Aims

The Bournemouth Society aims to enrich and improve our society through the creation of a forum of people who share similar values and who would like to deepen their knowledge and understanding of themselves and the world in which they live. This will include research into higher knowledge, higher spiritual experiences and how we can be effective and empowered in the world in which we live.

We also aim to:

• create a friendly, supportive and encouraging environment for people to meet
  

• provide a forum where ideas can be discussed freely
  

• expand awareness, higher knowledge and understanding in a general and specific way
  
  
• enhance, stimulate and inspire an individual’s creativity and interests
  

• explore how individuals can begin to experience and express higher states which reflect their personal nature, beliefs and values  
  

• Towards the achievement of these aims the Society organises lectures, forums, workshops, films and courses in art, religion, science, philosophy and communication
  

These areas are defined as:

ART - human expression, creativity and skill 

There are many different types and levels of art and artistic expression. Through our studies it is hoped that we will, through example, discussion and research discover which artists are truly creating and expressing at higher levels to help inspire and uplift our human experience and lives.

Mona Lisa – Leonardo da Vinci c.1507. Perhaps one of the most famous images in the world.

Leonardo’s style was termed ‘classical’ because of its subject matter, iconography, restrained colour and the glaze technique employed when it was painted. Monet’s style was very different. During the 1860s and 70s he usually painted directly from his subject, using the paint in a subtle, impasto technique. His work looked like a spontaneous snapshot. 

Dejeuner sur L’herbe – Claude Monet c. 1867.

RELIGION - the spiritual search for the most sacred experience available to the human race

Each individual has the right to their own belief. We would like to investigate and understand the nature and the essence of religious experience by studying beliefs of the world. This would include both exoteric and esoteric systems.

The Dome of the Rock – Jerusalem. This site is sacred to three of the major religions of the world.

SCIENCE - the most objective and empirical examination of the human predicament within the context of the Universe

Scientists exist to help at all levels of knowledge the human situation. Most are sincerely trying to improve life for us as we know it at this time. Science investigates what is true taking into account the available evidence. We are interested in all science that improves our life quality and begins to show us our true origins, development from the past and progress into the future.

The Dome of the Rock – Jerusalem. This site is sacred to three of the major religions of the world.

PHILOSOPHY - the search for the greatest wisdom and truth available to mankind about the meaning of life and the human purpose in an evolving Universe

There are many philosophies, some abstract, some practical, some obscure and some wise. We would like to be able to study and put into practise some of the more enlightened philosophies of the past and present.

Plato

COMMUNICATION - a vital and core human ability to express our thoughts, feelings, beliefs and values to others, authentically and effectively 

We communicate with each other in varying ways using different senses. We communicate different kinds of thought, feeling and experiences with each other. The spoken word is a very precise tool when we are trying to express our ideas to another. We hope to show how language can act as a powerful and empowering tool for transformation both for ourselves and in our relationships with others.

Also see the Theosophical Society's objectives

Please refer also to What We Study