The Philosophical Research Society is proud to preserve and promote Manly P. Hall's mission of creating a space for independent study for all who seek to expand their knowledge and satiate their curiosity.
In addition to hosting a variety of talks and lectures in our monthly programming, we offer a wide range of online courses, weekly remote workshops, and in-person study groups that are free (donations welcome!) and open to the public. Scroll down for our full list of offerings!
Upcoming In-Person Classes
Join us in-person at our historic campus for a variety of talks, lectures, and presentations!
An Exploratorium on Giordano Bruno in Two Talks
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2-PART IN-PERSON PRESENTATION: 5.20 & 5.22
TUESDAY, MAY 20TH & THURSDAY MAY 22ND AT 7PM PT IN THE PRS LIBRARY
An Exploratorium on Giordano Bruno: is a two-part series outlining the philosophy and work of Giordano Bruno, renaissance philosopher, mathematician, astronomer, and Neoplatonist magus. TALK ONE: Overview of Bruno's Life, Cosmology, and Art of Memory TALK TWO: Magic and the Heroic Frenzies Discussion will include but not be limited to: his cosmological writings in support of Copernicus and his heretical theory of an infinite universe of infinite suns and worlds; his philosophy of the triple minimums – The Monad, The Point, The Atom; his innovative work on the Art of Memory and his writings on magic. INSTRUCTOR: BRIAN COTNOIR
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Upcoming Online Courses
This year, we're thrilled to offer new online classes via Zoom to expand access to our content!
Memory and the Architecture of Initiation
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4-PART ONLINE COURSE: 6.1, 6.8, 6.15 & 6.22
SUNDAYS IN JUNE AT 4PM PT VIA ZOOM
Memory and the Architecture of Initiation is a four-part course exploring the role of memory and space in spiritual practice with a focus on the Neoplatonic concept of the ascent of the soul. CLASS ONE: Neuroscience of Memory and Ars Memoriae CLASS TWO: Space, Architecture, and The Sacred CLASS THREE: Ars Combinatoria, The Idea of Theater CLASS FOUR: Hugh of St. Victor’s Arca Noe Please note classes can be taken individually but the material from each class forms the basis for the next so it is recommended to complete the series in order. Each class will be recorded and shared with students for up to 2 weeks following each class. INSTRUCTOR: BRIAN COTNOIR
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PRS On-Demand Courses
Independently learn at your own pace, on your schedule, and with a guided structure that can be accessed and revisited as you please. Register anytime!
Jung, Myth, and the Archetypal Imagination
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This 5-module course explores the myths that have guided, shaped, and reflected the human experience from antiquity to today.
INSTRUCTOR: SANDRA DEL CASTILLO |
The Basic Keys to 'The Secret Teachings of All Ages'
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In this on-demand course (register and get ongoing access the materials on your own schedule), participants will have access to 14 original video lectures and a wealth of curated supplemental materials that will help them gain a deeper understanding of and appreciation for Manly Hall's masterpiece as well as other dense symbol-laden images and esoteric paradigms they explore in the future.
As beloved as The Secret Teachings of All Ages has been for almost 100 years, some of its most profound wisdom and teachings have gone untapped, as it was written for audiences who already had important contextual information about the symbols, myths, and metaphors permeating the text. In the present day, this context is not so commonly known and therefore a lot of the meaning is lost on contemporary readers. To remedy this, we are offering an online course to unpack several core ideas, the understanding of which will help readers' experiences with the book blossom and deepen. Even if you do not own or intend to read the book, this course will elucidate the depth and meaning of comparative philosophy, religion, myth, science, and secret societies. INSTRUCTOR: STEPHEN REEDY |
The Seeker's Guide Series: 'The Secret Teachings of All Ages'
& 'The Initiates of the Flame' with Mitch Horowitz
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This video series includes two sets of lectures on Manly Hall's greatest works. The first is a brilliant 12-part lecture series on Manly P Hall's magnum opus 'The Secret Teachings of All Ages.' The second is a 4-part series on 'The Initiates of the Flame,' the book that inaugurated Manly P. Hall’s emergence at age 21 as the twentieth century’s premiere scholar of the esoteric and occult.
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Air and Wind:
Perspectives from Alchemy, Chinese Medicine, and Phenomenology
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In this on-demand course (register and get ongoing access the materials on your own schedule), participants explore one of the most fundamental elements through two ancient traditions and one more recent philosophical movement.
