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Brisbane Social Geeks

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About us

This is a group for people who want to enlarge their social connections and develop their bodies and their minds.

Events include:

social pub nights
boardgaming meetups
philosophy group
guided meditations
yoga exercise
intellectual discussions
group walking
social sport
watching movies
exploring restaurants

Can you please take a moment to read our Code of Conduct

Featured event

Workshop on Developing Genuine Love and Compassion-a Buddhist Approach

Workshop on Developing Genuine Love and Compassion-a Buddhist Approach

Sat, Mar 28 · 2:00 PM AEST

New Farm Library, 135 Sydney St, New Farm, QL, AU

Love and Compassion: Exploring What We Think We Know
Most of us believe we know what love is — until we try to define it.

This workshop explores love and compassion from both everyday experience and the Buddhist tradition, bringing these perspectives into conversation with each other. Along the way we will examine some genuinely challenging questions: Is romantic love actually love? What distinguishes love from unhealthy attachment? And how might we test whether what we feel is the real thing?

The session will move through four connected stages:

We begin with small-group exploration of your own definitions of love and compassion, before opening into whole-group discussion. These personal reflections are then brought into dialogue with how Buddhism understands these qualities — often in surprising and illuminating ways.

We then turn to the obstacles. What makes it so difficult to generate genuine love and compassion? Drawing on Buddhist psychology, we will inquire together into the inner conditions that keep these qualities at a distance.

From there, we explore practical methods for working with and transforming these obstacles — not as abstract techniques but as tools that can make a real difference in how we live and relate.

Finally, a guided meditation will give you a direct experience of these methods in action — an opportunity to feel, rather than simply understand, how the obstacles can soften and genuine love and compassion begin to arise naturally.

The time will be divided into two sessions of approximately one hour, with a short break between them.
Come with an open and curious mind. Nothing presented here needs to be accepted or believed. The aim is simply to offer perspectives and practices that may enrich your understanding and, in some way, support your life.

Afterwards, we warmly invite you to join us at a local café for further conversation.
The Presenter-Alan Carter
Alan has trained in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition for over 32 years. He completed and graduated from a 8 years of an extensive study program in Buddhist philosophy. He has run numerous workshops and classes on applied Buddhism. He has spent over 1.5 years in retreat(not continuously) including a 3 month solitary retreat.

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Upcoming events

10

Dining Philosophers @ Siam Samran Restaurant,West End
Sat, Mar 14 · 6:30 PM AEST
Siam Samrarn Thai Restaurant, 79 Boundary St, West End, QL, AU
Dine with the Wise at the Siam Samran restaurant , West End (view photo below). Dining Philosophers is a geek term in computer science that illustrates synchronization issues in concurrent processes.
- 6.30pm - We've booked a table for intellectual conversation and international cruisine. We discuss the food, customs, culture and travel . Recent world news (current affairs), especially indepth analysis of issues and events.
- Join us for good food and good company at Siam Samran restaurant for Thai cruisine . View the table Menu Look for the host (Steve) at table wearing a green leprechaun tophat.
- 8pm(Optional) nearby popular GelatoMessina ,where we can get a scoop of the best icecream in Brisbane.
The venue is close to public transport(5 min walk from South Bank stations) and some free and paid nearby parking.

Thai food philosophy emphasizes a harmonious balance of flavors, integrating sweet, sour, salty, spicy, bitter, oily, astringent, and bland elements to create dishes that are both delicious and beneficial for health. This approach reflects a deep appreciation for the connection between food and wellness, where each ingredient plays a vital role in the overall experience.

Recommended Reading:
Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction (2013) By Damien Keown, Oxford Press.
Thailand - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture(2012) by J. Rotheray, Kuperard.

Please note, this is a booking and requires 24 hours notice if you decide not to attend. As seats are always limited, any no show without notice will be marked as a Recorded No Show.
12 attendees
🐺Werewolf & Party Social Deduction Games🕵️‍♀️@ New Farm library
Sat, Mar 21 · 6:30 PM AEST
New Farm Library, 135 Sydney St, New Farm, QL, AU
Join us for a fun night playing Ultimate Werewolf (Artifacts expansion), and other party, social deduction and light strategy games.

