Ancient Philosophy

This seminar series, presented by long-standing member of the Theosophical Society, **Mike Vallis**, relates to the 2nd object of the Theosophical Society "To encourage the study of comparative religion, philosophy and science." The format will be dialectical with attendee participation and readings of short selective extracts from Plato’s dialogues and discussion as they relate to Theosophical concepts. Participants are encouraged to contribute their views. The content of this afternoon’s final session will be: **THE THEORY OF THE FORMS** From the “Republic” by Plato “The Allegory of the Cave” Every level of experience and background is welcome, whether you are just starting out with spirituality and want to explore more, or you are a veteran and want to share your wisdom with others. Open to TS members and non-members - all are welcome, free entry.

Presented By Wendy Dixon of the Sydney Blavatsky Lodge **ONLINE COURSE:** Introduction to Theosophy runs yearly for 10 months from 5th February to 19th November on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Thursday of the month. Our core text is Theosophy: An Introductory Study Course, 4th Edition by John Algeo. It can be downloaded for free from the URL: [https://theosophy.world/sites/default/files/studyguides/[theosophyintro.pdf](http://theosophyintro.pdf)](https://theosophy.world/sites/default/files/studyguides/[theosophyintro.pdf](http://theosophyintro.pdf)) Additional material is provided with slides that are shared after each class via Mailchimp emails. The sessions are all run with questions answered throughout. While it is preferable to attend the whole year, participants are welcome to join at any time - everything is run in monthly modules. **PROGRAM** **February:** What is Theosophy - Fundamental Concepts of Theosophy **March:** Ancient Wisdom in the Modern World/Universal Brotherhood - History of TS/Brotherhood and the Path **April:** Human Beings and Our Bodies (Etheric, Astral, Mental, Causal) **May:** Life after Death - Withdrawal from the Bodies and Devachan **June:** Reincarnation **July:** Karma **August:** The Power of Thought/The Question of Evil - Understanding how we continue to create the world around us **September:** The Plan and Purpose of Life Part One - Evolution, 3 waves of Evolution, Individualisation **October:** The Plan and Purpose of Life Part Two - Human Evolution, Seven Rays **November:** The Rise and Fall of Civilisations - Root Races **COURSE LINK** Please click on this link to join: [https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88329727054](https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88329727054) Meeting ID: 883 2972 7054 Passcode: 840346 Admission by Donation: A suggested donation of $5 or more per session assists Blavatsky Lodge to offer online Theosophical courses. Please donate via PayPal here: [https://tinyurl.com/lodgeonlinecourses](https://tinyurl.com/lodgeonlinecourses) or email [info@tssydney.org.au](mailto:info@tssydney.org.au) for other payment options.

The discussion topic for this meetup will be identity and whether or not history is a necessary condition for consciousness as Dretske proposed. James

Join us for tea, coffee and cookies as we centre our discussions around Life & Death. The intention of our café is to initiate, normalize, socialize & transform the conversations around End-of-Life, Death and Dying in our society. We provide a safe space where we bring acceptance, empathy, empowerment and education to each conversation. Traditionally these cafes have been known as ‘Death Cafes’, however, it is our opinion that Life is present until the moment breath leaves the body and at all stages we have the opportunity to choose the Life we please. Also, from a theosophical context, Theosophy offers a perspective that puts Death as a recurring incident in an endless Life that opens the gateway to a fuller more transformed existence. ***NOTE: If you wish to stay and discuss a personal matter, that you are dealing with concerning End-of-Life, we will make ourselves available after the cafe has concluded.*** **PLEASE NOTE: NUMBERS FOR EACH WORKSHOP ARE CAPPED AT 20.** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- The MTS is committed to providing events that align with and further The three objects of The Theosophical Society: * To form a nucleus of the universal brotherhood of humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or colour. * To encourage the study of comparative religion, philosophy and science. * To investigate unexplained laws of nature and the powers latent in the human being. However this being stated, the MTS does not endorse any health, spiritual, science-related, philosophical or theological /other assertions or claims made by any facilitator we host.

