February 10, 2016 – The Floor Is Yours!

Celebration Comments Off on February 10, 2016 – The Floor Is Yours!

The Floor is YOURS!

To celebrate the 5th anniversary of LES in February 2016 we’re doing something entirely different!We’re asking each attendee to think about what they would like 2016 to mean in their lives. What would you like to accomplish over the next year – whether materially, spiritually or otherwise.

We would like to have a discussion centered around all our hopes and dreams for the next year. It can be anything that’s currently on your mind…your goals, your hobbies, your job, your family, your spirituality…anything at all. It can be something as simple as I want the summer to be a moderate temperature and as complex as I want to find a cure for a disease, or the meaning of life.

This meeting is all about you. So, please come prepared to share with everyone some of what’s important to you. If you don’t want to share, that’s fine…just come and listen to those that do.

We’ll celebrate our 5th anniversary with some cake and champagne (the cheap kind)! We’ll also have an aspiration ball, where you can write something that you would like to see happen in 2016 and insert it into the ball. No one will be able to read what you write if you don’t want them to. Once it’s in the ball, it’s in there. But we’ll have a few minutes for everyone to focus on sending their energy for success on the aspirations placed inside the ball.

Hope you’ll join us for this unique group experience.

 

All sincere seekers are welcome.  $10 for pay-as-you-go attendees; No charge for LES pre-pay Members.

 

Click here for location, map and directions

 

February 11, 2015 – Philosophy – The Beginning

Ancient History, Celebration, Cosmology, Philosophy Comments Off on February 11, 2015 – Philosophy – The Beginning

Join us Wednesday February 11, 2015 at 6:30 PM for “Philosophy -The Beginning.”

This meeting marks the 4th anniversary of the first official LES meeting. Join us for champagne and cake as we celebrate the past 4 years and toast the future of LES!

In this meeting we’re going to watch the first two lectures in a series called “The Great Ideas of Philosophy.” Each lecture is approximately 30 minutes long and is taught by Professor Daniel N. Robinson PhD, a member of the philosophy faculty at Oxford University, where he has lectured annually since 1991. He is also Distinguished Professor, Emeritus, at Georgetown University, on whose faculty he served for 30 years. He was formerly Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Columbia University, and has held positions at Amherst College and at Princeton University. He is the author or editor of more than forty books.

Lecture 1- is entitled “From the Upanishads to Homer,” and begins with a brief description of what philosophy is. The translation of the word philosophy is love of wisdom; and wisdom comes only in Truth. To be a student of philosophy we are morally bound to go wherever Truth leads. Philosophy confronts three problems in the search for Truth – Knowledge (What is knowledge and how do we obtain it?); Conduct (What kind of life should one live and what actions represent moral conduct?); and Governance (What is wise governance?) Philosophers seek answers to all three of these questions.

The first lecture continues by pointing out contrasts between Eastern and Western philosophies. The Upanishads from India taught there is an Universal Soul or Cosmic Atman of which humanity and all living creatures are a part. Greek philosophers taught that humanity was separate from the Gods who created the Universe; and that human fate was entirely different from that of the Gods. They further taught that human life is filled with irony – that often the very attributes which motivate an individual’s code in life result in the eventual downfall of the individual.

Lecture 2 –  entitled “Philosophy – Did the Greeks Invent It” continues showing the contrasts between Eastern and Western thought, and provides information on how the Greek philosophy developed and spread in the Western world.  The Greeks believed that philosophy earns its Truth by working for it – that Truth depends on evidence. Without evidence there is no Truth. Without Truth there is no Wisdom. To reach Truth, one must remain skeptical and challenge even the most fundamental of beliefs.

Both lectures refer to Homer and the Iliad. Most of us learned about Homer and read some parts of the Iliad in high school Literature Class. Those of us who pursued degrees in the Humanities delved deeper in college. Time  has a way of stealing or at least blurring some knowledge from past learning. Some useful links are included below if you would like a refresher course on Homer, and why the Iliad is such an important key to understanding the mindset of antiquity. The information in these links is far from complete. If you’re interested in researching further you’ll find other links on the Internet – some to  various translations of the complete works of Homer.  Also included is a link with information about the Upanishads.

Note:  It is NOT necessary to explore these links to understand and enjoy the lectures. You’ll enjoy and understand both lectures even if Homer, the Iliad and the Upanishads are all unknown to you. The links are included just in case you want to learn more about the topics discussed in the lectures. Professor Robinson is engaging and does a great job of laying a basic foundation of philosophy in these two lectures. (He also bears a remarkable resemblance to one of our founders. You can decide who when you watch the lectures.) We’ll have time after each lecture to discuss any thoughts that arise while watching, or to share additional knowledge.

LES was founded on the idea of discovering Truth. In the past we’ve sometimes meandered from our original intent and will do so in the future, which is fine. This presentation, however, is consistent with the original intent of exploring ways to discover Truth.  Hope you’ll join us!

