Philosophy of Mind

Meditation practicing

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

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

Join us for a peaceful and rejuvenating lunchtime meditation session every Thursday at the Theosophical Society Lodge. Whether you're looking to reduce stress, increase focus, or simply find a moment of calm in your busy week, this regular event is designed to help you reconnect with your inner peace. Our guided meditation sessions offer a welcoming space for all levels, from beginners to experienced practitioners. You will be gently guided through calming techniques that promote relaxation, mindfulness, and emotional well-being. It’s the perfect way to break from your workday and restore your balance. The Theosophical Society Lodge provides a tranquil environment ideal for meditation, with a peaceful atmosphere that encourages personal reflection and growth. Sit back, and enjoy a nourishing experience for your mind and body. No prior meditation experience is required, and all are welcome. Whether you’re seeking to deepen your practice or simply explore the benefits of meditation, our Thursday sessions offer a moment of calm amidst the chaos of everyday life.

Excited to announce our new ADVANCED openplay session during the week at KCARC! Welcome to Melbourne Volleyball Academy. 🤗 **[[WHAT]]** This session is specifically for games only (no training). There will be a cap of 18 players, allowing for 3 teams of 6. Games will be played to 15 points, with a cap at 18 points. These games are intended to be played at a high-intermediate(BB)/advanced(A) level. Please see an explanation of skill levels on our website here: [https://melbournevolleyballacademy.com.au/skill-levels-explained](https://melbournevolleyballacademy.com.au/skill-levels-explained) **[[WHO]]** The session is intended for Intermediate players. Players should be able to: * Have strong fundamentals for all volleyball techniques * Serve receive a majority of serves well & serve over the net consistently * Basic understanding of 5-1, and 6-2 systems (we do not play a pass middle 4-2 system in this session) * Have an understanding of base defense * Know all/most volleyball rules Players that are not of the intermediate(BB)/advanced(A) level will be asked to leave as we want to ensure that all players have an enjoyable time playing. **[[HOW MUCH $$]]** $21 card payment will be processed on the day via square reader (EFTPOS). **[[WHEN]]** The stadium is booked from 6:30 PM-9:30 PM weekly, every Thursday. However, feel free to come early and stretch as the Community Centre is open earlier. Last minute dropouts and no shows will have a zero-tolerance policy going forward. All players are expected to update their RSVP at least 24 hours in advanced if they are unable to attend. This applies to players on the going list and the waitlist. **[[OTHER DETAILS]]** Only those on the “going” list are permitted to play. If you are on the waitlist, or not registered at all, you will not be permitted into the gymnasium.

🥒🎾 **Social Pickleball - All Levels Welcome!** 🥒🎾 **📢 [Instagram: @rmit_pickleball](https://www.instagram.com/rmit_pickleball/) 📢 [WhatsApp: RMIT Pickleball Club](https://chat.whatsapp.com/G7VE0NcThWWIgLnnJBVQBq)** **🏓 Paddles and balls provided! Beginner friendly - simply show up and we’ll teach you the basics 🎾** Grab a paddle, play pickleball, and meet new people! **👥 Who is it for?** * Members of public and RMIT students * Complete beginners * Intermediate players * Advanced players (up to DUPR 4.5 expected) **✅ How to join?** 1. **Become a club member** [at the RMIT Store](https://store.rmit.edu.au/pages/club/pickleball) (one-off payment) 2. **RSVP** on Meetup to join the session 3. When marked as **“Going”**, pay for the session: **\- Payment link** is in the **comment section below** (posted 1-3 days before) \- Use your RMIT Store account with a club membership \(from step 1\) 4. Can’t attend? Update your RSVP to “Not Going” **⏳ Priority on waitlist** 1. Clear Meetup profile with name and photo 2. RMIT students 3. Regular attendees **📆 On the day** * New players, please **introduce yourself to the host** * New players wanting a **rules intro**, please arrive on-time and ask a host * Have your **emailed ticket receipt ready** \- it will be checked on the day **🔄 Cancellations and Refunds** * No refunds for change of mind, non-attendance, or no-shows * Refunds only if the event is cancelled (weather or court availability) * Credit for a later session may be offered by agreement in case of event cancellation * Pay only when we share the payment link in Meetup - using old links is at your own risk Whether you are new to pickleball or a regular player, this is a great way to get some games in and connect with the community. Come solo or bring a friend - everyone is welcome! **👉 Spots are limited, so RSVP early! 👈**

