Free Thinker

Chinese calligraphy is not just beautiful writing - it is one of the oldest living art forms in Chinese culture, shaped by centuries of scholarship, philosophy, and aesthetics. In this guided 1-hour class at Amitabha Garden, you will learn traditional brush technique step by step, while also understanding the cultural roots behind what you are practising. ​ You do not need to read or write Chinese. This class is beginner-friendly, calm, and genuinely hands-on. ## Why Chinese calligraphy matters in Chinese culture For thousands of years, calligraphy has been a cornerstone of Chinese culture, alongside poetry and painting. Each stroke is a balance of structure and flow, where posture, breath, and intention shape the result. ​ This class is designed to help you feel that tradition through practice, not just hear about it. ## What you will learn (guided, step by step) * How to hold and control the brush comfortably * Foundational strokes and the rhythm behind them * Ink control: pressure, speed, and line weight * Simple composition so your writing looks balanced and intentional * A short guided practice you can repeat at home ## What is included * All materials provided during the session * Complimentary Chinese tea of the season * A calligraphy starter set to take home, so you can keep practising after the class ## Who this class is for * You want a cultural experience in London that feels authentic and grounded * You are curious about Chinese culture and want a hands-on entry point * You want a calm, screen-free activity in Greenwich * You enjoy learning a skill with depth and tradition behind it ## FAQ Do I need to speak or read Chinese? No. This is not a language lesson. You will be guided through technique and structure in a beginner-friendly way. ​ Is it more “art” or “language”? Art and culture first. You will practise characters as forms, with context for what you are doing. ​ What should I wear or bring? Nothing special. We provide everything. Sleeves that roll up easily are helpful. ​ Can I book for a larger group? Yes, please enquire via the contact details on our website.

You want to do your best! You want to realise your potential! You want to make the right decisions at the right time! Obviously- you want to be a success! Do you have all the skills in place? Do you have areas in your life or personality that are weaker and you feel can stop you or hold you back? Would you like a free personal consultation to help locate your strengths and weaker areas? We can help you to maximise on your potential. If you would like a free 1 hour consult then register now! We have various times available for your own personal consultation This is hosted at the Scientology Life Improvement Centre in London. We use the Oxford Capacity Analysis test. https://www.scientology-london.org.uk/personality-test/

Discover the World at International Cafe! We are a group of Christian volunteers set out to create a friendly community that welcomes everyone! Come and practice speaking English with our English speaking volunteers. You will learn more about British culture and discuss life with NEW topics each week. We also include a Bible story at the end of our sessions. At International Cafe, we start our meet up with refreshments, snacks and continue in engaging conversations. Each week, we'll look at NEW topics about British culture and history, so you can learn and socialize. Best of all, it's a free event and open to everyone! So mark your calendars: 🕕 Time: **Sunday at 2:30 PM** 📍 Address: ECIR OEA, Inspire at St James Questions? Text Organiser at 07708228436.

Join us for our chilled Sunday afternoon Meetup, for connection and sanctuary amongst others who get you. We'll be meeting in a super chilled bar in the BFI cinema which has lounge chairs and is usually not busy at this time. NB. It's not the bar on the riverfront - see the directions below and photo. We don't have a theme for this Meetup but please bring any topics you'd like to discuss and we'll also have the conversation cards with us. Please note you don't have to be well-versed on Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to attend; we are merely looking to build a community of like-minded people for fun, support and connection. There are always some people who don't come on the day, so if you're top of the waitlist, it's very likely you'll be bumped up, so please come anyway and equally if you would really like to come, please do. We're not going to turn you away! If there's a lot of attendees, we'll split into 2 groups.

