Ancient Philosophy

Du möchtest gemeinsam mit anderen Menschen in einer inspirierenden Umgebung meditieren und deinen Geist zur Ruhe bringen? An diesen Abenden kannst du die Meditation kennenlernen und vertiefen. Dieses Event findet sowohl online als auch vor Ort im Dharma Mati Berlin (Soorstr. 85, 14050 Berlin) statt. Um an diesem Online-Event teilzunehmen bitte auf den folgenden Link klicken: https://zoom.us/j/936473546 (Meeting-ID: 936-473-546).

## Rhythm, Connection & Latin Energy #### Step into the world of Salsa, get to know new Friends & feel the music uplifting Your mood. ‍ This class invites You to explore connection, flow & expression through one of the most vibrant and social dance styles. Whether You are stepping onto the dancefloor for the first time or looking to refine Your basics, this session is designed to meet You where You are. Led by Ankit, a Berlin-based creative with over 10 years of experience on and off the dancefloor, this class blends structure with warmth and passion. Specializing in Salsa, Kizomba, and Bollywood, Ankit brings a unique teaching style that makes learning feel natural, engaging & fun. ‍ > In this one-hour session, You will learn the foundations of Salsa, develop timing and coordination & most importantly, enjoy the connection between music, movement & people. Expect a welcoming atmosphere, clear guidance & a space where You can build confidence and simply enjoy the dance. ‍ ##### PARTNER NEEDED? You are welcome to join on Your own or come with a partner. We will form pairs on the spot, creating a relaxed, social & inclusive atmosphere where everyone can connect and feel comfortable. ‍ Come to feel supported, energized, inspired & celebrate the joy of Salsa. ‍ **TICKETS:** available: at the Box Office before the class ‍ See You Soon. Love. Ankit & DNA. LEVEL: All levels WHAT YOU NEED: salsa shoes (recommended, not necessary) COSTS: €15 Regular (Online / Box Office) \- Free for DNA\. Members

**Spirituelle Gespräche** *„Anerkennung geschieht durch Dankbarkeit, welche unsere Herzen für das ECK geöffnet hält. Wenn Dankbarkeit verloren geht, ist das Resultat spirituelle Armut. . . . Dankbarkeit öffnet Quellen der Kreativität, weil ein dankbarer Mensch entspannt ist.“* Harald Klemp, *Das Lebendige Wort, Buch 1, S.185*

### Ready to move, sweat, and feel unstoppable? This weekly beginner-friendly class blends high-energy **Dance Fitness** with the vibrant spirit of **Bollywood Hip Hop**. Expect powerful beats, expressive moves, and choreography that makes You feel confident from the very first session. ‍ We combine: * Easy-to-follow dance fitness sequences * Bollywood-inspired arm work and expressions * Hip Hop grooves and attitude * Cardio training that feels like a party ‍ No previous experience needed. Just bring Your energy and an open mindset. ‍ This class is about: * Building confidence * Improving coordination * Boosting stamina * Connecting with music * Having fun in a supportive community Perfect for beginners who want to start dancing without pressure — but with full power. ...for more info check out www.dna-artclub.com / follow us on IG: @nightart.club See You soon :) Love. DNA. *** \*Members of Dair Night Art e.V. and Subscribers of DNA. Art GbR. \*\*By entering the DNA. ART HOUSE, You agree to comply with the Hausordnung of Dair Night Art e.V. and Geschäftsordnung of Dair Night Art e.V. Please ensure You review these documents thoroughly in advance.

