Author Archives: Janis

2020 – publication of my new book Art and Philosophy of the Spirit

Atropos Press (Dresden/New York) are publishing my new book Art and Philosophy of the Spirit. Should be available by the end of March 2020.

COVER NOTES: In Art and Philosophy of the Spirit Janis Lander explores Western and Eastern systems and provides a detailed analysis of meditation practices. The narrow focus of spiritual systems is defined within a theoretical framework of energy structures and consciousness.

Lander offers guidelines for assessing a teacher, and considers common problems encountered along the way, such as how to silence thoughts, how to avoid congestion in the chakras, how to use sound or image as a focusing device, and tips on selecting a practice that best suits your personality. This book is based on twenty-five years of research and teaching and is intended as a handy reference to assist you during your practices.

2017 AASR Conference, Notre Dame University, Sydney

DATES: 7-8 December 2017 – (speaking on 8 December)

VENUE: Institute for Ethics and Society, University of Notre Dame, Broadway, Sydney.

ABSTRACT: Transcending Religious Differences

Janis Lander, PhD

Traditionally religions have exercised authority because they are inextricably linked to specific cultures and tied to socio/political structures. However, in a time of mass migration, a global economic collapse, an unfair labor market, discreet cultural structures are crumbling. Most significantly, the Internet has created the first global culture and people from all cultures are able to engage in an ongoing dialogue that challenges many traditional belief systems. In the wake of a global social transformation and a technological revolution, it is to be expected that old paradigms will shift.

This paper argues that it is precisely the willingness to relax the grip on the “traditional authority” of established religions that will pave the way to a new and transcendent understanding of the way to God. We are in the midst of a 21st century version of the Reformation, and no religion will emerge unaffected. It may well be that in managing religious pluralism domestically and internationally, the attachment to divisive cultural theories of God will be regarded as sentimental and disruptive. This paper argues that it is precisely in the transcendent nature of the mystical experience that we are able to transcend cultural conflict and contentious interpretations of the Divine. In accepting this intersection of religious and social transformation as an opportunity for reevaluation, and understanding that it is necessary to let go of historical belief systems that no longer serve these times, it is possible that we will find the way to a peaceful future for our troubled species.

 

 

 

 

Lectures – second semester 2017

4 Tuesday evenings  –   19 Sep –  26 Sep –  03 Oct – 10 Oct,  2017

TIME 6:30pm –  08:30pm. (4 lectures)

VENUE: Eastern Avenue Auditorium, Seminar Room 312, Sydney University.
ADDRESS: City Road, Camperdown/Darlington NSW 2006.

“This unique course offers an in-depth analysis of contemporary concepts and practices – a fascinating marriage of ontology (theories of being) and aesthetics (theories of art).” 

2017 Lectures – Art & Philosophy of the Spirit

4 Tuesday evenings  –   14 Mar –  21 Mar –  28 Mar – 4 April 2017

TIME 6:30pm –  08:30pm. (4 lectures)

VENUE: Centre for Continuing Education, Sydney University.
ADDRESS: 160 Missenden Road, Newtown, Sydney.

“This unique course offers an in-depth analysis of contemporary concepts and practices – a fascinating marriage of ontology (theories of being) and aesthetics (theories of art).” 

2015 Conference – “Grounding the Spirit in Literature and the Arts”

I am giving a paper at the ACU Conference on Friday 24 July.

Venue: Australian Catholic University, 25A Barker Road, Strathfield, Sydney. 23-26 July 2015

You can register for a single daily ticket, or the whole 3 day conference. Public transport is excellent. Students/ part time employed: $65 a day.

My paper is titled: ” A Global Perspective on Representations of Spiritual Experiences in Visual Art. ” 

(A focus on the visual language of spiritual systems in its ontological aspect, as an investigation into the nature of being and consciousness, and thus arriving at an understanding of the commonality of the ‘spiritual experience’ present in all cultures, and the visual language that describes it. )

The conference is from 23-26 July – website http://www.acu.edu.au/groundingthesacred

 

2015 Lecture dates: “Art and Philosophy of the Spirit”

2015 LECTURE DATES ARE CONFIRMED:  2 Sessions 

4 Tuesday evenings  –   17 Feb – 24 Feb – 3 Mar –  10 Mar –  2015
4 Tuesday evenings – 8 Sept – 15 Sept – 22 Sept –  29 Sept –  2015

TIME 6:30pm –  08:30pm. (4 lectures)

VENUE: Centre for Continuing Education, Sydney University.
ADDRESS: 160 Missenden Road, Newtown, Sydney.

“This unique course offers an in-depth analysis of contemporary concepts and practices – a fascinating marriage of ontology (theories of being) and aesthetics (theories of art).” 

Books are in the following libraries…

As of January 2017 copies of “Spiritual Art and Art Education” are in the following major libraries – there are other libraries stocking it but I don’t have the full list…

BRITAIN
University of Oxford Library
The British Library
Cambridge University Library
the National Library of Scotland
the Library of Trinity College Dublin

AUSTRALIA
National Library Australia, Canberra
Sate Library of New South Wales
Sydney University Library
University of New South Wales Library
State Library of Victoria
University of Queensland Library
University of Queensland  (ebook)

USA
Library of Congress
Harvard University Library  Depository  (via HOLLIS Catalogue)
UCLA Library
Penn Libraries, Philadelphia – Fisher Fine Arts Library (Franklin Catalogue)

NAEA Conference 29-31 March 2014

I had a wonderful time at the NAEA Conference 29-31 March  – (National Art Educators Association).  I delivered a paper  – “Spiritual Art and Art Education” – on my Routledge book, which was warmly received by the audience. Lovely to meet new people!!