In the name of the Divine, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate Hi everyone, the next gathering will be on next Thursday 25th June, from 7pm -8.30pm . Sufism is a sensible, useful spiritual practice. It is not a religion, and all are welcome. Please come with an open heart and an open mind. The way of the Sufi (or Dervish) is an ancient wisdom-teaching tradition. Its roots reach back to the beginnings of human spiritual consciousness. From these origins have grown the studies of psychology, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy and other sciences. Yet many imagine that Sufism is a mystical branch of Islam mainly because of poor, academic, and incomplete knowledge of its foundations. It is the pure water of spiritual awareness that runs through all great religions and prophets. Since its beginnings, Sufism has transmitted the same knowledge of what it means to be a Human Being, acclimating to the time, place, people and language. A traditional but Australian school of Sufism, *The Ansari Sufi Order*, is now established in Sydney and Melbourne. Associated with these teachings is healing, counseling, spiritual growth, creativity in music, theater, and other arts; and increasing your learning capacities. You will also learn about the founders of the order, Abdul Qadir al Jilani, Ahmeder Rifai; *zikr*, *ilahi*, how to balance your life, and enjoy heart-full companionship, Sufi stories and poems from Rumi, Hafiz and others. We usually conduct the Sufi Ceremony of Remembrance (Zikr). Traditional Sufi teaching stories and poetry may be presented. These include works by Rumi, Hafiz and Nasruddin. We’ll discuss the symbols and metaphors used and how Sufi teachings are expressed through art over the centuries. \* Please Contact Aldo upon arrival for access: 0418107357 Ansari Sufi Order of the Southern Hemisphere Inc [info@ansarisufiorder.org](mailto:info@ansarisufiorder.org) [www.ansarisufiorder.org](http://www.ansarisufiorder.org/)

THESE NIGHTS ARE for those Ready to gain more information about Spiritual Growth, THE JOURNEY. It has been slotted to run for 3 Hours, but anyone can stay the entire time or freely choose to leave early. I have DVD or CD recordings that help those interested get a far greater understanding about Jesus / Isa / Yoshua's Teachings (Same Brilliant man/ Eternal Soul when on Earth and named Differently by 3 Different Religions - Christian - Jesus, Muslim - Isa and Jewish - Yoshua). There are also DVD or CD recordings from Joseph Campbell, Deepak Chopra, Mother Theresa, Stuart Wilde, David Hawkins, Esther Hicks, Dennis Waitley, Gregg Braden, Wayne Dyer and Other Smart Spiritual and Gifted Teachers of The Human Mind. Topics that can be covered include: How "A Course in Miracles" came to be, Near Death Experiences, The Second Coming, The Evolution of Mankind's Spiritual Understanding, The Human Ego, Buddhism, The Christian Teachings EDITED FROM The Bible, Taoism, Ayurveda, Zen, Chi, The Bhagavad - Gita and Guided Meditations. We can workout on the night what to listen to or discuss to advance The Group Spiritually. There are Guided Meditations, The Entire - A Course in Miracles and many of The Current and Recently Departed Famous Spiritual Teachers on CD. There are also DVD's and CD's for learning how to control Emotions and Reduce Stress. NOTE: SPIRITUAL TRUTH can be stranger than what most humans call fiction on this planet!!! The Universal Source is "Unconditionally Loving for Eternity." There has never been and there can never be The Wrath of God or a Final Judgement Day where The Creator, God, Allah, Yhvh or any other given name, who deals out what The Insane Human Ego believes humans deserve. SOURCE ENERGY IS ETERNAL AND IS ALWAYS UNCONDITIONALLY LOVING, AS ARE WE THE ETERNAL SOULS CONNECTED TO IT, HOWEVER WE AS HUMAN SOULS APPEAR TO BE LIVING IN MORTAL BODIES ON PLANET EARTH AT THE EFFECT OF THE HUMAN EGO.

Join us for an informal round-table on some of philosophy's oldest questions lead by Sean Crowley: What is a thing? Where do identities begin and end? Is perspective a limitation on reality, or a fundamental feature of it? And what might it mean to speak of an Absolute beyond all finite distinctions? Drawing on Spinoza, David Bohm, Carlo Rovelli, George Spencer-Brown, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Sean will give a condensed introduction to Groundless Perspectival Realism — a metaphysical framework that questions absolute intrinsic identity, exploring reality instead through relation, perspective, and wholeness. We will meet at the Captain Melville at 2pm for a 2:15pm start sharp. **Please note the new $5 mandatory donation entry fee** (cash or transfer on day) to help with MeetUp subscription costs, venue costs, etc. There is no pre-requisite preparation necessary, nor a philosophical background, all that is required is a curious mind. These discussions are both a Socrates Cafe style discussion and lively metaphysical dojo, in the spirit of learning and friendly debate, so please feel free to challenge assumptions and be prepared to have your own assumptions challenged. This event is also posted to the Socrates Cafe group. Topics include: * Identity & thinghood * Perspective & observation * Relationality and continuity * Truth & reality * The nature of the Absolute Sean Crowley is the author of the forthcoming book The Infinite Now and host of The Infinite Now with Sean Crowley, exploring metaphysics, consciousness, science, and the philosophical implications of non-duality. Hope to see you there!

