Humanism

Start your weekday strong. This morning meetup is for people who want consistency, accountability, and good company while doing their own workout. No group programming, no coaching. Just show up, train, stay motivated, and support each other. Strength, cardio, mobility, or skill work — whatever fits your goals. **Important Note** Participation requires an active Anytime Fitness membership for this location (or a valid multi-location pass). We cannot provide access to the gym. **Who It’s For** • Preparing for hikes or outdoor trips • Building a steady morning routine • Prefer independent workouts with community around **Location** Anytime Fitness 5290 N A.W. Grimes Blvd, Round Rock, TX 78665 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/oEzp2osVFzHvGy9L7 **Schedule** 4:00 AM — Arrive, warm up 4:15–5:45 AM — Individual workouts (optional shared circuits) 5:45–6:00 AM — Cooldown and quick check-in Stay the entire time or come for what you can. Consistency matters more than duration. **Bring** • Water and workout gear • Your workout plan (optional) **Expectations** • Update your RSVP if your plans change • Be on time when possible • Respect the gym environment and other members • Aim for steady attendance — habit is the goal A friendly, low-pressure way to start the day strong, build discipline, and train alongside others without needing a structured class.

Our Weekly Game Gathering will be hosted at Kerbey Lane from 6 - 9pm. We can be found in the far back as you walk in. If you need help finding us, the staff know us by the name g3 Games or as the Game Gathering. Arriving late or leaving early is no problem. Whether you're a board game fan looking to play classics or interested in a friendly chance to meet some new people, this event is the perfect opportunity to do that in a relaxed atmosphere. Bring your favorite game or just bring yourself and explore our community library - we’re excited to play with you! All skill levels are welcome, so don't be shy if you're a beginner! This event is LGBT Friendly and fosters a welcoming environment for all. It's a great chance to unwind, connect with like-minded individuals, and enjoy a fun night out. Come hang out, mingle, and have conversations while engaging in some friendly competition. Looking forward to seeing you on Monday!

The Council of Solace is a special meditation where we gather to direct our spiritual energy to help bring about healing and peace to the world. Many people do this as part of a daily practice in service of others and find it to be a personally enriching experience that provides them with a sense of renewal. Please join us as we gather for a noontime meditation each weekday.

Come play pickleball and make new friends at Pickleland! 🏓 \*\*\* **Important: Please sign up on the Pickleland App ([iOS](https://pickleland.com/ios) \| [Android](https://pickleland.com/android)) or [website](https://play.pickleland.com) directly.** \*\*\* We divide our open play by levels! 😄 (All levels welcome!) If you've never played, come and learn the rules! We have other beginners join us every day. You don't need a paddle, we have some you can rent ($10)! If you are an avid player, come and find some nice and friendly competition. If this time doesn't work for you, we are open M-F 8am to 10pm, and Sat-Sun 8am-8pm. Find other times on the Pickleland App ([iOS](https://pickleland.com/ios) \| [Android](https://pickleland.com/android)) or [website](https://play.pickleland.com). The website and app will show the most accurate roster and sign up count! Follow [@picklelandatx](https://www.instagram.com/picklelandatx/) for more! **⭐️ Come see why we were recently named the "Best Pickleball Club" in Austin by Austin Pickleball Update and 750+ other players!**

Come play pickleball and make new friends at Pickleland! 🏓 \*\*\* **Important: Please sign up on the Pickleland App ([iOS](https://pickleland.com/ios) \| [Android](https://pickleland.com/android)) or [website](https://play.pickleland.com/) directly.** \*\*\* We divide our open play by levels! 😄 (All levels welcome!) If you've never played, come and learn the rules! We have other beginners join us every day. You don't need a paddle, we have some you can rent ($10)! If you are an avid player, come and find some nice and friendly competition. If this time doesn't work for you, we are open M-F 8am to 10pm, and Sat-Sun 8am-8pm. Find other times on the Pickleland App ([iOS](https://pickleland.com/ios) \| [Android](https://pickleland.com/android)) or [website](https://play.pickleland.com/). The website and app will show the most accurate roster and sign up count! Follow [@picklelandatx](https://www.instagram.com/picklelandatx/) for more! **⭐️ Come see why we were recently named the "Best Pickleball Club" in Austin by Austin Pickleball Update and 750+ other players!**