## Wo & Wann? **JEDEN MONTAG** findet die offene Lesebühne des Autorenforums Berlin statt (außer an Feiertagen) **BEGINN**: 20:00 Uhr **ANMELDUNG zum Lesen: ab 19:30 Uhr** beim Moderator des Abends – siehe [Termine](http://autorenforum-berlin.de/wordpress/termine/); Die Teilnahme an der Veranstaltung ist kostenlos. **SCHWARTZSCHE VILLA** **Großer Salon** Direkt am S/U Rathaus Steglitz Grunewaldstr. 55 Der offene Leseabend stellt das Herzstück des Autorenforums e.V. dar. Er steht nicht nur Mitgliedern, sondern grundsätzlich jedem Autor und jeder Autorin offen, der gerne einen unveröffentlichten Text vor Publikum präsentieren möchte. Auch Kritik kann jedermann üben. Wer lieber zuhören möchte, kann einfach am Montagabend um 20.00 in der Schwartzschen Villa erscheinen. Für Lesewillige gilt die unten stehende ausführliche Information (mündliche Anmeldung ab 19:30 Uhr). *Unfortunately at the moment, it's only possible to present German texts. Unpublished texts that are already translated into German are highly welcome!* ## Was erwartet Sie? Im Großen Salon der Schwartzsche Villa treffen Sie auf einen Kreis von Literaturbegeisterten, die Ihrem Text eine ernsthafte und fundierte Kritik spenden. Das Publikum wechselt. Es ist gemischt, geeint durch das Interesse an Texten. Die Autorinnen und Autoren des Abends lesen aus ihren bislang unveröffentlichten Kurzgeschichten, lyrischen Texten, Erzählungen, Romanen, manchmal auch aus Theaterstücken. Die Autoren stellen nicht sich selbst, sondern ihre Texte der Kritik. Wir verstehen uns als Arbeitsbühne. Deshalb wird bei uns nach den Lesungen nicht geklatscht. Die Texte werden nach der Lesung des Autors auf handwerkliche Stärken und Schwächen „abgeklopft“. Es geht im Forum daher nicht um weltanschauliche Debatten. Im Idealfall hat der Autor/die Autorin nach einer Lesung und der Kritik verstanden, wo die Stärken und Schwächen seines Textes liegen, woran es seinem Text noch fehlt, was er ändern sollte und wo er bei seiner Überarbeitung ansetzen kann. Der Abend endet gegen 22.00. Im Anschluss können Sie mit den Autoren im Café der Schwartzschen Villa noch ins Gespräch kommen und manches aus dem Literaturbetrieb erfahren. Wir sind im Kontakt auch mit namhaften Vertretern desselben. Also – nicht gleich verschwinden! Dranbleiben. Reden Sie mit den Forumianern! ## Sie möchten selbst lesen? Wenn Sie selbst im Autorenforum lesen wollen, gibt es einige Dinge zu beachten. Wir bitten Sie sehr herzlich, sich mindestens einmal vor Ihrer ersten Lesung bei uns mit unseren Gegebenheiten vertraut zu machen. Ihren Lesewunsch können Sie dann ab 19.30 Uhr (Einlass) bei der Moderatorin oder dem Moderator eines Leseabends anmelden. **Wir weisen ausdrücklich daraufhin, dass über die Annahme und Reihenfolge der Lesungen die jeweiligen Moderatoren entscheiden und es NICHT zwingend nach der Reihenfolge der Anmeldungen geht!** In der Regel reicht die Zeit nur für drei Autoren je Abend und die Nachfrage ist oft recht hoch. Falls Sie einen lyrischen Text vortragen möchten, bringen Sie bitte mindestens 10 (zehn) Kopien mit, damit Ihr Publikum mitlesen kann. Die Kopien erhalten Sie selbstverständlich zurück. # Wie üben wir Textkritik? Nach der Idee von Maik Turni ## **Anschleichen** **Wie wirkt der Text auf mich?** (Keine Angst vor Adjektiven! ) **Was habe ich gehört?** (Zusammenfassung (Nacherzählung)) **Was blieb unverstanden** (akustisch oder logisch) ## **Unter der Lupe** **Was ist das für ein Text?** (Prosa: Genre? Lyrik: Welche Art lyrischer Text?) **Thema** (Welches Thema berührt der Text? Hat der Autor sein Thema im Griff? Ist es überzeugend/plausibel/gut recherchiert, vielleicht sogar zu faktenreich?) **Figuren** (Wie wirken die Figuren? Wer ist die Hauptfigur? Welches Problem hat die Hauptfigur?) **Perspektive** (Wie verhält sich die Erzählperspektive zum Thema / zu den Figuren?) **Sprache** (Welche Bilder sind stimmig / welche nicht? Was lässt sich zum Rhythmus sagen? Sind die Sätze syntaktisch und grammatikalisch korrekt?) **Dramaturgie** (Schafft der Text es, Spannung zu erzeugen? In welcher Reihenfolge werden die Dinge erzählt?) **Bedeutung** (Gelingt es dem Autor, die Bedeutung, die er seinem Text geben will, auch im Leser entstehen zu lassen?) ## **Klarspüler** Fragen werden an den Text gestellt, nicht an den Autor! Daher sollte der Text antworten. ## **Weichspüler** Wird bei uns nicht verwendet. Aber es gilt: Nicht der Autor wird kritisiert, sondern der Text! Hart zum Text, sanft zum Autor!

