Sunday Assembly Atlanta

Welcome to the Reflective Meditation Series. Here we join in a supportive environment to let our attention move freely and allow our minds to explore the rich landscapes of our inner selves.

About the Series
In this unique series, we practice "Reflective Meditation," a receptive and unstructured approach that allows each participant to honor their inner selves. Whether you're a seasoned meditator or a newcomer, you're invited to explore the stillness (or non-stillness!) within and discover the transformative power of reflection.

What to Expect
Optional Check-ins
To start, any who wish briefly share what they're bringing into the meditation that evening, or how they're doing lately.

Meditation Instructions & Optional Reading
If needed we will happily share what reflective meditation is and offer some guidance. Someone may have a prepared reading as an offer for consideration during your sit.

Silent Meditation
Our sessions consist of 30 minutes of silent meditation. Participants are encouraged to follow their own meditation style or try the offered approach.

Journaling
After the meditation, we engage in the reflective practice of journaling. This process allows you to capture and explore the thoughts, feelings, and emotions that arose during your meditation. This usually last no longer than 10 minutes.

Optional Sharing
Feel free to share your meditation experiences with the group if you wish. Sharing is entirely optional and provides an opportunity for connection and mutual understanding.

Reflective Meditation Guiding Principles
Permission
Grant yourself permission to follow whatever arises in your meditation. You have the freedom to explore different practices or continue with familiar ones.

Friendliness
Cultivate a friendly relationship with your meditation experience. Let go of expectations and pressures to achieve specific outcomes. Embrace the journey itself.

Curiosity
Approach your meditation with curiosity. This natural inquisitiveness opens the door to self-discovery, insights, and a deeper understanding of your inner world.

Logistics
Sessions are open to all levels of meditation experience. Feel free to bring your favorite meditation cushion or chair for added comfort (we have many pillows and large stuffed animals). Also, feel free to bring your favorite journal and pen, though basic paper and pens will be provided, and your phone can also work.

The venue is a neighborhood home near a 7 Marta bus stop. Parking is available on the street, especially down the hill on Rock Springs Rd. Please don't park in the driveway, which is shared by neighbors. Each entrance has one or a few steps, and there's a restroom on the first floor. A portable air filter can be deployed upon request. We sometimes host the event in our screened-in porch, which requires stairs or climbing a short hill.

We're happy to provide more information if that will encourage you to visit!

We do ask that if you are running more than 15 minutes late, you do not come. Unfortunately, arriving later than that would mean arriving during the meditation, which would be disruptive to other attendees. We would be happy to have you the following week.

We look forward to sharing this meditative journey with you!

If you're looking to be a part of a supportive community and enjoy having thought-provoking discussions, then this is the group for you. Each week, there is a new topic chosen by members.

We do not force personal views on others or denounce others’ views. We welcome all who welcome all.

Fireside chat is a small group under Sunday Assembly Atlanta (SAA). Please read the About Us section of the SAA meetup group to learn about the norms and values of SAA.

Accessibility & Parking
Decatur is accessible by MARTA and then a 6-minute walk. We meet at Opo Coffee. There is surrounding street parking available. If that is full, you can park inside the Arlo Decatur parking deck. Text me for a voucher code which you can use to get free parking for 24 hours.

Arpan (organizer) cell: 943-268-6060

Bruce Lee is often known for telling people to be formless and to flow like water. While he largely was talking about martial arts, this also can be applied to having a flexible mind in other aspects of life. And I think this can align very well from the secular idea of freeing ourselves from dogma. We all have different beliefs whether they be religious, political, or economic beliefs. But we can still find common ground in finding ways to make the world a better place. Another quote from Bruce Lee that aligns with this mission: "Under the sky, under the heavens, there is but one family."

I hope to make this event the first in a series. Our first topic will be about how we can make the world a better place with what we buy. We talk about how we don't like how big corporations having too much money and power, but we forget that they wouldn't have the their money and power without us buying their stuff. So we can hope that politicians tax the wealthy and redistribute that or we can take action now, put our money where our mouth is, and vote with our wallets to redistribute the money to smaller businesses that we support. As a friend of mine put it, "don't just say what you support...support what you say."

I want to touch upon other topics in this "Be Like Water" series. I also will do volunteer activities, which I hope to be an avenue for bringing people to the "Help Often" events.