Events
The Deep Philosophy Group offers a variety of activities to the general public, among them:
ONLINE SESSIONS: We meet online (on Zoom) in small groups, usually for one mini-session on Wednesdays (about 30 minutes) and one full session on Fridays (about 75 minutes). Together we contemplate on a short philosophical text and resonate with it in a personal way.
RETREATS: Participants stay together in a retreat house for a long weekend of intense contemplative activity. Groups are of about 10-20 participants, and they are guided by our facilitators through a process of deepening philosophical contemplation.
Philosophical Counseling Training
ONLINE PHILOSOPHICAL COUNSELING TRAINING PROGRAM
THE DEEP PHILOSOPHY SCHOOL. Director: Dr. Ran Lahav
Program dates: September 15, 2025 – February 26, 2026
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TO REGISTER: write to us at Deep.Philo@yahoo.com
SUMMARY: This is a 21-week training program (September 2025—February 2025), purely online, intended to train students to become philosophical counselors. It is directed by Dr. Ran Lahav, one of the pioneers of philosophical counseling in the world. Classes meet online twice a week for 90 minutes, on Mondays and Thursdays at 3:30 pm Central Europe Time. Cost: $380 USD per term ($1140 USD for the entire program). Need-based discounts are available. To register to the program, contact deep.philo@yahoo.com. The number of students is limited.
PROGRAM GOALS: To give students basic knowledge and practicing skills, covering the theory, methods, and practice of philosophical counseling. We envision “wise and skilled counselors” who have both a solid understanding of what they are doing, and the practical ability to conduct an effective counseling process.
PROGRAM DIRECTOR: Dr. Ran Lahav (PhD in philosophy, MA in Psychology) is one of the pioneers of philosophical practice / counseling in the world. He initiated and co-organized the first ICPP (International Conference on Philosophical Practice) in 1994; He was the first in the world to teach university courses on philosophical counseling; He published books and articles on the topic, and gave numerous workshops and presentations around the world.
TIME: This 21-week program (three 7-week terms) begins on Monday September 15, 2025 and ends on February 26, 2026. Classes meet online twice a week, in the evenings (3:30 pm, Central European Time), for 90 minutes each meeting.
MAIN TOPICS OF STUDY (Theory, methodology and practice):
(1) History and general principles of philosophical counseling.
(2) Lahav’s “The Power of ideas” approach – Theory and methods, case-studies, guided exercises, practice and supervision.
(3) Useful ideas and methods from psychotherapy.
(4) The art of conducting a philosophical counseling conversation.
(5) Guiding the counselee in philosophical self-reflection.
COST: $380 USD per term x 3 terms = $1140 USD for the entire program. The first $100 are due with registration. Payment for the first two terms is due before classes begin. Payment for the third terms is due in January. Need-based discounts are available.
REGISTRATION: Write to us at Deep.Philo@yahoo.com for instructions how to register and pay. Registration period is between June 23–August 31. Late registration is possible, but the number of places is limited, and acceptance is not guaranteed.
CERTIFICATE: Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive a Philosophical Counselor Certificate on behalf of the Deep Philosophy School. We are a private school, and our certificates are not state-licensed.
REQUIREMENTS FOR JOINING THE PROGRAM: Those without a philosophy university degree (or its equivalent) might be required to take an additional Intro to Philosophy course. It will meet once a week after or before a regular meeting, and will cost an additional $50 per term.
THE DEEP PHILOSOPHY SCHOOL was founded by Dr. Ran Lahav to promote philosophical self-reflection, and support an international community of philosophical seekers.
E-mail: deep.philo@yahoo.com
ONLINE GROUP SESSIONS
ONLINE SESSIONS are given on Wednesdays and Fridays at 5:00 pm Central European Time. For information, write to us at deep.philo@yahoo.com. Participation is open to all. No philosophical background is needed.
A NEW TRAINING PROGRAM ONLINE: Philosophical Counseling
See details above
For inquiries, write to us at: deep.philo@yahoo.com
WEDNESDAY MINI-SESSIONS
Time: On most Wednesdays at 5:00 pm Central European Time. Duration is usually about 30 minutes.
Language: Basic English.
Participation: Participation is free for DP members, and for visitors.