Main Game -
- Ultimate Werewolf is an interactive game of deduction for two teams: Villagers and Werewolves. The Villagers don't know who the Werewolves are, and the Werewolves are trying to remain undiscovered while they slowly eliminate the Villagers one at a time.
Other Games -
1. Secret Hitler In pre-WW2 Germany, Liberals and Fascists square off in an intrigue-filled parliament.
2. One Night Werewolf Werewolves have descended upon your village! Who will survive?
3. Codenames Give your team clever one-word clues to help them spot their agents in the field.
4. Just One Give one-word clues so someone can guess one word!
5. Tsuro Play tiles and move around the board. Try to outlast your opponents.
6. Pandemic Your team of experts must prevent the world from succumbing to a viral pandemic.
7. Party Trivial Pursuit X For adults and features edgy trivia for large groups.
You can bring your favorite party social deduction games if you own any. Feel free to bring a friend.
- Venue is the small building adjacent to New farm library near the carpark. It has a small kitchen with microwave. Close to bus and ferry terminals.
Combined meetup with Brisbane Boardgamers
9 attendees
🧘Guided Meditation 🧘‍♂️@ New Farm Library
Sun, Mar 22 · 9:30 AM AEST
New Farm Library, 135 Sydney St, New Farm, QL, AU
𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 by Jasmine Lee:

Guided meditation is a gentle practise designed to help you quiet the mind, release tension, and connect more deeply with yourself. Through spoken guidance, you are led on a journey that may include breath awareness, body relaxation, visualisation, or mindfulness techniques. This form of meditation is especially beneficial for beginners or anyone who finds it challenging to meditate on their own, as the facilitator’s voice helps you stay focused and present.

Through breath, visualisation, and intention, you will be guided to let go of old mental and emotional patterns and replace them with new energies of calm, confidence, abundance, and possibility. This process helps you reset, refocus, and align with the version of yourself you wish to step into in the new year.

There is nothing you need to force or change, simply allow the guidance to support you. Trust that your mind and body know how to release, receive, and reorganise in a way that feels right for you!

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠:

• A notebook and pen for an integration exercises.
• A yoga mat or comfortable cushion to sit or lie on.
• A light blanket or shawl for warmth and comfort
• A water bottle to stay hydrated.
• An open heart, a willing heart, and a readiness to reset and renew.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:

During the session, you will be invited to close your eyes, focus on your breath, and follow the guidance offered. Soft music or nature sounds may accompany the meditation to create a soothing atmosphere. There is no need to “do” anything, just simply allow yourself to be guided and observe your experience without judgment. You may leave feeling refreshed, grounded, and more connected to the present moment.

09.30𝑎𝑚 - 𝑀𝑒𝑒𝑡 & 𝐺𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑡 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠

10.00𝑎𝑚 - 𝐺𝑢𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑀𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

10.30𝑎𝑚 - 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐸𝑥𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑠/𝐺𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑝 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑢𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛

11.00𝑎𝑚 [𝑂𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙] - 𝐺𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑝 𝑆𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑡 𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑏𝑦 𝑐𝑎𝑓𝑒.

𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬:

• 𝑅𝑆𝑉𝑃 𝑎𝑡 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑡 3 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑡𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑡 𝑎 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑗𝑜𝑖𝑛.
• 𝐼𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑛𝑜 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑑, 𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚 𝑢𝑠 𝑎𝑠 𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑦 𝑎𝑠 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑠𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑏𝑒 𝑜𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑠𝑒.
• 𝑁𝑜-𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑤𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑡𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑓𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑝 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑠.
• 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑝ℎ𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑤𝑖𝑡𝑐ℎ 𝑖𝑡 𝑜𝑓𝑓 𝑑𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑢𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑒𝑛𝑣𝑖𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡.
• 𝑀𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑙𝑦, 𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑥, 𝑏𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑒𝑛𝑗𝑜𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡 - 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑢𝑛𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑖𝑣𝑒.
21 attendees
🎲Catan - Strategy Board Games♟️@ New Farm library
Fri, Mar 27 · 6:30 PM AEST
New Farm Library, 135 Sydney St, New Farm, QL, AU
Learn how to play strategy boardgames.New and beginner players are welcomed.You can bring your favorite strategy boardgames to share with the group (if you own any).

Main Game -
- Catan (light complexity)Collect and trade resources to build up the island of Catan in this modern classic. In CATAN (formerly The Settlers of Catan), players try to be the dominant force on the island of Catan by building settlements, cities and roads.
Other games played include -
- Azul (light complexity)Artfully embellish the walls of your palace by drafting the most beautiful tiles.
- The Isle of Cats (Medium complexity) Rescue as many cats as you can before Lord Vesh comes to destroy their home.
- Modern Art (Light complexity) Four types of auctions challenge players in this classic game of art speculation.
- 7 Wonders (Second Edition) (light complexity) Draft cards to develop your ancient civilization and build its Wonder of the World.
- A Game of Thrones (Second Edition) (Heavy complexity) Make alliances—and break them!—as you strive to both unite and conquer Westeros.
Strategy board games helps improves your strategic thinking, enhances memory, encourages social interaction and boost your mental health.

The venue is the small meeting room adjacent to New Farm library. It has a small kitchen for snack and drinks .It also has plenty of free nearby parking and is close to public transport.

Combined meetup with Brisbane Boardgamers
5 attendees

Past events

157

Organizers

Tom and 5 others

Members

2,890

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