Namaskar, One of the first science-fiction utopian stories and one of the first feminist utopias by celebrated pioneering feminist, educator, activist, and Bengali writer Rokeya Hossain. As a pioneering work of science fiction and feminist utopian literature at the turn of the century, *Sultana's Dream* is strikingly advanced in its critique of patriarchy, war, industrialization, and the exploitation of the natural world, speaking to the concerns of our contemporary world as much as its own. At a time when British colonialism was using the treatment of women in India as justification for colonial intervention there, Hossain's story, in imagining a world in which men rather than women are kept inside, positions her protest against Islamic patriarchy within a larger feminist vision that takes on Western as well as Islamic forms of gender hierarchy. Her novella *Padmarag* is similarly utopian in its depiction of a women-run school and welfare center, and is both feminist and anti-colonial in its outlook. In both these works, Hossain seizes the critique of gender roles in India away from Western commentators and turns it against British interference, while also enlarging the critique to take on the problem of gender more broadly. We‘ll continue with our 2026 reading list: 4-*The Opium War: Drugs, Dreams and the Making of China* by Julia Lovell 5-*Rickshaw Boy* by Lao She—China 6-*The* *Motorcycle Diaries* by Che Guevara 7-*One Hundred Years of Solitude* by Gabriel García Márquez—Colombia 8-*How Europe Underdeveloped Africa* by Walter Rodney 9-*Heart of Darkness* by Polish author Joseph Conrad—Congo 10-*The Wretched of the Earth* by Frantz Fanon 11-*Homegoing* by Yaa Gyasi—Ghana 12-*Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty* by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson Enjoy Bangladesh! Are you interested in reading fiction and non-fiction in French and Spanish, and Persian literature? Join me on: [-www.meetup.com/gaia-libros](http://-www.meetup.com/gaia-libros) [-www.meetup.com/gaia-livres](http://-www.meetup.com/gaia-livres) -[www.meetup.com/persian-culture](www.meetup.com/persian-culture) -Instagram: @persian_culture_

[Early Bird availabBOOK your FREE ticketsle!](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/relaxing-breathwork-spring-equinox-tickets-1983319857082?aff=oddtdtcreator&_gl=1*1kloxo2*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTUwNDc0NzQ5OS4xNzczMzE1ODg0*_ga_TQVES5V6SH*czE3NzMzMTU4ODMkbzEkZzAkdDE3NzMzMTU4ODMkajYwJGwwJGgw&keep_tld=true#organizer-card) ### ### \-\-\-\-\-Experience relaxation like never before\!\-\-\-\-\- Relaxation \| Reduced Stress \| Mental Clarity \| Better Sleep \| \| Improved Concentration ### **Relaxing Breathwork - Spring Equinox** #### **location: Islington, London** **Take a moment to simply be.** This gentle breathwork session is designed to help you slow down, settle your nervous system, and reconnect with a sense of inner calm and clarity. In our fast-paced city life, this is your dedicated space to pause and return to center. You will be guided through calming breathing techniques that support grounding, mental focus, and emotional balance. Throughout the session, we utilize the **essence of Rose**—the flower of the highest vibrational frequency (320 MHz) and a powerful tool for heart-opening. This sensory element creates a space to release deep-seated tension, quiet mental noise, and reset both body and mind. **This session is for you if:** * You are looking to lower stress and quiet a busy mind. * You are looking for a simple, somatic way to feel more "in" your body. *Suitable for beginners as well as those with previous breathwork experience.* The session is held by Tundie, a dedicated Breathwork Teacher, Sound Healer, and Somatic Therapist. Currently an MSc student in Cognitive Neuroscience, Tundie’s approach is deeply informed by the science of the brain and body. She blends her clinical understanding of the nervous system with intuitive healing to create a space where you can release tension, quiet mental noise, and truly reset. **Benefits of Breathwork** * Reduction of Stress and Anxiety * Enhancement of Cognitive Function * Improvement of Sleep Quality * Pain Relief * Lowers Blood Pressure * Boosts the Immune System * Improves Overall Well-being

\#\#\#\# Step 1: TAKE THE TEST The Oxford Capacity Analysis identifies 10 vital personality traits that influence your entire future. It is a factual, scientific analysis taken from your answers, and it takes about an hour to complete. \#\#\#\# Step 2: GET YOUR RESULTS After you complete the test, your personality analysis is generated and displayed. Within minutes your analysis will highlight your strengths and weaknesses—which personality traits to take advantage of and which need help. \#\#\#\# Step 3: CONSULTATION While the analysis graph shows distinct personality traits, it is the interrelationship of these traits that provides the greater picture of your personality. We provide a complimentary consultation with one of our trained staff, who will give a detailed evaluation of your personality analysis. In this one-on-one consultation, you gain a better understanding of your personality strengths and weaknesses, and establish the recommended path to your fast and lasting success.

