Ancient Philosophy

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

**\* CLOSED - NO CLASSES** **THE BENTLEIGH CUBAN SALSA** **& BACHATA DANCE CLASSES** are currently **CLOSED** for the **CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR BREAK** **\* THE 2026 BENTLEIGH CUBAN SALSA & BACHATA CLASSES** **start back date will be confirmed in the new year.**

**About the Session - A Gentle Reset.** A soft Boxing Day meditation to help you clear, release, and gently reset after Christmas. Boxing Day often carries a quiet emotional weight. After the fullness of Christmas Day, the connection, noise, expectations, and movement, there can be a sense of tiredness, sensitivity, or simply the need to exhale. This session is an invitation to slow everything down and land gently back in your body. Before the pace of the day picks up, take an hour to rest, recalibrate, and create space. We’ll be lying on the grass beneath the open sky, allowing stillness, breath, and nature to help the nervous system unwind. This session is especially supportive if you’re feeling flat, tender, socially depleted, overstimulated, or simply wanting a calm, grounded pause during a busy season. **This Meditation session is designed to help you:** • Soften and settle back into your body. • Release leftover tension from the days before. • Calm and rebalance your nervous system. • Clear emotional and mental residue. • Reset gently, without effort or pressure. **The Meditation Session.** **We’ll begin with Yoga Nidra, a guided deep rest practice where you simply lie down and allow the body to soften.** There is nothing to perform or achieve. Once you’re comfortable, staying mostly still helps the nervous system drop into deeper rest. I’ll guide your awareness slowly through the body so the mind can drift, unwind, and settle. **From there, we’ll move into a** **gentle reset visual meditation**, using cooling, clearing imagery and breath to support release and recalibration. This part of the practice is designed as an emotional exhale, helping you let go of what no longer needs to be carried and return to a sense of steadiness and ease. The practice is fully guided, deeply restorative, and suitable for anyone needing a quiet place to land. No experience is needed. This session is beginner-friendly and supported from start to finish. > “Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.” > *Etty Hillesum* **When & Where?** 🗓 **Boxing Day — Thursday 26 December** ⏰ **10:30am – 11:30am** 📍 **Edinburgh Gardens, Fitzroy North** We’ll set up on the grass behind the Rotunda. Look for my yoga mat and a **large pink sign** that says *“Free Guided Meditation.”* ***WEATHER NOTES.*** **This is an outdoor session.** If the weather turns rainy, I’ll cancel the session and update the listing beforehand. Please check the Meetup event on the day to confirm it’s still going ahead. Summer mornings are often lovely, but Melbourne does like to surprise us. **What to bring?** • Yoga mat or something comfortable to lie on • Light blanket • Eye covering or small pillow if you enjoy extra comfort • Water • Comfortable clothing If you forget a mat, I’ll have a few spares on hand 😊 **Running Late.** Arriving a few minutes early helps you settle in, get comfortable, and ease into the space before we begin. If you’re running late, please still come 😊 Just join quietly. You won’t disturb anything. **Everyone is welcome.** Whether you’re spending Boxing Day alone, with family, feeling reflective, or simply needing rest, this space is for you. A gentle pause. A quiet reset. A chance to continue the day with more ease. **I look forward to sharing the morning with you 🌿** **Kathy**

FREE entry if you ATTEND WITH A FRIEND! Bring a gift under $10 if you’d like to participate in secret Santa! (Optional). Come down and make new friends from all over the world on Christmas night!

**Boxing Day – 让我们在 Carlton Gardens 彼此陪伴** 如果这个节日你期待一些陪伴， 或只是想换一种更轻松的方式度过时光， 欢迎来到 Carlton Gardens，加入这次自在的小聚。 也许你是新来乍到、 也许正经历着生活中的波折与变化、 或只是单纯地想认识几位真诚的人， 都非常欢迎你来。 这里没有流程、没有期待 我们只是吃点小零食，随意聊聊， 在夏日的空气里，感受人间的清凉和暖意。 你不需要准备什么，也不需要表现什么 带着真实的自己来，就已经足够。 这次小聚也特别适合对自我探索、疗愈与个人成长 有兴趣的朋友。 **地点**：Carlton Gardens（靠近儿童游乐场一带） **时间**：12月 26 日｜上午 10:30 — 下午 1:00 **需携带：** 如果有Picnic Blanket，折叠椅可以带上。不带也Ok，公园有些Bench。 带点你自己需要的零食或饮料。公园有饮用水。 你不需要很开心， 也不需要很健谈， 安静的、疲惫的、好奇的、困惑的，孤独的，都行。 如果你愿意加入，发个消息给我们就好。 期待和你一起分享一个夏日早晨。

