Last Sunday, a small group of people made their way from their homes to Manitoulin Island to participate in an experimental “Cassiciacum”: a work-study retreat like the one undertaken by Augustine many centuries ago to think through the big questions facing our time, in a spirit of open inquiry and community. This year, our focus is Friendship in an Age of Crisis. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing some glimpses of what we’ve discovered in this process.

Week 1

Readings: Gilgamesh, Aristotle, Bhagavad Gita

Work: Planting shrubs, installing siding, making recycled styrocrete, weeding, building a chicken coop.

On Saturday, a workshop led by Sophie Edwards invited us to attend to our senses when relating to our environment through various art practices.

Later that evening, we heard two powerful guest lectures by renowned poet/philosophers Jan Zwicky and Jim Wetzel, who spoke about philosophical friendship and loss. An intimate discussion with our guests followed.

Reflections from participants:

Ajantha: “The first week has flown by in a flurry of hours spent reading in hammocks and labouring in gardens. Having spent years in traditional acdaemic institutions, I feel that this program has created a remarkable, nurturing learning environment. To create radical new futures, experiments and spaces like this must continue to exist.”

Hayden: “The GLIPH program puts philosophy into practice in a way difficult to achieve in the classroom. The collaborative labour allows for naturally grown friendships to flourish. There is a unity of purpose and intention present in the group which I think has instantly bound us into a community despite our disparate backgrounds.”

Stay tuned for another dispatch next week…