Birth Advocacy

**A New Perspective on Spiritual Living - Spiritual Discussion Series** (based on ECKANKAR the Art of Spirituality by Harold Klemp) In this discussions series you will gain deeper insight into * **A true Spiritual path,** * **Your spirituality from a new perspective,** * **The purpose of life,** * **HU, an ancient mantra for a modern world** * **Spiritual Masters and their mission,** The simple truth is that we are SOUL, a divine, conscious spark of God made manifest in this life to experience and learn here on earth. “*M*y definition of a true spiritual path is one that does good in the world. It tries to find ways to help people be themselves. It does not try to shape people to be what we think they should be, then break spiritual or man-made laws to accomplish that." —Harold Klemp, *[ECKANKAR the Art of Spirituality](https://www.eckbooks.org/items/ECKANKAR_The_Art_of_Spirituality-2474-0.html)*, page 1 Looking to explore new frontiers of spiritual experience, come join us and share your stories and insight about your perspective on spiritual living. We will also practice a simple spiritual exercise that can help to connect with the ECK (Life Force or Spirit) which is called HU. HU is the Sound behind all sounds, woven into the language of life. It is the wind in the leaves, falling rain, thunder of jets, singing of birds and the awful rumble of a tornado. Its sound is heard in laughter, weeping, the din of city traffic, ocean waves, and the quiet rippling of a mountain stream. HU offers balance, wisdom and wonder—it brings alignment with your true purpose and highest good. All are welcome — family and friends — so come share your experiences or just listen as we explore together. Register here on Meetup by clicking the ATTEND button or just drop in. **This event is free.** Sponsored by Eckankar Canada in Ontario. Illustration Courtesy of Eckankar, The Path of Spiritual Freedom **More information is available at** * **[[eckankarcanada.ca/ontario](http://eckankarcanada.ca/ontario)]([https://www.eckankarcanada.ca/ontario-spiritual-events.html](https://www.eckankarcanada.ca/ontario-spiritual-events.html))** * **[[eckankar.org/](http://eckankar.org/)]([https://www.eckankar.org/](https://www.eckankar.org/))**

**Time:** 5:30pm until 9:30pm every Tuesday evening ​**Location:** Mitchell Field Community Centre **Address:** 89 Church Ave., a couple blocks east of Yonge Street [​](https://store.401games.ca/)**​​Transit:** About a 15 minute walk from either North York or Finch stations **Parking:** There are 2 parking lots near the community centre. Main lot along the east side of the building is nearest the main entrance. The other lot is located near the Arena. **Games** We play a variety of hobby or European style boardgames. Players of all experience levels are welcome. Games will be selected onsite from those available. All attendees are encouraged to bring a game or two that they can teach. Post on the meetup discussion to suggest games and gauge interest in specific titles. This weekly drop in event allows flexibility and no advance commitment. There is a core attendance of 5-10 players and new players are always welcome! RSVPs are not required.

