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2019 FMW Conference Report

February 17, 2020  /  Leave a Comment  /  Trackback  /  Posted in News

Ron and Doroethy Leonard made their presentations on Friday. Ron–A Way of Realization: A Basic Guide to Franklin’s Philosophy (See The Philosopher’s Corner)–attempted to follow Einstein’s principle: Simplify as much as possible, but not moreso. Following a brief summary of Franklin’s philosophy, he led the group through guided meditations to approach the threshold of Realization.

Doroethy Leonard–Franklin’s Feeling Side–Franklin says that to apprehend Transcendental thought, one must “feel the thought.” As the person alive today who best knew Franklin, her insight into his feeling side was richly rewarding. (See her “On the Personal Side” column in the 2019 Fall Sangha.)

Ryan Harvey’s keynote presentationThe Two Sides of Reason–supported his thesis that there are two essential, complementary sources of Reason–Introceptive and Perceptive. He provided the following schema to illustrate this, including examples of central thinkers who represent each philosophical tradition.

HEGEL—Objective Idea (Father)—Function of Metaphysics
^
|
(Daughter of the Father)—Introceptive Source
Conception (Child of Reason)<
(Son of the Mother)—Perceptive Connection
|
v
SCHOPENHAUER—Subjective Idea (Mother)—(Cf. Platonic Form or Archetype = Primordial Image) Creative…

He proceeded to connect the discussion to Franklin’s philosophy of Introceptualism, and the significance of the Transcendent Function of Introception. (Franklin’s audio on Sunday morning reinforced the theme.) The group appreciated the easeful style—lucid and succinct.

Special Features—Our morning philosophical discussions were more open and accessible to those without much background in Franklin’s writings, which allowed more free-ranging exploration of ideas that arose in the moment. This year a spontaneous informal theme (both in session and at the Round Table) was the Paradox of Attainment—If we are truly already That which we seek, then what?

Before our usual Closing Ceremony—a Sufi dance conducted by Baiba Strads with heartfelt joy and sensitivity, we conducted a Healing Circle (There seem to be more of us, and those we love, who need positive energy to help meet health and other challenges.)

Special thanks to Doroethy’s daughters Dana Woosley and Sherie Palmer, who drove from Phoenix to cook our meals (apart from the potluck). The quality of the food and their service were exceptional.