We invite you to come and practise your English with people from all over the world in a friendly environment. We are open to all levels from beginner to advanced. We have classes in small groups and you will be placed in one of these groups according to your level of English. Our free conversational English classes are every Thursday evening (except term breaks). If you are coming for the first time, please come on time for registration. Please note: English Corner is for non-native speakers. Our team of facilitators is really looking forward to having a wonderful time speaking English with you! **Please scan the QR code upon arrival to register your attendance.** If this is your first time, we recommend arriving a bit earlier to complete your initial registration. In case you aren't able to join us face to face we have an Online Alternate English Conversation Thursday class option too! Sign up for this on Meetup.

It has been organised for everyone keen to be mindfulness practicing and finding Inner peace. The session led by monks with Buddhist meditation techniques. And free refreshments provided. 2:00-2:15 Dhamma talk 2:15- 3:00 Meditation 3:00 onwards relaxation and refreshment served

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

**ORGASMIC MINDFULNESS MEDITATION (OMM)** Orgasmic Mindfulness Meditation (OMM) is sweeping the world as more people awaken to the truth that there is more available when it comes to intimacy, connection, and aliveness in our relationships and lives. The philosophy behind OMM offers a powerful map for how we relate, not only in intimate connection, but in communication, creativity, leadership, and everyday life. OMM teaches us how to bring attention to sensation, listen to desire, and cultivate flow rather than effort or force. Over time, this creates deeper levels of intimacy, clarity, and embodied presence across all areas of life. **People choose OMM because they desire to:** ⚑ Feel more connected to themselves and others ⚑ Experience greater confidence and vitality ⚑ Spend more time in the Orgasmic State ⚑ Feel more comfortable in their body and self-expression ⚑ Cultivate focus and sustained attention ⚑ Have more pleasure, presence, and aliveness in their lives The OMM practice is simple, specific, and repeatable. Each OMM is set up in the same way, creating a consistent container that allows participants to stop analysing and instead follow sensation, listen to the body, and remain present. The practice focuses on the clitoris, often described as one of the female centers of power and pleasure, additionally is where the most concentration of nerve endings exist in either human body, male or female and thus is a super highway for both people when they place their attention there, to flow states and higher states of consciousness. OMM Practitioner Training teaches both the practice and the philosophy of Orgasmic Mindfulness Meditation, offering tools you can apply anywhere connection is present. Upon completion, participants gain access to a worldwide network of practitioners, allowing them to continue their OMM journey wherever they travel and to team up with anyone who has been trained, by simply asking "Would you like to OM?" OMM training is open to both singles and couples. ⸻ **WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE TRAINING** OMM Practitioner Training introduces Orgasmic Mindfulness Meditation as both a meditation practice and a way of relating. **For Men** Men often come to OMM training seeking a deeper, more grounded experience of intimacy and connection. The training supports a shift away from performance-based relating and toward presence, sensitivity, and embodied confidence. **Men can expect to:** • Understand the difference between effort-based arousal and the Orgasmic State • Develop greater nervous system regulation and emotional awareness • Cultivate sustained attention through sensation-based mindfulness • Learn to respond to desire without urgency or pressure • Experience a more relaxed, embodied sense of masculinity • Deepen attunement, trust, and connection in relationship **For Women** Women often experience OMM training as a return to the body as a source of wisdom, clarity, and self-trust. The practice supports pleasure without performance, expectation, or self-abandonment. **Women can expect to:** • Learn what supports the body to enter and sustain the Orgasmic State • Build safety and trust with sensation and desire • Increase sensitivity and embodied awareness • Strengthen boundaries and