Free Thinker

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

\*These classes are not a language exchange, but instead are meant to be a step in between so that students feel confident maintaining in depth and grammatically correct oral conversations outside of class\* \***Meetup event numbers only tend to show new students registering and do not include returning students attending class.** **Per class, there is an average of 7 students.** The first 2 classes are free and then only cost between $18 and $35 depending on which type of class you want to continue with\* These French, English (For Spanish and French speakers only), and Spanish classes are primarily meant for adults who are travellers, or who are planning to live in a French, English, or Spanish-speaking country. The classes are primarily oral-based through guided conversations. They will teach you how to handle conversations in situations such as **"Going to the Convenience Store"**, **"Making Plans"**, **"Negotiating Prices"**, and **"Going out for a Drink"**. To ensure that students get used to using the language automatically, students will learn to maintain contextual conversations with timing before moving on to the next lesson. Call (647)787-9953, e-mail us info@monkeylingo.ca, or visit monkeylingo.ca for more information! **Online and private classes are also available!** No other language classes are as conversational as these ones. We guarantee it! Cheap parking can be found using the "Spot Hero" app.

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

\*These classes are not a language exchange, but instead are meant to be a step in between so that students feel confident maintaining in depth and grammatically correct oral conversations outside of class\* \***Meetup event numbers only tend to show new students registering and do not include returning students attending class.** **Per class, there is an average of 7 students.** The first 2 classes are free and then only cost between $18 and $35 depending on which type of class you want to continue with\* These English (For Spanish speakers or advanced learners only), French, and Spanish classes are primarily meant for adults who are travellers, or who are planning to live in an English, French, or Spanish-speaking country. The classes are primarily oral-based through guided conversations. They will teach you how to handle conversations in situations such as **"Going to the Convenience Store"**, **"Making Plans"**, **"Negotiating Prices"**, and **"Going out for a Drink"**. To ensure that students get used to using the language automatically, students will learn to maintain contextual conversations with timing before moving on to the next lesson. Call (647)787-9953, e-mail us info@monkeylingo.ca, or visit monkeylingo.ca for more information! **Online and private classes are also available!** No other language classes are as conversational as these ones. We guarantee it! Cheap parking can be found using the "Spot Hero" app.

