Consciousness

Socrates Café meets on the first Saturday of each month. Though this may be considered a "philosophical" group, there are no rules as to what is discussed. Usually, the topics revolve around social concerns, morality, and the first principles of things. Prior to each meeting we vote online for the questions we will discuss. That way, we will have enough time to ruminate on them and have more in-depth conversations. If you RSVP to a meeting, you may post your question in the event comments section below. I'll send out a survey for voting a few days prior to the meetup. We discuss two questions each night. So you will get to cast two votes in the survey. When we meet, we break into smaller groups of five to seven to discuss the top two vote-getters. Each group discusses one question for around 45-50 minutes, and we then take a short break. After reconvening, each group moves on to its second question. Hope to see you there! -Brian

Let's get into some in-person games! For those new to the group, I have a wide selection of Nintendo systems on hand, and you're welcome to bring your own games, consoles or portable systems. A second TV is available. If possible, mention when you plan to arrive, as this can help in deciding when certain games would best be played. You can park along Armistead, Quantrell or Lincolnia, or Wilson. If you arrive after 6, you can also park on Breckinridge with no time limit. I can provide transportation from Van Dorn Metro before and after the event.

**You Are Not Your Situation. So, Who Are You?** **Your circumstances don’t define you.** Life can place us in roles, responsibilities, and situations that quietly begin to shape how we see ourselves. Over time, challenges, titles, relationships, or past experiences can blur our sense of identity, leaving us feeling limited, overwhelmed, or disconnected from our inner strength. This reflective and empowering session invites you to pause and look inward. We’ll explore the difference between **who you are** and **what you are going through**. Rather than being defined by external circumstances, you’ll reconnect with your deeper, unchanging self, the source of clarity, resilience, and inner peace. A grounding experience for anyone navigating change, uncertainty, or simply seeking deeper self-understanding and peace from within. ***(In person at the Meditation Museum in Silver Spring, MD)*** Sat., Feb., 7th, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm. Held at Meditation Museum, 9525 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910. Free Event – Register at: [https://shorturl.at/imJHv](https://shorturl.at/imJHv)

With the better weather, we're finally going to put on this event! Join us for dinner and cake at a delicious Turkish cafe as we discuss our experiences leaving MAGA. All are welcome, even if you're still MAGA or even liberal. Join us at Moda 14513 Lee Jackson Mem Hwy # J, Chantilly, VA 20151a Ask for Janelle's Table

Wake Up DC Sangha for young adults - third practice session Saturday, February 7, 2026 1:15 PM - 3:30 PM Dear friends, This is a warm invitation for young adults aged 18-35 (at heart) to join Wake Up DC Sangha's third practice session on Saturday, February 7th 2026 from 1:15 PM - 3:30 PM. Practice will be held at: Opening Heart Mindfulness Community 3812 Northampton St NW Washington, D.C. 20015 Program of events: 1:15 - 1:30: Arrival 1:30 - 1:40: Introduction to practice 1:40 - 2:00: Guided sitting meditation 2:00 - 2:20: Walking meditation 2:20 - 2:40: Offering of Teachings 2:40 - 3:20: Dharma Sharing 3:20 - 3:30: Closing Friends are asked to arrive prior to the start of seated meditation. Cushions will be provided.

Join Us for Simple Tools to Start Meditating Today! If you have ever wanted to meditate but did not know how to begin, this class is for you. People meditate for all sorts of reasons: to relax; calm down; relieve stress; improve relationships; understand themselves; tap into their potential; find meaning and purpose in life and awaken their spirituality. What if the calm, clarity, and inner strength you’re seeking could begin with one simple practice...meditation? Join us to begin incorporating meditation into your daily life. Free Event - Donations Appreciated.