SCIENTOLOGY **TOOLS** **FOR LIFE** What if you had simple tools which you could use to improve your relationship with others? What if a step-by-step procedure could help you achieve your goals in life? What if you could learn the secret to mastering any subject you wanted to master? Come and find out!

Early pricing ends midnight Saturday 15th March. **Transformational Connection and Circling Day** When we slow down and bring our attention to the present moment and try to stay curious about what’s actually happening, so much begins to reveal itself. Things that usually go unnoticed come into awareness - whether that’s sensation, impulse, feeling, thought, image, or desire. In a recent circle, a participant described the practice as “intimate”, and that feels true for me also. It invites moving closer to and revealing one’s inner world - first to ourselves and then to others if we choose to. Circling is a practice I know well, through many years of practising and leading groups, as well as through my one-to-one NARM work with clients which underpins my practice. I want to support people coming together to practice Circling, being with ourselves and others in what’s actually happening, meeting ourselves and each other where we already are and building capacity to be with and respond to whatever happens next, the unknown… Continuing to be inspired by being in intimacy and the unknown I'm offering a full day, giving space for more trust and depth to unfold between us, and I’d love for you to join. **Sunday 22nd March. (£75 till midnight on 15th March) £95. This covers venue fees, insurance, ticketing fees, supervision, training and my time. Booking through eventbrite:** https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/being-in-intimacy-and-the-unknown-tickets-1981371188562 **If you have any questions please message me here or email:** **robyncontact365@gmail.com** There is a beauty and power in the practice of circling and it is not for everyone. The practice may touch on some uncomfortable places, states, sensations or emotions. Circling invites a level of self responsibility and a willingness to set appropriate boundaries. Rather than a safe space think brave space, where we inquire and explore connection together. More about Circling and Terms of Service: Circling is a practice that involves looking at and being intimate with the structures of one’s personal reality, which includes how we make sense of experience, individually and collectively. We find these practices to consistently deliver deeply meaningful experiences, and believe a few clarifications now will likely make this more accessible to you. Because Circling is unique, carrying over assumptions from other practices can lead to misunderstandings about who we are, what we do, and how you are invited to engage. It is our intention to make it as clear as we can what Circling is and isn’t. Responsibility We see you as a free agent capable of honest self-assessment and responsible choice This is an invitation to take responsibility for: \- yourself and your experience \- choices you’re making about what you’re accepting as true and significant \- how you’re participating in and helping to sustain your situation \- the beliefs and choices you’re bringing to the situation \(wittingly or unwittingly\) that are informing your experience\. We refer generally to the willingness to take responsibility in these terms as “owning your experience.” Not Psychotherapy Circling as we practice it leads to transformational growth, but we do this through surrender, self-leadership, and interconnection rather than aiming for healing outcomes directly (like many modalities do). While honouring a wide variety of wisdom and psychological discernments from many schools of thought, we do not follow a therapeutic model of diagnosis and treatment. Our method is educational. Our emphasis is connection. We are guides in a journey of presence, connection, and aliveness. We do not prescribe choices or actions. We do not see you as being in a therapeutic relationship with me. We work in the present moment, assuming wholeness that can include greater wholeness, exploring connection, staying mindful to notice the cost of reality choices and labels that too easily lead to misunderstanding or pathologizing. We bring a fresh set of eyes to what is happening, with the aim of understanding how updating our beliefs about what is happening can update our reality. Circling is a practice of connection and meditation \- Focus on the present moment\. \- Maintain a non\-goal orientation that is encapsulated in the principle of “being with the other in their world\." Is this Right for You? Our workshops can be intense. People encounter places, states, emotions, beliefs, and sensations in themselves and others that are sometimes unfamiliar. We explore the unknown, the volatile, the ambiguous, as well as welcome emotions many deem as “negative” or “inappropriate” such as feelings of inadequacy, anger, sexuality, and joy. We refer to the willingness to feel difficult and uncomfortable truths as the “commitment to connection,” which of course includes a willingness to set appropriate boundaries, and speak a desire for space, distance, and non-contact. By attending our events you take responsibility for choosing to leave the practice or participate in any given moment—which might include getting intimate with these kinds of experiences. We will often explore multiple sides of seeming opposites at once, such as independence and interdependence, chaos and order, agreement and disagreement. We believe this can reveal an underlying unity of the immediacy of experience. If the above description of our workshops sounds potentially overwhelming or destabilizing for you, if you have mental illness or significant emotional challenges that you feel may be exacerbated by this type of transformational environment, or if you are not sure that you can be self-directed in taking care of your needs during the event, then we advise you not to enrol. By registering you acknowledge that you have read and agree to abide by these Terms of Service.

