LGBT Spirituality

Join us for our monthly Sunday group walk in Lesnes Abbey Woods! Enjoy some fresh air, beautiful surroundings, and get to know other LGBTQIA+ people in your local area. This will be a relaxed walk with the intent of socialising and getting to know other members of the group. Each participant is free to set their own pace. We'll meet from 10:30am outside Chestnuts Kiosk (on the side of the Lodge where refreshments are served, facing onto the Monk's Gardens), where you can grab yourself a drink to keep warm and introduce yourself to your fellow walkers. We'll set off at 10:45am. At the end of the walk, we'll return to Chestnuts Kiosk where everyone will be welcome to get another drink, relax in the Abbey's grounds, and continue chatting with each other (and maybe even reward yourself with a nice slice of cake!) ☔ This meetup will still go ahead if it's raining (to a reasonable degree!) However, if the weather is forecast to be particularly bad or potentially dangerous, we'll reschedule the activity with as much notice as possible. 🐶 Dogs, families and friends are more than welcome! While the park and gardens of Lesnes Abbey are accessible for wheelchairs and buggies, many areas of the woods have steep hills or steps. You can [check the park's facilities and accessibility information](https://www.lesnesabbeywoods.org/plan-your-visit/facilities-and-accessibility/) to find out more about accessibility at Lesnes Abbey.

**Aqua Strength – Pure Strength in the Pool** Dive into a new kind of strength training with **Aqua Strength**, a low-impact water workout designed to boost strength, cardio fitness, flexibility, and balance—all while being easy on the joints. Perfect for all fitness levels, including those managing arthritis, recovering from injury, or simply seeking a supportive and effective workout. At **Workout with Pride**, we believe fitness should evolve with you. That’s why we’ve infused the core elements of our "Pure Strength" program into the pool—focusing on mobility, muscle retention, and bone health with a deliberately slower pace. Expect purposeful movement, proper rest intervals, and a focus on refining your form, all in a welcoming, body-positive environment. Whether you're aging gracefully, getting back into movement, or just love the water, this class offers a fun, inclusive way to build strength, improve mobility, and feel empowered in your body. **Spaces are limited—secure your spot and shape a stronger, healthier future with us!** **Healthy Reagrds, Mark**

Join us for a special New Year Labyrinth workshop. Come and walk in silence and to music, around a replica of the labyrinth on the floor of Chartres Cathedral in extended time of walking meditation and reflection. The Labyrinth is a means, a tool which can help us to go within ourselves to “find our way”. To connect with our own inner Light and connect to a deeper/ higher sense of ourselves. It has no dogma or agenda. All we are asked to do is walk. Building on our regular practice of walking the labyrinth every two months on a Sunday evening, this workshop is an invitation to walk with intention and afterward there will be an opportunity to reflect on your experience through writing and meditation then share with others any insights you have gained. **Donations** We are a registered charity and rely on contributions to continue our work. We ask you to give what you can afford. Suggested donation: £10