# Come play pickleball and make new friends at Pickleland! 🏓 \*\*\* **Important: Please sign up on the Pickleland App ([iOS](https://pickleland.com/ios) \| [Android](https://pickleland.com/android)) or [website](https://play.pickleland.com/) directly.** \*\*\* We divide our open play by levels! 😄 (All levels welcome!) If you've never played, come and learn the rules! We have other beginners join us every day. You don't need a paddle, we have some you can rent ($10)! If you are an avid player, come and find some nice and friendly competition. If this time doesn't work for you, we are open M-F 8am to 10pm, and Sat-Sun 8am-8pm. Find other times on the Pickleland App ([iOS](https://pickleland.com/ios) \| [Android](https://pickleland.com/android)) or [website](https://play.pickleland.com/). The website and app will show the most accurate roster and sign up count! Follow [@picklelandatx](https://www.instagram.com/picklelandatx/) for more! **⭐️ Come see why we were recently named the "Best Pickleball Club" in Austin by Austin Pickleball Update and 750+ other players!**

Most men don’t lack potential. They lack **clarity, regulation, and direction**. This gathering is for men who feel they are in a transition — between who they’ve been and who they know they’re becoming — and want a space to think clearly, speak honestly, and move forward deliberately. There will be room for listening. There will be room for receiving. This is not about pretending to have it all figured out. In this session, we’ll explore: * What stage we feel like we're stuck in. * How to align Identity with our actions * How emotional regulation creates confidence and authority * What it actually means to “work on yourself” in real life * How to move even when others around you are stuck The format is conversational, reflective, and practical. You’ll leave with **clear distinctions, grounded insight, and a stronger internal compass** — not hype. You don’t need to be confident. You don’t need to be complete. You just need to be honest about being **unfinished**. This is a room for men who are still becoming. This group is best suited for men who value reflection, responsibility, and growth over blame or posturing.

Come join us for a fun night out with drinks, dinner and new friends! We’ll hangout, watch sports, converse and have a great time. Feel free to bring your friends with you and we’ll see you there! Disclaimer: The host of this event and meetup are not liable for any injuries, loss of funds, or any type of unfortunate event that happens to any attendees of the meetup.

Join with us for a peaceful and uplifting gathering and experience the soothing spiritual sound vibration of Kirtan meditation. We'll finish off the evening with a guided deep relaxation. This free event is open to all and offers an opportunity to explore a meditative state through the singing of sacred mantras. This evening will allow you to participate as much or as little as you’d like, whether you prefer to chant along, listen, or simply absorb the peaceful yoga sound. No previous experience is necessary. Just bring an open heart. Feel free to bring a friend! We look forward to sharing this special evening with you.

