Bible Study

**🏛️ WHAT'S PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY ABOUT?** Practical Philosophy is a weekly meet-up that brings critical thinkers together for an opportunity to dive deep on a topic, practice communicating, and building a community. All with no ‘official’ philosophy knowledge required! 😎 Practical Philosophy is based on the idea that philosophy should be accessible to all, and not something reserved only for academics. Each week we choose a topic, and the goal is to use the conversation to develop our critical thinking and communication as we explore that topic. The goal is to help develop our Critical Thinking, Communication, and Community 🙌 **📓 HOW DOES IT WORK?** Each week, we pick one topic and discuss it. The topic for the week is shared, generally in the [Whatsapp group](https://tally.so/r/81LP4A), along with jump-off points to get the conversation going. When groups get bigger than 7-8 people, it’s important that we break into smaller groups. This way we are able to maintain a conversational flow as opposed to having our meetups feel like a discourse or lecture. **General Meeting Agenda** Each Practical Philosophy meet-up follows this general timeline: * 19:00-19:15 - People arrive and chat, get to know each other before the official start. * 19:15-19:25 - Meeting introduction, explanation of Practical Philosophy and the topic for the week, read the guidelines and the overview so attendees know what to expect in terms of timelines. * 19:25-20:45 - Break into small groups - introduce yourselves and general thoughts on the topic, open discussion afterwards. At this point the group can review the ‘jump-off’ questions as needed, but they are just there to help guide the conversation. It’s not obligatory to answer them. * 20:45-21:00 - Bring everyone back together to discuss conclusions of the topic - each group gives a short 1-minute summary. Organizer concludes the meeting and everyone takes a group photo. * 21:00 - The official meeting is over but it’s a great opportunity to get to know people in a non-structured environment, so we often stick around, chat, and get to know each other. **🧧PRICING?** Practical Philosophy is operated entirely on voluntary donations! If we are meeting in a café, buy a beverage! Donations are 100% voluntary, but they help us to bring the gift of deep conversation to people around the world. If you'd like to support, you can [donate here](https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/donate-to-practical-philosophy)! (Practical Philosophy is a registered Canadian charity) **💛 WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY** **🗣** “I feel like Philosophy Club helps someone build their own belief system through a series of perspectives while not promoting what’s right and wrong” - Ekam 🗣 “I got hooked from day 1 (the topic was authority) and felt it was the right place for me. I feel it is a place where people can go to learn and discuss new perspectives and increase critical thinking and community by interacting with people who might challenge your point of views but at the same time encourage you to have openness and mind flexibility.” - Daniel **🤓 FAQ** * **Do I need to study or read anything to attend?** No preparation is necessary. This isn’t a study of other thinkers. We want to know what you think about the topic, not what an old philosopher thought. If you have a perspective from a religion or a school of thought to share, throw it on the table and we’ll discuss it. * **Is there a specific philosophy that Practical Philosophy is focused on?** The goal of our meet-ups is to not have dogmatic discussions, and flex our critical thinking muscles. Because of this, we want to hear from every realm of thought, and don't study a particular school. * **Is it mostly men that attend?** Surprisingly, no! Although often, philosophy is seen as a Candelabra affair in a dark room with a bunch of guys, our Practical Philosophy meetups are generally 50/50 between genders, and we don’t meet in any dark rooms. * **Can I come alone?** Of course you can, we encourage it :) * **Can I be late?** Please don't be! We do have a 15 minute grace period where we allow people to funnel in while we hang out, but after that if you arrive too late, it disrupts the flow of the conversation. * **Where do you meet?** The location is posted in Meetup and our [Whatsapp](https://tally.so/r/81LP4A) group for this location. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you join the Whatsapp group! If you want to know what other cities have a Practical Philosophy Club, you can see our chapters on our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/). 🤝**POLICY** To respect our members privacy, we ask that no one privately message a member without first getting explicit consent. (This looks like speaking in person and being asked to message privately.) Contacting or texting other participants without prior consent is not permitted and may result in removal from the group. Practical Philosophy reserves the right to enforce this policy at its discretion to maintain a safe and respectful environment. **PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY CLUB - Philosophy, everywhere. ✨** We started in Practical Philosophy back in 2021 and there are now 50+ chapters in 25+ countries, including Canada, Spain, Japan, Mexico and many more! 🗺️ **\*\*\*** **Join our [Mississauga Whatsapp](https://tally.so/r/81LP4A) 👈** **Follow us on [Instagram](instagram.com/practicalphilosophyclub/) 👈** **Our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/) 👈**

