Course Syllabus

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Over the course of ten weeks, we will explore a new way of thinking about the world and our lives. We will plan a spiritual journey based on ancient mathematic and mystical methods, and we will make that journey physically, through the city and suburbs of Boston. We will record our observations and insights, share them with each other, and make recommendations for future travelers. Ultimately, as with any arduous journey, we will have many opportunities to grow: through suffering and through triumph; by our own hand, with assistance from the hands of others, and through unseen hands. Upon our return, we will have new methods for creative problem solving and probably a new vision for our respective futures and the inspiration to pursue it.

Week 1: Introduction, Tree of Life and Growth Cycles

We will review the outline of the class, explore the nature of transformation, examine the concept of pilgrimage and discuss the history and fundamental components of the Odyssey practice.

Intersession Work: Calculate Growth Cycles and Make/Acquire Tree Map

Week 2: Sephirot and Channels (Elemental Conditions and Paths of Change)

We will review our intersession work calculating our growth cycles and making our own maps. We will then examine in detail all of the elemental conditions (10 sephirot) and paths of change (22 channels) that will constitute the bulk of our Odyssey practice.

Intersession Work: Make/Acquire Cards

Week 3: Requests for Guidance

We will review our intersession work preparing our cards to represent the elemental conditions and paths of change. We will then explore the nature of requests for guidance, especially in terms of being clear about our requests and evaluating our willingness to receive alternative answers. We will then examine three systematic frameworks for requesting guidance and discuss how to interpret results.

Intersession Work: Request Guidance and Interpret Responses

Week 4: Routes of Travel

We will review our intersession work requesting guidance on specific issues or our lives in general and interpreting the responses. We will then review how to plot those responses on our maps and plan the Odyssey route we will take on our physical journey.

Intersession Work: Map Journey on Tree

Week 5: The Journey

We will review our intersession work mapping the route of our journey. We will then review the details of how to adequately prepare for engaging in the physical journey, including clothing, tools, materials, sustenance. We will also clarify the specific activities to occur during each phase of the journey.

Intersession Journey: Travel Malkuth to Kether
Intersession Work: Brief dispatch about your journey

Week 6: The Journey

There will be no meeting this week, to enable more time for physical travel and reflection.

Week 7: Journey Dispatches

We will share our writings about our journeys thus far and discuss what we have learned and any questions that have emerged.

Intersession Journey: Travel Kether to Malkuth
Intersession Work: Brief dispatch about your journey

Week 8: The Journey

There will be no meeting this week, to enable more time for physical travel and reflection.

Week 9: Journey Dispatches

We will share our writings about our journeys thus far and discuss what we have learned and any questions that have emerged. We will discuss individual and collective preparations for the Philosophers Banquet at the final session.

Intersession Work: Identify Gifts, Compose Wisdom for Travelers and Suggested Readings

Week 10: Philosophers Banquet

In this last session we will have a banquet where we will feast and also share our distilled wisdom – the gifts we have brought back from our journey. Friends and family are welcome to attend the Philosophers Banquet, but they must bring their own candlestick, chalice, knife, and plate and must also bring one bottle of beverage, one dish of food, and one quotation/proverb that reflects their perception of great wisdom.