*Analyze This* is a highly philosophical social club that brings nerds together to discuss interesting topics (interesting to us, at least)! As our names might suggest, we at *Analyze This* and *Difficult Friends* love overthinkers! In reading and talking through big ideas together, we hope to deepen our shared capacity for textual and critical analysis. Come read with us to sharpen your intellectual skills and learn how to better argue, debate, and disagree! We don't mind a little contrarianism ;-) This week, we're reading and discussing the essay: **We Refugees by Hannah Arendt** *"In the first place, we don’t like to be called 'refugees.' We ourselves call each other 'newcomers' or 'immigrants'... We try the best we can to fit into a world where you have to be sort of politically minded when you buy your food.'"* Originally published in a small Jewish journal called *Menorah*, Hannah Arendt's 1943 essay asks what price we pay to belong in society—and at what point modern political life renders belonging impossible. Her essay combines emotional depth with intense analytical rigor. As in her better known works, *The Human Condition* and *The Origins of Totalitarianism*, Arendt refuses to treat belonging here as private or psychological. For her, it is always juridical and political: a question of what frameworks recognize you, what rights follow that recognition, and what happens to you—and your people—when those frameworks collapse. [Read "We Refugees" by Hannah Arendt for free here.](https://amroali.com/2017/04/refugees-essay-hannah-arendt/) **Our Monthly Theme for May: Belonging** Every 1-3 months, our group chooses a special theme to explore in our events. This writing workshop is part of our May session on "Belonging." What does it mean to belong? How do you know when you belong? And how do social systems and governance structures shape our sense of communal belonging? Those are some of the questions we hope to investigate this month, while offering Austinites intellectual harbor in our own arts & humanities community. **About Us** This group is a project by *Difficult Friends,* a community-run arts & humanities club: [Website](https://www.difficultfriends.com/) ⟡ [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/difficultfriends/) We empower Austinites to tackle Difficult ideas and projects. Our core values are: 1. creative growth, 2. intellectual challenge, 3. human connection, and 4. civic imagination. Our events are designed as fun intellectual workouts and creative experiments. We host workshops and discussions that push Austin residents to think harder thoughts, make cooler stuff, and connect more deeply across their human differences. This is not an organization for the faint of heart. As our name suggests, we take pride in being Difficult Friends and in confronting Difficult challenges. [Meaning is Difficult! Embrace the Difficult](https://www.difficultfriends.com/)! **About Me** I'm a writer and photographer living in Austin with my dog, Cookie. You can find out more about me and my work here: [https://rachelsummercheong.com](https://rachelsummercheong.com/) I've been busy working on my first novel, but I hope to get around to doing more with Substack this summer as well. [https://substack.com/@rachelsummercheong](https://substack.com/@rachelsummercheong) — Rachel **Statement of Welcome & Inclusivity** Here at Difficult Friends, we believe everybody can be Difficult. ;-) Difficult Friends is an inclusive community space, and we particularly seek to protect and welcome our LGBTQIA+, queer, transgender, and nonbinary members. Event attendees may be asked to share their preferred pronouns and will be asked to respect the preferred pronouns shared by other participants. Women, immigrants, people of color, religious minorities, people with disabilities, and neurodivergent folks seeking a diverse community are also especially encouraged to attend! That said, to quote the progressive labor activist Maurice Mitchell, we do not accept “using one’s identity or personal experience as a justification for a political position. You may hear someone argue, ‘As a working-class, first-generation American, Southern woman…I say we have to vote no.’ What’s implied is that one’s identity is a comprehensive validator of one’s political strategy—that identity is evidence of some intrinsic ideological or strategic legitimacy. Marginalized identity is deployed as a conveyor of a strategic truth that must simply be accepted. Likewise, historically privileged identities are essentialized, flattened, and frequently—for better or worse—dismissed. To be clear, personal identity and individual experience are important. And while it is true that the ‘personal is political,’ the personal cannot trump strategy nor should it overwhelm the collective interest. Identity is too broad a container to predict one’s politics or the validity of a particular position... One’s racial or gender identity, sex, or membership in any marginalized community is, in and of itself, insufficient information to position someone in leadership or mandate that their perspective be adopted. People with marginal identities, as human beings, suffer all the frailties, inconsistencies, and failings of any other human. Genuflecting to individuals solely based on their socialized identities or personal stories deprives them of the conditions that sharpen arguments, develop skills, and win debates. We infantilize members of historically marginalized or oppressed groups by seeking to placate or pander instead of being in a right relationship, which requires struggle, debate, disagreement, and hard work. This type of false solidarity is a form of charity that weakens the individual and the collective. Finding authentic alignment and solidarity among diverse voices is serious labor. After all, ‘steel sharpens steel.’” For a concise summary of my views re: identitarian politics as this meetup’s lead organizer, feel free to refer to his excellent article [Building Resilient Organizations](https://forgeorganizing.org/article/building-resilient-organizations/). **Photography Policy** The event organizers of this meetup may take photos or videos of our events. By attending this event, you consent to being filmed and photographed. (If it’s Rachel, don’t worry - she will airbrush any blemishes & imperfections xoxo)!