self-expression • Experience pleasure as nourishing and regulating • Reconnect with confidence, vitality, and self-leadership **All Participants Will Learn** • An introduction to OMM philosophy as a way of living in flow and connection • The difference between climax and orgasm • What supports the nervous system to access the Orgasmic State • How to move attention from the head into the body • Female anatomy and how to locate the clitoral focus point • The structured steps of the OMM practice • Foundational stroking technique • How to ask for what you want from the voice of desire ⸻ **HOW THE TRAINING WORKS** The OMM Practitioner Training is delivered over three structured sessions, combining philosophy, practical learning, and integration support. Training is available in person or online. Sessions 1 and 2 are recommended to be completed in close succession, ideally on the same day, to support continuity of learning, nervous system regulation, and embodied integration. **Session 1: Philosophy & Foundations** **120 minutes** \| In person or online An interactive session exploring the philosophy of Orgasmic Mindfulness Meditation and how its principles apply to your relationships, inner world, and life. **Session 2: The OMM Practice** **120 minutes** \| In person or online A practical session covering the steps, structure, and technique of the OMM practice. If you attend with another person, you may choose to be guided through an OMM within a clear, consent-based container. **Session 3: Integration & Coaching** 60 minutes \| In person or online A follow-up coaching session, for your trainer to offer you coaching on how your practice has been going for you since your last session, and to answer any questions that have arisen through your lived experience. ⸻ **INVESTMENT & TRAINING OPTIONS** Hourly Rate: $190 per hour Trainings are paid in full when you book your session times with your trainer. **Baseline OMM Practitioner Training** ✔ Session 1 – 2 hours ✔ Session 2 – 2 hours ✔ Session 3 – 1 hour Total: 5 hours Investment: $850 **Extended Integration Option** ✔ Session 3 – 2 hours Total: 6 hours Investment: $1040 Some participants choose to extend Session 3 to allow additional time for integration, refinement of attention and technique, and two guided OMMs within a supportive, consent-based container. This option is particularly valuable for those who learn best through embodied repetition and spacious integration. Higher levels of training are available following completion of this introductory program. ⸻ FOR MORE INFORMATION Text: 0404 832 141 Email: premkalpa@gmail.com Someone from our team will reply shortly. ⸻ AS SEEN IN • The Today Show • The New York Times • ABC’s Luke Warm Sex • Marie Claire • The Four-Hour Body by Tim Ferriss • Stealing Fire by Steven Kotler & Jamie Wheal • Existential Kink by Carolyn Elliott, PhD These references reflect the growing global interest in embodied practices that support presence, intimacy, and expanded states of awareness.

This year for the discussion and practice group we will read and discuss Christina Baldwin’s book, *Life’s Companion, Journal Writing as Spiritual Practice.* We will not only discuss the book but also do the practice of writing. The participants need to purchase the book and read sections, and do some or all of the writing exercises for that section, between meetings. Then come along to class to connect, share, discuss and be enriched by each other along the way. In class we may also do other processes to enrich the journey. Saturday nights once a month – 6.45 for 7pm start til 9pm. Dates: Feb 14th, Mar 21st, Apr 18th, May 23rd, June 20th, July 18th, Aug 15th, Sept 26th, Oct 17th, Nov 21st. The cost for the year is $180. To sign up for the group and pay, follow this link to the Jung Society webpage: https://www.jungsocietymelbourne.com/discussion-and-practice-group-new-for-2026 The blurb for books says: In this classic book you will discover the intimate journey of personal and spiritual development that is possible through the practice of journal writing. It offers readers guidance and inspiration to this powerful way of expanding our inner horizons and opening our minds and spirits to a deeper relationship with the world and the people around us. Complete with enlightening quotations, exercises, sample journal entries, and techniques to nurture and encourage the writer and seeker within you. Life’s Companion will help you transform journaling into a powerful tool for self-growth, heightened awareness, and personal fulfilment.

