Edinburgh

Mindfulness Meditation group practice every Wednesday evening at Unity of Gaithersburg. Mindfulness practice is not about achieving some special state of mind; it is more about noticing the experience you are having without trying to change it. This interesting video suggests why you might sit and watch your mind wander off. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmmBF8eTl18 This noticing tends to shift your nervous system from a 'fight-or-flight' state to a more relaxed and receptive state. In this receptive mental state, you begin to see your own experience differently and, over time, see other people and the world differently. Also, it is good for you: "the effect of regular meditation on the cortex was so profound that fifty-year-old meditators had a prefrontal cortex that looked like that of a twenty-five-year-old" [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PLRZVTT](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PLRZVTT) Here is an interesting and funny take on meditation by Ajahn Brahm: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR60RRmXeYs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR60RRmXeYs). If you arrive on time, there will be an introduction at the beginning, if you arrive late, find a chair and join us. There will be some discussion after. This is a free event, but contributions to the church's expenses are welcome. You can just show up this Wednesday or subsequent Wednesdays. More information at [https://www.unityofgaithersburg.org](https://www.unityofgaithersburg.org/)/

**‘Live from the Lawn’ – Summer Concert at Strathmore** **Due to the extreme heat, the Live from the Lawn: Strutman Lane performance scheduled for Wed, July 1 will take place inside the Music Center.** **Join us for an evening under the stars featuring** **Strutman Lane****, a high-energy, eight-piece powerhouse from DC.** **If you’re a fan of classic pop reimagined with** **funky grooves, soulful melodies, and a massive horn section****, you won't want to miss this. Their sound is the perfect mix of nostalgic vibes and modern energy—guaranteed to get you moving!** **The band is currently on their** ***"Know What I Know"*** **tour, and they’re known for more than just music; expect theatrical stage moments, plenty of humor, and a crowd-wide singalong. Let’s grab a spot on the grass and enjoy the show together!** **Details:** * **Concert time:** **7:30 PM** * **Meet-up:** **7:00 PM on the lawn** * **What to bring:** **Lawn chairs or blankets** ***** * **Pets and comfort/emotional support animals are not permitted at Live from the Lawn events.** **Parking:** **Use the Strathmore Metro garage or nearby street parking.**

**Living with Purpose: Meditations for a Peaceful Life** **Wednesdays, 7:00pm-8:00pm** **With various Kadampa Teachers** Buddha’s life and teachings reveal a blueprint that anyone can follow to awaken our fullest potential for happiness. Using the New Meditation Handbook by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso as our guide, learn how to meditate on core insights and practices that lead to personal transformation – from precious human, impermanence and refuge up to karma, future lives and liberation in a practical, accessible way. **June 17th:** The Value of Our Life **June 24th:** The Power of Meditating on Impermanence **July 1st:** What Happens after Death? **July 8th: Creating Inner Protection** **July 15th:** Happiness & the Law of Karma **REGISTRATION** Standard: $12 \| Financial Hardship $6 \| Free for [Members](https://meditation-dc.org/membership/) [Pre-Register Here](https://meditation-dc.org/lamrim-meditation/) Each class is available by drop in. Everyone is welcome to attend, no previous experience is required. **LOCATION** Kadampa Meditation Center DC 1200 Canal St\. SW \| Washington\, DC 20024 **Metro Stop:** Waterfront or Navy Yard

Discover the path to stress management, life's tranquility, and self-improvement through Heartfulness Meditation. Embrace relaxation, meditation, and emotional detoxification practices to unlock your best self. Join our free sessions every Wednesday at 730 PM at MD. Experience the profound benefits of these simple yet powerful practices. Commit to a few months of meditation and witness the transformative impact firsthand. We eagerly await your presence at these enlightening sessions.

We'll check out Caboose Commons: 2918 Eskridge Rd, Fairfax, VA 22031 This location is 15 min. walk to Dunn Loring metro station. And there are public parkings at Mosaic. Please have a picture profile so we can recognize you in the meetup. Please only sign up if you're sure about attending this meetup, and please update your RSVP as soon as possible if you need to cancel, thank you!

Let us celebrate America's birthday in a grand style and have a Costume competition. Gryphon is gracious as usual and give us gift cards, which can be used for a bite/booze. We will award the three best costumes. They have to be Patriotic, Sexy and Creative. 1st Prize - $ 50 2nd Pize - $ 25 3rd Prize - I will buy one middle shelf drink Our hosting team will announce the winners around 8 pm~ish. Make it difficult for us to select! http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/b/9/b/600_436539835.jpeg http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/e/2/8/600_450340488.jpeg http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/e/3/6/600_450340502.jpeg We have specials, just for our group. The Gryphon make me feel loved and honored, by naming, one of my favorite cocktails, after me - MER-Tini:) It will be one of the featured cocktails. We booked the whole bar area for this party. http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/0/8/8/600_436665192.jpeg METRO & PARKING INFO The Gryphon is half a block from Dupont Circle Metro Station. Please take the 'Dupont South' exit. Check it on http://www.wmata.com/ and plan accordingly. Street parking might be difficult. However, if you plan to drive, there is a PMI Parking Garage (1725 Desales St. NW, Washington DC 20036), $ 20 for 12 hours. It is a 24 hour and 7 days garage.

