Personal Development News at news.timlebon.com

Psychotherapy, Life Coaching and Counselling in London

2009-12-05T10:28:00.001-08:00

Psychotherapy, Life Coaching and Counselling in London
http://www.timlebon.com/
Author of Wise Therapy (Sage, 2001), first-class degree from Trinity College, Oxford
My work incorporates methods from CBT, philosophy and existential psychotherapy & has been featured in the national press.
Specialist areas include decision-making, low self-esteem, dealing with stress and working with values.

Lou Marinoff comes to London - SPP AGM Sunday December 13th

2009-12-05T04:47:00.000-08:00

Venue:
Bertrand Russell Room
Conway Hall
25 Red Lion Square
London
WC1R 4RL
http://www.conwayhall.org.uk
13th December 2009
Spaces are limited so please reserve your place in advance with the
administrator: admin@society-for-philosophy-in-practice.org - priority will be
given to SPP members. Non-members will be invited to join the SPP before the
AGM.
Symposium & AGM 2009
THE SOCIETY FOR PHILOSOPHY IN PRACTICE (SPP)
GUEST SPEAKERS:
Peter Harteloh,
Secretary of the Dutch Association for Philosophy in the Netherlands (VfP).
Lou Marinoff,
President of the American Philosophical Practitioners Association (APPA)
& Author of Plato, Not Prozac & Therapy for the Sane
Schedule
• 2pm – Introduction from the Chair
• 2:15pm – Talk by Peter Harteloh, Followed by general discussion
• 3:35pm – break ---
• 4pm – Lou Marinoff – “Synchronicities, Serpents and Something-Elseness”
• 5:45pm – break ---
• 6pm – Discussion about Health Professions Council regulation
• 6:30pm – AGM
• 8pm – meeting ends
See http://www.society-for-philosophy-in-practice.org for SPP details

CBT/Philosophical Counselling workshop comes to Shrewsbury (tutor: Julie Johns)

2009-10-20T09:24:00.000-07:00

Just heard about this workshop, sounds interesting

Touching the Problems of Life

SATURDAY

NOVEMBER 21ST 2009

10am – 3.00pm

Business Centre, The Priory School, Longden Road, Shrewsbury, SY3 9EE

£35

‘We feel that even when all possible scientific questions have been answered,

the problems of life remain untouched’ (Wittgenstein).

A workshop to discover how aspects of CBT and Philosophical Counselling may help you to deal with the problems of life such as anxiety, panic, self -esteem, confidence, depression, moral dilemmas or difficult decisions. A maximum of 20 of people will have an opportunity to look at descriptions of what it is to ‘be’ human - in particular your life, your loves, your difficulties, your treasures, and the passion of the vision that you have of who you are and how you want to be. We will talk, we will think and then we can take what we have clarified or discovered to help us in our own process of living. To book a place for £35 contact me:

JULIE JOHNS

07540 399586

or email me: ttt.julie@yahoo.co.uk

See http://www.talkthinktake.com/talkthinktake/Workshops.html for more details

Positive Psychology course - starting at City Uni on Thursday evening, October 8th

2009-10-03T11:14:00.001-07:00

Sign up now to find out all about the exciting new subject of Positive Psychology, starting this Thursday evening at City Uni.
Actually it's more than a survey, it's an interactive experience of positive psychology, that last year led to a significant
increase in the happiness of most participants. How do I know that? Because students did questionairres at the beginning and end of the course.
Moreover, this wasn't happiness by osmosis - as part of the course students carry out many of the most effective interventions that have
been found to boost happiness. We'll also have lively discussions, videos and student presentations. No previous experience of
psychology required.

To sign up, visit
http://www.city.ac.uk/cae/cfa/business/coaching_business_skills/positive_psychology.html

or call 020 7040 8865 between 9.30am and 5.00pm quoting course ref CE1941

Course Code:	CE1941
Start date(s):	Thursday 8 October 2009
Class Time:	6.30pm – 8.30pm
Number of Classes:	10 weekly classes
Course Fee:	£300.00

Understanding psychology can improve your well-being and success, both at work and in your personal life. Positive psychology is the growing branch of psychology that focuses on the positive, including strengths, positive states and happiness. This course will have a particular emphasis on applying positive psychology in your personal and working life.