To join: Contact deep.philo@yahoo.com
FRIDAY SESSIONS
Time: On most Fridays at 5:00 pm Central European Time. Duration is usually about 75 minutes.
Language: Basic English.
Participation: Participation is free for DP members, and for visitors.
To join: Contact deep.philo@yahoo.com
DEEP PHILOSOPHY RETREATS:
We offer contemplative retreats several times a year, usually in Europe. Contact us to inquire.
Recent retreats: Florence, Italy; (June 14-16, 2024) Lisbon, Portugal (February 8-12, 2024); Prague, Czechia; (October 5-8, 2023); Rome, Italy (Sept 29 – October 1, 2023).
Future retreats: to be announced. Let us know if you want to be notified.
Background: No philosophical or academic background is needed. If you ask yourself questions about life, you are invited!
To inquire: Write to us at: deep.philo@yahoo.com
SELECTED RETREATS FROM THE PAST
DP event in Firenze, Italy (Italian language) – June 14-16, 2024
Il gruppo Deep Philosophy vi invita a partecipare a tre giorni delle nostre attività, per sviluppare la nostra comprensione delle questioni fondanti della vita.
Contempleremo su diverse idee filosofiche e useremo tecniche contemplative.
Luogo e data: Firenze, venerdì 14 – domenica 16 Giugno.
Programma:
Venerdì sera, 14 Giugno, 18.00-21.00: Cos’è la contemplazione filosofica? (Presentazione, dimostrazione, conversazione)
Luogo: Il Conventino Caffè Letterario, via Giano della Bella, 20-50124 Firenze
Costo di partecipazione: 10 euro (Il caffè offre la possibilità di una cena leggera dopo l’attività per il costo di 25/30 euro).
Sabato, 15 Giugno, 11.00-18.00: due workshops di contemplazione filosofica, con esercizi e condivisione: (1) 11.00-13.00 del mattino e (2) 15.00-17.00 del pomeriggio. Si può partecipare ad una sola sessione o ad entrambe.
Domenica, 16 Giugno, 15.00-18.00: Open House: si può partecipare nel proprio tempo libero per una contemplazione filosofica guidata.
DP event in Lisbon, Portugal – February 8-12, 2023
The Deep Philosophy group invites you to a “Epicurus’ Garden” retreat in Lisbon, Portugal, in the middle of February.
DATES: The second weekend or third weekends of February (Friday-Sunday, more or less), or the time between.
PLAN: An informal philosophical togetherness, like Epicurus’ Garden: Spending time together in friendly conversations, philosophical reflections, and seeing beautiful Lisbon together. Unlike our past retreats, the structure will be loose and flexible.
International retreat of Deep Philosophy in Holland (May, 2022)
In this quiet retreat of Deep Philosophy, we contemplated in togetherness on brief philosophical texts, cultivating our inner depth and our depth-understanding of basic life-issues.
Dates: The weekend of May 6-8, 2022.
Language: English.
Place: Heerlen, Holland.
Program: Each day included sessions of Contemplative Philosophy and of Guided Silence.
Organizers and facilitators: The Deep Philosophy Group, including Ran Lahav, Karin Fechner, Massimiliano Bavieri, and Nikolai Khmyrov.
Ritiro contemplativo a Venafro (Sabato 15 Febbraio 2020)
Ti invitiamo al ritiro di Deep Philosophy, per coltivare la tua profondità interiore e la profonda comprensione delle domande fondamentali della vita. Contempleremo brevi testi filosofici, in gruppo, utilizzando varie tecniche contemplative.
Unica data: Sabato 15 Febbraio 2020, 10.30-18.30
Lingua: Italiano
Contesto: Non è richiesto un background speciale – tutti sono invitati.
Luogo: Dimora del Prete di Belmonte, Via Cristo 49, Venafro (IS)
Programma: Mattina 10.00-13.30 Presentazione e session contemplativa / Pausa pranzo 13.30-15.00 / Pomeriggio ripresa attività con session contemplativa e quiete time 15.00 – 18.30
Organizzatori e facilitatori: il gruppo italiano di Deep Philosophy con Stefania Giordano, Francesca D’Uva e Maria Vittoria Cristiano