Join us for a daily chess meetup in the heart of Berlin at Schönhauser Allee 174. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, feel free to drop by anytime between 7 PM and midnight, every single day of the week. No registration is required – just show up and enjoy a game in a fun, inclusive, and casual environment. Newcomers can take advantage of a friendly crash course to get started, while experienced players share strategies, discuss best practices, and even explore quirky variants like Duck Chess or Bughouse. Boards, sets, and clocks are provided, with time controls up to 10 minutes per player for a rapid, engaging experience. It’s the perfect way to unplug, detox from screens, and connect with a diverse, kind-hearted community of chess lovers. The gathering welcomes all levels and backgrounds, creating a vibrant, family-friendly space where everyone can enjoy the game and forge real connections.

Liebe Rhetorikfreunde, Habt ihr Lust, die Kunst des Redens zu erlernen? Du kannst als Gast einfach reinschnuppern oder als Clubmitglied das volle Programme nutzen. Mithilfe eines ausgezeichneten praxisorientierten Programms kannst du einen von 11 verschiedenen Lernpfaden auswählen und in 5 aufeinander aufbauenden Stufen lernen: * frei und ohne Blackout zu reden * unterhaltsam und überzeugend zu präsentieren * souverän zu moderieren * Deine Körpersprache wirkungsvoll einzusetzen * spontan zu einem vorher unbekannten Thema zu pitchen Haben wir dich neugierig gemacht? Ganz gleich, ob du einfach mal „reinschnuppern“ oder dein Können gleich mit einer kurzen Stegreifrede unter Beweis stellen möchtest – wir freuen uns auf dich. Willkommen sind * Redebegeisterte * Redescheue * Kreative, denen die Werkzeuge zur Kommunikation fehlen * Angestellte/Selbstständige, die besser vor Publikum oder vorm Chef reden wollen Du kannst bei uns alle aktuellen Herausforderungen trainieren: * Präsenztreffen vor Publikum * Onlinetreffen * Präsentieren * Pitchen Wir freuen uns auf rege Teilnahme und Anmeldung. *** Der Eintritt ist kostenfrei. Wir beginnen pünktlich um 19:00 Uhr. Einlass ab 18:45 Uhr.

* *For English, please see below* Der Philosophische Stammtisch ist für alle, die gerne über das Leben philosophieren wollen ohne dabei zu verbissen den Fragen auf den Grund zu gehen. Wir wollen gemeinsam zu neuen Einsichten kommen und einen Raum schaffen für Menschen, die sich auf tieferer Ebene austauschen wollen. Die Fragen können von tiefen metaphysischen Fragen bis zu praktischen Lebensfragen reichen. Diese Veranstaltung soll gerade auch die ansprechen, die sich über solche Fragen Gedanken machen und sich austauschen wollen. Das hier ist kein politischer Diskurs. **Das Thema für diesen Abend** Wird bald bekannt gegeben. **For our English speaking members** We will have one table where the discussion is in English and you are welcome to join :) **Topic** Will be soon announced.

