The Weekend University

At school, we learn how to write and to calculate. From our parents we learn how to behave. But who teaches us how to live a meaningful life? And how can we find meaning in an era of scepticism and continuous stress from the economic ratrace? The first part of this lecture will describe ten key findings from scientific research about meaning in life. This will not only show the importance and feas...

Can psychotherapy help you uncover a sense of purpose and meaning in life? A deep desire in every human being is the search for a fulfilling life – one worthy of its time, endeavour and pain, a life with value and meaning. Although most therapies offer clients some tools to live a meaningful life, meaning-centered therapies explicitly and systematically help people do this. A recently published re...

Despite the dominance of science and technology as forces that shape our lives, and the decline in religious attendance and affiliation in many Western countries, spirituality is becoming increasingly popular. Why is it that “spirituality-beyond-religion” is thriving in our time of science? This talk presents an answer; it argues that science and spirituality have both separated from institutional...

It’s been noted that the human experience of life has changed over time, and that during an “axial age”, in the middle of the first millennium BCE, a consciousness that is akin to our own first began to emerge. It’s why, in the west, we feel that philosophy began with figures like Socrates who lived then. So what are the features of this consciousness, what preceded it, and how has it evolved in t...

Jung famously remarked that the majority of people who came to him were not suffering from any neurosis or other psychological disorder, but from a lack of meaning in their life. This, he said, was the central question in the second half of life, after one has already established oneself in the world. Material comfort and a high standard of living did not necessarily lead to happiness; indeed they...

Do you have free will? Or are you simply a product of your culture? How much responsibility should you take for your actions? Are your neural pathways fixed early on by a mixture of nature and nurture, or is the possibility of comprehensive, intentional psychological change always open? What role does your brain play in the construction of free will, and how much scientific evidence is there for t...

If you log onto Facebook, you will see reams of photos of your friends doing happy and fulfilling things, and seemingly cruising through life. Yet below this surface of carefully-staged online impression management, life is a far rougher ride for many adults that they would be likely to admit. Indeed, in a nationwide survey, participants were asked to evaluate whether their life was in a major cri...

What really causes depression and anxiety – and how can we really solve them? In this talk, award winning journalist Johann Hari will discuss his recent 40,000-mile journey across the world, where he interviewed social scientists uncovering evidence that depression and anxiety are not caused by a chemical imbalance in our brains – but rather, are largely caused by key problems with the way we live...

Right now, billions of neurons in your brain are working together to generate your conscious experience. How does this happen? According to neuroscientist Anil Seth, we’re all hallucinating all the time; when we agree about our hallucinations, we call it “reality.” This talk will provide an insight into how consciousness emerges from the material brain, and how changes to our brain can result in b...

‘Learning how to learn is life’s most important skill.’ Tony Buzan. This talk from a leading Cambridge Neuroscientist will show you how to tap into your hidden potential using discoveries from the neuroscience of learning. Whether you want to master a new language, learn a new skill, or ace an upcoming exam, developing an understanding of the science of learning is one of the most effective things...

Most of us believe that we are unique and coherent individuals, but are we? The idea of a “Self” has existed ever since humans began to live in groups and become sociable. Those who embrace the self as an individual in the West, or a member of the group in the East, feel fulfilled and purposeful. This experience seems incredibly real, but a wealth of recent scientific evidence reveals that this no...

Dr Kevin Lu will explore Jung’s model of the psyche, with special attention to the definitive concepts differentiating analytical psychology from Freudian psychonanalysis. In particular, the talk will critically assess Jung’s formulation of the archetypal Self, which acts as the end goal of the individuation process. While critiques of Jung’s search for universal patterns of human experience and a...

Every society in human history, except ours, accepted the basic human need to lose control, go beyond the ego, and connect with something bigger than ourselves. This experience became known as ecstasy. In this talk, Jules Evans explores various forms of ecstatic experience, argues that transcendence is good for us and through proper practice, can help us find healing, inspiration, connection and j...