Topics studied will include:

Happiness
Goals and meaning
Strengths
Flow
Hope, luck and optimism
Emotional intelligence and resilience
Mindfulness and meditation
Positive relationships and empathy
Wisdom and decision-making

Who is your ancient guru?

2009-10-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

The prolific writer Mark Vernon has produced a short on-line quiz to help you discover your ancient philosophy guru.

You will be asked questions like

Do you think it's more useful to think about how to be happy or how to cope with suffering?

and

Do you prefer pondering big issues or practical matters?

I wasn't sure how to answer the question about the relative importance happiness or suffering, but when I plumped for happiness my ancient guru turned out to be Epicurus, which was uncannily accurate. I do have a lot of sympathy for Epicurus's values of friendship, philosophising, reason and happiness.

When I took the test again and answered "suffering" to the first question my guru turned out to be the Stoic Zeno, which again was pretty much on the money.

Just for fun, I also tried answering the exact opposite of my real views, and my anti-guru turned out to be the sceptic Pyrrho. So I know not to read more about him ....

Vernon's quiz isn't meant to be taken too seriously. I'd be uncomfortable thinking of Epicurus or Zeno as my guru, and would turn just as happily to Aristotle, Plato or Socrates if looking for wisdom. But the quiz is good fun and could well generate ideas about new philosophers to look at.

To read about a variety of ancient gurus, you can also buy Vernon's new book, Plato's Podcasts.

To take the quiz, go to http://www.markvernon.com/quiz/my-philosophy-guru/

New CBT For Therapists blog

2009-09-27T01:06:00.001-07:00

I've just created a new blog called CBT for Therapists
<http://cbtfortherapists.blogspot.com/>
If you are interested in CBT, either as a therapist or trainee, it might
be worth following it.
The first post is all about how to provide a rationale for CBT in the
first session with a new client and begins ...

Some clients (or patients) may come to CBT (cognitive behavioural
therapy) knowing exactly what CBT is and how it will benefit them.
However the majority probably won't - they may be ambivalent about the
therapy have a number of misconceptions about CBT.

If they understand the potential of CBT for them it will not only
increase their motivation but also give them a better opportunity to
engage fully in the collaborative CBT process. So it's a good idea to
provide a rationale for CBT, and explain how it works, early on in the
first session.

So how best to do this?

Here are some alternative ways to present CBT to the client in the first
session
1) Give a handout on CBT for the client to read after the session
2) Explain the CBT rationale in session using short case vignettes and a
diagram
3) Use similes and metaphors to tell the client what CBT is like.
4) Use a "naturally occuring moment" to link the client's own situation
to how CBT can help them.

New Book by David Burns on CBT For Relationships

2009-09-20T01:11:00.001-07:00

Feeling Good Together: The Secret to Making Troubled Relationships Work' by Dr David Burns

See http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/wellbeing/6173156/10-minute-relationship-therapy.html

"Blame is the atom bomb of intimacy, destroying everything that gets in its way.
But it's far more productive to evaluate the reasons behind the problems instead."
Read more ...

Low cost therapy opportunity in Central London

2009-09-02T01:22:00.000-07:00

I am now starting a low-cost therapy scheme for clients with anxiety
or depression-related problems.
The therapy will normally be for 12 individual weekly sessions. The fee
will be £30 per 50 minute session - my normal rate is £60-£80.
Acceptance to the scheme is subject to suitability and places are
strictly limited. Sessions are held in Fleet St, London.
If you are interested in more details then please contact me asap on
tim@timlebon.com

City Lit Personal Development, Counselling and Philosophy courses

2009-08-15T04:20:00.001-07:00

Fancy spending a day learning next year?