Welcome to READ—WRITE—REMIX: a reading club + creative writing workshop + social hour! We read an interesting article, poem, or story, talk about it together, and write about it for 15 minutes. We then "remix" our thoughts by discussing anything we want to share. Then we write for another 15! And after that, we just hang out and chat ☺️🫶🏼📝 In this way, we come to deepen our understanding of the text, ourselves, and each other. Note that this is an open language workshop. The discussion components will be in English, but participants are welcome to write in any language 📝🌎🌏🌍 **Our Monthly Theme for May: Belonging** Every 1-3 months, our group chooses a special theme to explore in our events. This writing workshop is part of our May session on "Belonging." What does it mean to belong? How do you know when you belong? And how does language shape our sense of belonging? Those are some of the questions we hope to investigate this month, while offering Austinites a creative home in our own arts & humanities community. **This Week's Theme: Failures of Belonging ⟡ Translation & Mistranslation** *"I need someone with whom I can struggle, and fail."* — Jhumpa Lahiri, this week's featured writer Feeling a bit lost in translation? Us too! In this all-levels creative writing workshop, we'll touch on: * failures of belonging & their generative relationship to creativity * the struggle to locate oneself & the search for a narrative voice * the complexities of travel, relocation, immigration, identity in a global world, etc. Emphasis on the etc.! This week, we'll also be be thinking about translation, mistranslation, and how we learn to speak. So immigrants and ESL speakers are particularly welcome and encouraged to come hang! *Workshop Reading:* Teach Yourself Italian *by Jhumpa Lahiri* For the discussion component of our workshop, we'll be reading *Teach Yourself Italian* by Jhumpa Lahiri. She's a British-American writer and the daughter of Bengali immigrants who later immigrated herself to Italy - and started writing novels in Italian. The essay is quite short (9 pages), but very thought-provoking! **Please read this essay in advance and come to our workshop prepared to have a casual chat about it.** A free link to the reading is provided below: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Orcy8Y8Lt_SHIp2nwe3Qm5-a2E9MHAcxGTnV1FwPvwQ/edit?usp=sharing **READ—WRITE—REMIX ⟡ Workshop Structure** We'll be meeting at Central Market on North Lamar at 7 PM on Thursday, May 14. Mostly likely, we'll be on the upstairs patio which you can get to by going through the inside cafe stairs. Look for our signs on the table! Our workshop structure will be roughly as follows: * Saying hello (names, introductions, pronouns) * Discussing the workshop reading * Free writing time [15 minutes] * Sharing a couple of thoughts from your writing block * Free writing time [15 minutes] * Sharing final thoughts in a big group * Optional post-event hang Thank you in advance for contributing your unique perspective to our workshop! Whether you’re just starting to explore your own creativity or you’ve been committed to it for decades, we hope you’ll join us in welcoming all of our workshop writers in a spirit of vigorous encouragement, thoughtful engagement, and empathetic open-heartedness. **About Us** This group is a project by *Difficult Friends,* a community-run arts & humanities club: [Website](https://www.difficultfriends.com/) ⟡ [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/difficultfriends/) We empower Austinites to tackle Difficult ideas and projects. Our core values are: 1. creative growth, 2. intellectual challenge, 3. human connection, and 4. civic imagination. Our events are designed as intellectual workouts and creative experiments. We host workshops and discussions that push Austin residents to think harder thoughts, make cooler stuff, and connect more deeply across their human differences. This is not an organization for the faint of heart. As our name suggests, we take pride in being Difficult Friends and in confronting Difficult challenges. [Meaning is Difficult! Embrace the Difficult](https://www.difficultfriends.com/)! **About Me** I'm a writer and photographer living in Austin with my dog, Cookie. You can find out more about me and my work here: [https://rachelsummercheong.com](https://rachelsummercheong.com/) I've been busy working on my first novel, but I hope to get around to doing more with Substack this summer as well. [https://substack.com/@rachelsummercheong](https://substack.com/@rachelsummercheong) — Rachel **Statement of Welcome & Inclusivity** Here at Difficult Friends, we believe everybody can be Difficult. ;-) Difficult Friends is an inclusive community space, and we particularly seek to protect and welcome our LGBTQIA+, queer, transgender, and nonbinary members. Event attendees may be asked to share their preferred pronouns and will be asked to respect the preferred pronouns shared by other participants. Women, immigrants, people of color, religious minorities, people with disabilities, and neurodivergent folks seeking a diverse community are also especially encouraged to attend! That said, no particular identity performance is needed, desired, or expected from our Difficult Friends. Come as you are and know you have a seat at our table, no matter how life has brought you into our community. **Photography Policy** The event organizers of this meetup may take photos or videos of our events. By attending this event, you consent to being filmed and photographed. (If it’s Rachel, don’t worry - she will airbrush any blemishes & imperfections xoxo)!

Experience kirtan with candlelight, flowers, and beautiful visuals. Kirtan is meditation sound with music. It helps to calm the mind, relax the body, and allow us to be more steady no matter what is happening in our lives. No need to bring anything. Dress comfortably. Seating is provided (chairs and cushions), and you can also stand, move, and dance. We hold this event usually the last Saturday of every month, 7:00-8:00pm. Afterwards, you are welcome to a vegetarian dinner (vegan and gluten-free) to take with you (packaged and ready to go)! Location: 13740 Research Blvd, Bldg T, Unit 3, Austin, 78750 Cost: No charge. [Donations](http://yogameditationgroup.org/donations/) are gratefully accepted! RSVP is required: through Meetup or by email, phone, or text (see below). NOTE: We do not require masks. We believe it is important to be able to breathe freely while practicing meditation. If you are not comfortable with this, we have audio classes you can practice with (just ask). Namaste. Yoga Meditation Group [YogaMeditationGroup.org](http://yogameditationgroup.org/) info@YogaMeditationGroup.org phone/text: (512) 774-4964