(2024) by Christof Koch, 288 pages [Psychology] • Hardcover • Kindle • Audiobook • Library: https://fcplcat.fairfaxcounty.gov/search/title.aspx?ctx=1.1033.0.0.1&pos=1&cn=613100 Check the How To Find Us section for Zoom Link **(Remember, the Zoom Link is different each month, do not bookmark)** ### Review "A wonderful book."―Sam Harris, Making Sense with Sam Harris “a fun introduction to a number of debates… Mr. Koch’s book provokes questions… and counterarguments, but that’s what gives it life.” ―The Wall Street Journal “Easily the most current, thorough, and helpful exploration of consciousness available. Koch’s light, simple, yet authoritative writing style will appeal to general audiences as well as scientists and researchers. An essential, highly recommended purchase.”―Library Journal “magisterial… charming, sometimes beautiful, and almost always illuminating” ―Science Magazine “an impressive and sometimes exuberant work, showcasing decades of [Koch’s] research”―New Scientist “Koch’s adept use of analogies and entertaining anecdotes — complete with his own near-death experience and psychedelic drug trips — make the book a compelling and surprisingly light read.” ―Science News “undeniably compelling… a smoothly written must-read for anyone interested in a detailed introduction to the relationship between the brain, consciousness, and transformative experiences” ―Ars Technica “Expertly weaving in personal experience with science that few, if any, can speak more authoritatively about, Koch leads us on an amazing journey of consciousness—from birth to death. Deeply personal and infinitely digestible, Then I Am Myself the World is a remarkable must read for anyone interested in knowing their mind.”―Judson Brewer MD, PhD, New York Times–bestselling author of Unwinding Anxiety “Koch’s latest book brilliantly navigates the intricate landscape of our mind and our brain, offering insightful perspectives on the nature of conscious experiences, both ordinary as well as extraordinary ones.”―Hartmut Neven, founder and lead of Google’s quantum AI lab “Then I Am Myself the World is the new record of note for the scientific understanding of consciousness. This is an elegant tableau, a travelogue of subjective experience grounded in the latest neuroscience and philosophy traversing religion, science, and a life dedicated to the biggest questions. Filled with crystalline prose, lucid explanation, and revelatory honesty, this book will continue to be read centuries from now.”―Patrick House, author of Nineteen Ways of Looking at Consciousness “What would happen if a hardcore neuroscientist, with encyclopedic knowledge and four decades of experience in his field, were personally confronted with transformative mystical experiences carrying inevitable metaphysical implications? What would happen if the neuroscientist in question were open-minded, humble, but remained rigorously grounded in reason, evidence, and his hard-earned understanding of how consciousness relates to brain structures and function? What would he, the most preeminent professional of his generation, make of his extraordinary experiences? And what if, in addition, the neuroscientist was a modern renaissance man versed in physics, philosophy, the arts, the classics, and could pluck irresistibly evocative metaphors from the Western literary and artistic canon as if leisurely picking apples in early fall? This is what you will find in this treasured book, a whirlwind ride of insight after insight—so many they can’t possibly be all documented in footnotes—that will surprise and delight you from the get-go. ‘Primacy goes to consciousness, not to the objective world,’ he boldly states already on page two, in a prelude of things to come. ‘Everything else follows from there, including the realist assumption of the existence of objects, out ‘there,’ independent of my experiencing them.’ The book embodies the ever-evolving wisdom of a man whose intellectual prowess is only matched by his intellectual honesty. And this man, in the seventh decade of his scintillatingly productive life, has a lifetime of learning to share with you.”―Bernardo Kastrup, executive director, Essentia Foundation “Koch’s first book was entitled The Quest for Consciousness. And such has been Koch’s life, an adventurer’s pursuit of a distant goal, undeterred by the prevailing winds. The reader will learn where this quest has led and, like the author, will be enriched by it. Koch, one of the most accomplished scientists of our time, a mind singularly open to learning and changing, here opens his soul, revealing his vast, scintillating appreciation of nature in all its forms. It is a touching, profound book. Which is as it should be, since consciousness touches everything and is everything we touch.”―Giulio Tononi, University of Wisconsin-Madison ### About the Author Christof Koch is a neuroscientist at the Allen Institute and at the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation, the former president of the Allen Institute for Brain Science, and a former professor at the California Institute of Technology. Author of four previous titles, Koch writes regularly for a range of media, including Scientific American. He lives in the Pacific Northwest.

