19 January 2010 (Tuesday)

Simon’s weekly column of short pieces gives a brief glimpse into the mindset and approach of the mystic and seems to speak both to those with a faith, and those with none. This is unsurprising: mysticism is a deep stream, running beneath creeds. In this talk, we’ll be able to explore more profoundly the fundamental experiences of mysticism, whether secular or religious. We’ll also consider how the mystic functions in the every day world. Many of the mystics of history were supremely practical people, fully engaged with the mess and struggle of daily life; in the world, but not of it. What holds us back from this? The One-Minute Mystic is someone who at any minute of the day can leave form, leap from the cliff, and rest in the glowing dark of no thing; where all is one, transparent and complete.

Simon Parke was a priest in the Church of England for twenty years before deciding on new adventures. He then worked in a supermarket for three years, where he chaired the shop union, worked on the till and chased thieves. He has written for TV and radio, winning a Sony Radio award. He is now a free lance writer and consultant for those who wish to do more than just survive. Simon’s latest book is One-Minute Mystic, based on his Daily Mail column.

22 January 2010 (Friday)

A wonderful evening to bathe in the energy of a healing sound mandala, created through Tibetan bowls, gongs, and bells. You will be guided into a meditation, which will initiate a deep listening experience, allowing you to spontaneously release old ways of being that no longer serve you. You will reconnect, and hear with your whole body as you absorb all that is helpful for your highest good. June-Elleni Laine has been drawing identifiable portraits of loved ones in spirit and exploring psychic art for over 18 years. She is one of the few teachers in this field and author of a book about developing Psychic Art.

June works as a tutor and sensitive at the College. Her second book Mandala The Art Of Creating Future, helps to remove the age-old secrecy of Mandalas, aiming to bring them back into the mainstream as tools of manifestation.

Ian Dale has produced music for film, radio and TV. He is a Satvik sound healer and sensitive.

26 January 2010 (Tuesday)

Advaita Vedanta, Kashmiri Shaivism and Mahayana Buddhism all teach that consciousness is eternal, infinite and the ground of all being. Consciousness is also our highest ideal, our morality and ethics. This philosophy enables a much clearer understanding of exactly what is mind, and the place of psychic phenomena in our world-view. In the 1970s a theoretical framework for parapsychology was developed from Patanjali’s yoga sutras. At the psychic level we experience mind not limited by time, space and the senses: potential omniscience and omnipotence, considered by some as attributes of the divine, and called the siddhis in yogic philosophy. Serena explores all these concepts in her lecture.

Serena Roney-Dougal has a PhD in Parapsychology, and is the author of Where Science and Magic Meet and The Faery Faith. She has spent over 35 years studying and experiencing scientific, magical and spiritual aspects of the psyche, and has lectured and taught around the world. For the past six years she has been researching the relationship between meditation and psychic awareness with Yogis and Tibetan Buddhists in India. This research continues at the Samye Ling Tibetan Centre in Scotland.

29 January 2010 (Friday)

Spirit communication is once again turning towards philosophy and teachings, whether via channelling or trance communication, bringing us guidance for our daily lives as well as our spiritual growth. As individuals we are evolving towards enlightenment - but the journey is not always clear and we often get lost along the way. Spirit wishes to guide us through the difficult times and clear the way for us to reach our potential, fulfil our soul contracts and lift humanity as a whole into enlightenment and beyond. Tonight, through the trance mediumship of Sarah Tyler-Walters, her Spirit communicator Master Chou will step forward to bring some of his wisdom as well as engaging with the audience in a discussion about the journey and the meaning of enlightenment. Some of Sarah’s other Spirit communicators may also join us this evening to bring their wisdom and guidance.

Sarah Tyler-Walters is a trance medium, teacher and healer (CCHA). She trained at the London Spiritualist Mission and the College of Psychic Studies. She works as a trance medium, at the College and around the country, giving trance sittings and demonstrations. Her aim, as a teacher, is to assist students in finding their own paths and opening the doors for a better connection with Spirit.