Since its founding in 1991, the School of Practical Philosophy Perth has sought to communicate to people of all ages and walks of life what humanity’s great teachers have taught about our true nature, our purpose, and how we might live a happy, full, and useful life.

In the good company of like-minded seekers, students explore life's big questions in a systematic and supportive way. Guided by the principle of “neither accept or reject", the wisdom and time tested teachings of the great philosophers are investigated. The classes are participatory and all are encouraged to develop a toolbox of knowledge and skills that give rise to true wisdom, consciousness, and joy in our everyday lives.

With the spirit of hospitality, the School endeavours to provide a setting where people naturally flourish. It is run by its students on a voluntary basis who simply want others to also benefit from this knowledge. The tutors are students who have studied the School’s teachings and philosophy for many years.

History

Throughout history, schools have arisen to make eternal wisdom available to those seeking the ultimate truths. These have included Plato’s Academy in Ancient Athens, Marsilio Ficino’s Academy in Renaissance Florence. While the structures of these schools and their teachings have varied, the philosophical aims have been consistent: to help members discover the truth and to use that knowledge for the well-being of all.

The School of Practical Philosophy in Perth began in 1991 as an independent not-for-profit organisation. It was inspired by and is affiliated with the School of Philosophy and Economic Science in London, which started in 1937 at the height of the Great Depression when a small group of people came together to study economics and justice. They were seeking an understanding of the universal laws which govern the relations between people in society. They hoped to discover principles which would help to eliminate the social ills prevailing at that time. However, the need for deeper insight into the nature of humanity led to the study of philosophy, which literally means “the love of wisdom.” By the late 1950s philosophy became the School’s central subject.

The arrival of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi to London in 1959 introduced the School to the practice of meditation, which remains its core practice. In the mid-1960s the School made contact with one of the great philosophers of India, Śrī Śantananda Sarasvatī, who, for over thirty years, provided invaluable guidance. Through this connection, the School was introduced to the philosophy of non-duality, known as Advaita. Since Śrī Śantananda Sarasvatī’s death in 1997, similar guidance has been provided by his successor, Śrī Vasudeavānanda Sarasvatī.

The School of Practical Philosophy is pleased to offer a teaching through which students may enjoy life more fully, achieve their full potential, and realise one’s own innate being.

See the 'Contact Us'  page for locations of other affiliated School's of Philosophy in Australia and around the world.