**Freedom: Self-Determination, Responsibility, and Human Dignity** Freedom is one of the most important concepts of human life, political philosophy, ethics, and modern law. It does not simply mean doing whatever one wants. Rather, freedom refers to the ability of human beings to make choices, shape their lives, and act as self-determining and responsible persons. To speak about freedom is therefore to speak about autonomy, dignity, rights, responsibility, justice, and the real conditions that make human action possible. Historically and philosophically, freedom has often been understood in different ways. One important meaning is negative freedom. This means freedom from external coercion, oppression, violence, arbitrary state power, and unjust interference. In this sense, a person is free when others do not prevent them from thinking, speaking, moving, believing, or living according to their own choices. Negative freedom is central to human rights, democracy, the rule of law, and the protection of individual life. Another important meaning is positive freedom. This refers not only to being free from interference, but also to being able to determine one’s own life consciously and responsibly. A person is truly free when they can reflect on their desires, understand their choices, develop their abilities, and act according to their own reasoned decisions. For this reason, freedom is closely connected to education, self-awareness, moral responsibility, and personal development. However, freedom cannot be understood only as an individual right. It always exists in relation to other people. My freedom must be compatible with the freedom and dignity of others. Therefore, freedom requires responsibility, respect, and limits. A free society is not a society without rules, but a society in which rules protect equal freedom for all. Law can restrict freedom, but it can also secure freedom by protecting people from violence, domination, discrimination, and injustice. Freedom also depends on social conditions. A person may formally have rights, but still lack real freedom because of poverty, lack of education, discrimination, social exclusion, economic dependency, or fear. For this reason, freedom is not only about what people are legally allowed to do, but also about whether they actually have the resources, opportunities, and recognition needed to act freely. Real freedom requires both legal protection and social possibility. Today, freedom is challenged by many modern problems: inequality, digital surveillance, algorithmic control, economic pressure, political polarization, war, insecurity, and the constant demand for productivity and self-optimization. Modern societies often give people many choices, but these choices can also create pressure, anxiety, dependency, and loss of attention. Freedom can be limited not only by open coercion, but also by invisible forms of control, social expectations, and technological influence. Freedom also has everyday and existential dimensions. It appears in the ability to have time, space, privacy, silence, rest, attention, bodily security, and the possibility of beginning again. A person is not only free when they can act, but also when they can think, pause, refuse, make mistakes, remain imperfect, and protect their inner life from constant pressure and visibility. This discussion invites a critical exploration of freedom as a moral, political, legal, social, and personal reality. Freedom is not the absence of all limits, but the ability to live consciously and responsibly within the conditions of human life. Freedom is not only what people are allowed to do; it is also the dignity, responsibility, and real possibility they need in order to shape their lives. *** 📅 Event Details 🗓️ Date: Saturday, 13 Juni 2026 ⏰ Time: 14:30 📍 Location: Hardenbergstraße 10, 10623 Berlin 📱 WhatsApp: For prep materials and directions (Group Chat) [Group Chat Bio KI](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ba8ZAaH2Yuk6FGmD3LLO7H)

On se rencontre mardi prochain pour discuter en français dans une ambiance amicale chez le café / resto Spreegold en Prenzlauer Berg, ou on a réservé une table (il faut demander du French Meetup). Le restaurant n'accepte pas les paiements en espèces. Merci et à bientôt! PS: Si quelqu'un venait à oublier de régler sa commande (cela est malheureusement déjà arrivé), je vous demanderais de bien vouloir participer aux frais de consommation à hauteur de **0,50 €** par personne. Merci de votre compréhension.

