Societies marked by innovation and change face an urgent challenge: how to cultivate human quality…
CETR Activities Programme 2017-2018
We are not born with human quality… but we can learn! Training and developing human quality is a necessity and also a challenge: it opens our eyes to reality, stimulates deep understanding, increases awareness, promotes flexibility and makes creativity possible. It is the source of sincere interest.
Human quality is learning to manage living and abilities so that they no longer revolve around the same anxieties and concerns in a state of permanent dispersion.
It is about cultivating the free dimension of existence.This programme includes: Commented reading sessions, the practice of silence, intensive weekends, seminars, debates, working groups and also a film season.
led by Salvador Juncà
It is not easy for us in the 21st century to fit our existence into a conceptual and mental framework that is comfortable and useful enough for our survival. The speed of change leaves us disconcerted and at the risk of being left behind. In these conditions, our brain reacts with fear and clings to out-of-date solutions, forgetting objective thought.
To help us readjust and understand our life conditions, our possibilities and the future that we could leave our descendants, reflection is based around 4 topics:
1.- The ‘human phenomenon’ as a product of life (how we function).
2.- Cultures as an expression of a ‘genetic programme’ (what we learn to do).
3.- Keys to creativity and freedom. The special quality of human beings to experience and modify cultural habits.
4.- Designing viable values and purposes: an axiological approach for culture in ‘societies in constant change’.
9 October to 6 November
Five Mondays, from 6pm to 7.30pm.
Contribution: €75
led by Francesc Torradeflot and Josep Miquel Girart
This seminar gives a significant taste of research into the universe and star formation, in order to grasp its magnificence and expressive capacity. It will include images and scientific commentary, as well as the use of texts by astronomers evoking the beauty and mystery of nature. The aim is to show how science opens up and enables us to cultivate the absolute dimension of human existence.
23 and 30 November
Two Thursdays from 7pm to 8.30pm.
Contribution: €25
led by José Manuel Bobadilla
What are the other linguistic dimensions of the human species? Based on the new epistemology and the new anthropology, we know that we have dual access to reality. In these two sessions, we will see how different thinkers, such as Martin Heidegger and Ludwig Wittgenstein approach what Marià Corbí called ‘the absolute dimension of reality’.
18 and 25 January
Two Thursdays, from 7pm to 8.30pm.
Contribution: €25
led by Òscar Puigardeu
Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences led to a significant change in paradigm, both for cognitive psychology and pedagogy. Within the framework of this theory, controversy has arisen over the plausibility of a spiritual intelligence proposed by D. Zohar and other authors in different discussions on this topic – including the participation of Gardner himself. Certain elements of spiritual intelligence are also pre-requisites for creative thought. Our aim is to present the theory, analyse the controversy, debate amongst the group the existence of spiritual intelligence, and analyse its eventual relationship with creativity.
12 and 19 March
Two Mondays, from 6pm to 7.30pm.
Contribution: €25
led by Jaume Agustí
The quality of life that the techno-scientific world, in which we live, offers us, coincides for the first time in history with that which makes us truly human: the cultivation of our innate creative capacities. This course focuses on five of these: interest ranging from curiosity to love; communication ranging from transmitting information to mutual involvement; research ranging from questioning to creating knowledge; and detachment ranging from abstraction to creative freedom. With awareness of the pros and cons, we must not let the opportunity escape that enables us to go from living to produce (machines will do this more and more) to living from researching and creating in all areas of life. This course aims to show how to begin to assume this great responsibility.
12, 19, 26 April and 3 May (provisional dates)
Four Thursdays, from 7.30pm to 9pm.
Contribution: €60
led by Marta Granés and Montse Cucarull
The education consultant Marc Prensky first used the term ‘digital natives’ in 2001 to describe the generation born since 1980 into a developed digital environment. Using his work, Teaching Digital Natives, and the works of other authors, we learn about the features of this generation and how they see and act in the world. This helps us understand them and gauge the impact of communication technology. It also opens up ways of communicating with new generations.
From 3 to 31 May
Five Thursdays, from 7pm to 8.30pm.
Contribution: €75
led by Montse Cucarull and Marta Granés
We will study this Chinese document from the 9th century, which investigates the ineffable depth of reality. This author’s text helps prevent us from remaining trapped in our daily life. This is a living, dynamic text, which begins to draw the paradoxes that will eventually be formalised as koans.
From 10 October to 15 May
Fourteen Tuesdays, every two weeks, from 7pm to 8.45pm.
Contribution: €180 (can be paid in instalments)
*Each session combines two separate, complementary activities:
From 7pm to 7.30pm: the practice of silence based on an extract of text.
From 7.30pm to 8.45pm: guided reading of the text.