🍻Come to the language exchange in Melbourne! 🌍Practice your preferred language while making new friends and getting to know more about new cultures. THURSDAYS 👉🏻Where? DIESEL BAR, 202 Little Lonsdale St. ⏰What time? From 18:00 to 22:45 👨🏻‍🎓🍻The first 50 international students who register at the QR CODE entrance will get a free drink. 🤩5$ ENTRY + 1 free drink for non-students.

Join us for a freeform discussion on the themes involved in the Lord of the rings trilogy (books or films), and whether and how it provides us insights or lessons to us non-hobbits and the real world! Containing powerful portrayals of wide-ranging themes such as friendship, power, persistence, good, evil, and more, _The Lord of the Rings_ Trilogy by JRR Tolkien and the Peter Jackson Films based on the books are seen by many as classics. BYO snacks if you would like. Please note Usha is hosting this at her house, so please be respectful

How about we kick off the best day with a jog and coffee together? Trust me, you won't want to miss out! 🏃‍♂️Training menu🏃‍♂️ Every Sunday 8:00~ Fed Square Assembly 【https://maps.app.goo.gl/zmPQ6U533pUDcNSA9?g_st=ic】 If you have luggage, please consider using the lockers at the station. 💥40~60 min Jog+Walk Pace: Easy pace, suitable for beginners. If you got tired, let's walk together. 【schedule】 8:00 Gathering 8:10 Start 9:00 End of training Challengers we are waiting for you 😊

https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/f/9/b/600_462496283.jpeg ORGASMIC MEDITATION OM is sweeping the world currently because more and more people are becoming awakened to the fact that there is 'more' available when it comes to intimacy and connection in all of our relationships. The Philosophy behind the OM practice is one that we can use as a map in all of our relationships, to develop deeper levels of intimacy, connection and flow. People OM because they desire to: ⚑ Feel more connected, to themselves & to others. ⚑ Feel more confidence & higher levels of vitality ⚑ Feel more in the Orgasmic State ⚑ Feel more comfortable with their body & self expression ⚑ Cultivate greater focus & capacity for attention ⚑ Have more pleasure in their lives The OM practice is simple, specific and repeatable, focusing on the clitoris, the female center of power and pleasure. Every OM is set up the same way so participants can stop thinking and instead follow the feeling, listen to their bodies, and be present. OM Practitioner Training is the perfect way to learn the basics of OM and the philosophy behind the practice, which you can map over any area of your life where there’s connection involved. Once having completed the training you will have access to practitioners world-wide, to continue your OM journey where ever you travel. * OM TRAINING IS FOR BOTH SINGLES AND COUPLES EXPECT FROM TRAINING: ⚑ An introductory to OM philosophy - a way to live in flow state, fueled by desire and in connection. ⚑ The difference between climax and orgasm ⚑ An understanding of what is required for the body to enter into The Orgasmic State ⚑ Techniques to move your attention from your head to your body ⚑ Skills to increase sensation in your body ⚑ Female anatomy and how to find "the spot" ⚑ The Steps to OM ⚑ Stroking technique ⚑ How to ask for what you want, from the voice of your desire HOW IT WORKS: • Sessions 1 & 2: OM Philosophy & The OM Practice 90 minute session. Available in-person or on Skype. • Session 3: Coaching and fine tuning your practice 30 minute session. Available on Skype. Cost $549 *Higher levels of training are available, once having completed this Introductory level of training. FOR MORE INFORMATION Text 0404 832 141 Email premkalpa@gmail.com Someone from our team will reply shortly. MEDIA coverage of Orgasmic Meditation from around the world: Featured by the Today Show, the New York Times, Deepak Chopra, Tim Ferris’ Four-Hour Body, ABC's Luke Warm Sex, Marie Claire and more, OM has helped thousands of singles & couples to have more connection and intimacy in their lives. https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/e/f/c/600_462496124.jpeg "We look forward to showing you a new way to appreciate the breadth & depth of your Orgasm, so you too can have the same. " Prem Kalpa https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/0/1/e/600_462496414.jpeg