**😋 Desire and Addiction 😋** “*People are always asking me how they can give up anger, but no one has yet asked me how to give up desire.*” (Tenzin Palmo) **Desire, craving and the like as well as how to overcome them or deal with them skillfully have been a huge topic in most ancient spiritual traditions. Addiction is connected with the mechanism of attention (besides its connection with dopamine and certain areas of the brain). Is there is an addiction that is not attention-based? Moreover, Desire and Addiction relate to concepts such as Karma, Polarity, Oneness, Bliss, Evolution and much more.** **Let’s share for an afternoon about what desire and addiction is, how it comes up in our life and in spiritual practice and what kind of skillful ways to deal with it we may have.** *"He who wishes to preserve virtue, wealth, and love in this world and the next must [...] master his senses."* (Kama Sutra) 💫 **What this event offers for you:** - Guided Meditations for arriving, calming the mind and tuning into your intuition - Meeting people interested in spirituality (all levels) - Safe Space for sharing - non-hierarchical and non-judgemental - Opportunity to ask just about any question **👀 You may watch one or few of the following Videos for inspiration:** - Anna Lembke about Dopamine on the Huberman Podcast (2 hours): [https://youtu.be/p3JLaF_4Tz8?si=wMqz483pqhzV5T1T](https://youtu.be/p3JLaF_4Tz8?si=wMqz483pqhzV5T1T) - Anna Lembke about Dopamine on the Huberman Podcast (30 minutes summary): [https://youtu.be/i4gvIeA3RcI?si=Kq2JHZ_K2Ux2jGvD](https://youtu.be/i4gvIeA3RcI?si=Kq2JHZ_K2Ux2jGvD) - Sadhguru on Desire: [https://youtu.be/uoIXz3KcwME?si=OXbrU7c6z9AjzHPB](https://youtu.be/uoIXz3KcwME?si=OXbrU7c6z9AjzHPB) - J. Krishnamurthi on Desire: [https://youtu.be/s9cfsQc3lOg?si=jJGseim8JBMCr4lk](https://youtu.be/s9cfsQc3lOg?si=jJGseim8JBMCr4lk) - Mingyur Rinpoche on practicing with dualities: [https://youtu.be/0QItB5VcX0o?si=2Y5AT4VwOUiOJCDK&t=55](https://youtu.be/0QItB5VcX0o?si=2Y5AT4VwOUiOJCDK&t=55) - Ram Dass on Desire: [https://youtu.be/2K6lD6EeGBU?si=lArA-6pN3VBm_qog](https://youtu.be/2K6lD6EeGBU?si=lArA-6pN3VBm_qog) - Lama Tsultrim Allione on an introduction to the five Buddha Families: [https://youtu.be/-VwTuhfo3uc?si=Lu3ghespKANOAE-1](https://youtu.be/-VwTuhfo3uc?si=Lu3ghespKANOAE-1) - Ven. Yönten on the details of the emotions related to the five Dhyani Buddha Families: [https://youtu.be/ddqzvYrRGnU?si=vyek3-9__ivQ2bsv&t=750](https://youtu.be/ddqzvYrRGnU?si=vyek3-9__ivQ2bsv&t=750) **🧘 About the Organizer** Martin is a certified Mindfulness Teacher, Systemic Coach, Yogi and Altruist by heart who teaches Meditation and Martial Arts in different formats. However, in this meetup Martin focuses on the altruistic intention to open a space for people to share while offering as much facilitation as needed in the moment. "*Whenever a temptation comes up, we regard it as fantastically evil or challenging and we jump sideways, like a temperamental horse. There is a big problem with that: we have not accepted our world thoroughly, properly, and fully.*" (Chögyam Trungpa)

Bienvenue :) Rejoignez-nous si vous parlez français couramment et aimez rencontrer des gens francophones pour bavarder. A bientôt!

Du möchtest Deine Meditationspraxis beginnen, beleben oder vertiefen? An diesem Abend werden aufeinander aufbauende Meditationsmethoden angeleitet, und Du bekommst ein tieferes Verständnis davon was Meditation sein kann, jenseits der Methoden. Denn: Jede/r kann Meditieren! Heike oder eine andere erfahrene Meditierende leiten die einzelnen Meditations-Sitzungen so an, dass Du Einblicke in das vielfältige Spektrums der Meditation bekommst, ebenso wie eine tiefere Erfahrung davon, was Meditation für Dich sein kann. Der Praxisabend ist bereichernd für Fortgeschrittene, ist aber auch sehr gut geeignet für Anfänger*innen. Eine Anmeldung ist nicht erforderlich. Bist Du neu, komme auch online 5 Min vorher. Du kannst in das verkehrsgünstig gelegene Meditations-Zentrum Nähe Charlottenburg kommen, Dharma Mati – Buddhistisches Zentrum Soorstraße 85 · Berlin oder Du kannst das Event online per Zoom besuchen. Um an dem Online-Event teilzunehmen bitte auf den folgenden Link klicken: https://zoom.us/j/91141867415 (Meeting-ID: 911-4186-7415) Das Programm Zoom wird dann automatisch heruntergeladen und du kannst direkt an dem Event teilnehmen. Alternativ: https://zoom.us/download

