A few years ago there were ads posted around the city teasing the mind with an image of the old-age conundrum of the fish inside the bowl, while posing a direct question: “What is the meaning of life? What are we doing here?”

I was in my late 20′s when I encountered the first of these ads, and with the recent divorce from my ex-husband, I felt my own life was taking on a totally different direction than I had anticipated years earlier. I could relate to the fish inside the bowl as my own life seemed to lack a strong purpose.

The need for some “guidance” and a platform for people to share these feelings of lack was definitely something I wanted. So I joined the School of Practical Philosophy and it served the purpose of bringing back some sense into my seemingly empty life. My Friday evenings shifted from the usual “happy hour” treatment with friends to a quest for peace taking place inside the walls of this gorgeous school in the heart of the Upper East Side.

I continued my courses at the school for a period of about 3 to 4 years. I enjoyed some of the moderators and group discussions more than others, but I always left each session with either a question or with some sense of getting closer – not only to my purpose in life, but to feeling much more in touch with my higher self or consciousness. It didn’t really matter that my feelings fluctuated between peaceful, relaxing or disruptive, the point was to begin the internal process of questioning.

My friends, clients and business colleagues that have tried the school based on my recommendation have reported similar self-affirming experiences as I have. You can get to that same place of spiritual awakening through many avenues, but this school is one I personally feel good recommending.

– From the Desk of Ana Nieto