Have a look at this list of courses I am teacching

at City Lit this year and next

To enrol, visit http://www.citylit.ac.uk/enrol

or phone 020 7831 7831

Habits of highly effective living

PG 614

Monday 7th Sept 2009

10.30 – 5.30

Intro to CBT (Cognitive Therapy)

PC 408

Mon Sept 14th 2009

10.30 – 5.30

Intro to CBT (Cognitive Therapy)

PC 401 Intro to CBT

Sat. 12 Dec 2009

10.30 – 5.30

Positive psychology and happiness

PG 658

Mon 14 Dec 2009

10.30 -5.30

Philosophical Life Coaching

19HP020001

Saturday 23rd January 2010

1030-430

Intro to existential counselling

PC 404

Sat 5 June 2010

1030-530

Frankl and the search for meaning

PG 636

Tuesday 22,29 June 2010

6 to 9pm

See http://www.citylit.ac.uk/enrol to enrol or phone 020 7831 7831:

Philosophical Counselling course, July 24-26th 2009

2009-07-01T21:02:00.001-07:00

There are still a few places left on the residential SPP Philosophical Counselling workshop in
Surrey, UK between Friday July 24th (4pm) -Sunday July 26th 2009

See below also for further details
- also at
http://www.practical-philosophy.org.uk/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=95&Itemid=100

Best regards

Tim LeBon

http://www.timlebon.com

SPP Philosophical Counselling Course 2009

COURSE DETAILS

Booking Form Programme FAQs

When: July 24th - 26th inclusive (Friday 4pm - Sunday 2pm)
Where: Claridge House, Surrey, UK
How much: £449 includes:
i) pre-course reader (60 pages PDF file) and course reader (40 pages printed booklet), which contain course material and key articles
ii) books by course team: Tim Lebon's Wise Therapy and Antonia Macaro's Reason, Virtue and Psychotherapy
iii) accommodation and food

Concessions: £399 for full-time students and registered unemployed, reductions: £10 for SPP members - note only one reduction can apply.

Facilitators: Tim LeBon, Antonia Macaro, David Arnaud

What is Philosophical Counselling ?
Philosophical counselling uses philosophical methods and insights to help individuals reflect, think and act more wisely. Specific issues include meaning crises, relationship issues, and career dilemmas.

Newspaper articles on the SPP and Philosophical Counselling.
The Independent on Sunday, October 2nd 2005 I think, therefore I am in need of Socrates
The Independent 16th November 2004: Plato is my Agony Aunt
The Observer Magazine Sunday November 21, 2004: I shrink therefore I am

What will this course provide ?
· Intensive study of the theory behind philosophical counselling.
· Practical experience with discussion and reflection on this practice.
· Certificate from the Society For Philosophy In Practice, which provides part fulfilment of the requirements to be registered with the Society as a practising philosophical counsellor.

Course requirements
The course is open to everyone interested in finding out more about philosophical counselling. A strong interest in the practical application of philosophy is required. It is beneficial for participants to have gained counselling skills experience before attending the residential part of the course, by, for instance, taking a course in counselling skills.

Course topics
We will explore many key topics, including:-
· What is philosophical counselling?
· How can it be useful to clients?
· What methods and skills are be used in philosophical counselling?
· Practice sessions giving you experience as both counsellor and client

Facilitators
Tim LeBon is a philosophical counsellor with a private practice in London. He gained a first in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford and later trained as an existential counsellor at Regent's College, London. Tim was the founding editor of Practical Philosophy, and is the author of Wise Therapy: Philosophy for Counsellors published by Sage. He also teaches philosophy, counselling and personal development in London.

Antonia Macaro has an MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy and an MA in Philosophy. She has worked for many years in the field of addictive behaviours and currently practises as an existential therapist and as a supervisor. Her approach is a blend of philosophical and more mainstream therapeutic ideas and methods. She is particularly inspired by Aristotle's ideas about the good life, which she has explored in her book Reason, Virtue and Psychotherapy.

.
David Arnaud is a lecturer in philosophy and psychology. After gaining a 1st in Philosophy and an MSc in the Psychology of Education. David is a registered philosophical counsellor, a former editor of Practical Philosophy and has a particular research interest in wise decision-making.