Do we really choose our actions, or are we shaped by forces far beyond our control? We often think of free will as the power to make our own decisions and direct our lives. But if we are physical beings in a world governed by cause and effect, what kind of freedom is actually possible? At our next Curiosity Café, we’ll explore one of philosophy’s most fascinating and consequential questions: what is free will? Together, we’ll examine some of the major ways philosophers have tried to answer it. Is freedom compatible with determinism? Are we only free when no one is coercing us? Or does genuine freedom require that we somehow break free from the chain of prior causes altogether? From there, we’ll dive into one of the most famous thought experiments in philosophy — Frankfurt’s case of Jones and Black — which challenges the idea that freedom always requires the ability to do otherwise. What does it really mean to choose freely? And what kind of control do we need in order to be morally responsible? In our second hour, we’ll turn to the ethical and political stakes of the debate. How should we think about responsibility in cases involving brain injury or mental illness? When someone’s capacity for control is impaired, does that reduce their blameworthiness? And if free will is more limited than we tend to assume, what does that mean for punishment, justice, and moral responsibility? Finally, we’ll ask what is really at stake in holding on to the idea of free will. Is it essential to moral responsibility? Can we preserve accountability without it? And how might our legal, political, and social institutions look different depending on how we answer these questions? Join co-moderators Ken Boyd and Marybel Menzies to reflect, question, and engage with others as we explore one of the deepest questions about what it means to be human — whether or not we are free. **Space is limited!** **Please obtain a “Pay-What-You-Can” ticket from Curiosity Café at [this link (click here)](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/curiosity-cafe-free-will-tickets-1986181200437) to attend this event. You need a ticket to be admitted.** See the above link for more info about tickets and other options including a limited number of free tickets. Come and hang out with us, grab food, and read through our handout from 6-6:30pm. Our structured discussion will run from 6:30-8:30pm with a 10 minute break in the middle. Hope to see you there! ***__________________________________________________________________*** This event is brought to you by [Being and Becoming](https://beingnbecoming.org/), a Toronto based non-profit. We aim to create community around exploring everyday concepts and experiences so that we may live more intentional, thoughtful, and meaningful lives. We use philosophy as a tool with which we can come to a richer understanding of the world around us. By offering activities, spaces, and other opportunities for conversation and co-exploration, we hope to enable the meeting and fusion of individuals and their ideas. Everyone is welcome, regardless of background: indeed, we believe the journey is best undertaken alongside explorers from a variety of disciplines, cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. Find out more about Being and Becoming [here](https://beingnbecoming.org/). About the Curiosity Café Series: For those of you who haven’t had the opportunity to join us at our Curiosity Cafés and are wondering what they’re all about: every two weeks, we invite members of our community to come out to the Madison Avenue Pub to engage in a collaborative exploration of our chosen topic. Through these events, we aim to build our community of people who like to think deeply about life’s big questions, and provide each other with some philosophical tools to dig deeper into whatever it is we are most curious about.

Lose 10lbs in 5 WEEKS and Win Prizes ! Topics will include Metabolism, Carbohydrate addiction, digestive health, label reading, dining out, heart health and many more. $ 50 to Join the Challenge includes: - Weekly Weigh In, Accountability and Motivation - 40 Min nutrition class - Voucher for 'Healthy Meal' - Personalized Meal Plan - Lose 1 - 3lbs a week. To register for your spot: www.ShapingUpCanada.com

**Bible & Beer Series!** Ignite! Young Adult Ministry (ages 18–39) **Tuesday, Apr 7** \| 7:00 p\.m\. \- 9:30 p\.m\. **St. Patrick’s Church – 137 McCaul Street** (Enter through the front Church doors) **Followed by a social at Sin & Redemption** Come be a part of Bible and Beer, a monthly conversation series for young adults (18 - 39) diving into scripture, life, and the real questions that shape our faith journey. This month, we welcome **Andrea Di Giovanni**, **Doctoral Candidate at the University of Regis St. Michael’s College, Toronto,** as our guest speaker, offering a reflection on the upcoming Sunday readings. Expect though-provoking insights, small group conversations, and plenty of time to unwind with others over a pint (or your choice of drink - mine is tea) at **Sin & Redemption Pub** just across the street. **Register, and get your tickets here: [https://bit.ly/BibleAndBeer_April2026](https://bit.ly/BibleAndBeer_April2026)**