Welcome to our **Free Event - Master the Art of Communication**! Join us at the Church of Scientology **Life Improvement Centre** to learn valuable basics of communication and skills that will help you in both your personal and professional life. During this event, you will learn some fundamentals of communication - what is it, what are the vital parts of the communication formula.... and have the opportunity to participate in these new skills. Hear from trained and experienced communicators, and practice communication techniques in a supportive environment. Whether you struggle with public speaking, conflict resolution, or simply want to improve your relationships, this is for you! Come and discover the power of knowledge and how to achieve effective communication. Find out how you could guide and control communication in your life! Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your communication abilities and connect with like-minded individuals. We look forward to seeing you here!

# Rose Petal Sound Bath - Spring Equinox ***[You must purchase tickets to this event](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rose-petal-sound-bath-spring-equinox-tickets-1983319865106?aff=oddtdtcreator&_gl=1*1kloxo2*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTUwNDc0NzQ5OS4xNzczMzE1ODg0*_ga_TQVES5V6SH*czE3NzMzMTU4ODMkbzEkZzAkdDE3NzMzMTU4ODMkajYwJGwwJGgw&keep_tld=true)*** \-\-\-\-\-Experience relaxation like never before\!\-\-\-\-\- Relaxation \| Reduced Stress \| Mental Clarity \| Better Sleep \| \| Improved Concentration ### **Rose Infused Sound Bath - Spring Equinox** #### Location: Islington #### Start the new season with clarity and a grounded sense of purpose. This journey takes place just as the Spring Equinox occurs, marking the arrival of new light and the astrological new year. This sound journey is open to all, welcoming everyone who seeks to support, honor, and connect with the collective energy of balance and renewal. We begin the session with guided breathing to clear the mind and connect deeply with your inner intentions. As you settle into stillness, you will be enveloped by the pure, heart-opening vibrations of Himalayan bowls, gongs, and bells, subtly infused with the essence of Rose, the flower of high frequency, love, and beauty. Simply lie back, close your eyes, and allow the sacred sound and breath to reset your mind, body, and spirit. **Benefits of Sound Bath:** * Reduction of Stress and Anxiety * Enhancement of Cognitive Function * Improvement of Sleep Quality * Pain Relief * Lowers Blood Pressure * Boosts the Immune System * Improves Overall Well-being The session is held by Tundie, a dedicated Breathwork Teacher, Sound Healer, and Somatic Therapist. Currently an MSc student in Cognitive Neuroscience, Tundie’s approach is deeply informed by the science of the brain and body. She blends her clinical understanding of the nervous system with intuitive healing to create a space where you can release tension, quiet mental noise, and truly reset.