Itinerary

Part 1: Reading and distance learning (about a days work) to be completed before the course starts
Part 2: 3 day residential weekend workshop at Claridge House, Surrey, UK. Friday July 24th 2009 (4pm) to Sunday July 26th (2pm)
Part 3: distance learning, to be completed before August 1st 2010

Claridge House
Claridge House is a Quaker centre for healing, rest and renewal. It is situated in the small Surrey village of Dormansland, and stands in about two acres of beautiful gardens with many fine trees. The house is over 150 years old. Claridge House is only 15 miles from Gatwick Airport and easily accessible by road and rail.

Course Certificate
As well as participation in the course itself, delegates will be asked to complete a piece of written work at the end of the course to demonstrate their understanding of philosophical counselling. Upon successful completion a certificate will be issued by the Society for Philosophy in Practice.

Register
The society maintains a register of philosophical counsellors it deems to have met minimum standards of competency. This course fulfils part of the requirement for entry on the register. Further details about the register.

What Participants Said About Previous Courses
"I really enjoyed myself & have learnt a great deal. Lovely tutors- very approachable."
"I think the course was fantastic. It was stimulating and challenging but in a safe and friendly environment. Thanks a lot."
"The tutors were all very friendly, an important part of any course"
"Tutors complement each other very well and impressed about way such a diverse student group was handled"
"Thank you all for a lot of hard work and a very enjoyable course"
Tutors worked very hard and seem dedicated to producing the best possible course"

Booking Form Programme FAQs

New Residential Practical Philosophy weekend with Tim LeBon - July/August 2009

2009-05-07T23:34:00.001-07:00

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
THROUGH PHILOSOPHY

July 31st - Aug. 2nd

The wisdom of the ages can develop your ideas about   happiness and
finding purpose in life. Working on your   own, in   groups and through
tutor-led talks, you will work on your own vision of what makes life go well
and how to put this    into   practice.   No     experience     or   knowledge   of
philosophy required.

The weekend will be led by Tim LeBon who is an experienced tutor in
Adult Education and author of Wise Therapy. Tim runs a life coaching and
psychotherapy   practice.

The course will be held at Claridge House, a Victorian building with full
disabled access set in beautiful gardens in the Surrey countryside.

The course starts 4 pm Friday with tea and cake, ends with Sunday lunch.

The cost of £170 includes the cost of the course, accommodation and
meals.

The meals are vegetarian based on organic produce.
Medical diets may be catered for with advance notice.
Reg. Charity no 228102.

01342 832150 or 0845 345 7281
www.claridgehousequaker.org.uk   email: welcome@claridgehousequaker.org.uk

Claridge House, Dormans Road, Dormansland Lingfield, Surrey, RH7 6QH
Claridge House

New Philosophy and Personal Development Courses this summer in Guildford

2009-03-23T10:25:00.000-07:00

Courses on Practical Philosophy and Happiness
To book, * Tel: 01483 562142 * Email: info@guildford-institute.org.uk
<mailto:info@guildford-institute.org.uk>
Location: Ward Street, Guildford GU1 4LH (5 minutes walk from Guildford
train station)

-
*An Introduction to Practical Philosophy*
*GI-08-084*

Tim LeBon MA (Oxon) M.Phil

/ / Monday 11 May to 8 June (No meeting on Bank Holiday Monday 25 May)
4 meetings 10.00am to 12.00pm £40, Concessions £36

Reap the benefits of the great thinkers without ploughing through all
their books. Local author and philosopher Tim LeBon will be your gentle
and stimulating guide to how philosophers, ancient and modern, can be of
practical value in your life. Socrates, Aristotle, The Existentialists
and the Stoics will be amongst the philosophers discussed. No previous
knowledge of philosophy required.

Please bring a pen and it might also be worth purchasing a folder to
keep together all the handouts and your own notes from the course. It is
advisable, but not essential, to purchase and start reading Alain de
Botton's The Consolations of Philosophy before the course begins.

