THE GARDEN
The Garden of Casa Virupa | Shared philosophy cycle
Seneca reminded Lucilius that great men had been because they had coexisted with their teachers; let the word live and life in community They had served them much more than written speech; in short, there was nothing like the presence of reality and the dialogue with others to pursue philosophy.
What has happened so that, although we try to claim the contemporaneity of Socrates, Plato or Marcus Aurelius, we have forgotten one of the most fundamental teachings they bequeathed to us? At what point did the philosophical schools become primarily schools of thought? How can it be that philosophers stopped sharing meals, walks, discussions in the city square, to entrench themselves in classrooms and in the dust of books?
From Casa Virupa we want to connect with the philosophy and currents of thought of our land. Especially with those who seek transcendence in everyday life and promote self-care and care for others. For this reason, with El Jardín de Casa Virupa we want to facilitate a comprehensive experience of what it is to philosophize as it was practiced in ancient schools.
We intend to rescue from the quagmire of time the meaning of philosophy in its genesis, when it was understood as a way of life, almost always in community. Being a philosopher meant to be radically involved in the transformation of oneself, close to the philosophical reference and the companions on the way, to live in a more human way. The great sages received this consideration more for their way of living and dying than for their words.
And the ancients knew it well: philosophy is born, grows, reproduces (and only then does it die!) If it is done with others and for others: hence the existence of Plato's Academy, Aristotle's Lyceum, from the Stoa of the Stoics and the Garden of Epicurus.
Previous editions
With Xavier Melloni and Jordi Pigem
June 22-24, 2019
Raimon Panikkar: Landscapes of his life and thought
Approach to the figure and thought of Raimon Panikkar. Meditative and reflective seminar at Casa Virupa (Tavertet), in the same places where he lived during the last twenty years of his life.
The weekend will combine, apart from the exhibitions by the guests, moments of meditation (in the morning and at sunset), as well as some pesitative walk through special corners of Tavertet. There will also be proposals for personal meditation-reflection for the participants,
Activity in collaboration with Any Raimon Panikkar
About the guests:
Javier Melloni (Barcelona, 1962) is an anthropologist, theologian and phenomenologist of religion. Several immersions in India have allowed him to bring elements of Hindu and Christian mysticism into contact. Jesuit and student of the Spiritual Exercises, he has at the same time a wide knowledge of the texts of the various religions. In his work as a spiritual companion, he integrates elements of various traditions. He lives in the spiritual center La Cueva de San Ignacio, in Manresa. His publications include El Uno en lo Múltiple (2003), Human relationships and relationships with God (2006), Glimpses of the Real (2007), The Essential Wish (2009), Voices of mysticism (2009), The Christ within (2010), Towards a time of synthesis (Fragmenta, 2011) and God without God (with José Cobo , Fragmenta, 2015).
Jordi Pigem (1964) is a philosopher and writer. Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Barcelona, with the thesis The thought of Raimon Panikkar: A philosophy of interdependence. From 1998 to 2003 he was professor and coordinator of the Philosophy Area of the Masters in Holistic Science at Schumacher College in Dartington (University of Plymouth, England). In 1999 he obtained the Philosophy Award from the Institut d'Estudis Catalans, and in 2006 the Essay Award from Resurgence and the Scientifica and Medical Network. He is an advisor to the future Landscape Museum of Catalonia Coordina. He has been the coordinator of the first volumes of the Catalan edition of the Opera Omnia Raimon Panikkar . He is the author of The Odyssey of the West; Good crisis; GPS; The new reality and Vital Intelligence (Kairós), and has participated in Pluralism and interculturality; Spirituals sense religió; Mite, symbol, culte and Mystical, fullness of Life (Fragmenta).
With Josep M. Esquirol
From July 8 to 10, 2017
Philosophy of genesis and generosity
It is a seminar to share a reflection on philosophy as caring for the soul, but not in terms of the conception of the past, but as a possible and always open path. We will see that progress on this path has to do with genesis, training and generosity. To talk about it and make it timely, we will use some classical and contemporary literary and philosophical references, but also radical experiences in our life.
Josep Maria Esquirol Calaf (born in 1963 ), is a philosopher Spanish and teacher of the University of Barcelona . He directs the research group Aporia His main fields of study are political thought and contemporary philosophy. A fruitful dialogue with authors such as M. Heidegger, J. Patočka and E. Levinas stands out and has been recognized in his essay work. He has developed an ethical and philosophical life proposal centered on the idea of respect and an attentive gaze; an approach to the experience of time; and a study of how some of the most important contemporary thinkers have approached the question of technique. In recent years he has been dedicated to articulating what could be called a philosophy of proximity, whose first volume was Intimate resistance ( City of Barcelona Award 2015, National Essay Award 2016). His latest work is located on this same itinerary: The penultimate goodness: Essay on human life .
How does the Casa Virupa Garden work?
The cycle will combine sessions that our guest will give, walks through the impressive landscape of Tavertet, exquisite meals near the fire in winter or in the garden during the summer ... The formula to revive this model is very simple, as we have always had it at hand. scope: share the richness of everyday life.
Each workshop lasts at least one weekend. We take care of providing the conditions to ensure that the experience with the philosopher and the other assistants is as welcoming and intimate as possible.
The economic contribution is € 250 for non-members and € 200 for Casa Virupa members:
Attendance at the seminar (three sessions).
All meals (two breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners) -
Snacks between meals: coffees, teas, fruit, water ...
The necessary material for an optimal follow-up of the seminar.
Possibility of sleeping in a shared room or double (only possible for the first 12 registered).
In case you do not want to spend the night at the house and you are interested in attending, we will facilitate the contact of a rural house and a hostel near Casa Virupa.
Seminar places are limited to 25 attendees.