Seekers of timeless truths and spiritual meaning often turn to the records and whisperings of ancient times. But there is a more personal and direct way to learn about ourselves as divine, immortal Soul – and it can be explored here and now. This study can help you understand your true nature as a child of the Divine, identify your strongest spiritual gifts, and tap your limitless creativity of Soul. Using these practices, you can create a happier and more fulfilling life for yourself now as you prepare for an eternity of spiritual unfoldment and service to Creation. Are you ready to take your next spiritual step using the God knowledge that is already within your heart? You’re welcome to join us on February 8th as we discuss: • How the Voice of God speaks to us today. • Understanding your profound experiences. • Experiencing your true beingness of Soul, an infinite spiritual being. All attendees will receive a free copy of “Ancient Wisdom for Today” while supplies last. We really look forward to seeing you there! 3 A flyer for this event is available for you at: https://eck-va.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Poster-for-February-8th-2026 Eckankar-AWFT-Topic-Rev-2.pdf

**Join us in Falls Church for conversations that go beyond small talk.** Higher Grounds – Falls Church is where this growing network of gatherings began: a space for thoughtful, authentic dialogue about what matters most. Whether we’re exploring the nature of happiness, the challenges and possibilities of midlife, spirituality, culture, capitalism, parenting, or the role of art and travel in a meaningful life, every conversation is shaped by the people in the room. There’s no set leader or rigid agenda—just a shared commitment to listen as much as we speak. We start with brief introductions focused on what makes you *you* (not your LinkedIn bio), then dive straight into whatever is on people’s minds. The direction of each meetup emerges organically, making every event unique. MANDATORY: PLEASE REVIEW OUR COMMUNITY GUIDELINES IN THE GROUP DESCRIPTION. Everyone is expected to engage in respectful conversations and listen deeply as well as share. We have a zero tolerance policy of sexual harassment and hate speech. Come ready to share, reflect, and connect with others in Falls Church who are also seeking deeper conversations. **Suggested Questions: Life Stages & Transitions** 1. What did you think you'd have figured out by now that you're still completely winging? 2. When did you realize your parents' advice was for a world that no longer exists? 3. What are you finally old enough to stop pretending to care about? **Suggested Questions: Identity After the Roles** 1. Who are you when nobody needs anything from you? 2. What dream keeps resurfacing even though the "practical" time has passed? 3. How do you handle having the freedom you always said you wanted? **Suggested Questions: AI & Being Human** 1. What human experiences will AI never truly understand? 2. If machines handled all your have-to's, what would you actually do? 3. What becomes more precious as everything becomes automated? **Suggested Questions: Belief & Meaning** 1. What certainties have you given up, and what rushed in to fill that space? 2. How has knowing someone who died changed how you live? 3. What do you believe now that would shock your younger self? **Suggested Questions: The Modern Psyche** 1. What anxiety do you carry that previous generations didn't have? 2. Which of your survival strategies are you ready to retire? 3. What uncomfortable truth about happiness did it take you years to accept? **Suggested Questions: Work & Purpose** 1. When did you stop believing that your job would complete you? 2. What would you do for work if money and status weren't factors? 3. How has your definition of "making it" changed over the years? **Suggested Questions: Relationships & Connection** 1. What relationship dynamic do you keep recreating, and why? 2. When did you realize your parents were just people trying their best? 3. What kind of loneliness doesn't go away even when you're with others? **Suggested Questions: Time & Mortality** 1. What are you running out of time to say or do? 2. How differently do you spend your time knowing it's finite? 3. What will you regret not trying, even if you fail? **Suggested Questions: Society & Culture** 1. What social convention do you follow even though it makes no sense? 2. Which generation do you understand least, and what might you be missing? 3. What aspect of how we live now will seem insane in 20 years? **Suggested Questions: Personal Philosophy** 1. What rule for life did you create after learning something the hard way? 2. When did you stop believing that everyone else had it figured out 3. What paradox about life have you learned to live with?