It is possible to attend only one of the activities.
led by Montse Cucarull and Marta Granés
As human beings, we have the ability to have a disinterested knowledge of all that surrounds us, but we do not give this ability the value or the space to develop. We are unaware that we have this ability because it fulfils a function biologically, and we live as though it had no importance. The 7th century Persian poet Hakim Sanai delves into this qualitative knowledge and expresses poetically what he discovers. The aim of this session is to get closer to this forgotten knowledge.
From 17 October to 22 May
Fourteen Tuesdays, every two weeks, from 7pm to 8.45pm.
Contribution: €180 (can be paid in instalments)
*Each session combines two separate, complementary activities:
From 7pm to 7.30pm: the practice of silence based on an extract of text.
From 7.30pm to 8.45pm: guided reading of the text.
It is possible to attend only one of the activities.
led by Marià Corbí
We know that reality and life are a direct experience. We know this and yet ignore it, which keeps us in a situation whereby we aim to gain something from everything, leaving anything ‘unprofitable’ to disappear from our horizon.
This important Buddhist text speaks of the possibility of a truly qualitative relationship with everything around us and how to develop this relationship.
From 20 October to 6 April
Eleven Fridays, every two weeks, from 3.15pm to 4.30pm.
Contribution: €140 (can be paid in instalments)
led by Francesc Torradeflot
What do the wise from the ancient traditions have in common with the new recognised masters? We will look for the common elements between the traditions and the new forms of expression of the spiritual experience, as well as the differences and the unique contributions.
We will provide guidance criteria for assessing quality, in order to help us see how the traditional masters and new masters can be useful for today’s pilgrims.
12, 19 and 26 April
Three Thursdays, from 7pm to 8.30pm.
Contribution: €45
led by Teresa Guardans
Human beings only use a minimal part of their potential, only a few notes, and always the same ones, according to our author. We can do much more, we can love more, understand more, be more… However, this ‘but’ is not about adding something, but about getting away from the pathways defined by the self and its expectations.
How do we do this? How can we live completely in the present, as though crossing the wall that separates us from reality? Convinced that there was no point talking about that which is not known, this Philosophy teacher decided to experiment with herself. Her experiences and temptations were recorded in a personal diary, and she left pages explaining her successes and errors to help guide others in their research. A selection of texts will help us get closer to this testimony by a voice that is still largely unknown.
7, 14 and 28 May
Three Mondays, from 7pm to 8.30pm.
Contribution: €45
led by Montserrat Cucarull and Marta Granés
Considered one of the greatest Jewish poets in the medieval Hispanic Hebrew world, and a great scholar, Salomon Ibn Gabirol shows profound rooted wisdom and religious expression in his work. With a symbolic reading, we will examine a selection of his works, while aiming to capture the formless background to which they refer. If we achieve this, freeing the wine from the glass in which it comes to us, this will enable us to transfer the wine to the cultural situation of the new societies.
From 1 February to 8 March
Six Thursdays, from 7pm to 8.30pm.
Contribution: €90
led by Teresa Guardans
How many times have we wanted to stop, centre ourselves and calm down, yet not known where to start? Cultivating awareness, silence and meditation is an antidote to becoming dispersed. It helps us live more consciously, in each moment, and open up to reality.
The course introduces the keys to inner silence and provides an opportunity to practise essential tools (applicable in our daily life). Uusing our senses, we will see different possibilities, in silence and in movement, as well as with work and thought.
Personal practice during the weeks will help detect any difficulties and find ways to integrate awareness and silence as a habit.
9, 16 and 23 November
Three Thursdays, from 7pm to 8.30pm.
Contribution: €30
led by Beatriu Pasarin
The practice of silence through yoga poses (asanas) and controlled breathing (pranayama).
This course is suitable for all levels and all ages, from 18 years of age.
Wednesdays, from 6.15pm to 7.30pm. Start date: 4 October.
Contribution: €5 per session
led by Montse Cucarull and Montserrat Macau
Step by step, we learn to be aware of our movements and breathing, and open to the reality surrounding us. Walking in silence is a practice that we can use in our daily lives.
Saturday 20 January and Saturday 24 February (the time and meeting point will be arranged with the participants)
led by Marta Granés
Living in the city does not prevent us from practising silence. Using processes from spiritual traditions, we use the urban environment to create a distance from city attitudes and open up to the profoundness of reality.
Wednesdays from 7am to 8am. Start date: 18 October. Voluntary donation.
The weekends bring together a group of approximately 15 people, in the heart of nature, to intensify the work on human quality, with the help of texts, the practice of silence and shared discussion.
led by Marià Corbí, Montserrat Cucarull and Marta Granés
The Walled Garden of Truth by Hakim Sanai is a rich text, full of suggestions and practical ideas for cultivating wisdom. A brief selection of texts will be studied in depth.