Beloved Friends , You are warmly invited to join **Osho Dynamic Meditation** — a powerful space to release stress, let go of built-up tension, and breathe freely again. Through movement, breath, and silence, allow the mind to unwind and the body to relax. No experience is needed — just come as you are and reconnect with your true nature, with awareness, aliveness, and inner peace. We would love to share this meditative journey with you. http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/e/e/0/600_453663808.jpeg When : Every Saturday , 7:30am to 8:30am Where : Elwood Angling Club, Foreshore, Elwood Contribution : $15 "Just to be is such a great celebration if you know how to take the conditioning off. This 'taking off' you will learn through Dynamic Meditation. it will not be caused; it will come to you uncaused. Meditation will create a situation in which you will come to the unknown; by and by you will be pushed from your habitual , mechanical, robot-like personality. be courageous: practise Dynamic Meditation vigorously and all else will follow. it will not be you doing, it will be a happening" OSHO - Meditation the art of ecstasy With Love and Hugs, Bodhiprem * If you are coming along for the first time, please arrive 10 minutes early for instructions, Please see below a link for the Dynamic Meditation Instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjxr9MySioc&feature=youtu.be

**Nirvana Shatakam – Shankara's Six Verses on Freedom** Most spiritual paths tell you to become something. This teaching does the opposite. Through six ancient verses by Adi Shankara, you discover who you are by removing what you're NOT – the body, mind, and roles you play. What remains is your limitless nature that was always here. Over seven months, we'll unpack these verses line by line, transforming how you see yourself and your life. **What You'll Learn** * How you mistake yourself for body, mind, emotions, and roles * Why self-knowledge differs from self-improvement * Why you've never actually been bound – and what keeps that recognition hidden * What it means to recognise yourself as the sought, not the seeker **About the Teacher** Andre Vas teaches Vedanta full-time under the Swami Dayananda (Arsha Vidya) lineage. As a former business owner, he relates deeply to householders juggling work, family, and inner growth. Known for making knowledge stick through lived experience, not just concepts. **Who This Is For** No prior background needed. For anyone noticing that acquiring more, achieving more, or becoming better doesn't stick. For those with burning curiosity and a hunger to know, understand, and live this wisdom. **I'll set up group discussions also to help us make new friends.** **When & Where** 📅 Feb 21, 2026 – Every Saturday, 2:00-4:00pm Melbourne time 📍 3 Anjaya Court, Blackburn, Melbourne **More info: [YesVedanta.com/nirvana](https://YesVedanta.com/nirvana)**

This is the first of several meetings on *Nature's God: The Heretical Origins of the American Republic*, by Matthew Stewart. For this meeting, please try to read the first three chapters (pages 1-129 in the paperback). **Where did the ideas come from that became the cornerstone of American democracy?** America’s founders intended to liberate us not just from one king but from the ghostly tyranny of supernatural religion. Drawing deeply on the study of European philosophy, Matthew Stewart brilliantly tracks the ancient, pagan, and continental ideas from which America’s revolutionaries drew their inspiration. In the writings of Spinoza, Lucretius, and other great philosophers, Stewart recovers the true meanings of “Nature’s God,” “the pursuit of happiness,” and the radical political theory with which the American experiment in self-government began. [LINK](https://a.co/d/bkTWJNb) I hope to see you there! Fred

Whether you're new to Insight meditation or an advanced practitioner looking for like-minded people to sit with, you're welcome to join us at our Sunday morning drop-in group, sponsored by the Insight Meditation Community of Washington. Insight meditation cultivates our natural wisdom and compassion. Meditation practice develops concentration, which allows us to calm and steady the mind. This class includes a 30-minute lightly-guided meditation, followed by a short talk and time for questions and discussion. The size of the group usually runs somewhere between 25-40 people in-person and between 12-25 online. Chairs are provided, or you may bring a sitting cushion or bench. You may also use the blankets and bolsters offered by the yoga studio. **We offer both in-person and online attendance.** To learn more about our topics and teachers, view our videos or **get the Zoom link**, visit our [class page](https://imcw.org/event/?eventId=735&utm_source=MeetUp&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=vienna-drop-in).

