Tom Short
University of Hertfordshire, UK
Introspection and the Laws of Form
Drawing upon Eastern and Western phenomenological ideas, I investigate key approaches of introspective traditions and how the Laws of Form can help to bring clarity to their processes.
The session will be organised as a middle-way between guided meditation (injunctions for doing) and a lecture (commentary & description).
Although in the past some of these ideas have arisen in association with various religious systems, they can equally be considered outside those contexts.
We will examine ideas of awareness, intentionality, somatic considerations, emptiness (& relative emptiness) and time.
Now mainly retired, I have spent most of my professional life working in universities. Initially lecturing in physics then, via an MSc in Computer Science, becoming a Principal Lecturer in IT. Eventually I drifted into university IT management as Director of Administrative IT for two universities. Late in my career I discovered systems thinking via an OU Diploma in Systems Practice and I realised that there were other people who thought like me!
In the interstices in my career, I developed an interest in Buddhism and led a double life as a Visiting Buddhist Chaplain in UK prisons for 20+ years and then as a Visiting Buddhist Chaplain in a University for 18 years, which is ongoing. I have an MA in Buddhist Studies.
I'm still very puzzled and excited by the Universe and the possibility of finding and sharing answers.