As I looked under CFI’s Mission, Vision, and Values, the phrase ‘**community**’ stood out in the opening line. Then, I found it repeated seven more times, all within a short description. Elsewhere, CFI informs us we run ‘open’ and ‘friendly’ discussions in ‘safe and hospitable’ environments for everyone. And 'Critical Thinking' is, you might say, the backbone for starting any discussion. But while we all know what thinking is, how is **critical thinking** different? Especially in matters that are not quantitatively measurable? As humans, thankfully, we are born curious – we probably won’t have learnt to crawl on four to experience our body and the world around us. We all are capable of being forever-curious – and therefore seeing through the evidence methodically. That is a good start for any talk no matter how complex it may seem. If it’s a human problem, we may not solve it, but surely can think through it critically. That’s a big, and hopeful, first step! Tantalizing? Let’s Talk!

It's a private session. Not a group event. Some sessions and diagnostics are done in chat text format, no live call is required needed. Advanced sessions are done with the help of personal video call. __ Egyptian Initiation – Level 1 10 days in a row! 10 Initiations into 10 Channels of the Egyptian Gods. Personal purification, activation of the financial flow, and correction in the Channels of the Egyptian Pantheon. Level 1 Initiation Includes correction through all 7 chakras in the Channels of: 1. The Egregore of Egyptian Priesthood 2. The Channel of Osiris /Clarity 3. The Channel of Horus /High Victory 4. The Channel of Amun-Ra /Power 5. The Channel of Min /Sexuality 6. The Channel of Hathor /Feninity 7. The Channel of Ma’at /Purity 8. The Channel of Isis /Smartness 9. The Channel of Thoth /Wisdom 10. The Channel of Tefnut /Healing This is a deep cleansing and transformation of energy. It removes stagnation, magical impacts, internal and external blocks that prevent you from walking your Path. You receive 10 Initiations at once into the Ancient Egyptian Channels a personalized audio practice to continue developing and activating these Channels independently. Additionally, you receive a personal diagnostic session, analysis, and activation of your main goal. In honor of the Egyptian Marathon, if you register before November 17, the price is reduced by half. Receive the energy of freedom from current limitations and a new impulse for growth and transformation in your life. And one more thing — the Level 1 Egyptian Initiation will help you anchor yourself in the Egyptian Tradition and, if desired, begin working independently with your own goals and the goals of others within these magnificent energies of Inner Power and Purity. Andy Li Grand Master of the Egyptian Pantheon Instructor and Teacher of the Reiki Yggdrasil System Center Asgard

We are a men's group where you can expect a frank and confidential space to speak personally, engage in interesting conversations or get support for your personal goals. This new team meets weekly on the East side of Toronto. Our group is part of Mentor Discover Inspire (MDI). This group prefers to meet outdoors but occasionally on Zoom. Guests are welcome but it's pretty casual so make sure you are expected in case we move locations. You can rsvp via meetup or call Tim @ 416-278-3058 to confirm this week’s location. The MDI Mission: To cause greatness by mentoring men to live with excellence and, as mature masculine leaders, create successful families, careers and communities. From MDI website[: https://goo.gl/3DQ6](https://goo.gl/3DQ6aY)aY From Toronto Sta[r: https://goo.gl/oDH](https://goo.gl/oDH3uX)3uX

***Welcome to Community Mindfulness Meditation (GCNC Meditates)!*** **Where and when:** We meet at the **George Chuvalo Neighbourhood Centre** in the Junction Triangle in Toronto every **Monday from 7 pm to 8 pm**. Chairs, limited cushions, and yoga mats are provided (bring your own if you have a favourite) **What and who:** weekly meditation sessions for and by neighbours and community members. No experience and no registration are needed and **attendance is free or by donation ($5 suggested, cash only in person)**. Learn more about your facilitators, JulieMae (she/her) and Christina (she/her), at https://gcncmeditates.wixsite.com/community-meditation **How (structure):** We begin by settling in and grounding ourselves in the space, with an optional check-in to share how we are feeling, followed by a 25-minute guided meditation practice. After the period of formal practice, there is a period of optional sharing once again, where practitioners can share insights, reflections, challenges, questions, ponderings, and joys. We conclude our gathering with a dedication of the good generated from our practice to specific individuals or groups of individuals. We may also set an intention for the week ahead and share that—again, always optionally. We offer these practices in a space that is inclusive of all, while recognizing that mindfulness meditation is not a one-size-fits-all approach; we therefore encourage folks to follow their inner guidance whenever needed and to ask questions and for support or guidance whenever necessary. Both facilitators are trained in trauma-informed mindfulness instruction and keep that at heart in their guidance, recognizing that we all show up with different life experiences. We facilitate these sessions with the support and guidance of our own teachers, practising and learning with them to benefit our community. **Questions:** You can contact us here on meetup, via our site, or via e-mail at gcncmeditates@gmail.com. We so look forward to meeting and practising with you, for the benefit of all.