Is it possible to grow spiritually in isolation? It’s quite natural to think about our personal spiritual growth and development in terms of improving our own life, but how does that relate to the real world around us? What if our own personal growth is closely connected to the growth and progress of others? And what if turning our gaze beyond just ourselves to also focus on the progress of others and of our communities not only helps make the world a better place but is actually what helps us grow? Come join a different kind of conversation – one that welcomes every perspective in a search for the underlying truths that unite us all – as we discuss the spiritual perspectives offered by the Bahá’í Teachings on how practicing selflessness and incorporating service to others can actually further our own growth. Join us for a lively discussion as we explore the ways in which self-development is connected with that of those around us. *"Whosoever has lost himself has found the universe and the inhabitants thereof. Whosoever is occupied with himself is wandering in the desert of heedlessness and regret. The "master-key" to self-mastery is self-forgetting."* – Bahá'í Teachings \*\*\* This event is free and open to all regardless of background or belief. Donations will not be accepted.

Title: Biology-Inspired Neural Networks with Multi-Directional Propagation of Values and Distributions Date: Feb 8 2026 10:00 am - Noon EST Summary: While biological axons can propagate in both directions, current ANNs are focused on unidirectional propagation. Also usually they only propagate values, while uncertainty is shown also crucial for making decisions of biological organisms - suggesting to propagate also variance, probability distributions. I will talk about novel KAN-like approach to ANNs repairing these lack by using neurons containing inexpensive local joint distribution model as polynomial, allowing to freely change propagation direction by just switching indexes, also propagate entire probability distributions represented by vectors of moments. Beside backpropagation, it also allows many additional training approaches, like direct estimation, tensor decomposition, and through information bottleneck. Speaker: Dr Jarek Duda is an assistant professor at Jagiellonian University. He holds degrees in computer science (PhD), mathematics (MSc) and physics (PhD). He is mainly focused on physics foundations, information theory, statistical analysis, and is known for introduction of asymmetric numeral systems. Moderators: Dr. Pawel Gora, CEO of Quantum AI Foundation and Dr. Sebastian Zajac , member of QPoland Zoom registration form will be provided no later than 1 hour prior to the event's start time.

**NOW ONLINE** The weekly Sunday morning (10:30 am to 12 noon) class begins with a welcome, short reflection on an aspect of the teachings, and includes an arriving meditation (15 minutes) that will often incorporate poems and may end with a reflection or question. The opening meditation is followed by an invitation to each person to share their name and a few words (for example, what is alive for them right now or what their intention is for the class or the day). The sharing has been a powerful support to help welcome new people, get to know each other, and build community/sangha. Following a brief period of mindful stretching/movement, we finish with a longer meditation (25-30 minutes) and final reflections on the teachings, sharing, Q&A, and announcements. Class participants are welcome to stay and engage with other members of the community or adjourn to a neighboring restaurant or coffee shop. This space is inclusive, everyone is welcome, and we invite you to bring with you all aspects of yourself. Learn more here: https://imcw.org/Calendar/Event-Calendar/EventId/3686/e/drop-in-class-livestreamed-19-apr-2020