Existential ideas can be found in Eastern and Western philosophies dating back many millennia, and these have inspired psychoanalysts and psychotherapists for over a century. In this talk, Emmy van Deurzen will give a historical overview of the roots and evolution of existential analysis, and will cover the key contributions of existential philosophers to the psychoanalytic movement, including Nie...

CBT offers evidence-based treatments for common psychological problems as depression, generalised anxiety disorder (worry), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), social anxiety, low self-esteem and anger. Stoicism is having something of a cultural moment, offering a more Western alternative to Buddhism for those searching for a less materialistic and pleasure-driven yet more meaningful and purpose-...

This lecture will explore Carl Jung's unique approach to the psychology of religion, which will include a critical assessment of his controversial Answer to Job and his reservations regarding westerners turning to eastern religions and practices. While it is clear that Jung struggled with his own belief and the role of religious institutions in maintaining psychological well-being, there may be an...

A new renaissance is currently underway in scientific research into psychedelic substances. Dr David Luke - senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Greenwich, will explore the latest research into psychedelic substances: - For their potential use in treating mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression and addiction - As catalysts for genuine mystical experiences and spiritual...

Mick Cooper is an internationally recognised author, trainer and consultant in the field of humanistic, existential and pluralistic therapies. He is a Chartered Psychologist, and Professor of Counselling Psychology at the University of Roehampton. Mick has facilitated workshops and lectures around the world, including Australia, Lithuania and Florida. Mick’s books include Existential Therapies (Sa...

Jules Evans is the Policy Director at the Centre for the History of Emotions at Queen Mary, University of London and a leading researcher into ecstatic experience. He runs the world’s biggest philosophy club, the London Philosophy Club, which has over 9,000 members. Jules’ first book, ‘Philosophy for Life and Other Dangerous Situations’ explored how Greek philosophy – particularly Stoicism, inspir...

Ivan Tyrrell worked for many years as a psychotherapist specialising in brief therapy for depression and anxiety, and now spends most of his time lecturing and writing. In 1997, he co-founded the Human Givens approach and has co-authored numerous best-selling books on mental health and wellbeing, counselling, dreaming, depression, and the origins of creativity and consciousness. In this interview,...

Dr. Rupert Sheldrake is a biologist and author of more than 85 scientific papers and 13 books. He is a leading researcher into anomalous phenomena and was named among the top 100 Global Thought Leaders for 2013, as ranked by the Duttweiler Institute, Zurich, Switzerland’s leading think tank. He studied biology and biochemistry at Cambridge University where he earned his Ph. D., followed by a fello...

Dr. Steve Taylor is a senior lecturer in psychology at Leeds Beckett University and the author of several best-selling books on psychology and spirituality, including Making Time, The Leap and Spiritual Science. Eckhart Tolle has described his work as 'an important contribution to the shift in consciousness happening on our planet' and he has twice been named in Mind, Body, Spirit magazine’s list...

Professor Paul Gilbert is the Founder of Compassion Focused Therapy and Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Derby. He has researched evolutionary approaches to psychopathology for over 35 years, with a special focus on shame and the treatment of shame based difficulties. He has written and edited 20 books and established the Compassionate Mind Foundation in 2006. He was awarded a...

Dr Kevin Lu is the Director of the MA in Jungian and Post Jungian studies at the University of Essex and a former member of the Executive Committee for the International Association for Jungian Studies. His publications include articles and chapters on Jung’s relationship to the discipline of history, critical assessments of the theory of cultural complexes, and Jungian perspectives on graphic nov...

Dr Susan Blackmore is a psychologist, lecturer and writer researching consciousness, memes, and anomalous experiences, and a Visiting Professor at the University of Plymouth. Susan is a TED lecturer, blogs for the Guardian, and often appears on radio and television. The Meme Machine (1999) has been translated into 16 other languages; more recent books include Conversations on Consciousness (2005),...