**Full Moon Mystery Meditation in Cancer** *"I BUILD A LIGHTED HOUSE AND THEREIN DWELL"* *** You are warmly invited to join us for the **Full Moon Mystery Meditation in Cancer** **Monday, June 29th, 2026 at 7:30 PM EST** (Doors open at 7:15pm) Cancer is the great **door into incarnation** — the sign through which souls descend into matter and through which, in time, they return. At the full moon in Cancer, the great tidal flow of life between spirit and matter is most keenly felt. It is a moment to honour the vast work of manifestation itself, and to turn the tide of personal need toward the impersonal service of all. **Full Moon exact:** *Monday, June 29, 2026 at 7:57 PM EDT* *** **Join us in person** Toronto Theosophical Society, 792 Glencairn Ave, Toronto, ON M6B 2A3 **Or join us online via Zoom:** [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85005356634?pwd=bUTKsgjKwtiF79OrhJ9jaaoMjyjxbP.1](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85005356634?pwd=bUTKsgjKwtiF79OrhJ9jaaoMjyjxbP.1) **Fee:** Always free *** **The Mystery of Cancer** **The 7th Field of Group Work** The 7th Field represents the seventh aspect of the divine plan — the embodiment of spirit in matter, and the consecration of form to soul purpose. Cancer governs the great door of incarnation through which souls descend, and through which, in time, they consciously return. It is the mystery of the lighted house: matter rendered luminous, form made fit for the indwelling life. *Major Themes of Cancer* **The Lighted House** The Cancer keynote points to the soul's central task in this sign: the **construction of a fit vehicle for spiritual life**. Not escape from form, but the purification and consecration of form — matter rendered transparent to the soul's intent. **The Mass and the Individual** Cancer governs **mass consciousness** — the tides of collective emotion and racial memory. The disciple's task is to stand within the mass without being absorbed by it: to feel the pain of collective existence fully, and yet serve with clarity. This is the transmutation of Cancer — from unconscious participation to **conscious compassionate inclusion**. **Matter as Mother** Ruled by the Moon, Cancer holds the memory of all that matter has worn — the past, the womb, the seed. In the initiate's hands, this becomes the **power of recognition**: the capacity to meet every living thing at the level of its own nature. The Cancer initiate does not love from above; they love from within, having entered the depths. **Planetary Rulers** **Exoteric Ruler: Moon** ☾ — Form-building, instinct, and the pull of the past. The Moon rules Cancer at the personality level, governing the tides of emotional life and the magnetic power of habitual response. **Esoteric Ruler: Neptune** ♆ — At the soul level, Neptune dissolves the separating walls between self and other, opening the disciple to the vast sea of group consciousness. Neptune in Cancer confers exquisite sensitivity and the power of spiritual perception through feeling. **Hierarchical Ruler: Neptune** ♆ **—** At the highest level of initiation, Neptune reveals Cancer's deepest mystery: that matter itself is divine, that the waters of space are full of life, and that compassion — not as sentiment but as cosmic law — underlies the entire structure of manifested existence. *** **Positive Qualities** Profound Receptivity to Spiritual Impression Deep Nurturing Power Tenacity in Service Capacity for Inclusive, Impersonal Love The Power to Build Consecrated Form *** **Negative Qualities** Absorption in Mass Emotion Possessiveness and Attachment to Form Psychic Permeability Without Discrimination Living in the Past Moodiness and Sentimentality *** ## **The Labour of Hercules** **The Capture of the Golden Hind** Hercules is given a seemingly gentle task: to capture the golden-horned, brass-footed hind sacred to Artemis — a creature of extraordinary beauty that has been ravaging the countryside, though no one understands how or why. He pursues it for a full year through all the signs of the zodiac, across every kind of terrain, never catching it by force, never tiring of the chase. At last, when he stops trying to seize it and simply holds it — gently, with open hands — it permits itself to be taken. Artemis meets him on the road and accuses him of violating the sacred. But Hercules explains that he has captured it in order to present it to Eurystheus, so that its destructive wandering may be ended and its beauty restored to its proper place. The hind represents the intuition — the soul's own light, always glimpsed but never grasped by effort. The lesson of Cancer is precisely this: that spiritual life cannot be seized. The lighted house is built not by force, but by **patient, loving, consistent attention**. The Cancer disciple learns that the divine feminine does not yield to conquest; it yields to reverence. And what is offered reverently to the service of the whole ceases to destroy and begins to illuminate. Read the full story here (free PDF): [https://www.bailey.it/files/Labours-of-Hercules.pdf](https://www.bailey.it/files/Labours-of-Hercules.pdf) *** Thank you for participating in a Full Moon Meditation Collaboration between the Toronto Theosophical Society and Toronto Open Heart. **\~ Love is never wasted** 💙

*Games Schedule* Wednesday Event: - 1 / 3 NLH - 3 / 5 NLH - $500 Free Roll Thursday Event: - 1 / 2 NLH - Deep Stack - Min 100 - Max 1000 - $500 Free Roll Friday Event: - 1 / 3 NLH - 1 / 3 PLO - $500 Free Roll Saturday Event: - 1 / 2 NLH - Deep Stack - Min 100 - Max 1000 - $500 Free Roll Sunday Event: - 1 / 3 NLH - 2 / 2 PLO - $500 Free Roll Monday Event: - 1 / 3 NLH - 3 / 5 NLH - $500 Free Roll

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

\*These classes are not a language exchange, but instead are meant to be a step in between so that students feel confident maintaining in depth and grammatically correct oral conversations outside of class\* \***Meetup event numbers only tend to show new students registering and do not include returning students attending class.** **Per class, there is an average of 7 students.** The first 2 classes are free and then only cost between $18 and $35 depending on which type of class you want to continue with\* These French, English (For Spanish and French speakers only), and Spanish classes are primarily meant for adults who are travellers, or who are planning to live in a French, English, or Spanish-speaking country. The classes are primarily oral-based through guided conversations. They will teach you how to handle conversations in situations such as **"Going to the Convenience Store"**, **"Making Plans"**, **"Negotiating Prices"**, and **"Going out for a Drink"**. To ensure that students get used to using the language automatically, students will learn to maintain contextual conversations with timing before moving on to the next lesson. Call (647)787-9953, e-mail us info@monkeylingo.ca, or visit monkeylingo.ca for more information! **Online and private classes are also available!** No other language classes are as conversational as these ones. We guarantee it! Cheap parking can be found using the "Spot Hero" app.

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

\*These classes are not a language exchange, but instead are meant to be a step in between so that students feel confident maintaining in depth and grammatically correct oral conversations outside of class\* \***Meetup event numbers only tend to show new students registering and do not include returning students attending class.** **Per class, there is an average of 7 students.** The first 2 classes are free and then only cost between $18 and $36 depending on which type of class you want to continue with\* These French, English (For Spanish and French speakers only), and Spanish classes are primarily meant for adults who are travellers, or who are planning to live in a French, English, or Spanish-speaking country. The classes are primarily oral-based through guided conversations. They will teach you how to handle conversations in situations such as **"Going to the Convenience Store"**, **"Making Plans"**, **"Negotiating Prices"**, and **"Going out for a Drink"**. To ensure that students get used to using the language automatically, students will learn to maintain contextual conversations with timing before moving on to the next lesson. Call (647)787-9953, e-mail us info@monkeylingo.ca, or visit monkeylingo.ca for more information! **Online and private classes are also available!** No other language classes are as conversational as these ones. We guarantee it! Cheap parking can be found using the "Spot Hero" app.

**Are third spaces dead....(like this book club was for the last year)?** Short-Read Socials are back! Come meet with like-minded and unlikeminded people to talk about the topic of the month. This time, we're thinking about **third spaces, socialization, and community-building.** *How has socialization changed with modern urban living and the rise of social media? Have commercialization and high cost of living killed third spaces? How do (or should) we actually build communities now?* \-\-\- **How does it work?** * The event is casual. You can talk to anyone there with or without our prompt sheets, either about the month's topic or about whatever you want. * Open philosophical discussion, including for controversial topics, is welcome but be respectful :) * If you've read/watched/heard anything related to the topic of the month, feel free to bring it in! Not necessarily physically, but you can if you want... * If not, here are some thought-provoking reads to start you off (read as many or as few as you want): * On third spaces: * [Are commercial “third places” a dying breed?](https://spacing.ca/toronto/2024/04/26/are-commercial-third-places-a-dying-breed/) * [the modern third space is in your phone](https://maansiwritesstuff.substack.com/p/the-modern-third-space-is-in-your) * Who's creating third spaces? (slightly more interesting imo) * [From sauna socials to run clubs: Are community event leaders the new influencers?](https://archive.is/20260320083437/https://www.vogue.com/article/from-sauna-socials-to-run-clubs-are-community-event-leaders-the-new-influencers#selection-1275.0-1275.81) * [“The more I give away, the better the bar does”: Why Danu Social House wants to become the city’s first community-owned watering hole](https://torontolife.com/food/danu-social-house-community-owned-co-op-bar/) * Bonus: [Why do Torontonians love to line up? Expert says there’s many reasons, including making friends](https://nowtoronto.com/lifestyle/why-do-torontonians-love-to-line-up-expert-says-theres-many-reasons/) * Feel free to post other recommendations (blogs, movies, tv episodes, video essays, etc.) in the comments!

### Thursday Evening Discussion Group **In\-Person \| Starts at 8:00 PM \(Doors open at 7:30 PM\) \| Drop\-In** **Starting material:** *[Network of Thought](https://www.holybooks.com/wp-content/uploads/Network-of-Thought-Krishnamurti-ebook.pdf)* by **Jiddu Krishnamurti** This weekly discussion group offers a reflective and open space to explore themes of **mysticism, spirituality, and inner transformation** through selected writings and talks by Jiddu Krishnamurti, Annie Besant, Alice Bailey, and other thinkers whose work invites deep **inquiry into consciousness, freedom, truth,** and **the nature of self-understanding**. Rather than promoting a particular belief system, the group emphasizes **shared reading, thoughtful reflection, and respectful dialogue**. Participants are welcome to engage at their own pace—whether through listening, contemplation, or open discussion. While there is **no requirement to commit before attending**, *the intention is to gradually build a group of participants who are interested in returning regularly and engaging sincerely with the material* and the group process. Newcomers are very welcome, and those who feel drawn to ongoing study are warmly encouraged to continue attending. This is a **drop-in group**, and no prior background or preparation is required. **All are welcome.** Come as you are, reflect together, and take part in a spirit of openness and mutual respect.

### An Introduction to The Search For More Many people move through life doing what is expected of them: working, managing responsibilities, handling obligations, and trying to make the best of things. Yet some people carry a quiet feeling that there must be more to human life than what they have experienced so far. This introductory event is for those people. **The Search For More** is a community for people who wish to explore human development, consciousness, meaning, purpose, personal growth, ancient wisdom traditions, philosophy, and the deeper questions of life. This first meeting will introduce the purpose of the group, the kind of subjects we will explore, and the approach we will take. The emphasis is not on telling people what to believe. The emphasis is on exploration, direct experience, discussion, and the possibility of deeper understanding. During this first meeting, we will also do a few simple experiential practicals together related to perception and elevated sensory experience. These are not complicated, and no prior experience is required. They are intended to give participants a direct sense of the difference between simply hearing about an idea and exploring it through experience. We are not affiliated with any religion, political movement, commercial self-help organization, or belief system. Participants are encouraged to think for themselves, question assumptions, and draw their own conclusions. The purpose is exploration, not conversion. ### This event may be for you if: * You feel there may be more to life than what is commonly understood. * You are interested in personal development, consciousness, meaning, and human potential. * You are open to thoughtful discussion without being asked to adopt a belief system. * You are interested in direct experience, not just interesting information. * You believe human beings are meant to learn, grow, and help each other. ### What to expect: Holden will give a short introduction to the purpose of the group, followed by a presentation, a few practical exercises, and open discussion. The practical exercises will be simple, respectful, and focused on perception, attention, and sensory awareness. The meeting will be welcoming, thoughtful, and exploratory. No prior knowledge is required. You do not need to belong to any tradition, religion, or philosophy. You only need curiosity, openness, and a willingness to consider that human life may contain more depth than we normally experience. ### About Holden Holden has spent more than 30 years researching these subjects, has traveled to 46 countries in search of a deeper understanding of life and elevated living, and has delivered more than 500 presentations and workshops. His approach is based on a simple idea: People need elevated experiences, not just interesting information. If this speaks to you, you are welcome to attend.

Contact Alex for location and information.

Open Shelter has teamed up again with Red White and Boom! Friday, July 3rd & we are looking for volunteers to run the event’s alcohol booths. Proceeds from sales go to the Open Shelter’s organization. There are two available shifts: 12-6p & 5-11p. There will be an ipad-like device to process transactions in addition to cash. Everything will be in bottles or cans, so transactions should be very easy. Must be 21+. There are multiple beverage stations along the Civic Center Bridge. The stations are covered and also have beverage trucks next to them, so volunteers can cool off in the trucks. As far as parking, it is suggested those who are coming from the east use the Columbus Commons Garage, and those from the west use the Belle Street Garage. Harry from the Open Shelter will be your contact. (614)562-2169 mailto:harry@theopenshelter.org More information about the event: https://redwhiteandboom.org/ More information about the organization: https://theopenshelter.org/

Main Library, Meeting Room 2B Join us for a welcoming evening of reflection, gentle music, and meaningful conversation. We’ll begin with a short grounding moment, followed by a brief reading from spiritual or philosophical traditions, and an open reflection circle where participants can share (or simply listen). Libera Animae is an interfaith community focused on inner growth, creativity, and authentic connection. All backgrounds are welcome.

This presentation will be by Ben Iten, humanist chaplain and HCCO Board Member. Speaking on expressing Humanism values in American democracy. This meetings will be hybrid. You can meet us in-person or attend online. The formal presentation will start at noon. Food and drinks will be provided at the event. Feel free to show up a little bit early to hang out and talk. 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. 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)

Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!