* **read event description before signing up** * **register on Meetup to attend** * **update RSVP if plans change** * **arrive at 2.50pm** * **read the Book before session** * **review the Questions** [Book 4 - Part 1 - verses 1-24](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Thoughts_of_the_Emperor_Marcus_Aurelius_Antoninus/Book_IV) *Reading Time - 11 minutes* *Knowledge of prior Books is not required* [Gregory Hays translation used in session](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Meditations-Translation-Modern-Library-Classics/dp/0812968255/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1DYZJGWO42PUG&keywords=meditations+gregory+hays&qid=1656706450&s=books&sprefix=Meditations+Gregory%2Cstripbooks%2C91&sr=1-1) Meditations is one of the greatest works of spiritual and ethical reflection ever written. With a profound understanding of human behaviour, Marcus provides insights, wisdom, and practical guidance on everything from living in the world to coping with adversity to interacting with others. Explore this timeless collection that has been consulted and admired by leaders, readers and thinkers throughout the centuries. **Questions we'll explore** 1\. And among the things you turn to\, these two: i. That things have no hold on the soul. They stand there unmoving, outside it. Disturbance comes only from within—from our own perceptions. ii. That everything you see will soon alter and cease to exist. Think of how many changes you’ve already seen. “The world is nothing but change. Our life is only perception.” (3) *What do you make of this?* 2\. That sort of person is bound to do that\. You might as well resent a fig tree for secreting juice\. \(Anyway\, before very long you’ll both be dead— dead and soon forgotten\.\) \(6\) *How do you feel about this?* 3\. Two kinds of readiness are constantly needed: (i) to do only what the logos of authority and law directs, with the good of human beings in mind; (ii) to reconsider your position, when someone can set you straight or convert you to his. But your conversion should always rest on a conviction that it’s right, or benefits others—nothing else. Not because it’s more appealing or more popular (12) *What are the implications?* 4\. Not to be driven this way and that\, but always to behave with justice and see things as they are\. \(22\) *How would you go about this?* 5\. If you seek tranquillity\, do less\. \(24\) *Do you agree or disagree?* **To fund the costs of** [room hire](https://bunhillquakers.org.uk/files/2025_bunhill_booking_info_trifold.pdf) **and** [Meetup subscription](https://www.meetup.com/blog/new-organizer-pricing-key-improvements/) **£15 is payable** To minimise admin there are no refunds/credits unless the meeting is cancelled. Refunds exclude Meetup/PayPal fees. **If you sign up and can no longer attend, please Edit RSVP asap to "Not going" so someone else can take your spot.** There is no waiting list if the event is full. Please check this Meetup page on the day of the event, as a spot may become available if there is a late cancellation. **If you sign up, and do not Edit RSVP to "Not going", and are a no show, you will be removed from the Group and can rejoin after 3 months.**

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.

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. Food and drinks will be provided at the event. Feel free to show up a little bit early to hang out and talk. Going forward our meetings will be hybrid. You can meet us in-person or attend online 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) The formal presentation will start at noon

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!

This event is 2:30 - 4 pm Sunday. Conversation tends toward intermediate/advanced, but everybody is welcome. If you come and don't see us right away, keep looking. We could be anywhere in the restaurant.

So this month's prompt is more general. I think we can all agree that we are living in "unique" times that require coping skills. I think that one role and/or purpose of philosophy is to help us deal with our daily lives and our "unique" times. So, let's share our feelings and thoughts about which philosopher/philosophy we turn to in order to deal with our crazy events. Who/what helps you stay focused in your daily life and helps you sleep at night. I find that Stoicism with a little philosophical pessimism mixed in goes a long way in helping me deal with what I see as very destructive, fearful and mean spirited public policies at both the state and federal levels. Hope to see you on March 28th!

This 1967 film is widely regarded as one of the best American movies ever made. Now remembered almost as much for its Simon and Garfunkel music as its deadpan comedy and being the role that established Dustin Hoffman as the hottest actor in Hollywood. It became a cultural icon for capturing the spirit of 60s angst of a young man on the make, while garnering a batch of Oscar nominations. After watching the movie on your own, join us to relive (or experience!) those feelings at our discussion.