Philosophy Blog

Today, I had the privilege of spending the day at a college in Ōtautahi, listening to thirteen teenagers who are just beginning their journey in a new educational environment. Each of these one-to-one conversation was a reflection on their well-being and aspirations.

Together, we explored how these young people could be best supported in their learning and growth, using the Māori health model, Te Whare Tapa Whā*, as a guiding framework.

As they shared their stories, many spoke of Taha Tinana, their physical health, expressing concerns about energy levels, physical activities, and mostly their sleep patterns, which play a crucial role in how they engage with their studies. Some voiced the challenges they faced with their mental health, aligning with Taha Hinengaro, and the pressures of navigating a new social environment, especially as they balance schoolwork and personal expectations.

Taha Whānau mostly emerged in the way they talked about family connections and friendships, emphasizing how critical their relationships are in providing emotional support and security. Interestingly, Taha Wairua—the spiritual dimension—surfaced in unexpected ways. For some, it was tied to personal values, a sense of purpose, or cultural identity. Others spoke about feeling spiritually connected to their family, expressing how deeply this influenced their sense of belonging and support.

By integrating these Māori principles, I aim to honour the rich indigenous culture of Aotearoa and provide a framework that is truly relevant to the lives of the young people I work with.

The purpose of this work is always to empower them to shape their “own beautiful lives”, a concept that resonates deeply with the ideas shared by Dr. Christoph Teschers, a wonderful academic from UC with whom I’ve been fortunate enough to collaborate. His work, along with my own practice, continues to inspire me to guide young people toward lives that are not just successful, but truly beautiful in their own right.

* This well-known holistic model considers four dimensions of well-being—Taha Tinana (physical), Taha Hinengaro (mental and emotional), Taha Whānau (social), and Taha Wairua (spiritual). It emphasizes that true well-being comes from a balance across all these areas, much like a house (whare) that stands strong only when all four walls are supported.

Fortnightly beginning Wednesday 16th October - 6:30-7:45pm

This Spring, let’s explore the rich interplay between philosophy and poetry. Over five evenings, we will delve into the profound insights of French philosophers Gaston and Suzanne Bachelard, whose reflections on the four elements—earth, water, air, and fire—invite us to connect deeply with the natural world and our inner selves. Each night, we will engage with the works of poets who inspired the Bachelards, enhancing our understanding of these elemental themes through their evocative language.

PS: Each session in this series is standalone, meaning you can join any one of them without needing to attend the others.

Wednesdays - Fortnightly - 6:30pm-7:45pm

16th of October: The Poetics of Reverie

30th of October: The Flame of a Candle

13th of November: Air, the Imagination of Movement

27th of November: The Earth and the Reveries of Will

11th of December: Water and Dreams

"PHILOSOPHY HAS THE POWER TO RECONCILE THE SCIENTIFIC MIND WITH THE POETIC MIND, TO MAKE THEM WORK TOGETHER IN THEIR DEEPEST ASPECTS."

G. BACHELARD, THE POETIC OF SPACE

This week, I led a short circle/workshop on the themes of culture, beliefs, values, and spirituality.

Teenagers from an Ōtautahi college were tasked with sharing their beliefs and values in one of their assignments, as well as reflecting on how spiritual and cultural factors could support their learning.

It was interesting to see that many of them initially thought they had no beliefs or values, and that spirituality and culture had no place in their lives. However, after a brief discussion, many realized that they did hold certain values, such as “respect,” which they considered very important. They also identified the significance of family and friendship. Some students discovered that being part of a rock band was a cultural activity, and that, yes, snowboarders have a distinct culture that can be both supportive and conducive to personal growth!

Many also came to understand “spirituality” in a broader sense than they had originally thought.

I love these short philosophical circles, as they are an especially effective format for teenagers and young adults. I truly believe they can help them shape their “own beautiful lives.”*

*This expression comes from a local philosopher I was fortunate enough to work with, Dr. Christoph Teschers. I encountered this lovely phrase, “own beautiful life,” in his soon-to-be-published book, which is currently under press!

After an European whirlwind of a few months, we are back in Ōtautahi. And my intention looking at the sunrise this morning felt very clear: living with philosophy at the centre of my life for the next 8 months, sharing this with others, and see what happens.

I have two masters in philosophy, one including cognitive science. I have used the latter one in my job for ten years, as a learning designer, for schools and universities, in Paris and in Ōtautahi. 

An injury and other personal experiences are now pushing me to try and experience philosophy as it was originally designed for: as a means of seeking wisdom, understanding the nature of existence, and providing practical guidance for living a good life. The word "philosophy" itself comes from the Greek term "philosophia," which means "love of wisdom."

Therefore in the next months, I would love to share this very particular kind of love. 

And today, I will start with quoting Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations" (Book 5, Section 1) 

Ἐν ταῖς ἑωθιναῖς ἐγέρσεσι λέγε πρὸς σεαυτόν, Σήμερον ἐργάζομαι κατὰ τὸ ἀνθρώπινον, ἢ οὐ πρὸς τό γε ἐργάζεσθαι συνίσταμαι;

This translates to:

In the morning when you rise, consider what a precious privilege it is to be alive, to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.

And off to my Pilates class, followed by the ritual Farmers’ market, and of course the Library borrowing spree!