**What would it be like...** ...To spend four nights and five days in a peaceful place on a river, surrounded by thoughtful lesbians who are curious about themselves and about you, building real community and friendships in a safe, supportive environment? To feel accepted exactly as you are, whether you're in your 30s or your 80s, or anywhere in between... whether you've been out for decades, or are just coming out now... and have fun, go deep, *and* gain skills for your life as a woman or non-binary person who loves women? Dancing. Walking. Swimming. Sun-bathing. Canoeing. Playing conversation games that help you really get to know people. And attending what some members have called "lesbian university," with classes that help you make lasting changes to create the dating and love life you really want. *For many lesbians, a retreat like this one is a dream come true, a chance to break out of isolation and make connections that will last for the rest of your life.* **Here's what a few recent participants have said.** Our March 2026 retreat sold out so fast that we added this January retreat, and we're making it available to women\* new to Conscious Girlfriend Academy, as well as existing members. (All of our work is open to all self-identified women and adjacent non-binary people who love women, or want to. Late-in-lifers are warmly welcome!) **[For more info or to sign up, visit our retreat page here.](https://www.consciousgirlfriendacademy.com/lesbian-retreat)**[ ](https://www.consciousgirlfriendacademy.com/lesbian-retreat) The Academy is a truly unique LGBTQ space, both online and offline. In a world that sometimes seems to have gone mad, full of disconnection and dysfunction, we create an oasis in our own lives and for the lesbian/queer community. We're the authors of the Amazon bestselling book Conscious Lesbian Dating & Love ([start reading the book for free right here](https://www.consciousgirlfriendacademy.com/book)) and have changed lives in 25 countries. Academy work is based on cutting-edge neuroscience and attachment research, combined with decades of real-life lesbian and queer hard experience. Our teachers and coaches have been through many trainings, including the "school of hard knocks," and we're dedicated to making YOUR journey easier. Together, we shift isolation... into connection. We transmute heartbreak... into healing and empowerment. We help lesbians and queer women create the friendships and love we've always wanted. And in the process, we make life better for all of us :) Learn more at[ www.consciousgirlfriendacademy.com ](www.consciousgirlfriendacademy.com)\-\- and visit soon if you can\, because annual memberships are on sale for 20% off through December 1\. Wondering if we're the right fit for you?[ Visit our retreat page](https://www.consciousgirlfriendacademy.com/lesbian-retreat) to learn how to schedule a free 1:1 chat with our outreach director so you can get better-acquainted with our program. Do it today, and tomorrow you'll be glad you did :)