### **🚣‍♂️ Saturday Kayaking at Albert Park Lake! 🌅** Get ready for a **kayaking adventure** right in the heart of the city at the **Sunset & Golden Hour!** 🚣‍♀️✨ Join us this **Saturday** for a fun-filled paddle session, complete with **good vibes, great company, music, and a stunning sunset** over the water. 🌇🎶 \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ### **🎟️ Package Includes – Only $39 PP!** ✅ **Kayaks & gears** 🚣‍♂️ ✅ **Soft drinks & snacks** 🥤🍏 ✅ **Hot tea & coffee** 🍵☕ ✅ **Music & a relaxed social atmosphere** 🎶 \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ### **📍 Meeting Point & Details:** 📅 **Day:** Saturday 📍 **Location:** Albert Park Lake 💲 **Price:** $39 per person 🌊 **Kayaks available – Let’s make some waves!** 🌊 \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ### **💳 How to Book:** 📩 **RSVP with a $39 transfer** to secure your spot! **Please note:** An RSVP alone does not secure your spot — only a transfer confirms your place on the trip. Thanks for understanding! 🔹 **PayID:** 0414 661 458 🔹 **Bank Transfer:** **NAME:** KARAPETIAN G **BSB:** 013233 **ACCOUNT:** 226325836 **Ref:** Alb 🌟 **Limited spots available—RSVP now!** S*pots are only confirmed once payment is received !!!* \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Credited or refunded only if the event is canceled/moved. Non-refundable in any other cases \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ### **🛶 What to Bring:** ✔️ Waterproof/water-repellent clothing 🌊 ✔️ Or spare clothes & shoes (just in case!) 👕👟 ✔️ A positive mindset & excitement for an awesome time! 😃 \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ### **📢 Important!** 📺 **Before attending, please watch these short videos on kayaking safety & techniques:** https://youtu.be/TAEkR13ChPs https://youtu.be/Calmsh4zI5U \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ### **📲 Have Questions?** Feel free to **DM or call me** ! 📞💬 📌 **Follow & Stay Updated:** 🌍 **Facebook Group:** https://www.facebook.com/groups/812911556223655/?ref=share 📸 **Instagram:** @nogeography.hike.kayak \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- 🚣‍♂️💙 **Get ready for an unforgettable kayaking experience – see you on the water!** 🌊✨ \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **LIABILITY WAIVER** The organizer of this group cannot accept any liability for any loss, damage, injury, or accident to participants or their property at this event. By participating in this event, you're taking responsibility for your own safety and well-being. By joining this event you agree to these terms. ## **COVID-19 Safety Measures** * The event host is instituting the above safety measures for this event. * Please do not attend if you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, or sore throat. * If you have recently tested positive for COVID-19 or have been in close contact with someone who has, we kindly ask that you refrain from attending. * Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in keeping our community safe!