We go all over Virginia and canvass all cities. This is Old Town's turn and here we come Old Town! * * Drink specials including the usual suspect Mer-Tini:) * Event is 21+ * Come one, come all; this is the most friendliest event you have ever attended! * Feel free to invite your friends. They don't necessarily have to be a member METRO & PARKING INFO Closest Metro Station is King Street. Street Parking might be a challenge AND the event involves drinking. We highly encourage you to take a taxi service or a ride share. DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

Calling all singles, couples, out of towners, co-workers or just people looking for things to do!
Come out and enjoy a comedy show in the lively Adams Morgan neighborhood. The show and meet up is at Mixxed in dc. Come to the show and stay after for drinks and mingle!
Tickets to the show - https://tinyurl.com/Mixxed2nd. Doors: 7:45PM and Show: 8:00PM - about an hour and a half long. Drink and food specials all night. \*free drinks per person\* Tables, food and drinks are available at the venue (no item minimum)
Mixxed address: 2427 18th ST, NW DC.

Let us celebrate America's birthday in a grand style and have a Costume competition. Gryphon is gracious as usual and give us gift cards, which can be used for a bite/booze. We will award the three best costumes. They have to be Patriotic, Sexy and Creative. 1st Prize - $ 50 2nd Pize - $ 25 3rd Prize - I will buy one middle shelf drink Our hosting team will announce the winners around 8 pm~ish. Make it difficult for us to select! http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/b/9/b/600_436539835.jpeg http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/e/2/8/600_450340488.jpeg http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/e/3/6/600_450340502.jpeg We have specials, just for our group. The Gryphon make me feel loved and honored, by naming, one of my favorite cocktails, after me - MER-Tini:) It will be one of the featured cocktails. We booked the whole bar area for this party. http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/0/8/8/600_436665192.jpeg METRO & PARKING INFO The Gryphon is half a block from Dupont Circle Metro Station. Please take the 'Dupont South' exit. Check it on http://www.wmata.com/ and plan accordingly. Street parking might be difficult. However, if you plan to drive, there is a PMI Parking Garage (1725 Desales St. NW, Washington DC 20036), $ 20 for 12 hours. It is a 24 hour and 7 days garage.

Whether you've never done improv before, or you've done it for so long you were quoted in *Truth in Comedy*, or anywhere in between, come join us! Swing by *Gresso's* for the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup**! The idea behind improvised comedy is to create entire scenes from scratch. A suggestion is taken from the audience and laughter is built on the spot. This can be done in game form, like *Whose Line Is It Anyway, Make Some Noise,* or *Wild 'n Out*; it can also be done in a longer way, to tell a complicated story, like *TJ & Dave*. Our meetup, which is central Ohio's longest running (and FREE!) weekly comedy event, brings the games for you to play in a safe, supportive, and compassionate environment. Afterward, many members will hang out in *Gresso's* itself and get to know each other. Not only is this a lot of fun, but you get to work on thinking faster on your feet, your public speaking, plus it's an excellent way to meet new people and build relationships that will last a lifetime, and you do that while laughing your butt off! Ask yourself if you want to join the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup**, and say "*Yes, And*" that you'll have a blast!

The ultimate Thursday night out is back. Join us for BAM Thursdays (Bar, Art, and Music) at the Columbus Museum of Art. Live music, great art, delicious bites, vendors and fresh cocktails in the garden space. Limited seating is also available inside Schokko Café (yummy sharable plates). **FEE:** BAM Thursday evenings offer **FREE general admission** from 5:00–9:00 PM. See what’s on view [here](https://www.columbusmuseum.org/art-exhibitions/on-view-now/) (special exhibits are $5.00 fee). **TOUR**: I'll lead a tour of the main museum from 6:30pm til 7pm. FREE **PARKING** behind the museum is $7.00. Nearby parking a little cheaper. **SEATING**: *Tables are available on a first come first serve basis for dining. In the event of inclement weather, BAM Thursdays will move inside to the atrium.* **DRESS**: Summer dressy casual

Join us for our Sunday Meditation Service - Is cancelled!

*The streets of Columbus are going French this July!* The **[Chouette Bastille Day Festival](https://www.chouetterestaurant.com/)** returns to N. High Street this summer for an afternoon of live French jazz, traditional French cuisine, and premium cocktails, wines, and craft beers from our DORA bar. Free cover, festive, and entirely French.⁠ **⁠When:** Sunday, July 12th, 12PM to 4 PM - we'll meet about 2pm. **Parking**: Metropolis Parking garage, one block west. Metropolis Parking lot, one block east. **Note**: Feel free to come by early and grab a sit down lunch at one of the great restaurants nearby, if you like. Once the fest begins, eats n drinks purchased are walkabout, round tables, or lean in high tops. *You just may find me at a barstool at Hank's ;)*

All levels of Meditators or welcome. In person or on Facebook Live! There will be instructions and inspiration for new inexperienced meditators. The hosts, meditators and Kriya Yoga initiates for over 50 years, are direct disciples of Yogacharya J. Oliver Black one of Paramahansa Yogananda's most advanced male disciples. He is the founder of Golden Lotus, Inc., which owns & operates 'Song of the Morning' an 800 acre Yoga Retreat Northest of Gaylord, MI on the Pigeon River. Paramahansa Yogananda founded Self Realization Fellowship, headquartered in Los Angeles, CA and is the author of the Spritual Classic, 'Autobiography of a Yogi.'