**Carden Alvar Birding Adventure** **Saturday, April 11, 2026** **Ospreys, Bluebirds, Meadowlarks and More!** Join us on Saturday, April 11 for a fantastic spring birding adventure to the famous Carden Alvar, one of the most exciting birding destinations in Ontario. Located about two hours northeast of Toronto, this remarkable area is known for its unique habitat, wide open landscapes, and excellent variety of birds that are not always easy to find elsewhere. We will explore some of the best birding spots in the region in search of Eastern Bluebirds, Eastern Meadowlarks, Ospreys Wilson’s Snipe, sparrows, and other early spring arrivals. Carden is one of the very best places in Ontario to enjoy great looks at Eastern Bluebirds, and it often provides wonderful photo opportunities as well. The Ospreys should also be back on territory, and we will have an excellent chance to watch and photograph these impressive birds as they rebuild their nests for the season ahead. This is a really enjoyable outing with plenty of birding, scenic country roads, fresh spring air, and the excitement of never knowing what might turn up next. If you enjoy birds, nature, photography, and a fun day outdoors, this trip is for you. **Itinerary** Departure from Finch Subway Station passenger pickup area at **8:00 a.m. sharp** Free parking is available on weekends Return to Toronto at approximately **5:00 p.m.** **Important Notes** This tour involves driving between birding locations, along with short and easy walks. Lunch is not included, so please bring your own food, snacks, and drinks. We will also make stops along the way at Tim Hortons. As always, we respect wildlife and private property, and our priority is to enjoy the birds without disturbance. **Cost** **$119 CAD per person** Payment by e-transfer to **torontonaturelovers@hotmail.com** I can take up to **3 passengers only**, so if you would like to join us, please reserve your spot early. Come out for a terrific day of spring birding adventure and enjoy one of Ontario’s true birding gems. **Come get wild with us!**

**Carden Alvar Birding Adventure** **Sunday, April 12, 2026** **Ospreys, Bluebirds, Meadowlarks and More!** Join us on Sunday, April 12 for a fantastic spring birding adventure to the famous Carden Alvar, one of the most exciting birding destinations in Ontario. Located about two hours northeast of Toronto, this remarkable area is known for its unique habitat, wide open landscapes, and excellent variety of birds that are not always easy to find elsewhere. We will explore some of the best birding spots in the region in search of Eastern Bluebirds, Eastern Meadowlarks, Ospreys Wilson’s Snipe, sparrows, and other early spring arrivals. Carden is one of the very best places in Ontario to enjoy great looks at Eastern Bluebirds, and it often provides wonderful photo opportunities as well. The Ospreys should also be back on territory, and we will have an excellent chance to watch and photograph these impressive birds as they rebuild their nests for the season ahead. This is a really enjoyable outing with plenty of birding, scenic country roads, fresh spring air, and the excitement of never knowing what might turn up next. If you enjoy birds, nature, photography, and a fun day outdoors, this trip is for you. **Itinerary** Departure from Finch Subway Station passenger pickup area at **8:00 a.m. sharp** Free parking is available on weekends Return to Toronto at approximately **5:00 p.m.** **Important Notes** This tour involves driving between birding locations, along with short and easy walks. Lunch is not included, so please bring your own food, snacks, and drinks. We will also make stops along the way at Tim Hortons. As always, we respect wildlife and private property, and our priority is to enjoy the birds without disturbance. **Cost** **$119 CAD per person** Payment by e-transfer to **torontonaturelovers@hotmail.com** I can take up to **3 passengers only**, so if you would like to join us, please reserve your spot early. Come out for a terrific day of spring birding adventure and enjoy one of Ontario’s true birding gems. **Come get wild with us!**