How the Mind is making the Body Ill! What the mind is doing to the body. (yours) Did you know that about 70 percent of the physician's current roster of diseases fall into the category of psychosomatic illness? Psychosomatic Illnesses are those which have a mental origin but are nevertheless organic. Psycho, of course, means mind and somatic refers to body; the term psychosomatic means the mind making the body ill or illnesses which have been created physically within the body by derangement of the mind. At today's meetup you are able to learn why is it that some people recover promptly from illness, trauma or accidents whilst others receiving the very same treatments do so slowly, not at all or relapse. When one desires to handle any unwanted condition in life the mind plays a crucial role. Why is it then that all to many confess they know very little about the mind or anything at all. The mind and the problem of psychosomatic illness are entirely embraced by Dianetics (the Modern Science of Mental Health ) and by Dianetics technique. https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/5/a/1/600_462605537.jpeg Dianetics means: What the mind is doing to the body. Trough the application of Dianetics technique you will be able to confirm that when one resolves the problem of human aberration (any deviation or departure from rationality) you naturaly get great response all around. (Not just body related) Bizarre aches and pains in various portions of the body are generally psychosomatic. Migraine headaches are psychosomatic. Arthritis, dermatitis, allergies, asthma some coronary difficulties, eye trouble, bursitis, ulcers, sinusitis, etc., form a very small section of the psychosomatic catalog. Therefore the catalog of ills affected by Dianetics technique is very long. Dianetics is something that anyone can use to help improve himself and his fellows. My own truth is that the hidden source of all psychosomatic ills and human aberration has been discovered and accurate skills have been developed for their handling. I also know that many other people have experienced this to be true. Dianetics is a path to knowing how to know, unlocking the gates to be better future for yourself or others you love or are responsible for. Only by reading the Dianetics book (or watching the DVD) in full can one get an understanding of the workings of the mind and the potential merits that applying Dianetics technique yourself may have for you. Amherst College Political Science Professor, Dr Frederick L. Schuman declaration in the New York times: "History has become a race between Dianetics and catastrophe. Dianetics will win, if enough people are challenged in time to understand it" Your own investigation into Dianetics The Modern Science of Mental Health is prudent and welcomed. It's after all very sensible to investigate personally why this explosive bestseller book has sold more copies than any other book in its category and is the most influential book ever written about the mind. The above are some of my own opinions, experiences, and observations. As always results obtained by the individual are up to him. No promises are made by me or anyone or anybody. Any technique no matter how good does not work for people that do not want to change, are not interested or have other agendas. Those that do not fall into those categories tend to do very well and flourish and prosper because of it. Truth is not what people say it is. it is what it is. All People of goodwill are welcome. Contact us if today's date or time do not suit your schedule. If one can not make it to our meetup class then it's recommended you get yourself a copy of the Dianetics book or DVD by contacting the event organizer. Know yourself Know Life!. Tanja and Michel

Camberwell Meditation Group Find Your Inner Peace within. Take a moment to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with your inner peace. Join our friendly community every Saturday afternoon for a peaceful guided meditation session led by a teaching monk, who will share simple techniques to relax the mind and find clarity — no religious commitment required. 🕑 Every Saturday \| 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 📍 Camberwell Meditation 41 Cookson Street, Camberwell, Melbourne VIC 3124 (Just a short walk from Camberwell Railway Station) 🌼 About the Session Each 60-minute class offers a calm and welcoming space to rest, recharge, and experience peace of mind. * 🧘‍♂️ Guided Meditation (in English) by a Teaching Monk * 💬 Gentle reflections and Q & A * ☕ Light refreshments served afterward * 💝 Donations welcome * You don’t need any experience — just bring an open mind and a kind heart. Our approach is simple, practical, and suitable for everyone. 🌿 Why Join Us? * Relax and release stress from your busy week. * Recharge your mind and body with calm energy. * Learn meditation techniques that can support mindfulness in everyday life. * Meet kind and like-minded people who value peace and balance. Meditation helps you discover calmness and clarity within yourself — something everyone can benefit from, regardless of background or belief. 🌷

