Know Thyself - Two Course Bundle
Receive a reduced rate with our "Know Thyself" course bundle. You'll have access to both Mindfulness and Buddhist Psychology as Gateways to Self-Knowledge and Self-Transformation, presented by Dr Tho Ha Vinh; as well as Reflections on Self-Knowledge from the Greek Philosophers to the Medieval Mystics, presented by Dr Joseph Milne.
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Life-time access to both courses with a single payment
One off payment of £35
10 Modules with a total duration of 1:45
Quizzes to consolidate knowledge and promote reflection
Free downloads for you to keep and enjoy
If you prefer, you can purchase these courses separately at the links below:
About this course bundle
Mindfulness and Buddhist Psychology as Gateways to Self-Knowledge and Self-Transformation
Mindfulness and Buddhist Psychology as Gateways to Self-Knowledge and Self-Transformation, presented by Dr Tho Ha Vinh, provides an engaging introduction to the perennial theme of ‘Know Thyself’ from a Buddhist perspective.
The course begins with an exploration of the Four Noble Truths, which was the first teaching that the Buddha gave after his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree 2500 years ago, and which establishes a foundation for self-knowledge and self-transformation. The Four Noble Truths acknowledge that there is suffering in life; address its causes; its end; and the methods for overcoming it.
Tho goes on to explain how mindfulness was originally taught as a tool for cultivating wisdom and compassion on the Buddhist path to enlightenment, and how it has recently become mainstream in western secular contexts, due to its physical and psychological health benefits. The Noble Eightfold Path is presented as an integral method of self-transformation, and involves cultivating a healthy balance of three key features: Wisdom, Ethics, and Meditation. In Mahayana Buddhism, the path of self-knowledge and liberation is motivated by the Boddhisattva ideal of attaining enlightenment for the sake of all beings.
The course also contains some compelling short dharma stories. The sessions were recorded at the Fintry Trust 2024 Summer School: Know Thyself: The Path to Inner Wisdom.
Reflections on Self-Knowledge from the Greek Philosophers to the Medieval Mystics
In Reflections on Self-Knowledge from the Greek Philosophers to the Medieval Mystics, Dr Joseph Milne explores self-knowledge in both the Greek and Christian traditions. He considers how we participate in a cosmic order in which justice, providence, fate and destiny all play decisive parts. Joseph draws us closer to the nature of Virtue and, in particular, to Temperance (sophrosyne) and Justice.
The importance of bringing about right order in the soul is highlighted and seen as the harmonious relationship between its three aspects – intellectual, spirited and appetitive and the direction of these to their proper ends. The consideration of this helps us to look at these aspects in our own lives.
Dr Milne examines the paths of Knowledge and Love and the Four Degrees of Love described by St Bernard of Clairvaux. Finally, he explores the common elements in the Greek philosophical approach to self knowledge and the Christian mystical approach.
This short six part course is not intended to be an exhaustive exposition of the subject, but we believe it will set you thinking. It is researched and presented by Dr Joseph Milne and is drawn from his lecture to our Summer School in 2024 which explored the Greek imperative, Know Thy Self as a Path to Inner Wisdom.
What you will learn
Mindfulness and Buddhist Psychology as Gateways to Self-Knowledge and Self-Transformation
- Understand the Buddhist approach to self-knowledge and self-transformation.
- Know the root causes of suffering and how to transform them.
- Appreciate Mindfulness as a tool to gain wisdom and compassion.
- Recognize the importance of balancing Wisdom, Ethics and Meditation on the Buddhist Noble Eightfold Path.
Reflections on Self-Knowledge from the Greek Philosophers to the Medieval Mystics
- Survey the Greek philosophical and Christian mystical approaches to self-knowledge. Ponder how these approaches might serve to illuminate your own spiritual path.
- Consider the role of Virtue and what makes you happy.
- Reflect on the intellectual, spirited and appetitive aspects of your own nature and how they might better work together.
- Examine the Four Degrees of Love, based on the work of St Bernard, and what they might mean to you.
Course outline
Mindfulness and Buddhist Psychology as Gateways to Self-Knowledge and Self-Transformation
Module 1: Introduction to the Four Noble Truths
Buddha’s first sermon after enlightenment was on the Four Noble Truths, which provides a foundation for self-knowledge and self-transformation.