**Please note that pre-registration and payment are required to participate: [Register here.](https://paypal.me/akashicrecords612?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US)** **Awaken the sacred within. Reclaim your soul’s truth.** Beneath all the noise, the patterns, and the pain, your soul has never stopped whispering. It holds the memory of every choice, every wound, every triumph across time. This vibrational archive—your **Akashic Records**—awaits you. And within them: clarity, healing, and a return to the Divine spark of who you truly are. Let’s take a breath and reflect… · Have you been feeling like you're moving through life in a loop—taking one step forward, only to be pulled back again and again? · Does life feel like an ongoing storm of confusion, struggle, or emotional unrest? · Do you long for heartfelt, soul-level connection—but feel it remains just out of reach? · Are you living the life your heart calls you to…or the one others expect? If you’ve felt this, take comfort: you are not broken. You are awakening. You’ve been guided to this moment for a reason. Your soul knows it's time to return home to your truth. **\*\*Welcome to the Akashic Records—\*\* a timeless sanctuary of compassion, wisdom, and love.** In this deeply healing workshop, you're invited not just to explore your story—but to rewrite its energetic imprint. Guided by the compassionate presence of **Bill Sanda**, you'll step into a space where healing is not only possible, but inevitable—when met with an open heart. This isn’t just another offering. This is a soul-remembrance. During our time together, you will: ✨ **Uncover the hidden patterns of your past**, including the emotional echoes, ancestral threads, and past-life imprints that continue to influence your present reality ✨ **Liberate yourself from repetitive cycles** of fear, doubt, or stagnation, so you can move forward in alignment with your soul’s highest expression ✨ **Receive healing directly from your Akashic Records**, reconnecting to your innate wisdom and Divine blueprint ✨ **Remember who you are beyond this lifetime**, as insights from past incarnations help you navigate your current path with grace ✨ **Experience the sacred sound of Light Language**—a celestial, soul-coded vibration that speaks beyond the mind, clearing density, activating remembrance, and harmonizing your energy at the DNA level Bill’s sacred gift of channeling the Akashic Records—woven together with the high-frequency transmission of Light Language—creates a multidimensional space for profound transformation. You’ll also receive personal attention during the workshop through mini-healing sessions, and we'll culminate in a group integration, inviting a collective shift in vibration and consciousness. **Here’s what others have shared about their experience:** *“Bill is exceptionally gifted… It seemed that everyone had erased years... looking so much younger and so much more relaxed and at peace than before the session. The shift happening for each person was actually physically visible.”* — *Cindy W.* *“Finally, I understand what has been causing the sabotaging behaviors. Two days later, I’m clearer and more spiritually connected than I’ve ever been. Thank you, Bill, for your healing gifts.”* — *Wendy W.* ***About Bill Sanda*** *A lifelong seeker and heart-led healer, **Bill Sanda** walks with humility, clarity, and deep reverence for the sacred. His journey has led him to study with some of today’s most respected spiritual masters, but it was through divine revelation that his ability to work within the Akashic Records and transmit Light Language fully emerged. Bill now offers this work as a gift of service—to support others in awakening to their truth, releasing what no longer serves, and remembering the wholeness that has always been within. His mission is simple and powerful: to support your healing on all levels—**emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual**—so you can live more aligned, more free, and more fully alive.* \*\*\* If you feel the call, trust it. Your soul has already said yes. **Please note that pre-registration and payment are required to participate: [Register here.](https://paypal.me/akashicrecords612?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US)**

🌀 **Breathwork & Awakening Workshop — 4 Hours of Deep Healing** Life can feel heavy when emotions, stress, and unprocessed experiences remain stored in the body. The breath is one of the most natural and powerful ways to gently release, heal, and reconnect with yourself. This 4-hour in-person Breathwork & Awakening Workshop is a guided inner journey into deep relaxation, emotional release, and clarity — without force, analysis, or performance. Through conscious breathing, guided practices, and spacious integration, you’ll be supported to: ✨ Breathe deeply ✨ Release gently ✨ Awaken naturally 📅 Saturday, Feb 14 ⏰ 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM 📍 DhyanYoga Meditation Center (Lunch included) 💰 Contribution: $30 **Register Now:** [https://www.breatheoflove.com/service-page/self-love-a-guided-meditation-journey?referral=service_list_widget](https://www.breatheoflove.com/service-page/self-love-a-guided-meditation-journey?referral=service_list_widget) No prior experience needed. Come as you are — tired, curious, overwhelmed, or simply ready to breathe. 🌿 Come breathe with us.

