| Spinoza is a spiritual philosopher; the goal of his philosophical system is union with God. But he is also a psychotherapist, because his path to this goal involves undersrtanding, and eventually transcending, our afflictive emotions. By applying Spinoza's system of thought to our personal lives, we may free ourselves from bondage to our patterns of habitual feeling and behavior, and begin to enjoy the "continuous, supreme, and unending happiness" that Spinoza promises awaits us. My presentation will be part didactic and part experiential. |