*Back to top* <http://www.guildford-institute.org.uk/philosophy.htm#top>
* Booking Form <http://www.guildford-institute.org.uk/courses_booking.htm>*
-
*Happiness*
*GI-08-085*

Tim LeBon MA (Oxon) M.Phil

Tuesday 16 June
1 Meeting 7.30pm to 9.30pm £11, Concessions £10

Happiness is often said to be one of the most important things in life,
but what actually is it - and what can we do to become happier?
Philosopher and life coach Tim LeBon will be your guide to the latest
research from positive psychology as well as age-old wisdom from
Aristotle and Bertrand Russell among others.

Guardian special on How to Understand People

2009-03-07T12:47:00.001-08:00

Very interestng Guardian/Observer guide- How to Understand People out today.

Highlights include

Can you decode these emotions?	Test created by Paul Eckman - part of emotional intelligence
Personality test	Test created by Daniel Nettle -are you neurotic, or an extravert?
What is your personality type?	Take the Myers-Brigg test
Find a therapy that suits your needs	Different types of therapy explained
Recommended resources	Books and organisations

On a personal note, it was gratifying to see Wise Therapy recommended
This is what The Guardian said about Wise Therapy

Wise Therapy: Tim LeBon(Sage, £18.99)

A practical guide to using philosophy as therapy. LeBon encourages counsellors and psychotherapy practitioners to use philosophy with their patients to help them make better decisions.

new free esource on psychological resilience available ...

2009-02-25T06:49:00.001-08:00

What is resilience?

The dictionary defines resilience as "the ability to persevere and adapt when things go awry". Resilience is about bouncing back from adversities.

Examples of Resilient People

The photo above is of Andy Dufresne, the hero of the Shawshank Redemption.
Real-life examples include: Nelson Mandela, Helen Keller and Viktor Frankl.
These examples suggest connections between resilience and other qualities such as courage, hope and optimism.
Read more at
http://www.timlebon.com/Resilience.html

Philosophical Counselling Course, Surrey, UK, July 2009

2009-02-24T09:31:00.001-08:00

A 3 day workshop which comprises part of the training to become a philosophical counselling will take place near Lingfield, Surrey, UK between Friday July 24(4pm) -Sunday July 26th 2009

Full details at http://www.society-for-philosophy-in-practice.org/

(exact link is
http://www.practical-philosophy.org.uk/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=95&Itemid=100
)
and below

Best regards

Tim LeBon

http://www.timlebon.com

SPP Philosophical Counselling Course 2009

COURSE DETAILS

Booking Form Programme FAQs

Facilitators: Tim LeBon, Antonia Macaro, David Arnaud

Full payment, by cheque or PayPal, is required on booking. A cancellation charge of 25% is payable if cancellations are made more than 6 weeks before the course; refunds are not normally possible if bookings are cancelled withing six weeks of the course date. Whilst every effort will be made to run the course at the date specified, the SPP reserves the right to cancel courses and substitute trainers where necessary.

Facilitators
Tim LeBon is a philosophical counsellor with a private practice in London. He gained a first in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford and later trained as an existential counsellor at Regent's College, London. Tim was the founding editor of Practical Philosophy, and is the author of Wise Therapy: Philosophy for Counsellors published by Sage. He also teaches philosophy, counselling and personal development in London.

Antonia Macaro has an MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy and an MA in Philosophy. She has over ten years experience of counselling and group work in the field of addictions. In recent years she has become interested in the use of philosophical methods to help people to deal with life issues. She currently works as a counsellor and fac ideas. She is the author of Reason, Virtue and Psychotherapy.
.
David Arnaud is a lecturer in philosophy and psychology. After gaining a 1st in Philosophy and an MSc in the Psychology of Education. David is a registered philosophical counsellor, a former editor of Practical Philosophy and has a particular research interest in wise decision-making.

