Hosted by Whitney Wei and Yun Shu

Only through our consciousness does the world come alive as a series of fleeting images, sensations, and thoughts—from the emotion of love to the taste of a cherry. But what is consciousness, exactly? In the second online edition of LIVING PHILOSOPHY, a two part MODERN RITUALS course, instructors Yun Shu and Whitney Wei guide students to explore the subjective character of their awareness, from the inside out.

Exploring the theme of CONSCIOUSNESS, the class encompasses guided meditations, short lectures around recommended reading, and writing exercises. Through reflection and discussion, students are encouraged to investigate the texture of their own phenomenological or lived experience—and perhaps glimpse what lies beyond ordinary perception. This class can be taken in conjunction with THINKING FOR ONESELF, or separately. Bring a writing utensil and notebook.

About the facilitators

Whitney Wei is a writer, editor, and curator based in Berlin. Over the past decade, she has shaped global discourse on dance music and club culture, including tenures as Editor-in-Chief of Resident Advisor and Electronic Beats. Her work has appeared in The Guardian, BBC Radio 1, Vogue, Highsnobiety, Numéro, and Pitchfork, among others. Her current project, MODERN RITUALS, reinterprets contemporary culture through ancient philosophy—informed by immersive study at temples and monasteries across Germany and Taiwan. She is currently working on a novel about meaning-making in nightlife.

Course fee: 20€ - 30€ sliding scale