The Art of Self-Cultivation
To Create a Beautiful Life is a Most Radical Political Act.
The Beautiful Soul is a Romantic Era philosophy inspired by Ancient Greek ideals, advanced by intellectuals like Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller.
We revive this tradition, developing intellectual, moral, and aesthetic faculties to create a beautiful, meaningful life through salons & mentorship in the art of self-cultivation.
Therapy for the Soul.
Cultivate a Noble Character . Shape a Beautiful Personality
“If you treat an individual as he is, he will remain how he is. But if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought to be and could be.”
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
On the Beautiful Soul
An Ancient Tradition for Living a Beautiful Life
The Beautiful Soul is a practical philosophy that affirms peoples’ ability to improve their condition and thereby contribute to the betterment of the world. It argues that life can become a work of art by cultivating a noble character and beautiful personality to achieve Eudaimonia (Greek for human flourishing and happiness)
On Salon Culture
A Vibrant Conversation Space for Social and Intellectual Exchange
Salons bring individuals together to engage in the art of conversation in pursuit of knowledge and fellowship. A salonnière facilitates discussion on a selected idea in the arts, sciences, culture, philosophy, or politics.
Salon culture began in 16th century Italy and blossomed in 17th and 18th century France. Salons were founded on principles of friendship, equality, and freedom of expression. They played a critical role in the development of a democratic public sphere in Europe and were the catalyst for important intellectual, political, and artistic movements.
The Connection
Beautiful Souls are Cultivated within Salons
Inspired by the idealism of the Beautiful Soul and its faith in human potential, the most celebrated Jewish salonnières of post-revolutionary Berlin, such as Henriette Herz and Rahel Varnhagen, strove to bring a more beautiful humanity into being, helping others practice the Beautiful Soul within their salons.
Why Today?
A Renaissance of Virtues & Ideals
In a global culture divided by superficiality, incendiary political rhetoric, and mob mentalities, cultivating a beautiful soul is a lost art. We believe that improving oneself is essential for personal happiness, social prosperity, and sustainable human progress.
“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.”
–Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Mentoring the Beautiful Soul
We employ the Socratic method and salon discourse, mentoring in the following areas:
Intellectual Skills
Critical thinking. Developing original opinions. Speaking well. Discovering intellectual interests.
Aesthetics
Seeing beauty. Appreciating literature, music, & art. Refining tastes. Becoming cultured.
Character Development
Becoming an ideal partner, friend, family member & citizen. Cultivating virtuous personality traits. Developing a beautiful personality.
Decorum
Timeless lessons on polite behavior. Harmonious sociability. Grace, dignity, & comportment. Technological astuteness & online decorum.
Creating a Beautiful Life
Finding & pursuing career passions. Engaging in enlightening & poetic activities. Structuring life beautifully.
Private Mentorship
We offer private mentorship on cultivating a beautiful soul to lead a meaningful life, employing our Socratic method of salon discourse.
Once you register your interest, we arrange an initial consultation to learn more about your needs and to explain our approach. Afterwards, we provide bespoke mentorship in the five main domains of self-cultivation: intellectual skills, aesthetics, character development, decorum, and creating a beautiful life.
Bespoke Mentorship:
Covering the essential attributes of a beautiful soul
Self-improvement based on your
dasfasdfa
adfsf
asfdsasf
Online Courses
We offer online courses on essential aspects of the Beautiful Soul and how to lead a beautiful life.
Online lessons may be taken concurrently with the more in depth and personalized option of private mentorship.
Course Elements:
Overview of the history and philosophy of the Beautiful Soul.
Discussion of sixteen key principles on the art of self-cultivation.
Interpreting the Beautiful Soul for our world today.
How to practice this philosophy in your own life.
Residential Sessions
We create bespoke residential courses on the art of self-cultivation for our clients in beautiful locations around the world.
Past locations have included castles and stately homes in Switzerland, Germany, France, and England.
Examples of the residential s we organize:
Company weekend retreats for employees to bond, define core values, and self-cultivate.
Individuals wishing to enrich themselves in the company of friends or extended family members for everyday self-improvement or to mark an important milestone.
Parents wishing to prepare their children to excel for primary, secondary, or university entrance along with other children in their social group.
“Keep true to the dreams of your youth”
-Friedrich Schiller
Our Expertise
Theory & Practice
Our founder, Justine Kolata, is a Yale University (B.A) and University of Cambridge (Ph.D) educated scholar of the Beautiful Soul and Enlightenment salon culture. Her doctoral dissertation “Bildung, the Beautiful Soul, and the German Enlightenment Salon” was published by Cambridge University.
Drawing upon her scholarly expertise and decade of experience hosting salons, she founded The Beautiful Soul to mentor others in practicing this philosophy.
Our Approach
A Universal Philosophy for our World Today
We apply our research on the Beautiful Soul and its history, elaborating upon this philosophy to fit modern realities.
Although our work is grounded in an 18th and 19th century European cultural tradition, we embrace global perspectives on how to cultivate a beautiful soul, drawing inspiration from Chinese, Indian, and Japanese philosophy, among other knowledge systems.
Our Clients
Professionals, Private Individuals, & Children
Individuals looking to further their cultivation for personal reasons, professional advancement, and to excel in society.
Businesses & corporations developing the skill sets and relationships of their employees.
Parents who desire their children to be cultured beyond standard schooling to reach their full potential as adults.
Secondary school students seeking to enter higher education institutions. We specialize in Oxbridge & the Ivy League.