Join us in Virginia for the Arts of Life: A meditative, creative journey throught art with local artist Nancy Burbridge. Join us every third Friday of the month in Virginia from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM for an afternoon of creativity, relaxation, and self-discovery. In this interactive session, you will learn how to draw, paint, and explore the beauty within, cultivating the best version of yourself in a serene and supportive environment. Come experience the magic of art and meditation as tools for self-expression and inner growth. All materials are provided, and no prior experience is necessary. Just bring your curiosity and a willingness to explore! We can't wait to see you there! Fri., Jan. 20th, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm. Held at Brahma Kumaris, 14020 Thunderbolt Pl, Suite 200, 2nd Floor, Chantilly, VA. Free Event – Register at: **[https://shorturl.at/YmNjZ](https://shorturl.at/YmNjZ)** | | | --- | |

…Carroll, 304 pages [Physics] • Hardcover • Kindle • Audiobook • Library: https://fcplcat.fairfaxcounty.gov/search/title.aspx?ctx=1.1033.0.0.1&pos=1&cn=611358 Check the How To Find Us section for Zoom Link **(Remember, the Zoom Link is different each month, do not bookmark)** ### Review Praise for Quanta and Fields: “Readers will be electrified by his discussion of wave functions, entanglement, fields, and so much more. From the most infinitesimal of subatomic particles to the seemingly vast infinities of the universe’s great expanse, Carroll’s latest inquiry illuminates, well, everything.” —Booklist "In that void between hand-wavy popular science and academic textbook, this modern, informative and engaging account of quantum physics ticks all the boxes. Carroll the Explainer at his very best." —Jim Al-Khalili ### About the Author Sean Carroll is Homewood Professor of Natural Philosophy at Johns Hopkins University, and Fractal Faculty at the Santa Fe Institute. He is host of the Mindscape podcast, and author of From Eternity to Here, The Particle at the End of the Universe, The Big Picture, and Something Deeply Hidden. He has been awarded prizes and fellowships by the National Science Foundation, NASA, the American Institute of Physics, the Royal Society of London, and many others. He lives in Baltimore with his wife, writer Jennifer Ouellette.

To secure your spot, purchase your ticket from the Eventbrite link ([https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mindfulness-networking-happy-hour-tickets-161950047953](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mindfulness-networking-happy-hour-tickets-161950047953)). RSVPing only on the Meetup Page doesn't allow you to attend the Event. ADVANCE TICKET PURCHASE IS REQUIRED. (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mindfulness-networking-happy-hour-tickets-161950047953) ABOUT THE EVENT This event inspire, educate and connect leaders that believe in mindful leadership. Its common to start our events with meditation and mindful sharing. Speakers come from diverse background and will provide mindful leadership training. Please let us know if you want to lead the meditation or speak at the event. Instead of silently doing research on your own, it is well known that when you are regularly connected with people of your own interest, you are likely to be more motivated, better informed and less likely to miss out on opportunities. Meet and discuss face-to-face. ***HOW IT WORKS : We assign a table and facilitate participants to network. PLEASE BRING BUSINESS CARDS (Hard/Soft).*** TICKET PRICE : $15 (will increase soon). ***Ticket price includes a Taco AND House Margarita/House Wine/House Beer. Cash Bar afterwards (which means you pay as you go). Our signature drink Mer-Tini will be featured too:) Ask your bartenders***. Payment Instructions : 1\. You should login from a PC to see the 'Pay Now' button\, after RSVPing\. Then hit the button\. 2\. Verify correct dollar amount for number of people you're paying for\. ***3\. If you don't have a Paypal account\, click "Pay with a Debit or Credit Card"\.*** 4\. If you have a Paypal account\, simply log in\, and pay as you normally would via Paypal\. How to Unblock the Pop-up Blocker on Your Phone Many of our patrons advised us that they have a Pop-up Blocker on their iPhones and it hinders them from buying tickets. To unblock, please follow the following steps : For Safari Users : 1\. Go to Settings\. 2\. Scroll down to Safari and click on it\. 3\. Select Block Pop\-ups and turn it off\. For Google Chrome Users : 1\. Open Google Chrome\. 2\. Click on the three dots and you will see many options\. 3\. Click on Settings\. 4\. Scroll down to content settings\. 5\. Select Block Pop\-ups and turn it off\. Refund & Ticket Resell Policy All sales are final. We only refund the full amount, if the event is canceled. If it is rescheduled, we will send an email to ticket holders advising that. A full refund will be given to those that let us know within 2 calendar days of the update email, if you are unable to make it on the new date. No refunds will be given after that time. However, you can sell your ticket to someone else if you are unable to attend. Please, feel free to post in the comment box for the event, that you have a ticket for sale. Work out payment between yourselves, and have the seller only send the organizer a message letting us know the full name of the person taking your spot. You must let us know two hours before the RSVP close time, on the day of the event. METRO & PARKING INFO : The closest metro station is Woodley Park/Adams Morgan. Street Parking might be a challenge. But if you plan to drive, try your luck on Champlain Street. Otherwise, there is a parking garage around. However, the event involves drinking and we highly recommend a shared ride or taxi service. DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