Du möchtest den Reichtum natürlich entstehender, bedingungsloser Liebe enthüllen, den jeder von uns im Herzen trägt? Diese Meditation unterstützt uns, die Quelle echter Gutherzigkeit in uns zu öffnen. Wir lernen, uns selbst auf gesunde, heilsame Weise zu lieben und so unsere Haltung anderen gegenüber zu verwandeln. Die Meditation der liebenden Güte kann uns dabei helfen, uns und anderen liebevoller und mitfühlender zu begegnen. Das Event findet sowohl online als auch vor Ort im Dharma Mati Berlin (Soorstr. 85, 14050 Berlin) statt. Um an diesem Online-Event teilzunehmen bitte auf den folgenden Link klicken: https://zoom.us/j/216979828 (Meeting-ID: 216-979-828).

**NoVES Philosophy Discussion Series: Right and Wrong** To restart NoVES' Philosophy Discussion Series we thought we would choose a topic that is fundamental to philosophy, determining right from wrong. This discussion will look at the thinking that determines right and wrong actions and the values and assumptions underlying these decisions.

Click here to Register/RSVP: https://online.innerengineering.com/en/event-details/24199 Isha Kriya is a free guided meditation that takes only 12-18 minutes and can be easily practiced at home, work, or anywhere else. This meditation is designed to promote clarity, health, and joy, and its simplicity and effectiveness make it a truly special experience. Through regular practice, Isha Kriya can offer the following benefits: Decreased stress and negative emotions Enhanced clarity Heightened focus and energy Greater sense of peace and joy Duration: 60 minutes Open to all aged 12+ (Minors between 12-17 must be accompanied by an adult).

🎤 Call for Speakers: NYC Philosophy & Psychology Readers Conference 2026 (#NYCPPRC2026) This event isn't a typical event, you cannot attend, no one will be hosting, it is instead a placeholder as a reminder of the deadline for submissions to apply to present at this year's conference. 📅 Submission Deadline: June 15, 2026 📍 Conference Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026 📍 Location: Pier 57, NYC (Community Classrooms) [Link to conference event](https://www.meetup.com/reading-philosophy/events/314020228/). \-\-\- 📣 Call for Speakers We are now accepting speaker submissions for the NYC Philosophy & Psychology Readers Conference 2026. If you have been reading, thinking, and developing ideas you would like to share, this is your opportunity to present to a community of engaged and thoughtful peers. \-\-\- 🧠 About the Conference The NYC Philosophy & Psychology Readers Conference brings together readers of philosophy and psychology for a multi-speaker event centered around ideas, discussion, and intellectual exchange. Following our first conference in 2025, we are expanding the event in 2026 with additional speakers, sessions, and opportunities to engage. \-\-\- 🎤 What We Are Looking For We are inviting talks that are: • Thoughtful and well-developed • Grounded in philosophy, psychology, or related disciplines • Accessible to an engaged general audience, not overly technical • Rooted in texts, ideas, or original analysis You might present on: • A philosophical text or thinker • A psychological theory or framework • Connections between philosophy and modern life • An original argument or interpretation • A synthesis of ideas from multiple sources \-\-\- ⏱️ Talk Format • Approximately 20 to 40 minutes per talk • Followed by brief Q&A or discussion \-\-\- 📅 Important Dates • Submission Deadline: June 15, 2026 • Speaker Confirmations: By late June 2026 • Conference Date: September 19, 2026 \-\-\- 📝 How to Apply To be considered, please submit: • Your name • Proposed talk title • A short description (3 to 5 sentences) • Any relevant background (optional) Submission link: [https://forms.gle/PQR4ze6MvdyM31SB6](https://forms.gle/PQR4ze6MvdyM31SB6) \-\-\- 💡 Notes • You do not need to be a professional academic to apply • Clear thinking and strong engagement with ideas matter most • Space is limited, we encourage thoughtful submissions \-\-\- 🤝 Questions If you have any questions about presenting or the event, feel free to reach out to the organizers. \-\-\- We are excited to hear your ideas and build another meaningful conference together.