Weekly Monday night online meditations in a welcoming community 35-minutes of sitting meditation practice followed by interactive sharing, discussion We experiment with different solo meditations, from restful absorption to creative visualizations, mindfulness-style noting (of various mind-body components), loving-kindness, sound meditations, choiceless awareness and many others. You don’t need to follow any of these techniques if you don’t want to – some people prefer to stay with their tried-and-true regular practice. The CEC is passionately nonsectarian – both humanistic and contemplative traditions are represented. Check our website for more sit details: http://cecmeditate.com/calendar/ Since Covid-era lockdowns began in 2020, we've hosted these on zoom. zoom link: [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/799184864?pwd=UXIvUkZ4QVBZQ0Q2VUh0Y2NNVnJkQT09](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/799184864?pwd=UXIvUkZ4QVBZQ0Q2VUh0Y2NNVnJkQT09) Starting May 2026 we're meeting in person in Toronto AND online. Come sit with us!

It's a private session. Not a group event. Some sessions and diagnostics are done in chat text format, no live call is required needed. Advanced sessions are done with the help of personal video call. **Business Consulting with Andy Li** Unlock powerful business insights with Andy Li. With 20 years of experience and multiple certifications, Andy offers professional guidance to elevate your business success and personal growth. ### Get Clarity and Solutions **Services:** - **Business Constellations:** Unlock your professional potential. - **Family Constellations:** Resolve issues affecting business dynamics. - **Psychotherapy & Hypnotherapy:** Overcome personal blocks impacting performance. **Benefits:** - **Enhanced Decision-Making:** Clear, actionable insights. - **Conflict Resolution:** Address internal and external conflicts. - **Strategic Planning:** Develop effective strategies. - **Improved Leadership:** Boost your leadership skills. - **Increased Productivity:** Overcome barriers to productivity. - **Achieve Goals:** Gain guidance on money, business, and personal desires. **Why Attend?** - **Tailored Insights:** Customized guidance for any business or personal issue. **Personal Sessions:** - Available to book at your best time online or held at the Music Garden. **Pricing:** - Free express consultations ONLINE are available. - Offline sessions starting from $25 CAD / 15 min. **How to Participate:** - **Pre-Registration Required:** Register at least one day before the event. - **Easy Registration:** Message WhatsApp at 437-606-6502. 🔗 [Register Now](https://wa.me/%2B14376066502) Don’t miss out on valuable insights to enhance your business success and achieve your goals. Reserve your spot today! **Certifications:** - Certified Hypnotherapist - Licensed Psychologist - Family Constellations Instructor - Business Constellations Expert - Master Teacher of Runic Reiki, Tantra Reiki, Kundalini Reiki - Magister of Egyptian Temple Magic and Greek Mysteries - President of Academy of Temple Arts **Details & Testimonials:** [PsiTrends.com](http://www.psitrends.com)

Hungry for real talk and real truth? Join open hearts from all over the GTA as we dive straight into the powerful words of Jesus—laughing, learning, and growing together in a super welcoming, laid-back vibe! Everyone’s welcome—whether you’re a longtime Bible lover, just starting your journey with Jesus, or simply curious to discover who He really is. No pressure, just great conversation and good energy! ***Attention*** We meet in the Yonge-Sheppard Centre Food Court at the tables in front of SECOND CUP\*\*\* (lower level) Perfect spot to connect over food court buzz, make new friends, and explore the Bible in a fun, no-judgment zone. See you there—bring your questions, your coffee, or just yourself!