Meditation and a special lecture on various topics that relate to who we are, the problems and struggles we experience in life, and the purpose of meditation. The class begins and ends with meditation. Always free! All are welcome! RSVP ahead. No need to bring anything. Dress comfortably. Seating and refreshments will be provided. Yoga Meditation is simple, effective, and enjoyable. It helps to calm the mind, relax the body, and allow us to be more steady no matter what is happening in our lives. There is never a charge for any of our meditation classes. [Donations](http://yogameditationgroup.org/donations/) are gratefully accepted to help us cover our costs. RSVP is required - through Meetup or by email, phone, or text. Our contact information is below. Namaste. Yoga Meditation Group [YogaMeditationGroup.org](http://yogameditationgroup.org/) info@YogaMeditationGroup.org phone/text: (512) 774-4964 [Facebook.com/YogaMeditationGroup](https://www.facebook.com/yogameditationgroup?msclkid=41b14833b3c911ec883360abcbb3106d) [Instagram.com/YogaMeditationGroup](https://www.instagram.com/yogameditationgroup/)

A time to make signs, pack swag bags, and have fun together in anticipation for the Pride festivities the week after.

Open Shelter has teamed up again with Red White and Boom! Friday, July 3rd & we are looking for volunteers to run the event’s alcohol booths. Proceeds from sales go to the Open Shelter’s organization. There are two available shifts: 12-6p & 5-11p. There will be an ipad-like device to process transactions in addition to cash. Everything will be in bottles or cans, so transactions should be very easy. Must be 21+. There are multiple beverage stations along the Civic Center Bridge. The stations are covered and also have beverage trucks next to them, so volunteers can cool off in the trucks. As far as parking, it is suggested those who are coming from the east use the Columbus Commons Garage, and those from the west use the Belle Street Garage. Harry from the Open Shelter will be your contact. (614)562-2169 mailto:harry@theopenshelter.org More information about the event: https://redwhiteandboom.org/ More information about the organization: https://theopenshelter.org/

This presentation will be by Ben Iten, humanist chaplain and HCCO Board Member. Speaking on expressing Humanism values in American democracy. This meetings will be hybrid. You can meet us in-person or attend online. The formal presentation will start at noon. Food and drinks will be provided at the event. Feel free to show up a little bit early to hang out and talk. The Humanist Monthly Program is our longest running event and still a community favorite. In the old days it used to be called "Going to HCCO" and we still like to think of it as our flagship event. Join Zoom Meeting [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1) Meeting ID: 878 3656 4953 Passcode: 760812 One tap mobile +19292056099,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (New York) +13017158592,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (Washington DC)

ASH is Atheists, Skeptics and Humanists of First Unitarian Universalists of Columbus Ohio TBD Snacks are usually available, and you are welcome to bringing something to share!

Main Library, Meeting Room 2B Join us for a welcoming evening of reflection, gentle music, and meaningful conversation. We’ll begin with a short grounding moment, followed by a brief reading from spiritual or philosophical traditions, and an open reflection circle where participants can share (or simply listen). Libera Animae is an interfaith community focused on inner growth, creativity, and authentic connection. All backgrounds are welcome.

Start your week the right way with Manic Mondays. Giving you an enjoyable Bachata lesson with a push of cool moves. The second hour has Beginner/Intermediate Salsa on 1. You must understand basic Salsa skills to participate. 730pm-830pm Bachata Cool Moves 830pm-930pm Salsa On 1 (Beginner/Intermediate) 15 for One Class 20 for Both Free Parking & Plenty of Dance Space. Viva Dance Columbus 2809 Festival Lane Dublin OH 43017

Jimmy V's Grill & Pub in Grandview Heights. You are responsible for your own meal/drinks. We usually don't have any agenda other than eat, drink and talk. :) If the weather is nice we will be on the back patio, otherwise we are in the cigar room. This group has been meeting every Tuesday evening for over a decade. Many attendees do not RSVP on meetup. Please don't let the small number here discourage you. Anyone/everyone is welcome to come. We'd love to have you join us. COTA bus #5 comes to W. 5th and Wyandotte Rd. And it's a minute walk to the restaurant.