## **Moving Beyond Us Versus Them with Sister Jenna** **Join renowned speaker, Sister Jenna, at our new Brahma Kumaris location in Chantilly, VA for this powerful event!** ## ***Beyond sides. Beyond stories. Into connection.*** In a world increasingly shaped by polarization, uncertainty, and “Us versus Them” thinking, many people are feeling weary, guarded, or disconnected, sometimes without realizing how deeply it has affected them. *Moving Beyond Us Versus Them* offers a timely and healing invitation to step out of division and into understanding. In this reflective session, Sister Jenna guides us to examine how labels, opinions, and unconscious biases quietly shape our perceptions and reactions. Rather than engaging in debate or blame, this session creates space to rise above conditioned thinking and reconnect with our shared humanity, where compassion, dignity, and mutual respect naturally emerge. This session is not about choosing sides, it’s about choosing consciousness, connection, and the courage to see one another anew. ***Sister Dr. Jenna*** *is a spiritual mentor, author, radio and TV personality, renowned speaker, and the founder of the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Museum located in Maryland. She hosted the popular America Meditating Radio Show and is a recipient of the President’s Lifetime National Community Service Award. Sister Dr. Jenna is a member of the Evolutionary Leaders Circle, a group of thought leaders from diverse disciplines in service to conscious evolution and was selected by Empower A Billion Women 2020 as one of 100 most influential leaders of 2015.* *She is the author of “[Meditation: Intimate Experiences with the Divine through Contemplative Practices](https://www.amazon.com/Meditation-Experiences-Contemplative-Practices-Sentience/dp/194502691X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3A4J9WRQ16QAJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.va3qPnUsFjEWH641OraGTqBHm8wDhdhrTu3hpjHufKo.7mA_AgIvDXQuQ9_Uu4ucZgQIOKmCfKb6yBHsIqamhPY&dib_tag=se&keywords=Meditation%3A+Intimate+Experiences+with+the+Divine+through+Contemplative+Practices&qid=1753065633&sprefix=meditation+intimate+experiences+with+the+divine+through+contemplative+practices%2Caps%2C232&sr=8-1),” a profound compilation featuring insights from over 30 contributing authors and she contributed to “[Mr. President – Interfaith Perspectives on the Historic Presidency of Barack H. Obama,](https://www.amazon.com/Mr-President-Interfaith-Perspectives-Presidency/dp/1939774306/ref=sr_1_1?crid=38LXE3LGDPJ6C&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lSb0fzkCXPXp-Gf4ReVNoA.5hIb1TKNvtmLu65w2R4-l13WjyXAzF-rRFtQzDsRTcg&dib_tag=se&keywords=Mr.+President+%E2%80%93+Interfaith+Perspectives+on+the+Historic+Presidency+of+Barack+H.+Obama%2C&qid=1753065692&sprefix=mr.+president+interfaith+perspectives+on+the+historic+presidency+of+barack+h.+obama%2C%2Caps%2C110&sr=8-1)” offering her unique spiritual insights on leadership and unity.* Sunday, March 29th, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm. Held at Brahma Kumaris Center, 14020 Thunderbolt Pl, Suite 200, 2nd Floor, Chantilly, VA. Free Event – Register at: [https://shorturl.at/fTuNz](https://shorturl.at/fTuNz)