### Bhagavad Gita Study Group **Planned Start Date:** Wednesday, March 11, 2026 **Wednesdays\, 7:00 PM \- 9:00 PM \| Ongoing** **Where:** Toronto Theosophical Society, 792 Glencairn Ave, Toronto, ON **Format:** In-person (Zoom considered for special circumstances) **Main Text (free PDF):** *[Bhagavad-Gītā As It Is](https://www.prabhupada-books.de/pdf/Bhagavad-gita-As-It-Is.pdf)* by **H.D.G. Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada** Physical books are available in exchange for donation. This weekly study group offers an opportunity to explore the **Bhagavad Gita**, one of the foundational texts of **Vedic philosophy**, through sustained reading, reflection, and thoughtful dialogue. The Bhagavad Gita addresses fundamental questions of **consciousness, duty, freedom**, and **the nature of reality**. Presented as a dialogue between the warrior Arjuna and Sri Krishna, it offers insight into paths of **knowledge, devotion**, and **action**—and examines how these integrate within human life and spiritual development. The approach will be: * Textual study combined with open discussion and inquiry * Exploration of Vedic philosophy, cosmology, and psychology * Question-and-answer format to support understanding * A complete picture of the cultural and spiritual context This group is suitable for: * Those new to the Bhagavad Gita or Vedic philosophy * Students continuing their study of Eastern spiritual traditions * Anyone interested in consciousness, ethics, and the structure of reality * Participants seeking grounded philosophical inquiry alongside spiritual exploration **No prior background is required**—only openness, curiosity, and a willingness to engage thoughtfully with the material. *** **About the Teacher** **Radhikatma Prabhu** is a disciple in the **Brahma Sampradaya**, one of four authorized Vedic lineages. He received second-level initiation from his spiritual master, **Tamal Krishna Goswami**, who was a direct disciple of **H.D.G.A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada**, the scholar and teacher who brought Vedic knowledge to the Western world and founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Radhikatma Prabhu spent many years studying and practicing in **Israel, Europe and India**, where he received training in Vedic rituals and holds the traditional status of **Brahmin**. During his formation, he worked closely with Tamal Krishna Goswami, who in addition to his spiritual leadership was an accomplished academic, holding a **B.A. in Religious Studies** and a **Ph.D. from Cambridge University**, where he authored nine volumes of scholarly work. This period of close service deepened Radhikatma Prabhu's understanding of both the **devotional and philosophical dimensions** of the tradition. He brings to this study group both the authenticity of traditional lineage transmission and the ability to make these teachings **accessible and relevant** to contemporary students seeking to understand Vedic philosophy and apply it.

### Bhagavad Gita Study Group **Planned Start Date:** Wednesday, March 11, 2026 **Wednesdays\, 7:00 PM \- 9:00 PM \| Ongoing** **Where:** Toronto Theosophical Society, 792 Glencairn Ave, Toronto, ON **Format:** In-person (Zoom considered for special circumstances) **Main Text (free PDF):** *[Bhagavad-Gītā As It Is](https://www.prabhupada-books.de/pdf/Bhagavad-gita-As-It-Is.pdf)* by **H.D.G. Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada** Physical books are available in exchange for donation. This weekly study group offers an opportunity to explore the **Bhagavad Gita**, one of the foundational texts of **Vedic philosophy**, through sustained reading, reflection, and thoughtful dialogue. The Bhagavad Gita addresses fundamental questions of **consciousness, duty, freedom**, and **the nature of reality**. Presented as a dialogue between the warrior Arjuna and Sri Krishna, it offers insight into paths of **knowledge, devotion**, and **action**—and examines how these integrate within human life and spiritual development. The approach will be: * Textual study combined with open discussion and inquiry * Exploration of Vedic philosophy, cosmology, and psychology * Question-and-answer format to support understanding * A complete picture of the cultural and spiritual context This group is suitable for: * Those new to the Bhagavad Gita or Vedic philosophy * Students continuing their study of Eastern spiritual traditions * Anyone interested in consciousness, ethics, and the structure of reality * Participants seeking grounded philosophical inquiry alongside spiritual exploration **No prior background is required**—only openness, curiosity, and a willingness to engage thoughtfully with the material. *** **About the Teacher** **Radhikatma Prabhu** is a disciple in the **Brahma Sampradaya**, one of four authorized Vedic lineages. He received second-level initiation from his spiritual master, **Tamal Krishna Goswami**, who was a direct disciple of **H.D.G.A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada**, the scholar and teacher who brought Vedic knowledge to the Western world and founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Radhikatma Prabhu spent many years studying and practicing in **Israel, Europe and India**, where he received training in Vedic rituals and holds the traditional status of **Brahmin**. During his formation, he worked closely with Tamal Krishna Goswami, who in addition to his spiritual leadership was an accomplished academic, holding a **B.A. in Religious Studies** and a **Ph.D. from Cambridge University**, where he authored nine volumes of scholarly work. This period of close service deepened Radhikatma Prabhu's understanding of both the **devotional and philosophical dimensions** of the tradition. He brings to this study group both the authenticity of traditional lineage transmission and the ability to make these teachings **accessible and relevant** to contemporary students seeking to understand Vedic philosophy and apply it.

