bhagavad Gītā practical every day - with Stephen Silver

The Gītā asks something extraordinary of us:

to rise up and act in the world - and yet do nothing at all.

Dear Friends,

I’m delighted to welcome Stephen Silver back to the Café this Friday.

His sessions are always very popular and for good reason. He clearly has a great love for the Bhagavad Gītā, but his great gift is to present these seemingly complicated teachings in a practical and understandable way.

It’s also interesting timing - with Easter approaching - that we’ll be exploring the Gītā. There are parallels between its teachings and practical Christian teachings, and I’m sure Stephen will offer some reflections on these connections.

This Friday’s Topic

Making the Bhagavad Gītā practical every day

Many people will know that the Bhagavad Gītā is a source of spiritual wisdom and provides guidance for those on the way of action, the way of devotion and the way of knowledge. Sometimes the guidance can seem challenging for those of us, householders, who are balancing our spiritual lives with our lives in the world. Fortunately, the Gītā actually gives lots of help in this area and in this session Stephen Silver will highlight some of the ways in which the Gītā provides practical, every day support.

Stephen is a long time student in the School, having started in the New York School in 1974. He has a great love for the Bhagavad Gītā and regularly runs study groups and retreats. He also looks after the Berkshire Branch and was elected Principal of the UK School in 2019.

See you at the Café.