About Us

Who Are We?

The School is made up entirely from the student body (approx 300 students). There are no paid teaching or administrative staff. Every student originally attended the Introductory Course and continued on attending subsequent courses, in some cases for many years.

As students, we are simply individuals from all walks of life with some questions about life and how to live it. We have each found some benefit from attending the courses and following the suggested practices. You can read some students' personal comments here.

What Do We Do?

We offer a series of courses on practical philosophy. These are inspired by the ancient Indian concept of Advaita, and also embrace a wide range of philosophers, thinkers and writers. The focus on Advaita is based simply on the practical experience that it works. It offers an excellent way of explaining what many students experience and practical advice on how to live life more effectively.
The courses typically present both material for consideration and discussion and simple exercises to practise. The central premise of our courses has always been to neither accept or reject anything without first testing it in practice.

What Do We Offer?

• The Introductory Course
• For those students who choose to continue ;
  • Subsequent courses
  • Meditation
  • Residential study days, weekends and weeks
  • The opportunity to participate in helping run the school
  • Cultural interest groups ie Sanskrit, Plato, Art, Music, Shakespeare, Law and Government (subject to demand)

Structure

The School of Auckland (Auckland) Inc is an Incorporated Society and a Registered Charity under the Charities Act 2005. Its fees are calculated to cover expenses only, it does not make a profit from its activities. All income is reinvested in the School's activities, there are no dividends to any other parties. It is not owned wholly or in part by any other organisation, nor does it own any other organisation. Its activities are governed by an Executive whose members are elected from the membership of the Society. The membership is made up of over 100 of the senior students of the School.

There are no paid staff. All activities in the School are performed by students for free in the spirit of service and philosophic good will.

While maintaining its independence, the School is closely associated with a world-wide association of similar organisations, all originating from the School of Economic Science in London. Click here for a list of other Schools.

In New Zealand, we have a branch in Hamilton and there is a sister school in Wellington with branches in Masterton, Palmerston North and Christchurch.

We are also the parent organisation for the Ficino School, an independant private school. We share the property at 27 Esplanade Rd, Mt Eden with Ficino.