Hi budding Stoics, This is our monthly in-person session (the 4th Saturday of every month) We will be discussing a podcast. Link can be found below. Philosophize This! Podcast episode 17 [https://www.philosophizethis.org/podcast/plotinus-a-period-of-transition-38z8d](https://www.philosophizethis.org/podcast/plotinus-a-period-of-transition-38z8d) We will meet outside KereKere Green cafe inn Fitzroy Gardens. If weather is poor we can retreat into the cafe. Feel free to bring a picnic blanket and snack. NEW TO STOICISM New faces are always welcome. This month we will be discussing the podcast Philosophize This! Episode 19: Three Islamic Truth Can be found on the Philosophize This! website ( https://www.philosophizethis.org/podcast/episode-19-three-islamic-truths-58j6g ), Spotify, YouTube Music, or other places you listen to podcasts

Join us for an informal round-table on some of philosophy's oldest questions lead by Sean Crowley: What is a thing? Where do identities begin and end? Is perspective a limitation on reality, or a fundamental feature of it? And what might it mean to speak of an Absolute beyond all finite distinctions? Drawing on Spinoza, David Bohm, Carlo Rovelli, George Spencer-Brown, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Sean will give a condensed introduction to Groundless Perspectival Realism — a metaphysical framework that questions absolute intrinsic identity, exploring reality instead through relation, perspective, and wholeness. We will meet at the Captain Melville at 2pm for a 2:15pm start sharp. **Please note the new $5 mandatory donation entry fee** (cash or transfer on day) to help with MeetUp subscription costs, venue costs, etc. There is no pre-requisite preparation necessary, nor a philosophical background, all that is required is a curious mind. These discussions are both a Socrates Cafe style discussion and lively metaphysical dojo, in the spirit of learning and friendly debate, so please feel free to challenge assumptions and be prepared to have your own assumptions challenged. This event is also posted to the Philosophy Circle group. Topics include: * Identity & thinghood * Perspective & observation * Relationality and continuity * Truth & reality * The nature of the Absolute Sean Crowley is the author of the forthcoming book The Infinite Now and host of The Infinite Now with Sean Crowley, exploring metaphysics, consciousness, science, and the philosophical implications of non-duality. Hope to see you there!

When people think of shamanic journeying, psychedelics are often the first association. Yet in most traditions, altered states of consciousness are more commonly entered through other methods. These practices shift awareness away from linear and rational thinking into symbolic and imaginal ways of experiencing the world. A central focus of this talk is the role of mythology and symbolism as a map and compass for navigating these inner states. Mythology is not treated as abstract story or merely superstition, but as a living framework that helps organise experience, guide inner journeys, and support processes of healing and transformation. Archetypes, symbols, and mythic narratives form a structured language for making sense of what is encountered in altered states, both for individuals and communities. The talk also explores how these traditional mythological maps overlap with modern psychology. Contemporary approaches to the mind increasingly recognise symbolic processes, layered identity, trauma patterns, and the need for integration - areas long addressed within myth-based systems of understanding. We will look at how altered states are safely accessed and navigated, and how myth and symbolism provides orientation within them. Finally, the talk considers the relevance of these approaches in the modern world, particularly in contemporary Australia - offering ways of engaging meaning, psychological insight, and connection to self, others, and place through direct experience. **Guy** is a traditionally trained and initiated sangoma. A sangoma is a traditional healer of Southern Africa, effectively a shaman of the Zulu and related Nguni cultures. Born and raised in South Africa, he is one of only a handful of westerners that have undergone the long and intense ordeal of thwasa (the formal traditional training and initiation process) in order to become initiated into the traditions of the Southern African traditional healers. Guy is also a Ceremonial Leader and initiated shaman in the Spirit of the Earth Medicine Society (SOTEMS), a non-profit Australian organisation which is dedicated to developing new forms of Australian Spirituality and healing based on traditional healing (shamanic) methods for contemporary Australians. **The MTS is committed to providing events that align with and further The three objects of The Theosophical Society:** * To form a nucleus of the universal brotherhood of humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or colour. * To encourage the study of comparative religion, philosophy and science. * To investigate unexplained laws of nature and the powers latent in the human being. However this being stated, the MTS does not endorse any health, spiritual, science-related, philosophical or theological /other assertions or claims made by any facilitator we host.