This group is for anyone who wants to explore Buddhist meditation in a relaxed and supportive setting. Each session includes a short meditation, a simple teaching from Buddhist psychology, and an open discussion about how these ideas show up in everyday life. While our foundation is Buddhist practice, we love weaving in wisdom from other traditions whenever it helps us grow, find peace, and support each other. Members of our community come from many different backgrounds, and you do not need to consider yourself a Buddhist to attend. All are welcome. The session runs from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., with doors open from 6:30 to 9:00. Come early or stay after if you’d like to enjoy some quiet reflection or casual conversation with the community. On the first Wednesday of each month, we share a potluck meal. Bring a dish if you’d like, but the most important thing you can bring is yourself. We look forward to seeing you!

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Satanic Panics,”** a look at waves of fear of demonic activity as an American tradition, with Luxx Mishou, cultural historian and former instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy and area community colleges. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-satanic-panics2](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-satanic-panics2) .] The 1980s found the United States gripped by fear of Satanic cults targeting children. They were believed to be corrupting young ones in daycare centers and tempting teens through subliminal messages on heavy metal albums or through the quiet inclusion of demonic rituals in role-playing games. Satanic serial killers supposedly stalked the suburbs. Doctors helped patients uncover what were claimed to be repressed memories of ritualistic satanic abuse. Parents, police, and politicians were urged to protect impressionable youths from both moral and physical danger. With Satanic cults deemed to be a real and material threat, it was a frightening time for everyone, including those who suddenly came under suspicion for doing evil deeds. Then, suddenly, it all faded from public consciousness, just as surely as did eighties fads such mullet haircuts, leg warmers, and Cabbage Patch Kids. Why did it all start? Why did it stop? And has this happened before or since? Hear such questions tackled by Luxx Mishou, a cultural historian and media specialist who has long researched the devious and villainous in cultural artifacts. She’ll discuss moral panics as a longstanding cultural tradition, with each new one stemming from fear of cultural shifts and shaped by the time and place where it occurred. Among the panics we’ll look into are the Red Scare of the 1950s and the public response to the gruesome 1969 murders committed by the Manson Family. Delving into the 1980s panic, Mishou will describe how it began with the 1980 publication of psychiatrist Lawrence Pazder’s memoir *Michelle Remembers*, detailing the suppressed memories of ritualistic abuse reportedly suffered by a patient. As that book quickly became a best seller, its ideas saturated American culture. A California daycare center became the focus of a three-year investigation, followed by three years of trials, based on allegations that its owner had engaged in secret ritualistic abuse of the children in its care. Mishou will lead you through the media that convinced the public that devil worshipers were among them, and she’ll talk about how reactions to imagined threats can have very real social costs. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image by Canva.