Itinerary
Part 1: distance learning, to be completed before July 1st, 2009
Part 2: 3 day residential weekend workshop at Claridge House, Surrey, UK. Friday July 24th 2009 (4pm) to Sunday July 26th (2pm)
Part 3: distance learning, to be completed before August 1st 2010

Booking Form Programme FAQs

Weekend residential Practical Philosophy course in rural Surrey July 2009

2009-01-27T08:06:00.001-08:00

July 31-August 2 PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH PHILOSOPHY

The wisdom of the ages can develop your ideas about happiness and finding purpose in life. Working on your own, in groups and through tutor-led talks, you will work on your own vision of what makes life go well and how to put this into practice. No experience or knowledge of philosophy required.
Tim LeBon, an experienced tutor in Adult Education and author of Wise Therapy, runs a life coaching and psychotherapy practice.
Cost: £170

To book go to

http://www.claridgehouse.quaker.eu.org/courses.php

phone +44(0)1342 832150 or +44(0)845 3457281

Courses starting in January 2009 in London

2009-01-03T12:00:00.000-08:00

Habits of Effective Living Friday 16th January 1030-1730 City Lit, London
Learn in one day top tips for living effectively, at work and at home. You will discover the principles of good time management, enlightened values clarification, gaining more emotional intelligence, becoming happier and enjoyng better relationships.
To enrol, phone 020 7831 7831 quoting course code PG614

Personal Development through Philosophy
This 10 week course will show how studying philosophy can help you discover how they can be true to themselves, make wiser decisions and develop more enlightened values.

Course Information
Course Code:     CE1944
Course Fee:     £110
Start date:     Tuesday 17 January 2009
Class Time:     6.30pm – 8.30pm
Number of Classes:     10 weekly classes
Accreditation:     10 credits at level 1

To enrol call 020 7040 8268 between 9.30am and 5.00pm.or visit the City Uni website

Positive Psychology

Topics studied will include:

Happiness
Goals and meaning
Strengths
Flow
Hope, luck and optimism
Emotional intelligence and resilience
Mindfulness and meditation
Positive relationships and empathy
Wisdom and decision-making

Course Code:     CE1941
Course Fee:     £215
Start date:     Thursday 22 January 2008
Class Time:     6.30pm – 8.30pm
Number of Classes:     10 weekly classes
Accreditation:     10 credits at level 1
Call 020 7831 7831 to enrol or visit the City Uni website

Tim LeBon featured in Times on Saturday 11th October

2008-10-12T11:29:00.001-07:00

Tim LeBon was featured in Emma Cook's "Ask your Father" column giving advice about how to answer tricky children's questions about religion.

Ask your father: Does God have a mummy?

Expert advice on what to do when your child asks... Does God have a mummy? Charlotte, 6

Emma Cook

Typically this is a rather female question - at age 6 Charlotte will be much more engrossed than her younger brother in the physicality of human relationships; who's related to whom, and who's tummy we sprang from.

So it is logical that she wants to know who is mummy to the biggest daddy of them all, not that there are any logical answers. "In a straightforward way you could say that God is seen as the source of absolutely everything. God doesn't need a mummy or daddy because He isn't human - He doesn't get older and He's never been a child, but He is like a father to us. There's not a lot more you can say," says Dr Mike Higton, a senior lecturer in theology at the University of Exeter.

You could try to appeal to a child's innate sense of logic. As the philosophical counsellor Tim LeBon says: "God couldn't have a mother because He's the creator. So if God did have a mummy, then mummy would be God, and if she had a mummy, that being would be God. To avoid infinite regression, we have to have a being or entity that doesn't have a mummy." Another approach is to ask Charlotte how she visualises God; seeing Him in a different way could help her to grapple with the complex nature of God's parentage or lack of it.

LeBon says: "Any child who asks this probably views God as a kindly figure living in the clouds, a sort of celestial Dumbledore. You could ask them to look at Him in another way - God as everywhere and everything." If Charlotte looks confused, it's probably better to mention that she isn't the first one to suggest that God could have a mummy. Some theologians have argued that Mary is God's mother. In the early history of the Church, she was even referred to by some as the Mother of God, since Jesus and God can be viewed as one and the same.

Higton explains: "In Christianity, Jesus is seen as God's human form, showing us what God is like. So there is a sense in which God does have a mother."

There is the atheist option but it is no easy way out of a tough question. If you tell Charlotte that since God couldn't have a mother how could He exist, that leaves the big bang. And you're back to what came before that? As LeBon says: "God doesn't solve the problem, but take him away and you still don't have the answers."