Join Edward Sinclair as we read, explore, reflect and study together some fascinating Theosophical texts. This session we will be reading from a theosophical text titled: **Theosophy: An Introductory Study Course** by John Algeo *‘Have you ever wondered about the “big” questions of* *life?* *Who am I really?* *Why is the world the way it is?* *Where did I come from?* *What am I doing here?* *What comes next?* *When will I find out all these things?’* This book covers many fascinating topics such as karma, reincarnation, life after death, and the purpose of life to name a few. This is an introductory book but is a fascinating exploration for all. Open to TS members and non-members - all are welcome. For persons wishing to find out about membership of the The Melbourne Theosophical Society, we invite you to attend this study group, after the session there will be an opportunity to ask questions concerning membership. Non Members $5 Entry, T.S. Members Complimentary.

Join Stephen Fiyalko, President of the Melbourne Theosophical Society for meditation, self attunement, study and discussion on the Laws of the Universe. We welcome all to join at 5:30pm for a 30 min Meditation and will begin the discussion group at 6:00pm. For those who prefer to just attend the discussion group you're welcome to arrive at 6pm. An understanding of and action within the Laws through our choices give practical tools for facing, managing and surmounting with confidence the many challenges we face in our daily lives, in society and the world itself. Ignorance of the Laws can leave us adrift to be buffeted and feel overwhelmed by stormy seas. Each week will look at one of the twelve Laws which are principles, not rules, seeking a deeper understanding of that Law, our and their inter-relationship with the other Laws. Discussion will involve sharing stories from our lives which contribute to a growing understanding and confidence in our lives. Each session is free, but donations are welcome.

Join Theosophist Margaret Harris, PhD, in her continuing series of discussions, digging deeper into Astrology every Friday from 4:00pm - 5:30pm WHO AM I? It is not the fear of God' which is 'the beginning of wisdom' but the knowledge of SELF which is Wisdom Itself .. MAN KNOW THYSELF" (Blavatsky,1901, p.15, Studies in Occultism) KNOW THYSELF In this supportive weekly group, through an Astrological lens and connecting with our own birth maps, we explore books that can help us explore paths towards our spiritual unfoldment. Through a variety of texts, from both Theosophists and Astrologers, we look at the energetic connections we have with the heavens and how they can assist us as we journey from our personality selves to our spiritual selves. Various knowledges from participants are also welcomed and encouraged as we continue to work with the 3rd object of the Theosophical Society: "To investigate unexplained laws of Nature and the powers latent in the human being" The Society is a registered charity and these events are free, but donations are welcome.

You can also join the meeting by Conference Call at (518) 263-8851.

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.

**Welcome to the Women’s Columbus Bogleheads® Sub-Group** This sub-group is for **women who want to learn and discuss finances in a safe, supportive space**. For those interested in moving towards financial independence and retirement by learning investment basics, choosing your 401(k) investments, minimizing taxes, and more. We’re a local chapter of **Bogleheads®**, following a long-term, practical investment philosophy: [Investment Philosophy](https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Bogleheads%C2%AE_investment_philosophy): https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Bogleheads%C2%AE_investment_philosophy [Bogleheads Forum](https://www.bogleheads.org/index.php): https://www.bogleheads.org/index.php No question is too small, and no experience is too simple. Share, ask, and learn — at your own pace, without judgment, in a group of like-minded women. Let’s build confidence and knowledge **together**!

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.

Join the weight loss in Columbus group at the Scioto Audubon Park for an in person meeting. We'll meet to chat casually, talk about goals and enjoy one of Columbus's wonderful parks. We'll meet at one of the outdoor shelters, which is covered in case of rain, is close to some walking trails, and there's also a climbing gym that people can try out (my favorite past time) if people are interested. Let's meet and see where we can take things!

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/a/9/6/600_348310902.jpeg Instructor - Crow, HPS Class fee is $30 at the door or approved exchange RSVP with Advance pay of $25 (discounted) by PayPal on the web or by contacting Enchanted Elements (614) 437-2642. Reservations made directly to Enchanted Elements will be added to the class list manually not online. Private Instruction ~ Closed to the Public ~ Initiated Members Only Please come prepared for ritual. Blessings ~ Crow