Click here to Register/RSVP: https://online.innerengineering.com/en/event-details/24197 This session includes simple yet powerful tools to manifest health and vitality in one’s body and life. The practices offered include: * **Yoga Namaskar**: A complete yogic process which activates the lumbar region and strengthens the muscles along the spine, regenerating and protecting the spine as one ages. * **Nadi Shuddhi**: A yogic practice that cleanses the *nadis* – the pathways through which pranic energy flows – resulting in a balanced system and psychological wellbeing. * **Miracle of Mind Meditation**: A 7-minute guided meditation empowering you to take charge of your mental wellbeing. Daily practice brings health, dynamism, peace and well being. Benefits: * Stretches and activates the spine to relieve back pain * Reduces stress and anxiety * Enhances mental clarity, focus, and emotional balance Duration: 80 min Age: 7+ years

Anne Conway (1631 – 1679) and Mary Astell (1666 – 1731) share a sex, intelligence, and the same unsettled century. After a long obscurity, their work has reemerged and invites the reader to consider how reason, belief, and the self might still be brought into harmony. **The Women** Anne Conway, born and raised in London, spent her youth wandering through the vast hallways of what is now known as Kensington Palace. Apart from being a woman, at least two other notable circumstances shaped Anne’s life – she lost a son in infancy and later suffered from severe pain. Pain as a concept found its way into Anne’s philosophy as a purgative, transformative experience. It was while seeking a relief from pain that she came into contact with the Flemish physician and philosopher Francis Mercury van Helmont, who later introduced her to Kabbalistic thought and to Quakerism. Anne converted to Quakerism shortly before she died. Mary Astell was a native of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England. Unlike Anne Conway, Astell remained unmarried and eventually moved to London with little or no financial support. Her early philosophical writings are found in the correspondence with John Norris and were later published as *Letters Concerning the Love of God* (1695). After publishing the *Letters* and *A Serious Proposal to the Ladies, Parts I and II. (1694, 1697),* Astell became somewhat of a celebrity in London. Her two other well-known published works were *Some Reflections upon Marriage* (1700) and *The Christian Religion* (1705). In her later years, in keeping with her investment in female education, Astell managed a charity school for poor girls in the Chelsea neighborhood. **The Philosophies** Anne’s only surviving work, *The Principles of the Most Ancient and Modern Philosophy*, was published posthumously and anonymously in 1690. It is said that Leibniz had a copy of *The Principles* in his library with Anne Conway’s name written on the front page. Anne’s vitalist conception of all being may have influenced Leibnitz’s own views, in particular his *Monadology*. *The Principles* is often viewed as a theodicy. The existence and nature of God occupy the central place in Anne Conway’s triadic philosophical system. The three “species” are God, Christ, and the “unity of multiplicities” where “the whole creation is just but one substance or entity.” God is the immutable and perfect maker of all things. God “wanted to create living beings with whom he could communicate.” Alas, God’s light was intolerable for his Creatures, and, after dimming the light a bit, God designated the Messiah’s soul as the Middle Nature and “a safe place” for all Creatures. Everything and everyone fall under the umbrella of Anne’s “Creatures.” Everything and everyone is a subject to eternal mutability. Creatures can metamorphose into other kinds of creature, growing more or less spiritual – more or less like God. Under the principle of similitude, Conway maintains, everything and everyone has some semblance to God and therefore must be in some sense spiritual and alive. Mary Astell sides with Descartes in his dualistic views and in the method of obtaining knowledge through clear and distinct perceptions. In her metaphysics, Astell distinguishes two kinds of beings—minds and bodies that come in various degrees of finitude and corruptibility. God is placed at the heart of her metaphysical system and is the “first intelligence.” Human minds and corporeal particles are finite and incorruptible, while human bodies and physical objects are finite, naturally corruptible entities. Within the created beings, Astell names four categories: minds, bodies, mind–body unions, and the particles that compose bodies. A mind-body union is mysterious. However, we “know and feel” it, and therefore it must be real. **Reading:** We will read and discuss Anne Conway’s *The Principles of the Most Ancient and Modern Philosophy* and the second part of Mary Astell’s *A Serious Proposal to the Ladies.* Anne Conway, *The Principles of the Most Ancient and Modern Philosophy,* 25 pages, [https://www.earlymoderntexts.com/assets/pdfs/conway1692_1.pdf](https://www.earlymoderntexts.com/assets/pdfs/conway1692_1.pdf) Mary Astell, *A Serious Proposal to the Ladies, [https://www.gutenberg.org/files/54984/54984-h/54984-h.htm](https://www.gutenberg.org/files/54984/54984-h/54984-h.htm)* **Additional Reading:** Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Mary Astell, [https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/astell/](https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/astell/) Anne Conway, [https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/conway/](https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/conway/)