EMMA COOK

Philosophical Life Coaching Course

2008-05-05T03:43:00.001-07:00

Philosophical Life Coaching
One Day Course
London Saturday 24th January 2008 1030am- 1630am

Below is programme for 2008 course -2009 course may vary

Contents and Programme for Day

Contents	1
Philosophical Life Coaching- Introduction	2
The Stoics on gaining emotional control	3
Frankl can help creating more meaning in your life	5
Nietzsche’s Eternal Recurrence to create your own Groundhog Day	7
Critical Thinking to help with tricky decisions	9
Setting SMART Goals	10
Putting it into all into together and workshop review	11
Resources	12

To book, contact City Lit

City Lit courses from Tim LeBon 2008-9

2008-02-04T02:49:00.001-08:00

Course	Date(s)	Day	Time	sessions
NEW – Positive psychology and happiness	10 Oct 08	Fri	10.30 – 17.30	1
PG646 – Personal development through philosophy	8 Nov 08	Sat	10.30 – 17.30	1
PC401 – Intro to CBT	13 Dec 08	Sat	10.30 – 17.30	1
PG614 – Habits for effective living	16 Jan 09	Fri	10.30 – 17.30	1
PC404 – Intro to existential counselling	6 June 09	Sat	10.30 – 17.30	1
PG636 – Frankl	23 – 30 Jun 09	Tues	18.00 – 21.00	2
NEW – Intro to CBT (2)	3 Jul 09	Fri	10.30 – 17.30	1

To book, contact City Lit

If there's a God, why are there so many wars

2008-01-20T15:52:00.001-08:00

Ask your father: Kids’ questions you dread

(The Times, Saturday January 19th 2008)

EMMA COOK gets expert advice on what to do when your child turns to you and asks...

Mummy, if there’s a God, why are there so many wars?

Charlotte, 9

After marvelling at your child’s sparkling intellectual curiosity, you may well feel a bit daunted by a question that, after several centuries, still baffles theologians and philosophers.

So where to start? Remember that not being able to offer your child concrete answers isn’t a bad thing. In fact, it’s pretty integral to the question. As the philosopher Julian Baggini says: “There really aren’t any clear-cut answers to this one. I might begin by asking the child what they think; using it as a way of starting a discussion. If parents can’t give clear-cut answers, they feel they’re failing their kids, but it’s a great mistake to assume children can’t cope with uncertainties. It’s important that they learn that there aren’t clear-cut answers to everything and not feel paralysed by that.”

Of course, your response will depend ultimately upon your religious values. If you’re an atheist, like the philosopher A. C. Grayling, you’ll have no problem pointing out, as he did to his children: “There are no gods, only people; people are a mix of good and bad, though most people are mostly good. Wars come from the bad things that people think and do, which makes the leaders of their countries quarrel with one another – and sometimes those sorts of grown-up quarrels use guns and bombs, and that’s very destructive and bad.”

If, however, you have a faith and hope your child will, too, you would do better to follow the Catholic broadcaster and author Peter Stanford who patiently explains to his children: “Good religion is what stops us having wars. The golden rule is never do unto others what you wouldn’t want done unto yourself. If we followed that rule, there would be no wars based on religion. I would also say that if you’re looking for one thing throughout history that has encouraged us to put people first, and not ourselves, it’s religion.”

You may also want to point out that God gave people free will – and so it’s their choice to go to war. If your child is smart, he may well ask why God didn’t make people nicer in the first place, so they didn’t want to fight one another. You could counter this by saying that if everyone was capable only of being good, they wouldn’t be so free. The philosophical counsellor Tim Le Bon suggests: “The debate may not end there, but a timely ‘What’s on telly’, may do the trick or you could quote Woody Allen who says: “If there is a God, I don’t think he’s evil. The worst you can say about him is that he’s an underachiever.” For Emma’s previous columns, go to

timesonline.co.uk/families

If you would like answers to tricky questions, just e-mail body&soul@thetimes.co.uk

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/body_and_soul/article3209856.ece