Useful links:

Homer

The Iliad

Upanishads

All sincere seekers are welcome.  $10 for pay-as-you-go attendees; No charge for LES pre-pay Members.

 

Click here for location, map and directions

December 10, 2014 – Fourth Annual Holiday Social Event 5:30 – ??

Celebration, Party! Comments Off on December 10, 2014 – Fourth Annual Holiday Social Event 5:30 – ??

Reminder – RSVPs needed no later than Friday, December 5th! An email with directions to the Hartye’s will be sent to all who have said they will be there.  Hope you can attend!

You’re invited to join LES at our fourth annual Holiday Event on December 10th at 5:30 – ??  We’re doing something a little different this year. We’ve moved the venue to the beautiful home of Patti and Bob Hartye. In the past we’ve provided wine and appetizers  – after which everyone ordered from the menu and were responsible for the cost of dinner, tax and tip.

This year, we’re providing appetizers, wine, a variety of other drinks, salad, bread, Lasagne (your choice of traditional meat or vegetarian), dessert and coffee. The event is no charge for all LES Pre-Pay Members, and $10 for all Members who join us from time to time. It’ll be a fun evening filled with good food and drink and lively conversation in a lovely setting! Even if we haven’t seen you for a while, please join in for a great evening to kick off the holiday season.

So, we’ll know how much food and drink to have on hand, please RSVP no later than Friday, December 5th. You may RSVP by contacting Janet.Rowland51@yahoo.com, or by clicking on the “Contact Us” link at the top of this page and we’ll send you the address and directions Hartye estate.

Hope you can join us!

December 10, 2014 – Fourth Annual Holiday Social Event 5:30 – ??

Celebration, Party! Comments Off on December 10, 2014 – Fourth Annual Holiday Social Event 5:30 – ??

 

You’re invited to join LES at our fourth annual Holiday Event on December 10th at 5:30 – ??  We’re doing something a little different this year. We’ve moved the venue to the beautiful home of Patti and Bob Hartye. In the past we’ve provided wine and appetizers  – after which everyone ordered from the menu and were responsible for the cost of dinner, tax and tip.

This year, we’re providing appetizers, wine, a variety of other drinks, salad, bread, Lasagne (your choice of traditional meat or vegetarian), dessert and coffee. The event is no charge for all LES Pre-Pay Members, and $10 for all Members who join us from time to time. It’ll be a fun evening filled with good food and drink and lively conversation in a lovely setting! Even if we haven’t seen you for a while, please join in for a great evening to kick off the holiday season.

So, we’ll know how much food and drink to have on hand, please RSVP no later than Friday, December 5th. You may RSVP by contacting Janet.Rowland51@yahoo.com, or by clicking on the “Contact Us” link at the top of this page and we’ll send you the address and directions Hartye estate.

Hope you can join us!

Wednesday, June 4th LES HQ Open House!

Celebration Comments Off on Wednesday, June 4th LES HQ Open House!

LES-HQ02

When we began the Louisville Esoteric Society 3+ years ago, we dreamed of having our own place. What are dreams but thought vibrations – and if the vibrations are strong enough those dreams often become reality. The reality for LES is we now have a place which we are fondly calling LES HQ!

LES HQ is an important step in our evolution; a step that will enable us to include other events in addition to our regularly scheduled bi-monthly presentations. Some examples may include meditation and healing groups, book and video discussion groups, workshops and other special interest groups. We’re also planning some additional social events to nourish and grow the wonderful camaraderie LES members share.

The first social event will be on Wednesday, June 4th as we celebrate LES HQ with an open house. We’ll have refreshments and a brief look-back at where we’ve been the past 3+ years – and, a look to a future filled with possibility. You’ll have an opportunity to look around and become familiar with the new LES home. All are welcome. We think you’re going to love it!!

Come join us at 6:30, Wednesday, June 4th as we pop some corks and celebrate another step in the evolution of LES!

LES HQ is located at:

Suite 328, Bakery Square, 1324 East Washington Street, Louisville, KY 40206

Click here for a map.

Directions to LES HQ can always be found here.

A schedule of upcoming meeting topics can be found here.

Save The Date Wed. June 4, 2014 – Open House for LES New Headquarters

Celebration Comments Off on Save The Date Wed. June 4, 2014 – Open House for LES New Headquarters

Something very exciting for LES is happening on Wed. June 4, 2014!! We’re having an open house to celebrate our move into our very own place – Suite 328 Bakery Square 1324 East Washington Street Louisville, KY 40206. We invite you to join us as we celebrate this major accomplishment for LES. There’ll be refreshments and fun, and an opportunity for you to look around and explore our new home! We’ll make another post the week before, but want to give you time to save the date. Mark your calendar now for  6:30 PM  Wednesday – June 4th. Hope to see you there!!

[table id=1 /]

 

[table id=2 /]