Module 2: A Buddhist Story: What we are on planet earth to learn
Lesson 2 presents a short story from a Buddhist Sutra about why there is suffering on planet earth, and what we are here to learn.
Module 3: The Eightfold Path Introduction: Mindfulness and Concentration
Mindfulness and Concentration are introduced as key elements of the Buddhist Noble Eightfold Path, as tools for self-knowledge and wisdom.
Module 4: The Three Pillars of Wisdom, Ethics and Meditation
The Noble Eightfold Path is presented as method of self-transformation. It involves cultivating a healthy balance of three disciplines: Wisdom, Ethics, and Meditation.
Reflections on Self-Knowledge from the Greek Philosophers to the Medieval Mystics
Module 1: The Emergence of Greek Philosophy – the human being as participant in the cosmic order
In this session Joseph will explore the following:
- The individual as participant in the cosmic order.
- Early Western reflections on Self-knowledge and how these take the form of ethical demands.
- The importance of Virtue and the three aspects of the soul.
- Right order in the soul leading to inner and outer harmony and the living of the Good Life.
- The emergence of Greek Philosophy in two forms.
Module 2: Self Recollection – the return of the soul to its Source
Here Dr Milne covers the all important question of Know Thyself as a call to reflection.
- Know Thyself – a call to reflection
- The potential participation of human intelligence in divine intelligence
- The Transcendent Good
- Ethics
- Self-knowledge and the providential order of the universe
Module 3: The Christian Understanding of Self Knowledge – the Cistercian theology grounded in Love
In this session Dr Milne moves from the Greek understanding of Self Knowledge to the Christian view.
- The Christian understanding of self-knowledge with its two distinctive approaches: (1) affective; (2) intellectual.
- Attachments of the soul – the question of vice.
- The proper end of the soul.
- Cultivating the virtues.
- What the soul makes possible.
Module 4: Knowledge of the Divine is not possible without self knowledge – The Cistercian treatise on the Spirit and Soul
Joseph draws on the Cistercian treatise on the Spirit and Soul to outline a way of knowledge which has been forgotten.
- Drawing on the twelfth century Cistercian Treatise on the Spirit and the Soul, Dr Milne reflects on the likeness between the created world and the powers of the soul.
- The power to desire and love.
- Trinity in the soul.
Module 5: The Four Stages in Loving God set out by St Bernard of Clairvaux in his work On Loving God
Here, we learn that the way of love places much emphasis on the interior life. Dr Milne outlines:
- The Way of Love. The four Degrees of Love identified by St Bernard of Clairvaux.
- The two misconceptions of selfhood.
- Drawing on the twelfth century Cistercian Treatise on the Spirit and the Soul, Dr Milne reflects on the likeness between the created world and the powers of the soul.
- The power to desire and love.
- Trinity in the soul.
Module 6: The Commonalities between Greek Mysticism and Christian Mysticism
Joseph concludes by showing how both the Greek and Christian approaches to self knowledge explore the nature of the soul through reflection and virtuous action:
- The common elements in the Greek philosophical approach to self-knowledge and the Christian mystical approach.
- Self-love and the love of God.
About your course guides
Tho Ha Vinh PhD is an international speaker and Buddhist teacher (Dharmacharya) in the Vietnamese Zen tradition and was ordained by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. He is the founder of ELI: Eurasia Learning Institute for Happiness and Wellbeing; the former Programme Director of the Gross National Happiness Centre in Bhutan, and Director of Learning and Development at the International Committee of the Red Cross. He holds a PhD in Psychology and Education from Geneva University. His publications include: A Culture of Happiness: How to Scale up Happiness from People to Organizations (2022), amongst others.
Dr Joseph Milne is a philosopher, writer and seasoned lecturer. He taught for many years on the renowned MA in the Study of Religion and Mystical Experience at the University of Kent. He won a British Academy award for his PhD research in theological anthropology.
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Enrol in the Know Thyself Two Course Bundle and learn the root causes of suffering and how to transform them, and survey the Greek philosophical and Christian mystical approaches to self knowledge
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Select "Send as a gift" when purchasing.
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