Time is precious. Here we value non-boring valuable chats and interactions that are fully engaging, soulfully enriching, inspiring, and leave you a bit wiser than when you arrived. In that spirit (mind the pun!), today’s fully hosted laid back social coffee chat will offer a perfect haven for the inquisitive & curious - those drawn to the mysteries of the universe, life and everything in between. A tasty caffeine infused fun afternoon of thought-provoking causal chats exploring spirituality/consciousness and related interconnected topics spanning **philosophy,** **neuroscience**, **parapsychology,** **paranormal.** **cosmology** and **noetic sciences** over a mug of sweet coffee. Hosted by me - a former Reuters journalist & published empirical researcher exploring spirituality topics in pursuant of the "truth" since a teenager, there'll be no strict structure - a relaxed friendly space to openly chat, exchange ideas & experiences without judgement, but I'll preside to promote inclusivity and zone in on specifics to avoid people digressing onto unrelated tangents to ensure like all of our events - particpants derive maximum utlity and insights from attending. We’ll touch on everything from the limits of scientific understanding to exploring the unexplained using practical fun exploratory divination practices drawing on elements of **psychology, metaphysics, epistemology** and **statistical** **probability** of rare events as we do so. Whether you're a practicing "spiritualist", a curious skeptic, or just someone who loves deep conversation on **life’s big questions**, you’ll hopefully walk away more enlightened with some practical tips you can start applying and inspired to explore more! As well as illuminating chats to guide self-reflection, obviously no sprituality event woul be complete without practical tools so there'll be FREE Tarot & I-Ching readings, demonstrations of meditation method to activate super powerful gamma brain waves, and pyschic tests for a bit of fun, laughter & intrigue! **Sample of conversational threads** might include: Are we mere organisms pursuing biological survival or does consciousness exist beyond neurons firing in our brains? What explains peoples' paranormal experiences? What would reality look like If our brains were limitless? Declassified CIA files show that as as well as mind control experiments, the US govt employed mediums and remote viewers. If all mumbo jumbo then why? Is Nirvana just a fantasy of deluded people? Does everything happen for a reason? To clarify - we define spirituality here as an exploration of consciousness, Donald Rumsfeld's unknown unknowns and undiscovered aspects of reality, NOT religion. After all, as my philosophy professor once rightly postulated to me: "If God created Adam, who created God Lucas?" Yep - that inconvenient flaw **debunks every fairytale religion** out there including the oldest religion of them all - paganism - so why is witchcraft still practised outside of **Hogwarts** today? I may also share the latest peer reviewed empirical evidence surrounding **paranormal** and **consciousness** phenomena. **=== POTENTIAL CONVERSATION STARTERS ===** 1. Does consciousness survive death or is Cambridge Astrophysics Professor Brian Cox right in asserting if **ghosts** existed then particle accelerators at CERN would have already detected ghost molecules making Ouija boards kids play? Are Poltergiests 100% hoax? Brain scans indicate thalamocortical circuits in our brain (pathways in the parietal cortex & central lateral thalamus) drive **consciousness -** so how can spirit/mind live on after **brain death**? 2. Is **synchronicity/coincidence** simply randomness disguised in the eye of the beholder or can what Einstein called “spooky action at a distance" (quantum entanglement) explain it? 3. Given **neuroscience**'s infancy with much yet undiscovered - could mediation help access functions outside of our BAU alpha & beta brain wave states? Can **Kundalini yoga** to boost natural **DMT** (dimethyltryptamine) vs drugs like ayahuasca, mushrooms, LSD etc and if so by what mechanism? Do the artifically created neural signatures using magnetic stimulation observed during mystical experiences debunk them? Is the Maharishi Effect real? 4. Are clairvoyants and mediums just good people readers or are they really able to access time and space in non-linear ways? Is Tyler Henry the real deal or just faking it? 5. The laws of statistical probability, Drake Equation & common sense tells us there is other non-microbial life out there. So what explains the Fermi Paradox? Was that 1976 WOW signal aliens? How about the recent strange bahaviour of Boyajian's star or Oumuamua/Atlas interstella object that has just entered our solar system? 6. Could metaverse explain deja vu & reincarnation vs theories from the **psychology** literature (Mandela Effect?) or do we just live in a **simulation** as **Elon Musk** proposes? 7. **Stephen Hawking** once said: "The past, like the future, is indefinite and exists only as a spectrum of possibilities" If matter only manifests when observed as the double slit experiments shows, does that mean everything is consciousness? Does the discovery of *quantum superposition /* disappearing neutrons imply **parallel universes**? 8. Do **NDEs** result from neurochemical changes in the brain close to death or something beyond physicality? 9. Can photons omitted by our bodies explain auras that people see? 10. Could limits in our understanding of quantum physics, space and time explain paranormal experiences? 11. What existed before the **big bang** \- how do you get something from "nothing"? I believe our reality is the product of a black hole\. What you reckon? ***So how do we get to the "truth"?*** Both in my journalism days and applying the most advanced empirical research techniques in my client consulting work - it becomes clear the truth is often elusive. No matter how much we triangulate evidence - we can only provide part answers. "All models are wrong, but some are useful" George Box What we think we know and reality diverge leading to that great **paradox of knowledge.** And as the boundary between knowns and unknown converge, we end up with cognitive dissonance and more questions. In that spirit - every credible philosopher & scientist acknowledges - we'll never get to the complete truth but could **experimental methods** get us closer to it? A balanced approach guided by Immanuel Kant's pragmatism and Aristotle's deductive reasoning seems the most rationale framework here but are there any other methodologies? How about the **"spirituality"** toolkit? **=== RENDEZVOUS POINT ===** We will meet in the Penderel's Oak. *283–288 High Holborn, Holborn WC1V 7HP* zone 1 central london so very easy to get to. I'll be wearing a **Starwars identifier** and will share mobile hotline just before event start and table number/location Lucas - The Unenlightened Desperately Seeking Answers