🚆🦜 **GO Train Adventure to Niagara Falls – Bird Kingdom & Lunch!** 🌊🍔 Bird is the word. I love birds and we're lucky enough to have Bird Kingdom to visit, one of the largest indoor aviaries in the world! Join us for a fun Saturday day-trip adventure as we hop on the GO Train and head to Niagara Falls for birds, burgers, and beautiful views! **📅 Date:** Saturday, April 11 **⏰ Meet Time:** 8:15 AM **📍 Meeting Spot:** Outside the Fairmont Royal York Hotel (across from Union Station) We’ll walk into Union Station together to catch the **9:04 AM GO Train** to Niagara Falls. ⚠️ **The train departs exactly at 9:04 AM and the doors close one minute earlier**, so please arrive on time! **🚆 Train Schedule** • Depart Union Station: **9:04 AM** • Arrive Niagara Falls: **11:30 AM** **Update/change due to larger group size:** Upon arrival at the station we’ll walk over to **Chuck's Roadhouse** and start with a group meal first. **Bar & Grill** for a relaxed and affordable lunch. 👉 Menu: [https://chucksroadhouse.com/menu/](https://chucksroadhouse.com/menu/) Note - everyone is responsible for their own food/drink bill Following lunch, we’ll do some **sightseeing around Niagara Falls**, take photos, and hit our final stop. Before we leave we'll stop at **Bird Kingdom**, the **world’s largest free-flying indoor aviary**, home to hundreds of tropical birds inside a lush multi-level rainforest environment. ([Bird Kingdom](https://birdkingdom.ca/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) 💳 **Bring your PRESTO card for 20% off admission!** 👉 More info: [https://www.birdkingdom.ca/](https://www.birdkingdom.ca/) **🚶 What to Expect** • Lots of walking • Rain or shine – the trip happens regardless of weather • Great scenery, good food, and fun company **🚆 Return Train** • Niagara Falls → Union Station • **4:00 PM departure. Doors close one minute earlier.** There are later trains and buses if you wish to stay longer. 💰 **Travel Deal:** The **GO Transit Weekend Day Pass is only $10** for unlimited travel that day. 👉 Details: [https://www.gotransit.com/en/partners-and-promotions/weekend-passes-with-go](https://www.gotransit.com/en/partners-and-promotions/weekend-passes-with-go) NOTE - do not purchase your $10 GO pass yet. tracks still not repaired. may have to reschedule this event Look for **Nick and the Meetup sign** at the meeting spot. Let’s ride the rails, see amazing birds, grab a great lunch, and enjoy one of Canada’s most iconic destinations together! 🚆🦜🌊 [WhatsApp for the trip](https://chat.whatsapp.com/FDfbPqh5Xc3Kh39eFcQWsB?mode=gi_t)

A diffuse harm hurts many people a little; a concentrated harm hurts one person a lot. Other things equal, diffuse harm seems less bad than its concentrated counterpart. For example, shortening a billion happy lives by a second each seems less bad than shortening one happy life by a billion seconds (\~30 years). But this attractive thought is surprisingly difficult to maintain. Although many problems for such a view are known, a particularly vivid difficulty arises in cases that involve a sequence of social positions, each very similar to the last, such as the Fortuna’s Wheel scenario. In such cases, it follows, from rather minimal assumptions, that diffuse harm is just as bad as its relevantly similar concentrated counterpart. In response, some may wonder whether the parity of diffuse and concentrated harms holds only in these special sequential cases. But it can be argued that the approximate parity of diffuse and concentrated harms extends well beyond such cases. Specifically, it can be argued that in many realistic cases, a diffuse harm will bring about an outcome approximately as bad as a relevantly similar concentrated harm. Diffuse harm is easily underestimated. Zach Barnett https://philosophy.nd.edu/people/faculty/zach-barnett/ Assistant Professor Department of Philosophy University of Notre Dame **About the Speaker:** Zach received his PhD from Brown University in 2018. He joined Notre Dame in 2023, moving from the National University of Singapore, where he taught for five years. Zach mainly studies ethics, practical rationality, and epistemology, and he hopes that his work is convincing, surprising, and easy to understand. Current research interests include collective action problems, aggregation and risk, and followability of norms. His representative publications include "Rational Moral Ignorance" (2021) in *Philosophy and Phenomenological Research*, "Why You Should Vote to Change the Outcome" (2020) in *Philosophy & Public Affairs,* "Philosophy Without Belief" (2019) in *Mind*, and "No Free Lunch: The Significance of Tiny Contributions" (2018) in *Analysis*. **\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \*** This is a talk with audience Q&A presented by the University of Toronto's Centre for Ethics that is free to attend and open to the public. The talk will also be streamed online with live chat here [to be posted]. 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

