About the course
The Developing Consciousness course has now been running for six years in Norwich.
It is an introduction to spirituality from a mystical perspective.
This eight-week course is presented by Nicholas Vesey, vicar of St Augustine's.
Drawing on modern consciousness-raising techniques, as well as the wisdom of the Christian mystics and others, the course aims to facilitate a shared experience that everyone can contribute to and draw knowledge from.
Outline of the course
Purpose of the Course
The Course was devised as a way of exploring the conventional ‘enlightenment’ experience in a simple way. It was also devised to enable participants to experience Christianity as an eastern religion with mystical truth at the very centre of Jesus’ teachings.
The ‘Arc’ of the course
The course takes people on an experiential journey through their consciousness.
It begins with the five senses (which we seem to take for granted), and the nature of reality (Reality is that which continues to exist after we have stopped believing in it – Philip K Dick). Then it looks at the mind and the way it shapes our reality. We then look at the fact that we are not our minds, and from that the question ‘Who are we?’ naturally arises.
The third session looks at spirituality (using Rowan Williams' definition that ‘Spirituality is the cultivation of a sensitive and rewarding relationship with eternal truth and love’). And that naturally leads on to concepts of non-dual consciousness.
The fourth session looks at ways in which non-dual consciousness has arisen through the ages in different cultures, and consolidates the understanding of the previous session.
Session five is on the nature of personal transformation (acceptance).
Session six is on spiritual practice.
Session seven is on meditation, and session eight consolidates the learning.
The Methodology
The course takes people on a shared experience through the material.
The ideal number of people is 12-30.
Some material is delivered from the front, as is the sharing of key experiences (eg peak experiences).
There are also group exercises using, among other things, cards, drawing, self-reflection, observation and guided meditation.
We use quotations from the Bible, Tao Te Ching, Dalai Lama, Einstein, Aldous Huxley, Thomas Merton, Anthony de Mello and others.
There are times of silence and meditation.
There is also sharing in the main group, including ‘learning dialogue’, as well as in small groups. The course runs under the principal of ‘con-scios’ – learning together.
The course is run over eight weeks one and a half hours per session, but it has also been run as a one-day or two-day workshop.
Date and time of the next course
Thursdays
Feb 5th Mar 5th
Feb 12th Mar 12th
Feb 19th Mar 19th
Feb 26th Mar 26th
all 7.30 - 9pm
To book a place, call Nicholas on 01603 416973
or email: nicholas.vesey@btopenworld.com
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