Absolute Caribbean Sailboat Charters Optional Lecture Courses

Welcome to Absolute Caribbean Sailboat Charters Inc.

DREAMWALKER'S OPTIONAL LECTURE COURSES

In addition to the Sailing Instruction Course, Jack Feiereisen has announced three new courses to be offered during charters on the Dreamwalker: Zen and the Art of Sailing, Living the Good Life, and An Introduction to West Indian Cooking.

PHILOSOPHY UNDER THE STARS: Jack is offering two philosophy courses: Zen and the Art of Sailing and Living the Good Life.

Zen and the Art of Sailing includes a very brief introduction to Hinduism and Buddhism, a discussion of the differences between Eastern and Western Religions, and a look at Eastern Views on Karma and Transmigration of the Soul. Those who wish to participate will also be taught some basic meditation techniques.

Course Outline:

I. Meditation

II. Hinduism

A. Early Hinduism: The Upanishads

1. The Law of Karma: A Perfectly Just Universe

2. The Wheel of Rebirth

3. God Without Attributes

B. Modern Hinduism: The Bhagavad-Gita

1. The Big Three: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva
2. God With Attributes
3. Are the Gods real?
4. The Four Goals of Life
5. The key to avoiding Karma

III. Buddhism

A. Buddhism

                    1. The Life of the Buddha
                    2. The Four Noble Truths
                    3. Does Truth really matter? (Is the proof is in the pudding?)

B. Zen and the Art of Sailing (and Non-Sailing).

          1. Zen Buddhism: "If you see the Buddha on the Road, Kill Him!"
          2. Zen and Sailing: In sailing, like life, the "gotten there" must be as good as the "getting there" or you have missed something.
          3. The past, the present and the future: Some Zen stories.

LIVING THE ‘GOOD LIFE’. This course is centered around the question of how to get the most out of life (An intentionally vague expression). It includes very brief lectures on some interesting historical views, but the focus is on the here and now, on what each of us can do to lead a richer and fuller life

Course Outline:

I. What is the ‘Good Life’?

A. Two BMWs, a home in the country, a good job, and social status?
B. A life involving loving relationships with friends and family?
C. A life that is ethically correct?

    1. Is the ‘Good Life’ one that makes "worthwhile" contributions?
    2. Is the ‘Good Life" one that involves the greatest amount of happiness and least amount of pain ( psychological and physical)
        a. Is the ‘Good Life’ measured from the outside looking in, or from the inside looking out?
        b. Intrinsic and extrinsic goods.

D. A life free of neurosis?

II. How can I lead the ‘Good Life?’

A. Views from a few wise old men and one idiot.

1. Seek truth, examine your life--Socrates
2. Beware of the "Spirit of Seriousness"—Nietzsche, Sartre
3. Get rid of your neurosis--Freud
4. Modify your expectations, get in tune spiritually—Jesus, Buddha
5. Raise your level of consciousness—all the above
6. Go Sailing—Jack

ZEN AND THE ART OF SAILING and LIVING THE GOOD LIFE will be given either on Sailboat Dreamwalker’s back deck or on a nearby beach while seeking constellations in the star lit Caribbean sky. Neither course requires outside reading, though a suggested reading list will be provided.

WARNING!!! The Surgeon General has determined that these courses may be dangerous to the idea of political correctness. DISCLAIMER!!! Nothing in these course descriptions should be taken to state or imply that Captain Jack Feiereisen is ENLIGHTENED or has any knowledge concerning THE TRUTH. Obviously, if he were ENLIGHTENED he would not be charging for these courses; if he knew THE TRUTH he would be charging considerably more.

(Captain Jack taught philosophy for fifteen years. By many this is considered conclusive evidence that he is neither Enlightened nor knows the truth.)

AN INTRODUCTION TO WEST INDIAN COOKING. Offered by Master Chef and Native Trinidian, Rona Ramkhelawan, this course is designed to introduce guests to West Indian Spices, basic Curry Sauces and Coconut Milk Cooking. Guests will learn to prepare and serve Rotis (both Sati and Paratha), Pelau, West Indian Stew, Callaloo and Coconut Milk Fish.

Yacht Charters Course Outline:

I. An introduction to West Indian Spices, Basic Curry Sauces and Coconut Milk Cooking.

II. Preparing, Serving and Recipes for:

A. Sati Roti
B. Paratha Roti (A.K.A. "Buss-Up-Shut")
C. Pelau
D. West Indian Stew
E. Coconut Milk Fish
F. Callaloo