What is Deep Philosophy?

PHILOSOPHY FROM OUR INNER DEPTH

Deep Philosophy is an approach to practicing philosophy in a personal and contemplative way, both individually and in the togetherness of a group. As philosophers, we investigate fundamental issues of life, but we do so in a unique way: not just from our intellect or abstract reasoning, but from a deeper dimension of our being: our inner depth.

PHILOSOPHICAL CONTEMPLATION

Our central activity in Deep Philosophy is text-contemplation in small groups of companions. “Contemplation” means thinking from our inner depth: Together we read a selected philosophical text, slowly and quietly, and we listen inwardly without judgement or opinions,without agreeing or disagreeing. We let the words and ideas resonate within us and arouse in us new insights and understandings. Dormant dimensions awaken within us, beyond our normal thinking patterns, resulting in an intense state of understanding and awareness.

WHY DO WE DO DEEP PHILOSOPHY?

We practice Deep Philosophy because we yearn to touch reality in its realness, and be touched by it. Philosophical contemplation allows us to “listen” to the fundamental “voices” (or meanings) of reality as they “speak” in human life, and in our personal life. We experience deep insights, accompanied by a powerful sense of realness and plenitude. The practice also gradually develops our ability to be attuned to our inner depth.

THE DP GROUP

We usually contemplate in small groups of companions, online or face-to-face. We use various techniques to contemplate on philosophical ideas, and we do so in togetherness with each other and with author of the text. Without arguing or opinionating, we resonate like musicians playing together, and create a rich polyphony of ideas. We thus go beyond the boundaries of personal opinions, beyond our separate worlds, and enjoy a precious sense of togetherness with each other, with the author, and beyond.

DO WE FOLLOW ANY DOGMA?

We have no “fixed truths” or “sacred teachings,” no scriptures or guru. Our contemplative exercises and theoretical ideas are always in the process of creative exploration. We appreciate the many voices of human understanding, and we realize that as human beings, our encounter with reality is always a dynamic, personal, and developing process. In short: You don’t have to accept any teachings to join us!