**🏛️ WHAT'S PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY ABOUT?** Practical Philosophy is a weekly meet-up that brings critical thinkers together for an opportunity to dive deep on a topic, practice communicating, and building a community. All with no ‘official’ philosophy knowledge required! 😎 Practical Philosophy is based on the idea that philosophy should be accessible to all, and not something reserved only for academics. Each week we choose a topic, and the goal is to use the conversation to develop our critical thinking and communication as we explore that topic. The goal is to help develop our Critical Thinking, Communication, and Community 🙌 **📓 HOW DOES IT WORK?** Each week, we pick one topic and discuss it. The topic for the week is shared, generally in the [Whatsapp group](https://tally.so/r/ZjaPO0), along with jump-off points to get the conversation going. When groups get bigger than 7-8 people, it’s important that we break into smaller groups. This way we are able to maintain a conversational flow as opposed to having our meetups feel like a discourse or lecture. **General Meeting Agenda** Each Practical Philosophy meet-up follows this general timeline: * 19:00-19:15 - People arrive and chat, get to know each other before the ‘official' start. * 19:15-19:25 - Meeting introduction, explanation of Practical Philosophy and the topic for the week, read the guidelines and the overview so attendees know what to expect in terms of timelines. * 19:25-20:45 - Break into small groups - introduce yourselves and general thoughts on the topic, open discussion afterwards. At this point the group can review the ‘jump-off’ questions as needed, but they are just there to help guide the conversation. It’s not obligatory to answer them. * 20:45-21:00 - Bring everyone back together to discuss conclusions of the topic - each group gives a short 1-minute summary. Organizer concludes the meeting and everyone takes a group photo. * 21:00 - The official meeting is over but it’s a great opportunity to get to know people in a non-structured environment, so we often stick around, chat, and get to know each other. **🧧PRICING?** Practical Philosophy is operated entirely on voluntary donations! If we are meeting in a café, buy a beverage! Donations are 100% voluntary, but they help us to bring the gift of deep conversation to people around the world. If you'd like to support, you can [donate here](https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/donate-to-practical-philosophy)! (Practical Philosophy is a registered Canadian charity) 💛 **WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY** 🗣 “I feel like Philosophy Club helps someone build their own belief system through a series of perspectives while not promoting what’s right and wrong” - Ekam 🗣 “I got hooked from day 1 (the topic was authority) and felt it was the right place for me. I feel it is a place where people can go to learn and discuss new perspectives and increase critical thinking and community by interacting with people who might challenge your point of views but at the same time encourage you to have openness and mind flexibility.” - Daniel **🤓 FAQ** * ​What will we talk about? What's the topic? ​The topic for the week is shared every Sunday in the Whatsapp group. We try to add the topic to the comment section on this event page as well but if you don’t see it, the topic and the jump-off points will be in our [Whatsapp](https://tally.so/r/ZjaPO0). * Do I need to study or read anything to attend? No preparation is necessary. This isn’t a study of other thinkers. We want to know what YOU think about the topic, not what an old philosopher thought. If you have a perspective from a religion or a school of thought to share, throw it on the table and we’ll discuss it, but it's not required. * Is there a specific philosophy that Practical Philosophy is focused on? The goal of our meet-ups is to not have dogmatic discussions, and flex our critical thinking muscles. Because of this, we want to hear from every realm of thought, and don't study a particular school. * Is it mostly men that attend? Surprisingly, no! Although philosophy is seen as a Candelabra affair in a dark room with a bunch of guys, our Practical Philosophy meetups are generally 50/50 between genders, and we don’t meet in any dark rooms. * Can I come alone? Of course you can, we encourage it :) * Can I be late? Please don't be! We do have a 15 minute grace period where we allow people to funnel in while we hang out, but after that if you arrive too late, it disrupts the flow of the conversation. * Where do you meet? The location is posted in Meetup and our [Whatsapp](https://tally.so/r/ZjaPO0) group for this location. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you join the Whatsapp group! If you want to know what other cities have a Practical Philosophy Club, you can see our chapters on our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/practical-philosophy-locations/). 🤝**POLICY** To respect our members privacy, we ask that no one privately message a member without first getting explicit consent. (This looks like speaking in person and being asked to message privately.) Contacting or texting other participants without prior consent is not permitted and may result in removal from the group. Practical Philosophy reserves the right to enforce this policy at its discretion to maintain a safe and respectful environment. **PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY - Making Philosophy Available To All.** ✨ Practical Philosophy hosts weekly, in-person meetups in over 25 countries and 50+ chapters, including Canada, Spain, Japan, Mexico and many more! 🗺️ \*\*\* Join our [Whatsapp group](https://tally.so/r/ZjaPO0) 👈 Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/practicalphilosophyclub) 👈 Our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/) 👈