Please note: this is an invitation to experience group workshops and private feminine embodiment coaching. To learn more please contact Amanda Clarke at lusciousfeminine@gmail.com. Feminine Embodiment Women's Circles & Coaching https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/c/2/f/0/600_460789904.jpeg There is a cosmic shift happening on the planet and women are tired of playing second fiddle in this game of life. Playing small not only keeps you from manifesting what you truly want, but it also holds you back from living out your divine purpose. I’ve been there, stuck, held back, and yearning to break-free and frankly being in that place plain 'ol sucks! What if you could step-up and make a difference; a meaningful contribution in this world by just being you? How might the landscape of your life look? Over for the past six years, I’ve worked with women who are looking to break out of the spell of smallness. It pangs me to see women depressed, depleted, disconnected and downright insecure. One of the reasons many of my clients rave about the work we do together is because I provide immediate results. What I teach is inherent within you but there are layers of gunk bogging you down from accessing this wisdom. Spinning your wheels, and living a life of lack is no way to live, beautiful. You are so much more! What can you expect from our sessions together: • A solid understanding of what feminine energy is, and how to use it to have your way with the world • Develop a physical and energetic presence that attracts what you want: personally and professionally. • Feel more comfortable with your sensuality, and with receiving positive attention. • Experience more passion in your life - particularly your love life. • Be more at ease setting clear boundaries with others. • Learn to be in flow rather than always pushing and striving to make things happen. • Look and feel more sexy, confident and radiant • Gain clarity about your life purpose and the greatest gifts you have to offer the world • Establish or strengthen your intuitive guidance Book a FREE 30-minute discovery call to learn how I can help support you on your journey to coming home to yourself as a woman. This means MORE self-love, MORE self-confidence, MORE clarity, MORE empowerment and saying YES to living out your divine mission. For more information on my coaching packages please visit www.lusciousfeminine.com or to book a FREE 30-minute complimentary Discovery Call, email Amanda at lusciousfeminine@gmail.com “Before working with Amanda, I was the dried-out, work-obsessed intellectual. I lived in my head and felt completely severed from the neck-down. I over-intellectualized emotionally-charged situations to avoid being present…I am [now] able to ease my ‘mind-babble’, step into my power as a woman knowing that I am safe and secure within my own space, and practice expressing my needs and desires from a more authentic place… Amanda helped me to be trust in the power of vulnerability, surrender, and acceptance. It has been a pleasurable journey! \~ Stefanie T. Amanda Clarke The Luscious Feminine http://www.lusciousfeminine.com http://www.facebook.com/thelusciousfeminine lusciousfeminine@gmail.com

The Humanist Monthly Program is our longest running event and still a community favorite. In the old days it used to be called "Going to HCCO" and we still like to think of it as our flagship event. We will be hearing from Becca Powell, Director of Advocacy and Outreach at Unchained At Last, an organization whose mission is dedication to ending forced and child marriage in the United States through direct services and systems change. Unchained At Last's mission clearly meshes and addresses several of our Humanist Ten Commitments. Becca will educate us about an issue many of us may not be familiar with--but should be. 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

Join us again this Saturday for drinks and sweets at this delicious Vegan co-op bakery. Mingle with likeminded Columbus Vegans. We will aim to sit outside after purchasing items and hopefully taking in cooperative weather. Special note on parking: Please try to park along Acton, Richards and/or Chatham streets so as to free up the lot at the back of the building for pick-up orders. Thank you. 😊 Patty Cake offers everything from cupcakes, cookies, cakes, muffins, whoopie pies, as well as gluten free goodies. They also have coffee, oat milk and cold brew

Soccer + vegan deli eats = the perfect Saturday ⚽🌱🔥 We’re kicking things off with soccer (all levels welcome!) and then heading to Vida’s Plant-Based Butcher for some seriously good food—Vida’s Reubens, Philly cheesesteaks, Chipotle Cheddar Melt and classic deli sides. Whether you’re playing, socializing, or just here for the food, this is a great way to meet like-minded people and enjoy the day! Game → Food → Good vibes 📍 Soccer - Park of Roses 3923 N High St Columbus, OH 43214 📍 Vida’s Plant Based Butcher 1724 Northwest Blvd Unit C Columbus OH, 43212