***\*Both In-Person & Private Live-Streaming*** **The word anatta** – which means no permanently abiding self – is at the very heart and core of Buddhist meditation practice, yet it is one of its most misunderstood concepts. **When we explore anatta** through our meditation practice, it doesn’t mean we’re trying to get rid of who we are; it means we’re becoming more and more willing to see through the small, false, often negative ideas or beliefs of what we call “self.” **In actuality,** we are so much bigger than who or what we think we are. In fact, we are not only vast, but constantly fluid and changing: new in each moment, and dying in each moment … much like waves on the ocean. **During this silent meditation retreat,** we’ll be exploring anatta through various teachings, along with meditations designed to help us loosen our tenacious grip on the ego and sense of “self,” so that we can experience more freedom, peace, and ease in our lives. **The format will include** both guided and silent meditation, a dharma talk, and walking meditation both inside and on the lovely, spacious church grounds. Lunch will be in silence, and participants are asked to bring their own. **We’ll be gathering for our retreat on Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m** in the beautiful St. Francis Episcopal Church in Great Falls, VA. The peaceful interior is filled with large bright windows overlooking the great lawn and a canopy of trees. The expansive grounds include a special labyrinth, and many natural places to sit and walk. **The format will include both guided and silent meditation**, a dharma talk, and walking meditation both inside and on the lovely, spacious church grounds. Lunch will be in silence, and participants are asked to bring their own. **THE TEACHER:** Shell Fischer, founder and guiding teacher of Mindful Shenandoah (**[www.mindfulvalley.com](http://www.mindfulvalley.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExVFptRkN5cmpUVW9NWnlUaQEe04iYiwuuRDHGb8miRSO1_bG8Pdo-W2qefvsF41ER-Wr-PKZ7WKNnD_q03mg_aem_Hqz8SeHgbqFCh-0cegrr6Q)**) offers more than 30 years of extensive mindfulness training, study, and teaching. She is a Buddhist teacher, trained in the Tibetan Vajrayana tradition at Naropa University – the nation’s leading contemplative university – and in the Theravadan Vipassana (Insight) tradition by Dr. Tara Brach – one of the world’s foremost Insight teachers. She is a graduate of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction teacher-training program led by Jon Kabat-Zinn, founder of MBSR and the Stress Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. Prior to teaching, Shell wrote about mindfulness and yoga for national magazines. **While offering the teachings of Insight Meditation**, Shell places great emphasis on the metta (loving-kindness) practices. Her hope is to guide you in nurturing even more kindness and compassion for yourself, others, and for all the situations you find yourself in throughout your life, through the heart-teachings and practices of mindfulness meditation. **Shell warmly welcomes the inclusion and participation** of people of diverse identities, including those of all races, ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities, classes, religions, abilities, and ages … with the aspiration that all feel welcome, safe, and respected as we practice together in community. **When:** Sat., June 13, 2026, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (also available online) **Where:** St. Francis Episcopal Church, 9220 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA 22066 **Fee:** $85 in-person/$40 online **[LEARN MORE HERE](https://www.mindfulvalley.com/retreats/june-13-2026-meditation-retreat-no-self-no-problem-exploring-anatta/)** ## Attendees 2 [Host](https://www.meetup.com/members/3560274) [Shell Fischer](https://www.meetup.com/members/3560274) [Organizer](https://www.meetup.com/members/3560274) [Chloe](https://www.meetup.com/members/6537118) [Member](https://www.meetup.com/members/6537118) ## Photos 0 No photos for now! You'll see them here once they're added. ## Start the conversation Communicate with event participants to ask questions or share information.  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This is an in-person event hosted by Sahaja Yoga meditation. We offer free meditation sessions and everyone is welcome to join and experience the peace within!