Discover how ancient alchemy viewed air and wind on a metaphorical and symbolic level, producing rich images and intriguing chemical operations. Delve into the ways that Chinese medicine works with wind on a practical-empirical level, informing theories of medicine, diagnosis, and treatment with acupuncture and herbs. Finally, examine how humans have dealt with air and wind as an object of direct experience, using phenomenological evidence which reveals our varied experiences of air and wind. INSTRUCTOR: BRIAN FALK PHD |
The Basics of Esoteric Philosophy as Told Through
'The Initiates of the Flame'
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In this on-demand course (register and go at your own pace), participants will go line-by-line through Manly Hall's first book, The Initiates of the Flame, to gain a clear understanding of the work's psychological, mythological, and spiritual ideas.
By the end, participants will not only understand the book better, but they will also be well-versed in the core theses of the world's prominent philosophies, secret societies, and religions. The goal of this class is literacy in wisdom traditions, stories, and symbols—which will make future exploration into esoteric ideas easier—and a greater appreciation for the book. This class is great for newcomes and lifelong fans alike. INSTRUCTOR: STEPHEN REEDY |
Ordinary Ritual: Making Meaning in Everyday Life
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For many cultures in the world, ritual is part of everyday life. Time is taken for even the most mundane experiences in order to acknowledge and incorporate them into our lives. There is communication with the elements, with ancestors and with the phenomenal world around us. The communities that do this have done so since the beginning of humanity. This act of ritual helps us make meaning of everyday experiences, helps us to let go of things we are holding onto and helps us live in our world in a different way.
Through exploring the role of ritual in various cultures & wisdom traditions, this class aims to help participants make meaning out of everyday experiences and live a more interconnected & inspired way. The aspiration of this course is to encourage a deeper exploration into the role of ritual and sacred view for each of us, as well as provide some tools on how to do that. INSTRUCTOR: CARLYLE COASH |
The Psychology of Scent
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For thousands of years scent has helped us to understand and navigate our environment, attract or avoid others, learn and remember, and make meaning. On a fundamental level, our sense of smell is one way the human psyche experiences itself and the world around us.
Exploring the connections between scent, emotions, memories, social relationships, & our ability to navigate our environment, participants will find that in a profound sense, aromas are part of who we are. The sense of smell helps the human psyche experience itself and the world around it. This course focuses on six facets of the psychology of scent: Sensation & Perception; Emotions; Memory; Imagination; Meaning; and Social/Cultural Scents. INSTRUCTOR: BRIAN FALK PHD |
The Esoteric Symbolism of the Movie GRAVITY: Suffering, Purpose and the Formula for Transformation
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This course uses the film 'Gravity' as a way to explore profound ideas about trauma and aimless drifting through life. We will also use the movie’s metaphors to help illuminate a handful of ancient symbols—as well as a few modern ones.
Regardless of prior interest in the film, using three landmark texts of philosophical, psychological, & spiritual thought, this class further illuminates themes of Gravity, such as purpose, duty, distraction, & free will. INSTRUCTOR: STEPHEN REEDY |
Astrology of the Psyche
Astrology of the Psyche Part 1: Planetary Intensive
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This is the first in a series of courses that will cover the basic astrological building blocks. All levels of astrology students are welcome—even intermediate students can benefit from demonstrations of how concepts are applied in practice.
INSTRUCTOR: THEA WIRSCHING |
Astrology of the Psyche
Astrology of the Psyche Part 2: Elements, Modalities, and Signs
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This is the second in a series of courses that introduce participants to the astrology of the psyche. This 4-module course focuses on the bedrock of astrological interpretation: the Zodiac, the wheel of twelve signs which function as 'adjectives' in the grammar of astrology.
INSTRUCTOR: THEA WIRSCHING |
Astrology of the Psyche
Astrology of the Psyche Part 3: Houses Intensive
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This course focuses on the astrological houses, the "where" of planetary action. Houses are the most controversial topic in astrology, so we will cover the philosophy behind ancient house systems to arrive at a holistic view.
INSTRUCTOR: THEA WIRSCHING |
The Basics of Esoteric Symbolism
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This course helps students gain literacy in the stories, diagrams, and images of the world's various belief systems. These basic tools will help you navigate the world of esoteric myths, symbols, and art with ease.
INSTRUCTOR: STEPHEN REEDY |
The Psychology of the Five Elements
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The Five Elements is an ancient Chinese cosmology that understands all aspects of life by looking at phenomena through five primary forces or processes. We will see how these forces affect our psychology.
INSTRUCTOR: BRIAN FALK |
Walking the Dragon: Norse Myth, Folklore, Runes, and Magic
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Explore the interior shores of the Norse imagination and its relationship to the runic symbols. The runes will be examined, not as linguistic letters of an extinct language, but as symbols which are alive to different forces and principles in the Universe and in our psyche, similar to the notion of primordial images such as archetypes.
INSTRUCTOR: ANDREAS KORNEVALL |
Weekly Online Workshops
Sign up at your convenience and find virtual community in our regular online offerings!
Tools for Being Human: Buddhist Practices
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Peace Class with Mandy Kahn
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