Compos Mentis incorporates a wide range of disciplines to achieve higher awareness and understanding. Each subject is explored for three months (a quarter), providing a foundational overview and essential resources for deep learning:
Year 1: Foundations of Awareness and Knowledge
Quarter 1: Human Development and Psychology (Months 1–3)
• Focus: Understand the stages of human growth, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness.
• Key Topics:
• Stages of human development (Piaget, Erikson, Maslow).
• Emotional intelligence and mindfulness.
• Neuros cience basics: brain functions and plasticity.
• Books:
• Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl.
• The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.
• Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman.
Quarter 2: Astrology and Cosmic Influence (Months 4–6)
• Focus: Explore astrology as a tool for self-reflection and understanding cosmic patterns.
• Key Topics:
• Basics of astrology: signs, houses, planets, and aspects.
• Historical and cultural perspectives on astrology.
• Debate: science vs. belief systems in astrology.
• Books:
• The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need by Joanna Martine Woolfolk.
• Cosmos and Psyche by Richard Tarnas.
Quarter 3: The Universe and Physics (Months 7–9)
• Focus: Gain an understanding of the universe’s structure, from the Big Bang to quantum physics.
• Key Topics:
• Basics of astronomy: stars, galaxies, and black holes.
• Physics foundations: Newtonian mechanics, relativity, and quantum theory.
• The philosophical implications of modern physics.
• Books:
• A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking.
• Astrophysics for Young People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson.
The Universe and Physics
Activity: Play No Man’s Sky to simulate space exploration and connect the in-game universe's vastness with cosmic concepts studied in the curriculum.
Reflection Assignment: Write an essay comparing the in-game universe's design to the principles of astrophysics. Consider questions like: If this game is a simulation, could our universe be one too?
Quarter 4: Sociology and Human History (Months 10–12)
• Focus: Understand human societies, cultures, and historical transformations.
• Key Topics:
• The rise of civilizations: Mesopotamia, Egypt, and beyond.
• Sociology basics: social structures, norms, and cultural evolution.
• Major revolutions: industrial, scientific, and technological.
• Books:
• Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari.
• Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond.
Sociology and Human History
Activity: Play Grand Theft Auto V and observe how the game mirrors societal constructs.
Discussion Topic: Analyze the societal structures in the game, such as crime, law enforcement, and morality, in relation to real-world sociology.
Reflection Task: Journal choices made in the game and their consequences, linking them to the illusion of "free will" in both the game and life.
Year 2: Deepening Understanding and Application
Quarter 1: Chemistry and Mathematics (Months 13–15)
• Focus: Explore the building blocks of reality and logical thinking through chemistry and math.
• Key Topics:
• Basics of chemistry: atoms, elements, reactions.
• Mathematics foundations: geometry, algebra, and basic calculus.
• Patterns and symmetry in nature and art.
• Books:
• The Joy of Chemistry by Cathy Cobb.
• Mathematics: Its Content, Methods, and Meaning by A. D. Aleksandrov.
Quarter 2: Philosophy and Religion (Months 16–18)
• Focus: Study the major philosophical traditions and religious texts shaping human thought.
• Key Topics:
• Overview of major philosophies: Eastern (Buddhism, Taoism) and Western (Plato, Kant).
• Comparative religion: key ideas from Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.
• The interplay of philosophy, religion, and science.
• Books:
• Meditations by Marcus Aurelius.
• The Bhagavad Gita.
• The Quran (selected readings).
Systems Thinking and Advanced Topics
Activity: Play The Sims to explore the simulation of life.
Exercise: Modify in-game variables (e.g., finances, relationships) to observe how they shape life trajectories. Reflect on societal systems’ roles in shaping human experiences.
Quarter 3: Systems Thinking and Advanced Topics (Months 19–21)
• Focus: Learn how to see connections between disciplines and systems in life and nature.
• Key Topics:
• Systems thinking principles: feedback loops, chaos theory.
• Interconnectedness of biology, technology, and society.
• The role of technology in shaping human consciousness.
• Books:
• Thinking in Systems by Donella Meadows.
• The Singularity Is Near by Ray Kurzweil.
Quarter 4: Applied Awareness and Integration (Months 22–24)
Focus: Synthesize all knowledge into practical tools for personal mastery and collective service.
Key Topics:
Designing a purpose-driven life.
Guiding others toward awareness.
Traveling and exploring sacred and historical sites with deeper insight.
Books:
The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
Integration and Reflection
Activity: Engage with VR games like Half-Life: Alyx or Job Simulator.
Final Challenge: Design a personal "simulation" using game development tools like Unity or Unreal Engine to showcase insights about reality and human behavior.