Curriculum

The College of Posidonius is a two-year program that is organized into three disciplines: Comparative Religions, Metaphysics, and Applied Metaphysics. Each discipline has a special contribution to the education of those who would explore metaphysical and spiritual traditions. Coursework will include monthly video seminars, open-book quizzes, and essays. At the successful completion of these studies the title of Master of the College of Posidonius (MCP) will be given.

FIRST YEAR

Comparative Religions. For nine (9) months the student will study the origins, doctrines, and evolution the great religions of the world. There will be required reading and videos, seminars, open-book quizzes, and essays assigned as part of the learning process. Everything learned in this first year will be oriented to examining the student’s personal beliefs.

First Term begins with the Axial Age (800-200 BCE) when Hinduism, Confucianism, Buddhism, Daoism, Judaism, and the philosophies of Greece, including Stoicism, were born.

Second Term begins with the story of Jesus and the Christians followed by Muhammad and Islam as they evolve from the Medieval to the Modern Religions Era, culminating with Atheism.

Third Term will review the religions that have been studied, from Hinduism to Atheism, then the student will examine the internal tension between religion and naturalism in Stoic physics.

Fourth Term is entirely focused on writing a paper that examines the studies of the previous 9 months with an emphasis on what the student has learned and currently believes.

Applied Metaphysics. Students are required to take a total of four Applied Metaphysics courses, two each year. These courses are derived from ancient and classical explorations into the invisible world that have endured for millennia due to their effective application.

In the first year the student will study Heraclitus Immersion and Insight Meditation. The Heraclitus Immersion is a Stoic mneme practice, which may be waived for those students who have already completed this course as part of their novitiate training for The Stoic Monastery. Insight Meditation is a purposeful practice that focuses on spiritual insights while in deep mediation.

SECOND YEAR

Metaphysics. For nine (9) months the student will study physical, logical, and metaphysical research by eminent thinkers and scientists leading to current theories on consciousness, the soul, afterlife, and God. There will be required reading and videos, seminars, open-book quizzes, and essays assigned.

First Term will focus on the extensive theories, proofs, and speculations regarding the existence and nature of God and consciousness, including Stoicism of antiquity and contemporary investigations and research.

Second Term will investigate the Afterlife and Reincarnation as well as an examination of the student’s personal beliefs and applicable experiences. We will examine the ‘bundle of arrows’ concept as well as the William James model for understanding the nature of belief.

Third Term will expand the student’s survey of the human condition from the Ice Age to Science Fiction futures. The student will also explore theories regarding the Greek daimones compared to the Chinese spirit of Shen.

Fourth Term. The final term is focused on writing a master’s thesis on the student’s beliefs regarding religion, metaphysics, and applied metaphysics to examine thinking on a grand scale, answering such questions as: Who am I and what is my purpose in this life?

Applied Metaphysics: Second year students will study and experience Daimon Contact and I Ching hexagrams to explore the nature of spiritual guidance from the oracular language of divination.

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