**Hungry for real talk and real truth? Join open hearts from all over Mississauga as we dive straight into the powerful words of Jesus Himself—discovering life-changing wisdom in a super relaxed, fun, and welcoming vibe right in the heart of the city!** **Everyone’s welcome—whether you're a longtime Bible lover, just starting your journey with Jesus, or simply curious to meet Him for the first time.** **We meet in the Erin Mills Town Centre Food Court, across from the A&W at the back tables alongside the windows—easy to spot and perfect for grabbing a quick bite while we chat!** **Come as you are—no pressure, just good conversation, laughter, and meaningful insights from Scripture. See you there? Bring a friend!**

**🏛️ WHAT'S PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY ABOUT?** Practical Philosophy is a weekly meet-up that brings critical thinkers together for an opportunity to dive deep on a topic, practice communicating, and building a community. All with no ‘official’ philosophy knowledge required! 😎 Practical Philosophy is based on the idea that philosophy should be accessible to all, and not something reserved only for academics. Each week we choose a topic, and the goal is to use the conversation to develop our critical thinking and communication as we explore that topic. The goal is to help develop our Critical Thinking, Communication, and Community 🙌 **📓 HOW DOES IT WORK?** Each week, we pick one topic and discuss it. The topic for the week is shared, generally in the [Whatsapp group](https://tally.so/r/81LP4A), along with jump-off points to get the conversation going. When groups get bigger than 7-8 people, it’s important that we break into smaller groups. This way we are able to maintain a conversational flow as opposed to having our meetups feel like a discourse or lecture. **General Meeting Agenda** Each Practical Philosophy meet-up follows this general timeline: * 19:00-19:15 - People arrive and chat, get to know each other before the official start. * 19:15-19:25 - Meeting introduction, explanation of Practical Philosophy and the topic for the week, read the guidelines and the overview so attendees know what to expect in terms of timelines. * 19:25-20:45 - Break into small groups - introduce yourselves and general thoughts on the topic, open discussion afterwards. At this point the group can review the ‘jump-off’ questions as needed, but they are just there to help guide the conversation. It’s not obligatory to answer them. * 20:45-21:00 - Bring everyone back together to discuss conclusions of the topic - each group gives a short 1-minute summary. Organizer concludes the meeting and everyone takes a group photo. * 21:00 - The official meeting is over but it’s a great opportunity to get to know people in a non-structured environment, so we often stick around, chat, and get to know each other. **🧧PRICING?** Practical Philosophy is operated entirely on voluntary donations! If we are meeting in a café, buy a beverage! Donations are 100% voluntary, but they help us to bring the gift of deep conversation to people around the world. If you'd like to support, you can [donate here](https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/donate-to-practical-philosophy)! (Practical Philosophy is a registered Canadian charity) **💛 WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY** **🗣** “I feel like Philosophy Club helps someone build their own belief system through a series of perspectives while not promoting what’s right and wrong” - Ekam 🗣 “I got hooked from day 1 (the topic was authority) and felt it was the right place for me. I feel it is a place where people can go to learn and discuss new perspectives and increase critical thinking and community by interacting with people who might challenge your point of views but at the same time encourage you to have openness and mind flexibility.” - Daniel **🤓 FAQ** * **Do I need to study or read anything to attend?** No preparation is necessary. This isn’t a study of other thinkers. We want to know what you think about the topic, not what an old philosopher thought. If you have a perspective from a religion or a school of thought to share, throw it on the table and we’ll discuss it. * **Is there a specific philosophy that Practical Philosophy is focused on?** The goal of our meet-ups is to not have dogmatic discussions, and flex our critical thinking muscles. Because of this, we want to hear from every realm of thought, and don't study a particular school. * **Is it mostly men that attend?** Surprisingly, no! Although often, philosophy is seen as a Candelabra affair in a dark room with a bunch of guys, our Practical Philosophy meetups are generally 50/50 between genders, and we don’t meet in any dark rooms. * **Can I come alone?** Of course you can, we encourage it :) * **Can I be late?** Please don't be! We do have a 15 minute grace period where we allow people to funnel in while we hang out, but after that if you arrive too late, it disrupts the flow of the conversation. * **Where do you meet?** The location is posted in Meetup and our [Whatsapp](https://tally.so/r/81LP4A) group for this location. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you join the Whatsapp group! If you want to know what other cities have a Practical Philosophy Club, you can see our chapters on our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/). 🤝**POLICY** To respect our members privacy, we ask that no one privately message a member without first getting explicit consent. (This looks like speaking in person and being asked to message privately.) Contacting or texting other participants without prior consent is not permitted and may result in removal from the group. Practical Philosophy reserves the right to enforce this policy at its discretion to maintain a safe and respectful environment. **PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY CLUB - Philosophy, everywhere. ✨** We started in Practical Philosophy back in 2021 and there are now 50+ chapters in over 25 countries, including Canada, Spain, Japan, Mexico and many more! 🗺️ **\*\*\*** **Join our [Mississauga Whatsapp](https://tally.so/r/81LP4A) 👈** **Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/practicalphilosophyclub/) 👈** **Our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/) 👈**