3 and 4 March
General Information:
Time: From Saturday at 10 am to Sunday at 12 noon. It is also possible to attend only on the Saturday.
Place: Casal La Salle in Sant Martí de Sesgaioles. Single rooms.
Transport: We help organise car sharing amongst the participants.
Accommodation: €100. Contact CETR for more information.
The weekends bring together a group of approximately 15 people, in the heart of nature, to intensify the work on human quality, with the help of texts, the practice of silence and shared discussion.
led by Marià Corbí, Montserrat Cucarull and Marta Granés
Lin-Chi is a fundamental master in the Buddhist tradition. Over this weekend, we will study his wisdom in-depth based on a selection of texts.
12 and 13 May
General Information:
Time: From Saturday at 10 am to Sunday at 12 noon. It is also possible to attend only on the Saturday.
Place: Casal La Salle in Sant Martí de Sesgaioles. Single rooms.
Transport: We help organise car sharing amongst the participants.
Accommodation: €100. Contact CETR for more information.
The weekends bring together a group of approximately 15 people, in the heart of nature, to intensify the work on human quality, with the help of texts, the practice of silence and shared discussion.
led by Maria Fradera and Teresa Guardans
Being fully interested in reality and feeling it with all our faculties, recognising it and being present to it, is the opportunity offered by cultivating mindfulness, silence, and meditation.
Throughout the weekend, we will work on cultivating silence, awareness and meditation, with moments of reading and reflection, as well as practice, to help us integrate this into our daily lives.
3-4 February and 9-10 June
Both weekends are separate and complement each other.
It is possible to attend either one or both of them.
General Information:
Time: From Saturday at 10 am to Sunday at 12 noon. It is also possible to attend only on the Saturday.
Place: Casal La Salle in Sant Martí de Sesgaioles. Single rooms.
Transport: We help organise car sharing amongst the participants.
Accommodation: €100. Contact CETR for more information.
To help you find what you are seeking, do not hesitate to contact us for further information.
led on a rotational basis
The first Thursday of the month, this working evening includes in-depth reflection on and practice of human quality. Each session combines silence, reading and shared reflection. ‘Materials’ are used to continue the work, on an individual basis, throughout the month.
The first Thursday of the month, from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm. Start date: 5 October
Contribution: €45
To help you find what you are seeking, do not hesitate to contact us for further information.
led by Salvador Juncà, Teresa Guardans and Maria Fradera
This workshop promotes exchange and personal depth in cultivating human quality. To promote group dynamics, this workshop is offered to all those who have previously participated in any of the Centre’s activities.
18 September to 18 June. Mondays from 7pm to 8.30pm.
Contribution: €100 (can be paid in instalments)
led by Marta Granés
Between the generation that has grown up in a fully technological environment, born from 1980 onwards, and those who learnt about information technology as adults, known as ‘digital immigrants’, a generational divide has occurred in the way of seeing the world, appreciating and interacting with it, etc. It is important to attempt to understand this phenomenon and, above all, its consequences in terms of transmitting human quality.
Wednesday 31 January, from 7.30pm to 9pm.
Voluntary donation
These conferences open the Conference Series. See the website cetr.net for the up-to-date conference programme.
led by José Manuel Bobadilla
Are the anthropological concepts of anarchism from the 18th and 19th centuries appropriate to the new societies of the 21st century. This session will analyse how two of the most important thinkers in anarchism, Kropotkin and Bakunin, constructed their principles of individualism and solidarity. After analysing these principles, we will examine the place of the individual within anarchism.
Wednesday 7 February, from 7.30pm to 9pm.
Voluntary donation
These conferences open the Conference Series. See the website cetr.net for the up-to-date conference programme.
Each film showing opens with a brief presentation, followed by a subsequent debate and discussion with those present.
Information on the films and the updated programme can be found at: www.cetr.net
I, Daniel Blake (Dir.: Ken Loach. UK, 2016) 27 October
Presented by Encarna Navas
Miracle of Candeal (Dir.: Fernando Trueba, 2004) 3 November
Presented by Marta Granés
Mr. Nobody (Dir.: J. Dormael. Belgium,2009) 10 November
Presented by José Manuel Bobadilla
The Salt of the Earth (Dir.: W. Wenders; J.R. Salgado, 2014) 17 November
Presented by Teresa Guardans
The Kid with a Bike (Dir.: the Dardenne brothers. Belgium, 2011) 24 November
Presented by Ester Puigmartí
What a Wonderful Family! (Dir.: Yoji Yamada. Japan, 2016) 1 December
Presented by Olga Almató
Sessions begin at 6.30pm. Contribution: €3 Full season: €15
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