Since you need others to practice your spirituality, having a round table forum of equals helps - so long as you are open to having your ideas challenged gently and are willing to discuss spiritual ideas and methods openly and with reserved judgement. It is possible to facilitate the opening up of people to relate in a philosophy / spirituality round table, but it must be done gently. Many are scared of public speaking, may not be sure of their beliefs, and unused to discussing spirituality, theology, and philosophy as if they are the authorities.
Creating a real, living philosophers group is an art - the spirit of such a group is an organic living system. To so do it is necessary to have the 'spirits of Aphrodite and Athena' present - this is the wisdom of love.
Remember Yourself and Why You are Present: Your only real job is enlightenment and to be kind. You are your own Guru (as is everyone else their own) but you cannot do it all by yourself.
Remember that spirituality is about liberation, not control, tradition, force of passion, or authority
It helps to meet in a public place: Be proud to discuss in public, this is not the method for forming a secret society!
Keep the meetings small - if it becomes too organized of an affair it becomes a lecture and thereby ceases to be a philosophy roundtable.
Provide refreshments, entertainment, and be generous
Entertain multiple perspectives with the fewest established parameters
Cultivate a B.S. Antenna - always work towards greater understanding and enlightenment for those present
Study the original teachings of the world's Enlightened Ones
Welcome all, maintain open heart and beginner's mind
Maintain a spirit of fellowship and tolerance of diversity
Maintain a spirit of fun, play, and humor - especially about yourself
IT CERTAINLY DOES NOT HURT TO HAVE THE CREATIVE MUSES SITTING AT YOUR ROUNDTABLE!
Invite them all. When they are all there Aphrodite and Athena tend to materialize:
CALLIOPE, the Muse of Epic Poetry: must swap stories about one's spiritual experiments
CLIO The Muse of History: must include historical materials from spirituality / philosophy / humanity
ERATO, The Muse of Love Poetry and Mimicry: must have a sense of goodwill, fellowship, and love
EUTERPE, the Muse of Music: music helps get things going
MELPOMENE, the Muse of Tragedy: include all of life in the topical areas for discussion; we're not in denial!
POLYHYMIA, the Muse of Sacred Poetry: introduce ideas from sacred literature
TERPSICHORE, the Muse of Dancing: a little wango tango never killed anybody
THALIA, The Muse of Comedy and Playful Poetry: maintain a sense of humor and have fun - it must be FUN!
URANIA, the Muse of Astronomy: include show and tell from cosmology, astronomy, physics, astrobiology
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