\*\*\*Meditation in our sacred space will begin promptly at 7:15 pm. Please refrain from entering after 7:15 pm. Additionally, space is limited to the first 35 attendees. Your RSVP here does not guarantee you a spot and tickets are available first come, first served.\*\*\* Donations are appreciated, and the average donation is generally $20, but all are welcome regardless of means! A portion of all proceeds will help fund the Crystal Ashram non-profit project where the Human Activation School of Expanded Consciousness will be located. A unique musical experience called a "Sound Bath" Sound bath! What's that? According to sonic specialist Monte Hansen from Annapolis MD, "A sound bath is an immersion in sound frequency that cleans your soul." Leave your rubber ducky at home. Bring your blankey instead, for this super relaxing immersion! According to cutting-edge doctors from Harvard, some of the deepest most profound healing in the body are accomplished with sound frequency. That's old news though. A 2nd century stone relief in the Himalayan mountains shows us that Buddha and his entourage knew this before Christ walked the earth. The stone relief depicts the Buddha and his buddies playing ancient Tibetan singing bowls. A sound frequency specialist from the [Human Activation School](https://humanactivation.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d88b4fea1b0f4ceaeb58f0e82&id=d6674b4603&e=465ba11f44), will be playing several of these rare Singing Bowls, some of which are over 200 years old. A magical alchemy of 7-12 different metals rings in the past, present, and future for our relaxing enchantment. Even modern doctors are using these old metal bowls for healing, and they are not practicing Buddhists! As a matter of fact, modern Buddhists no longer use the bowls in their practice. Come experience these gifts from the past in this NON-religious practice of our present. Come be rejuvenated or just captivated by this unique musical performance. Bring your pillows, blankeys, and yoga mats and snuggle into the comfort of the tranquil sounds. Feel free to sit, lay, or even stand! ***Did You Know?*** Singing bowls invite the mind and body into a tranquil state of being in which remarkable healing can occur, events that are unexplainable from a conventional biomedical perspective” *Music and the Meditative Mind: Toward the Science of the Ineffable*[Source](https://humanactivation.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d88b4fea1b0f4ceaeb58f0e82&id=9222616fc4&e=465ba11f44) "The sound bath meditation provides a nurturing space to connect and grow spiritually. The group atmosphere is welcoming and fun, and the meditation work is soothing and enriching. Loved it!"**-Cara** 7:00 pm - Meditation Reception\*\*\*Meditation in our sacred space will begin promptly at 7:15 pm. Please refrain from entering after 7:15 pm.\*\*\* 7:15 - Doors Close & Meditation Begins 8:15 - Meditation Ends, Followed by Community Reflection \*Please be respectful of Sticks and Stones employees and their instructions upon entering and exiting the space for the meditation\* A portion of all proceeds will help fund the [Crystal Ashram](https://humanactivation.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d88b4fea1b0f4ceaeb58f0e82&id=11664c3011&e=465ba11f44) non-profit project where the [Human Activation](https://humanactivation.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d88b4fea1b0f4ceaeb58f0e82&id=41699e76d8&e=465ba11f44) School of Expanded Consciousness will be located. Community sharing and engagement following after the meditation Questions? Please email [robert@humanactivation.com](http://mailto:robert@humanactivation.com/) or visit [crystalashram.com](https://humanactivation.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d88b4fea1b0f4ceaeb58f0e82&id=7d92f9b8f7&e=465ba11f44).

Join us for conversations that go beyond small talk, diving into topics like the shifting nature of spirituality, the challenges and joys of midlife transitions, the impact of culture and capitalism, and the search for meaning in art, travel, and daily life. Our gatherings are about genuine, thought-provoking dialogue, with no set leader or strict agenda—just an open space to share ideas, perspectives, and experiences that matter to us. The direction of the discussion is shaped by everyone who shows up, making each event unique and enriching.

This is introductory meditation for people who wants to learn basics of meditation. It's a free event held every week and everyone is welcome to join.

*Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy registration requested at* [The Disappearance and Persistence of Bees (Virtual) - Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy](https://loudounwildlife.org/event/persistent-native-bees/) The demise and disappearance of bees is well documented, yet bees still persist. Wildlife biologist Sam Droege shares a more nuanced look at the current state of native bees based on his research. This presentation is co-sponsored by the Loudoun County Public Library and Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy. ***Questions:*** *Contact [info@loudounwildlife.org](mailto:info@loudounwildlife.org)*.