Contemporary large language models (LLMs) are predominantly trained using reinforcement learning from human feedback (RLHF), optimizing for immediate user approval rather than long-term well-being. As A.I. systems increasingly serve socioemotional functions, this optimization strategy poses significant risks. Recent evidence demonstrates that leading models exhibit systematic sycophancy, affirming inappropriate user behaviors and preserving user face at rates far exceeding human baselines, while being approximately 40\\% more likely to reinforce incorrect beliefs than their non-RLHF counterparts. We contend that the AI community must fundamentally reconsider training objectives to balance short-term satisfaction with long-term user outcomes. We propose three directions: (1) incorporating longitudinal metrics into training that capture sustained goal attainment and reduced regret rather than momentary preference, (2) enabling explicit user choice among interaction modes (concierge, collaborator, coach) with transparent justification for model pushback, and (3) developing frameworks that provide constructive challenge without paternalism. The recent industry backlashes against both excessive and insufficient model agreeableness underscore the urgency of this shift. We argue that optimizing AI systems for human flourishing, not merely human approval, represents both an ethical imperative and a path to more sustainable, trustworthy AI deployment. Conference Schedule * 9:00 AM: Breakfast & Arrivals * 9:30 AM: [Karina Vold](https://philosophy.utoronto.ca/directory/karina-vold/) (Associate Professor, Philosophy, University of Toronto): Introductions & description of FloreaAI project * 9:40 AM: [Ashton Anderson](https://www.cs.toronto.edu/~ashton/) (Associate Professor, Computer Science, University of Toronto): Description of the CS team's work on FloreaAI * 10:05 AM: [Louis Tay](https://hhs.purdue.edu/directory/louis-tay/) (Professor, Psychological Sciences, Purdue University): Description of psychology team's work on FloreaAI * 10:30 AM: Coffee break * 11:00 AM: [Gwen Bradford](https://philosophy.utoronto.ca/directory/gwen-bradford/) (Associate Professor, Philosophy, University of Toronto): Primer on philosophical theories of well-being​ * 11:30 AM: [Eran Tal](https://www.mcgill.ca/philosophy/eran-tal) (Associate Professor, Philosophy, McGill University): Primer on the measurement of well-being​ * 12:00 PM: Lunch * 12:30 PM: [Karina Vold](https://kkvd.com/) (Associate Professor, Philosophy, University of Toronto): Introduction to AI alighnment for well-being * 1:00 PM: Group discussion (with a coffee break from 1:45-2:15) An event presented by the University of Toronto's Centre for Ethics, the John Templeton Foundation, and Florea AI. About the Centre for Ethics (http://ethics.utoronto.ca): The Centre for Ethics is an interdisciplinary centre aimed at advancing research and teaching in the field of ethics, broadly defined. The Centre seeks to bring together the theoretical and practical knowledge of diverse scholars, students, public servants and social leaders in order to increase understanding of the ethical dimensions of individual, social, and political life. In pursuit of its interdisciplinary mission, the Centre fosters lines of inquiry such as (1) foundations of ethics, which encompasses the history of ethics and core concepts in the philosophical study of ethics; (2) ethics in action, which relates theory to practice in key domains of social life, including bioethics, business ethics, and ethics in the public sphere; and (3) ethics in translation, which draws upon the rich multiculturalism of the City of Toronto and addresses the ethics of multicultural societies, ethical discourse across religious and cultural boundaries, and the ethics of international society. The Ethics of A.I. Lab at the Centre For Ethics recently appeared on a list of 10 organizations leading the way in ethical A.I.: https://ocean.sagepub.com/blog/10-organizations-leading-the-way-in-ethical-ai

