Spirituality Chats Over Coffee + Chardonnay

I bet you've heard someone say "Oh, everything happens for a reason". Is there something to that cliche or is it just a load of new age bollox? Are you curious about the mysteries of life, the universe, and everything in between?

Join us for a fun, casual and thought-provoking social exploring enjoyable but fascinating conversations on interconnected questions relating to everything from noetic science to philosophy, quantum cosmology and the unexplained over a delicious mug of coffee and then as the conversation deepens - much needed wine!

Hosted by a former international Reuters journalist & published empirical researcher exploring spirituality topics in pursuant of the "truth" since a teenager, they'll be no strict structure - a relaxed and friendly space to openly chat, exchange ideas & experiences without judgement, and play some fun games. 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 neuroscience, epistemology, pyschology, metaphysics and philosophy to consider alternative perspectives.

Whether you're a practicing "spritualist" or just beginning to ponder life’s big questions, you’ll hopefully walk away learning something new if not inspired to learn more!. Some topics 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, as well as mind control experiments, the govt employed mediums and remote viewers - if all mumbo jumbo then why? Is Nirvana (not the band!) just fantasy? I may also share the latest peer reviewed empirical evidence surrounding paranormal and consciousness phenomena.

To clarify - we define spirituality here as an exploration of consciousness, the mind, and the mysteries of reality, not religion. After all, as my philosophy professor once postulated to me in his posh accent: "If God created Adam, who created God?" Yep - that inconvenient flaw debunks every fairytale religion out there!

As well as illuminating chats guiding self-reflection, 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!

=== 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? Was the Enfield Poltergiest 100% hoax? Brain scans indicate thalamocortical circuits in our brain (pathways in the parietal cortex & central lateral thalamus) drive consciousness - so how can our 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 is in it's infancy with much yet undiscovered - could mediation help access functions outside of our BAU alpha & beta brain wave states? Can Kundalini yoga really boost natural DMT levels (Dimethyltryptamine) 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. The laws of statistical probability, Drake Equation & common sense tells us there is other non-microbial life out there. If so, what explains the Fermi Paradox? Was that 1976 WOW signal aliens? How about the recent strange bahaviour of Boyajian's star?
5. Could metaverse explain deja vu & reincarnation vs thoeries from the psychology research (Mandela Effect?) or do we just live in a simulation as Elon Musk proposes?
6. 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?
7. Do NDEs result from neurochemical changes in the brain close to death or something beyond physicality?
8. Can photons omitted by our bodies explain auras that people see?
9. Could limits in our understanding of quantum physics explain paranormal experiences?
10. What existed before the big bang - how do you get something from "nothing"?

SO HOW DO WE GET TO THE "TRUTH"?
Both in my journalism days and applying the most advanced empirical research techniques in my consulting work on client projects - it becomes clear that the truth is elusive. 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 knows - we'll never get to the complete truth but could experimental methods get us closer? 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'll meet inside the venuee. I'll be wearing a Starwars identifier and will share mobile hotline just before event start and table number. I have to rush off at 7 for a concert at the Electric Ballroom till 10 but will be free to have more drinks after if some people are still around (The Devonshire Arms open till 2am literally around the corner from Ballroom could be good given the goth and dark occult vibes in there!!!)

Lucas - The Unenlightened Desperately Seeking Answers