**Here we meet up outside of the restaurant setting, in a beautiful room at the Tibetan Buddhist Centre in London. The quiet venue is helpful for perhaps a greater deep dive and attention to our topic.** Together we shall be exploring some of the themes that Krishnamurti is proposing but, more importantly, that we ourselves are facing in our everyday life. Krishnamurti is showing us what he sees about human conditioning and the lack or freedom and love that dominates existence. Our inquiry is to see this conditioning for ourselves and to bring about fundamental change. ### **Dialogue Dates For 2026** * Sunday 11th January * Sunday 8th February * Sunday 8th March * Sunday 12th April * Sunday 10th May * Sunday date in June awaiting confirmation * SORRY THE CENTRE IS CLOSED DURING JULY & AUGUST * Sunday 13th September * Sunday 11th October * Sunday 8th November * Sunday 13th December **The Dialogue** As we sit together and exchange on these unresolved topics of life, we will be confronted with the living limitations of our relationships in the group. What is real listening to each other or is my listening and attention already conditioned? What is real inquiry and can we think together during our dialogue? ### **Refreshments** Do come early and have a cup of tea with friends here at the Tibetan Buddhist Cafe on the premises. You can also go and sit in the little garden outside or relax in the lovely library for more private informal dialogues between participants. I will be present at the premises cafe for pre dialogue get togethers: (please contact me if you want me to be there at a specific time...) ### **Contribution Price for the Dialogue** There will be a cost of £10 per dialogue per person to cover the hiring of the room, thank you **[FOR FURTHER INFO ON THIS EVENTS & OTHERS VISIT HERE](https://open-door-worldwide.com/event/krishnamurti-inspired-group-dialogue-buddhist-temple-london/)**

**The spiritual party everyone is talking about, with loud sacred mantra music, wild dancing and a mouth-watering VEGAN/VEGGIE FEAST 🌱** Enjoy mantra music, a vibrant social scene and the best vegan cuisine from around the globe. Connect with like-minded people and jam to groovy mantra music that stirs the heart. The evening begins with some mantra music meditation, also known as kirtan, at 5PM, Followed by a talk on yoga **wisdom** and spirituality. Then we move into another kirtan. As the kirtan increases in intensity, we will open the **dance floor**. From rocking beats to vegan treats! It's time to indulge in a luxurious **all you can eat** VEGAN/VEGGIE feast. **Ticket Price** 🎟 (includes Dinner): Door price: General £17 \| *Student £14* Online \(Eventbrite\): General £14 \| *Student £10* **Where** 📍: 57 Theobalds Road, Holborn, WC1X 8SP **When** 📆: Every Sunday at 5pm (Doors open at 4.45pm) [Book online](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/studio-108-34126014551) or pay at the door🚪 [@studio108_ldn](https://www.instagram.com/studio108_ldn/) to stay up to date and find out more.

Join me for a small informal talk on the Sun, how it has been revered for centuries and the role it plays in our lives. There will also be time for conversation after the talk.

Join us for our January Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss *Can't Spell Treason Without Tea* by Rebecca Thorne in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.

Join us for our February Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss *A Master of Djinn* by P. Djèlí Clark in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.

Rev. Steven Clevenger is an ordained spiritualist minister with over 40 years experience as a Spiritual Healer, Clairvoyant and Spiritual Teacher, educated and trained at the White Lily Chapel. Rev. Siobhan Wolf Shaffer is an ordained spiritualist minister and certified medium and healer with over 20 years experience. She began her development in 1988 in Pennsylvania and continued when she moved to Ohio in 1998 where she studied at Rays of Lights Church with Rev. Steven Clevenger. Our full worship services consist of an inspirational lecture, healing meditation, and messages from the spirit world that serve to demonstrate evidence of eternal life. Please visit our Official Church Website (http://raysoflightchurch.com) for more information.

At Unity of Columbus, our Youth and Family Ministry nurtures the spiritual growth of children and families through love, joy, and practical spiritual teachings. Each Sunday, children explore timeless spiritual principles through stories, creative activities, music, and group sharing in a safe and welcoming environment. Our program encourages children to discover their own inner light, express kindness, and develop a personal connection with God. Together, we celebrate diversity, cultivate understanding, and inspire each child to live with purpose and compassion. Parents and families are invited to join in this uplifting journey of learning, laughter, and spiritual connection.

Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!

We are excited to host Guided Meditations on Sundays at 6 pm in our Ashram/Gallery/Home! !! !! Everyone wants to know what kind of God we worship and what kind of meditation we do. We worship the GOD that LOVES US! We understand that god is an energy and it lives in us as us. Our meditations guide others to actually experience that energy! xoxo We don't just talk about peace, love and affection, we experience it :) Also we are a home not a business, so we enjoy building community one friend at a time. We always build in time for people to mingle & develop friendships! xoxo Much Love, Frank Tennyson Namaste, Frank Tennyson http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/f/9/9/600_447824953.jpeg