The Art of Connection
A series of lectures about things that really matter!
We must remember that a myth is a living entity and exists within every person. You will get the true living form of the myth if you can see it as it spins away inside of yourself. The most rewarding mythological experience you can have is to see how it lives inside your own psychological structure.
— Robert A. Johnson
Name: The Art of Connection
Dates: Once a month from 29 September 2025 - 16 May 2026
Duration: 8 sessions
Time: 6pm - 8.00pm
Format: In-person
Location: Abiding Heart Centre, Castle Douglas, Scotland
Fee: Suggested donation £10 per session
Description:
The Art of Connection is an exploration of themes rooted in contemplative philosophy, ancient wisdom, mythology, history and sense of place. Key philosophical principles are introduced and deepened through discussion, reflection, meditation, poetry and storytelling. These are interactive, stimulating and thought provoking sessions!
The emphasis is on the integration and internalisation of these living philosophical insights so they become part of our ongoing growth and the flourishing of our whole being.
Lectures Themes and Dates:
29 September 2025
Dependent Origination and the Human Inter-Connection
We are co-arising beings. Our lives are not separate; they are woven together through countless causes and conditions. Dependent Origination, or the principle that all phenomena arise in dependence upon other phenomena, reveals that nothing arises independently—everything is contingent upon causes and conditions. This foundational insight applies directly to how we, as humans, exist and relate to one
another. This awareness transforms how we see ourselves, others, and the world. It invites humility, responsibility, compassion, and the possibility of a more awakened, interconnected life.
27 October 2025
What is Reality? Understanding reality through the 'Wheel of Life'
What is reality? is perhaps the most profound question we can ask. Different philosophical, scientific, and contemplative traditions offer various answers—but the Wheel of Life offers a visual metaphor, a dynamic map of existence that illustrates how reality is perceived, misunderstood, and what we commonly take as reality is conditioned, impermanent, and ultimately unsatisfactory—but that true freedom lies in seeing reality as it really is. To understand reality, then, is not merely to analyse the world—it is to transform the way we see, feel, and relate to it. This is the path to wisdom, freedom, and compassion.
24 November 2025
Wired for Connection: The human need for belonging.
Why do we long to connect? From the moment we are born, we reach out—for touch, for warmth, for recognition. A baby cries not just for food, but for connection. We are, quite literally, wired for connection. But why? Why do we long to belong, to be seen, to be part of something larger than ourselves? This deep human longing is not weakness. It is foundational to who we are, biologically, emotionally, and spiritually.
26 January 2026
Seeing and Being Seen: Presence as a gift
In a world full of noise, distractions, and surface interactions, the simple act of being fully present—with ourselves, with others—is increasingly rare. And yet, it is one of the deepest human needs: To see, and to truly be seen.
23 February 2026
The First Connection: Coming home to ourselves and understanding our inner dialogue
Every moment of every day, there is a conversation unfolding within us. It’s quiet, constant, and incredibly powerful. This is our inner dialogue—the way we speak to ourselves when no one else is listening.
Before we can truly connect with others—before we can see, love, or be present for another—we must first come home to ourselves. And yet, for many of us, home feels far away. We live in our heads, trapped in doing, striving, comparing. Our inner world often feels more like a battleground than a sanctuary. But what if the first, most essential connection isn’t with someone “out there,” but with the voice inside us?
30 March 2026
Parcival and Knowing when to Ask the Question
The Epic of Parcival is a13th-century German epic poem revolving around personal growth, the nature of spiritual awakening, and the moral maturity required to break cycles of suffering—especially the idea of knowing when to ask the question. Parcival (or Parzival) is a naive young knight who stumbles upon the
mysterious Grail Castle, where he witnesses the wounded Fisher King suffering in silence. During a magical ceremony involving the Holy Grail, Parcival feels deeply curious about what he sees—but he does not ask the essential question: "Whom does the Grail serve? or What ails thee, uncle?" Because he withholds the question (taught earlier that knights should not ask too many questions), the Fisher King's suffering continues, and Parcival is cast out, beginning years of wandering and inner struggle. The question in the Grail legend is more than literal—it represents compassion, responsibility, and higher insight. Asking it at the right time would have healed the Fisher King and restored the wounded land. In contemplative terms, Parcival's journey mirrors the path of becoming whole. This epic isn’t just a knight’s tale—it’s a metaphor for all of us. His journey teaches us that silence can be damaging if it stems from fear rather than wisdom, and that asking the right question—when we’re truly ready—can be the act that heals the world.
27 April 2026
The Knights Templar, Sacred Places and Scotland
The Knights Templar were a medieval military order, originally founded to protect pilgrims and defend sacred sites. Over time, their image evolved—both historically and symbolically—into that of warrior monks who embodied discipline, devotion, and the willingness to stand for what they believed was true. Though much of the mystical lore surrounding them arose centuries later, their legacy has come to symbolise the inner struggle between fear and courage, doubt and conviction.
In this symbolic lens, the Templar path reflects the human journey of transformation—not merely one of submission or passive virtue, but of cultivating the discernment and strength to know what is true. Yet this raises a deeper question: how can we know what is truly true, when our perception is shaped by our upbringing, environment, education and personal history? Real clarity often requires more than belief—it demands inner work, honest self-reflection, capacity to discern and see through, and the courage to question even our own assumptions.
16 May 2026
Mary Queen of Scots and the Experience of Betrayal, Loss and Homelessness
Mary, Queen of Scots (1542–1587) is remembered as a tragic figure — a queen who lost her throne, freedom, and life. Beyond politics, her story reveals universal human experiences: betrayal, loss, and homelessness. Betrayed by those closest to her, Mary endured the deep pain of broken trust. She suffered the loss of loved ones, her child, her crown, and her identity. Though born to power, she spent much of her life in exile, embodying the feeling of being unmoored and not belonging.
Her struggles were both political and deeply personal. In Mary’s grief and resilience, we see a woman whose life mirrors our own longing for trust, connection, and home. Her betrayals brought loneliness and self-doubt; her losses echoed our grief; her exile reflected the inner homelessness many feel. Mary’s journey reminds us that these painful experiences are deeply human.
On 16 May 1568, Mary fled Scotland, sailing from Port Mary, Dundrennan to England. Instead of safety, she was held under house arrest by her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I, for 19 years — a gilded prison without freedom or a true home. Port Mary marks the moment her reign ended and exile began, symbolising the loss, betrayal, and homelessness that define her story and resonate with us all.
Register Here:
