Free Thinker

Tickets must be purchased in advance! [https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/life-lessons-from-a-cardiac-operating-room-by-dr-bobby-yanagawa-tickets-1989051291958?aff=oddtdtcreator](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/life-lessons-from-a-cardiac-operating-room-by-dr-bobby-yanagawa-tickets-1989051291958?aff=oddtdtcreator) Life Lessons from a Cardiac Operating Room — Dr. Bobby Yanagawa Step inside the high-pressure world of cardiac surgery for an unforgettable evening of stories, insight, and conversation with renowned cardiac surgeon **Dr. Bobby Yanagawa**. Hosted by Stellar Socials Lectures, this unique social lecture experience blends intellectual conversation with a stylish nightlife atmosphere — bringing ambitious and curious people together to learn, connect, and engage. From life-and-death decisions inside the operating room to lessons on pressure, leadership, discipline, and the human experience, Dr. Bobby Yanagawa will share captivating stories and perspectives rarely heard outside hospital walls. Whether you’re in healthcare, business, entrepreneurship, or simply love meaningful conversations, this is an evening designed to inspire thought, spark curiosity, and create real connection. ## 🎤 What To Expect • A captivating live lecture by Dr. Bobby Yanagawa • Real stories from the cardiac operating room • Life lessons on leadership, focus, resilience & decision-making • Networking with ambitious, like-minded professionals • A stylish social atmosphere with drinks & conversation ## 🧠 About Stellar Socials Lectures Stellar Socials Lectures brings together professors, experts, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders for engaging talks hosted inside upscale bars, lounges, and social venues. Our mission is simple: create experiences where learning feels social, inspiring, and genuinely enjoyable. Because education shouldn’t stop after graduation. ## 👥 Who Should Attend? • Young professionals • Entrepreneurs & creatives • Healthcare professionals & students • Curious minds & lifelong learners • Anyone looking to meet inspiring people and experience something different ## ✨ Why Attend? ✔ Expand your perspective ✔ Meet new people in a relaxed social setting ✔ Hear fascinating real-world experiences ✔ Enjoy an elevated alternative to traditional networking events 🎟️ Limited tickets available. Early registration is strongly recommended. ## About Dr. Bobby Yanagawa Dr. Bobby Yanagawa is the Division Head, Division of Cardiac Surgery, St. Michael's Hospital and Program Director, Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Toronto. He holds the SURE General Contractors Inc. Professorship in Infective Endocarditis. Dr. Yanagawa completed residency training at the University of Toronto and INOVA Fairfax Hospital (Fairfax, VA) and an advanced valvular fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital (New York, NY). His research training includes a PhD at the University of British Columbia and post-doctoral fellowships at the University of Wales College of Medicine (Cardiff, UK) and National Cardiovascular Center (Osaka, Japan). His clinical and academic focus is surgical revascularization and surgery for infective endocarditis. He is the Director of the Canadian Society of Cardiac Surgeons Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Taskforce. His research interests include clinical outcome studies of ischemic and valvular heart disease. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles, 40 reviews and 15 book chapters. He is on the editorial board of the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Canadian Journal of Cardiology, Guest Editor - Current Opinions of Cardiology and Feature Editor, Annals of Thoracic Surgery. ### **Agenda** 6:00 p.m. - Arrival. Doors open as soon as 5 p.m. Come in, grab a drink, some food, and settle in. If you’d like to sit closer with your friends, we advise coming in early. 7:05 p.m.- Introduction, lecture begins, followed by Q&A 8:15 p.m. -One-on-one with the lecturer, socializing. You can order another round of drinks. 8:30 p.m. -Wrap up

Practise your English in a friendly, welcoming class in Toronto. Join our free in-person English class and improve your speaking, fluency, grammar and vocabulary with supportive teachers. This class is a great opportunity to practise English, build confidence and meet new people. **When** Starting today - every weekday Monday - Friday 2.00pm–4.00pm **Where** Teaching House Toronto OHC / Sol Camps 469 Jarvis St Toronto, ON M4Y 2G8 Canada **What you’ll practise** * Speaking and fluency * Grammar and vocabulary * Listening and pronunciation * Everyday English for real-life situations * Confidence using English with other people **Who can join?** Adults aged 18+ who want to improve their English. Refugees, asylum seekers and newcomers are very welcome. **About the classes** The classes are taught by trainee English teachers on a Cambridge-accredited CELTA course and supervised by experienced teacher trainers. **Cost** Free **Before the class** Please arrive a little early so we can welcome you and check your English level. Spaces may be limited, so please RSVP if you would like to attend.Cost: FREE Sign up using this **Level Test: [https://forms.gle/CZXAHL9w4WfsVdxk6](https://forms.gle/CZXAHL9w4WfsVdxk6)** OR If you already know your level, choose the [registration form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe65RTiI_hQMJ_58JdE2DhhtYyF2Mz3Ah_PN2hL3yLSkJadpA/viewform?usp=sf_link) instead

**When:** Tuesdays, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Winter/Spring 2026 **Where:** 792 Glencairn Ave., Toronto, ON **Attend online via Zoom:** https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89671983431?pwd=hoYVrQG1EF4ibvIieyTnavmXxWcy5h.1 **Main Text:** [Deity, Cosmos and Man](https://www.theosophy.world/sites/default/files/ebooks/DeityCosmosAndMan_GFarthing.pdf) by Geoffrey Farthing If the above link is broken, paste this into bar for free PDF: https://www.theosophy.world/sites/default/files/ebooks/DeityCosmosAndMan_GFarthing.pdf This third part of our **Intro to Theosophy** series turns to *Deity, Cosmos and Man* by Geoffrey Farthing, a clear and reliable guide to the foundational teachings of Theosophy as originally presented by **Helena Petrovna Blavatsky** and her Adept teachers. This study explores a living, intelligent universe governed by unity, law, and vast evolutionary cycles, and examines how the human being reflects these same cosmic principles within their own inner constitution. Emphasis is placed on Theosophy not as a belief system, but as a coherent body of knowledge—offering insight into consciousness, post-death states, hierarchies of beings, and the deeper purpose of human evolution. Alongside discussion and reflection, the group will explore guided experiential exercises designed to support awareness, perception, and integration. The intention is to: * Develop a clear understanding of core Theosophical principles * Explore the relationship between cosmos, consciousness, and the human constitution * Encourage experiential insight alongside study and dialogue * Support inner balance, discernment, and conscious self-development This class is suitable for: * Students continuing from Parts 1 and 2 of the Intro to Theosophy series * Those interested in Theosophy, cosmology, and human evolution * Participants seeking a grounded, psychologically oriented approach to spiritual study * Anyone curious about consciousness, meditation, and the deeper structure of reality No prior experience with Theosophy, yoga, or meditation is required. Only curiosity, openness, and a willingness to explore thoughtfully.

\*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.

**What we are About:** *If Sufism is defined as mystical or the way of the mystic, then its message addresses all peoples, not just the followers of one religion.* If you feel drawn toward deeper connection—within yourself, in your relationships, or along your spiritual path. The ‘School of Sufi Teaching’ extends a warm welcome with humility, and love to all seekers of truth who feel drawn toward inner awakening and the timeless wisdom of the Sufi tradition. Our introductory gatherings offer an opportunity to experience the gentle blessings of traditional, time‑honored meditation practices passed down through an unbroken lineage. Some Sufis practice whirling, while others chant loud recitation (Zikr). At Sufi School we follow the classical practice of silent, contemplative meditation. Seated together as a group, we direct our hearts toward the Holy Essence, cultivating an atmosphere of stillness, inward reflection, and subtle spiritual presence. **Event details** (bi-weekly sessions): 7:00 - 7.15 pm Introduction for beginners 7:15 - 7:45 pm ‘Silent Meditation’ (Muraqabah) 7:45 - 8:10 pm Q&A **Location:** Mississauga Valley Community Centre (Frank Bean Lounge). This group is led by dedicated volunteers, and all sessions are offered at no cost. By choosing to attend, you acknowledge that participation is completely voluntary and at your own risk. For more details please email us at- [faraz@sufischool.org](mailto:canada@sufischool.org) For more information about the School of Sufi Teaching, Sufism and our practices please visit- [www.sufischool.org](http://www.sufischool.org) Kindly, Organizing team

\*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.

The average Canadian who is working a full time, paid job spends 1,750 hours a year working – almost one-third of their waking hours. With so much of our time spent doing paid and unpaid labour, it’s difficult not to identify ourselves by the very thing that we spend much of our time doing. We often ask children “What do you want to be when you grow up?" and adults "What do you do?" at dinner parties, as a way to get to know others. The unspoken expectation is for that answer to be about work and professional occupations rather than other aspects of our lives. We regularly make assumptions about who a person is based on their answers to those questions: the argumentative lawyer, the boring accountant, the patient pre-school teacher. Work and identity conflate in our day-to-day lives. But what does it mean to work? Is the value of work dependent on its utility, or is it possible to truly enjoy what we do just for the sake of doing it? Can we live a full and happy life while also working a job we don't connect with in an emotional or spiritual way? How does work conflict with our personal values or make us question who we are? Are you the same person when you're working as you are when you’re at home or with friends? Put another way, are we "bringing our whole selves to work" or do we find value in holding some of ourselves back? Join returning guest moderator Minami Alguire and our very own Sophia Whicher, at our next Curiosity Café where we will explore the dynamics between work and self. **Space is limited!** **Please obtain a “Pay-What-You-Can” ticket from Curiosity Café at [this link (click here)](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/curiosity-cafe-revisited-work-and-identity-tickets-1989183990864) to attend this event. You need a ticket to be admitted.** See the above link for more info about tickets and other options including a limited number of free tickets. Come and hang out with us, grab food, and read through our handout from 6-6:30pm. Our structured discussion will run from 6:30-8:30pm with a 10 minute break in the middle. Hope to see you there! ***__________________________________________________________________*** This event is brought to you by [Being and Becoming](https://beingnbecoming.org/), a Toronto based non-profit. We aim to create community around exploring everyday concepts and experiences so that we may live more intentional, thoughtful, and meaningful lives. We use philosophy as a tool with which we can come to a richer understanding of the world around us. By offering activities, spaces, and other opportunities for conversation and co-exploration, we hope to enable the meeting and fusion of individuals and their ideas. Everyone is welcome, regardless of background: indeed, we believe the journey is best undertaken alongside explorers from a variety of disciplines, cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. Find out more about Being and Becoming [here](https://beingnbecoming.org/). About the Curiosity Café Series: For those of you who haven’t had the opportunity to join us at our Curiosity Cafés and are wondering what they’re all about: every two weeks, we invite members of our community to come out to the Madison Avenue Pub to engage in a collaborative exploration of our chosen topic. Through these events, we aim to build our community of people who like to think deeply about life’s big questions, and provide each other with some philosophical tools to dig deeper into whatever it is we are most curious about.

### 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.

**NO PHILOSOPHY EXPERTISE REQUIRED!** **🏛️ 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://chat.whatsapp.com/B7LyJIeBlaH5VtXkMJTTph?mode=gi_t), 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: * 19:30-19:45 - People arrive and chat, get to know each other before the official start. * 19:45-19:55 - 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. * 19:55-21:15 - 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. * 21:15-21:30 - 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. * 21:30 - 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 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** * **​What will we talk about? What's the topic?** ​The topic for the week is shared every Sunday in the Whatsapp group. We try to add the topic to the comment section on this event page as well but if you don’t see it, the topic and the jump-off points will be in our [Whatsapp](https://chat.whatsapp.com/B7LyJIeBlaH5VtXkMJTTph?mode=gi_t). * **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://chat.whatsapp.com/B7LyJIeBlaH5VtXkMJTTph?mode=gi_t) 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/practical-philosophy-locations/). 🤝**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 over 25 countries, including Canada, Spain, Japan, Mexico and many more! 🗺️ **\*\*\*** **Join our Toronto [Whatsapp Group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/B7LyJIeBlaH5VtXkMJTTph?mode=gi_t) 👈** **Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.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.

DEEP SPRING EXHALE 🌿 Rest + Reset with ARCALLA 🌿 As we move toward summer and life begins to speed up, this is an invitation to pause… soften… and reconnect with yourself beneath the noise. Join Peter Arcari and Kira Callahan for an immersive evening of sound, stillness, and deep restoration. Through the healing vibrations of crystal bowls, gong, ethereal vocals, hand pans, drums & more, you'll be guided into deep rest where the nervous system can settle, restore, and reset. Come lie down on a comfy bed, receive, and allow the sound to gently move what is ready to shift. ✨ Friday May 29th 📍 Smoking Frog Studio \| 665 Dupont\, Lower Level 🚪 Doors Open 6:45pm 🎶 Sound Journey 7:15–9:15pm Tickets: EARLY BIRD $55 \| REGULAR $65 🎟️ [https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/rest-reset-transformational-sound-journey-with-arcalla-tickets-1853344777119?aff=ebdssbdestsearch](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/rest-reset-transformational-sound-journey-with-arcalla-tickets-1853344777119?aff=ebdssbdestsearch) ARCALLA Sound Journeys often sell out. Book early to reserve your spot. Bring water, an eye mask, and anything that helps you feel cozy. ✨

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.

ASH is Atheists, Skeptics and Humanists of First Unitarian Universalists of Columbus Ohio TBD Snacks are usually available, and you are welcome to bringing something to share!

A time to make signs, pack swag bags, and have fun together in anticipation for the Pride festivities the week after.

We may pick a specific topic and post in advance or may discuss current events and various ad hoc topics . We would love to spend time hanging out and getting to know one another. Atheist, agnostics, other non-theists, and atheist-friendly people are welcome to join us. Note: COUNT operates a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/COUNT.discussions (http://www.facebook.com/groups/COUNT.discussions/) to promote discussions among members and visitors.

Let’s meet and wander the galleries! General admission on Sundays is free.