[NEW DATE - 09/09] Riverside Picnic: Epicurus & Philosophy of Happiness

[Please note this event has been postponed 1 week due to the rain]

During this meetup our discussion will be about what we think are the false beliefs about happiness which cause harm to people's well-being.

A major focus of Epicurean therapy was to eliminate false beliefs or bad reasoning that deny wisdom in how we direct our pursuit of the happy life. Often they are deeply instilled by society/culture and so must be explicitly brought into consciousness.

Epicureanism is a philosophy of simplicity and being combining rationalism with an indirect influence from encounters with the yogic renouncers or possibly Buddhists during Alexander the Great's campaign in North India. It shares parallels with the current Slow Living movement.

The Epicurean message is that we must "learn to be content with satisfies fundamental needs, while renouncing what is superfluous".*

"As an art of living it values retreat, security and relaxation over power, wealth and acquisition".**

"How little contents Epicurus himself! No one has said more about a simple lifestyle." - Cicero***

During this meetup, we will be sharing with friends the simple joys of mindful eating, appreciating nature, and discoursing in the manner of Epicurus' prescription for the happy and tranquil life of Enlightened Hedonism which is free from unpleasantness and mental disturbances.**

"We consider limitation of the appetites a major good, and we recommend this practice not for the purpose of enjoying just a few things and no more but rather for the purpose of enjoying those few in case do not have much." - Epicurus****

All the food will be plain and basic such as raw fruits and vegetables. By eating mindfully and learning to appreciate simple pleasures such as easy-to-acquire food, the sunshine on a beautiful day and the pleasant company of friends, we will be making a practice that constitutes Epicurean therapy of desire for health of the soul.

I, the organiser, will bring all the food with the suggestion of a 5-dollar donation to cover expenses. This will keep things simple.

You may also wish to bring a chair or something to sit on.

You can read more about Epicurus and his pursuit of happiness below:

https://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article/philosophy-of-food

https://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/history-of-happiness/epicurus/

https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/epicurus/

Quote sources:

* Piere Hadot (scholar of late antiquity)

** Luke Slattery, Reclaiming Epicurus, p3

** Cicero, Tusculan Disputations 5.89

**** Epicirus, Letter to Menoeceus