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

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

**3rd Annual Great Chili Cook Off**: Calling All Cooks! This is your shot at dethroning our 2-time repeat Chili Champion and claim the 1st place Chef's Cap and Apron for yourself. Second and Third place winners will also receive a cap and apron. This is often one of our more well-attended events so please RSVP early and come hungry. Members will be given a ticket to vote for their favorite chili. No campaigning this year please. Let the chili speak for itself (no, not like that. I know what you are thinking. Stop that.) **On Freestyle night** \- just bring a bottle to share\. There is NO formal wine tasting like on other weeks\. Door charge is $10 \(cash or Venmo only please\)\. We may have some left over wines to clear out\! Glasses are provided\. Take Care\. See you there\. **Parking**: There are several public parking lots near the Alive614 hall. Please be careful to NOT park in private parking lots. They do tow. Check Google maps to scope out your space. Anyone who is early could easily find a parking space on the street nearby. I am told that the Chase parking lot is safe after hours. **Glasses**: …will be provided. Please note that after the wine tasting, the EMPTY glasses need to be returned to the boxes at the service table. Please do not make me hunt down your empty glass. Please be gentle, our glasses are fragile. Uh, they are made of glass! **Food**: You are welcome to bring a snack to share. It is not required. Most people do though. If no one brings anything, there will be nothing. **Code of Conduct**: Though mostly understood, it’s still worth mentioning. We don’t have rules per se, but we highly discourage the following topics of discussion because they are likely to incite anti-social responses - Sex, Politics, Religion. Please don’t mistake this as an attempt to limit your free speech rights but rather a guide to a place and time for appropriate discussions. **After the lights go out**: After the last sip of wine, when we clean up and turn the lights out, if you still haven’t had enough of us, it is typical for a group to get together and go to a local eatery for food and/or drinks or coffee. Again, We look forward to meeting new members and reuniting with old friends. Sincerely, ***Paul Uttermohlen***, **Red 1 Realty** *Your Hilliard Wine Club Host*

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. Did you know that there are atheists everywhere?!?! You may not know it, but we are! We're in your schools, diners, police force, military, government, and some are even still in your churches! So come and join us and meet other local atheists, along with agnostics, heathens, humanists, skeptics, and anyone else who's 'hell bound'! Vision: a Central Ohio that accepts atheism as a viable alternative in all areas of public and private life. Mission: grow, support, and provide community for atheists in Central Ohio. Social meetings held most Tuesdays at a local pub/restaurant at 7:00 PM (and often into the wee hours). Attendees call themselves agnostics, skeptics, humanists, non-theists, deists or even theists. All attendees are welcome but should support our vision. Atheists of Columbus (AoC) is part of Omnipresent Atheists (OA). AoC members are invited to join this OA meetup and/or OA Facebook group ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/omnipresentatheists/ ) but are free to continue conversations on the AoC Facebook group ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/columbusatheists/ ). AoC was founded in 2012 as a networking, social group for Central Ohio area humanists, skeptics, atheists, agnostics, nonbelievers, freethinkers, and the curious. It was a member of Columbus CoR and held weekly meetings, mostly on Fridays, for several years but then operated as an online only group for some time. In November 2018, Omnipresent Atheists (OA), a group that routinely meets on Tuesdays, invited AoC to merge. Omnipresent Atheists is a member of the Columbus Coalition of Reason (ColumbusCoR.org). Omnipresent Atheists is a member of the Columbus Coalition of Reason ( http://www.ColumbusCoR.org ). Omnipresent Atheists endorses the mission of the Secular Coalition for America ( http://secular.org ). 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.

Our January program is privileged to have Kristen Tregar as our speaker. Ms. Tregar is the co-author with John de Lancie (the actor who portrayed the character Q on Star Trek next generation) of a radio play depicting the events surrounding the Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District trial. The trial decided the issue of some of the Dover school district board members attempting to insert creationism disguised as "intelligent design" into the 9th grade biology curriculum. She will discuss the trial and the process of writing the play. (Bob Leonhard has seen the play and it is riveting and tense). Ms. Tregar's bio is below: Kristen Tregar is a dramaturg, director, playwright, and theatre teacher. She earned her Ph.D. in Drama and Theatre from the UC San Diego and UC Irvine joint program. In addition, she has a MS in Forensic Science from City University of New York- John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a MA in Educational Theatre from New York University- Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. In 2013, in collaboration with Irish colleagues, she founded *The Ireland Project*, an intercontinental devised theatre work with high school students in New York and Tallaght, Ireland. Her original short story "Far From Here" was recently published in *Stay Awhile Longer: More Scenes From Temecula Valley*. She has two rescued dogs (Kira and Harry) and she rides, competes, and foxhunts with her horses, Andromache and Baker Street Irregular. Food and drinks will be provided at the event. Feel free to show up a little bit early to hang out and talk. Going forward our meetings will be hybrid. You can meet us in-person or attend online 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) The formal presentation will start at noon