4 courses in practical philosophy and psychology starting in early January

2008-01-05T08:45:00.001-08:00

If learning, personal development or well-being are amongst your new year's goals, then you might like to sign up for one of 4 courses I'm running in the next couple of weeks.
They are:
Frankl and the Search for Meaning
Friday 18th Jan 2008 1030-1730 Location: City Lit, Central London
Viktor Frankl's ideas can inspire everyone aiming to find more meaning and purpose in their life.
This lively and highly-rated workshop will help you start the New Year focusing on this important issue.
Call 020 7831 7831 to enrol or visit the City Lit website

Philosophical Life Coaching
Saturday 19th Jan 2008 1030-1630 Location: City Lit, Central London
" “Move over Carole Caplin. The new gurus of self-help are philosophical counsellors from beyond the grave” proclaimed the Independent recently.
Lead a more satisfying and meaningful life by using insights and methods from the great thinkers. This introduction will show you some of the most interesting ways it can be of help.
No previous experience required
Call 020 7831 7831 to enrol or visit the City Lit website

Personal Development through Philosophy

This 10 week course will show how studying philosophy can help you discover how they can be true to themselves, make wiser decisions and develop more enlightened values.

Course Information
Course Code:	CE1944
Course Fee:	£100
Start date:	Tuesday 15 January 2008
Class Time:	6.30pm – 8.30pm
Number of Classes:	10 weekly classes
Accreditation:	10 credits at level 1

Venue : City University, London

To enrol call 020 7040 8268 between 9.30am and 5.00pm.or visit the City Uni website

Positive Psychology

Positive psychology is the growing branch of psychology that focuses on the positive, including strengths, positive states and well-being. This course will have a particular emphasis on how positive psychology can make you more effective in your working life in terms of your strengths, emotional intelligence, creativity, decision making, meaning and purpose.

Course Code:	CE1941
Course Fee:	£180
Start date:	Thursday 17 January 2008
Class Time:	6.30pm – 8.30pm
Number of Classes:	10 weekly classes
Accreditation:	10 credits at level 1

Venue : City University, London

To enrol call 020 7040 8268 between 9.30am and 5.00pm.or visit the City Uni website

Free talk on Philosophy in Schools, London Friday, Dec 14th 630pm

2007-12-02T09:16:00.000-08:00

Talk on Philosophy in Schools

Peter Worley is giving a free talk on "Philosophy in Schools" at 630pm on Friday December 14th in Central London

Peter studied philosophy at University College London and Birbeck College, London. He is a philosophical practitioner who for the last four years has been developing his own approach to teaching philosophy to London primary school children.

Venue: David Wynter Room 2nd floor Swedenborg House 20-21 Bloomsbury Way London WC1A 2TH

The entrance to Swedenborg House is in Barter Street and doors are open from 6.00 p.m.

The nearest underground stations are Holborn and Tottenham Court Road

Please e-mail spp@timlebon.com in advance if you would like to come.

Stand-up Philosophy in California, 30th November

2007-11-18T03:28:00.001-08:00

Jeff Mason

Professor of Philosophy, California State University, Fullerton

Invites you to an evening of Stand-Up Philosophy

The theme is Skepticism.

The title of the talk is:

Peace of Mind in an Uncertain World:
The Virtues of Non-Dogmatic Skepticism

Do not let the ferocious subtitle turn you off. The whole subject is actually very funny for all those with a suitably warped sense of humor.

Date: November 30, Friday.

Time: 7-9 PM

Venue: SANGHA, Center for Spiritual Living:

7641 Talbert Avenue, Huntington Beach, CA 92648

714-469-4843

Matthieu Ricard in India

2007-10-29T23:34:00.000-07:00

Meditation is the secret to stress free life: Monk

Delhi Newsline - Delhi,India

New Delhi, October 26 Meditation leads to a healthy and happy life, says Matthieu Ricard, a 61-year-old French monk. ...Ricard, who is a member of a monastery in Kathmandu, says

"The search for happiness is not selfish. When you reach this state of mind, you can help others in a better way. It's just like a prisoner who has to be free himself before acting for the freedom of the others."