From the moment sin entered the world, death began. Adam and Eve were not stricken dead immediately, but the process by which none of us lives forever in health and wholeness in these earthly bodies started its inexorable march to the inevitable end—death. The Bible makes it clear that by one man’s sin, death came to all mankind, but that by the obedience of One Perfect Man, Jesus, many are made righteous (Romans 5:19). F.F. Bosworth recognized this truth; he also would have people consider that the God Who provided for our greatest need—salvation from eternal death—would also provide healing for the lesser, but still great needs, of health and healing from sickness, disease, and the consequences of sin that we encounter before we die. Join us as we examine the case for biblical healing in the book first published in 1924, ***Christ The Healer*. We meet at True Food Kitchen, Easton Town Center on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at 6:30 pm.** Get your tickets on [EventBrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/christ-the-healer-columbus-ohio-tickets-1989133215995)! Connect with us on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/events/1495777228332299)! Check out our new website, [LocalCA](https://localca.org/)! Say hello on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/christianbookclubwellness/)!

Just because someone quotes the Bible doesn't mean that they are using it in truth. In Luke chapter 4, Jesus goes out into the wilderness to fast and pray for 40 days and Satan takes that opportunity to taunt and tempt Jesus to sin. How does Satan make effort to entice God In Human Flesh to sin? By quoting His own words to Him, but out of context, falsely, and with evil intent. The importance of knowing God rightly and in truth through His Word is of utmost importance. Jesus made this clear when He defeated Satan's arguments by directing Scripture right back at the Father of Lies, in the Spirit and in Truth. Come study Luke 4 with us, **Sunday morning, July 26, 2026 at 10 am, True Food Kitchen, Easton Town Center**! We look forward to seeing you there!! Get your tickets on [EventBrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/columbus-luke-4-tickets-1992450602387)! Check us out on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/events/1771970560829552)! Connect with us at our new website for [LocalCA](http://%5Bwww.localca.org%5D(www.localca.org)/ "\[www.localca.org\](www.localca.org)")!

"People will forget what you say, they will forget what you do, but they will never forget how you make them feel." Maya Angelou, referencing a previous statement by Carl Buehner, summarized what humans have long realized to be true--that *how* we communicate with one another matters--that our manners, our behaviors, our etiquette impact those around us, which impacts us in return. Warm, friendly, and helpful, former lawyer, public policy worker, television news reporter, and national nonprofit director, Alison Cheperdak wants to encourage each of us to elevate our communication and interactions with others and bring a greater sense of kindness, respect, graciousness, and class to our world. Join us for this excellent opportunity reading *Was It Something I Said?*! **We meet at True Food Kitchen, Easton Town Center on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 6:30 pm.** Get your tickets on [EventBrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/was-it-something-i-said-columbus-ohio-tickets-1992033530915)! Connect with us on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/events/2096046357792524)! Check out our new website, [LocalCA](https://localca.org/)! Say hello on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/christianbookclubwellness/)!

"...they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed Him." Luke 5:11 Many people often think of following after Jesus in terms of what He provides--His good, kind gifts of with which He blesses His children. Not so the first disciples--when Jesus demonstrated His power as God over the seas by procuring boats overflowing with fish, the response of the fisherman was firstly an acknowledgement of their own sinfulness, and secondly, and immediate abandonment of their livelihoods to follow Jesus. The good was forsaken for the best. Jesus still calls--"Come, follow Me." Are we willing to give up *whatever* it takes to follow Jesus? Will we lay down our pride and our veneer of self-sufficiency and recognize that we are sinners who need a Savior? Are we willing to sacrifice the things the world says will bring us happiness and pleasure for the sake of what is greatest and what will bring true joy? Come study Luke 5 with us, **Sunday morning, August 23, 2026 at 10 am, True Food Kitchen, Easton Town Center**! We look forward to seeing you there!! Get your tickets on [EventBrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/columbus-luke-5-tickets-1992727565792)! Check us out on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/events/1750087046326913)! Connect with us at our new website for [LocalCA](http://%5Bwww.localca.org%5D(www.localca.org)/ "\[www.localca.org\](www.localca.org)")!

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.