Humanism

**📢 Wichtiges Update für unser Sprachcafé in Manifesto!** 📢 Wir dürfen ab sofort den ruhigen Bereich im Obergeschoss nutzen. – **Voraussetzung**: Es ist für jeden zwingend, **ein Getränk oder Snack bei der Soot Bar** (unten bei den WCs) zu kaufen, damit wir dort bleiben dürfen. Danke fürs Mitmachen! 😊

Finding Community: Pathways Out of Loneliness ##### May 14 2026 - July 23 2026 with ***Marco Obermüller*** **6 x Thursday** on 14/05, 11/06, 25/06, 09/07, 23/07, and 30/07 free event with[ ](https://wearevillage.org/en/shop/einsamkeitserien2/w20-2026/)**[Registration](https://wearevillage.org/en/shop/einsamkeitserien2/w20-2026/)** English for **LGBTQIA**+ In our group work, spaces emerge in which belonging and exchange can be experienced directly. Personal topics are explored together and experiences are shared, making new ways out of isolation tangible. Facilitated exercises, shifts of perspective, and shared reflection foster connectedness, strengthen social effectiveness, and create strategies for sustainable relationships that extend beyond individual sessions. Loneliness can arise when people have few opportunities to experience genuine connection with others. This is where the group comes in, creating spaces in which a sense of belonging can be actively experienced. By working together on personal topics, a social space of resonance emerges that replaces isolation with relationship and contact. Through the structured sharing of experiences, loneliness becomes visible, discussable, and therefore open to change. Through facilitated interaction, shifts in perspective, small experiments in experiencing contact, and shared reflection, participants develop new forms of connectedness and strategies for social effectiveness. The group functions not only as a source of support, but also as a learning environment for shaping relationships. In this way, resilient connections are formed that extend beyond the individual meeting and help to sustainably reduce loneliness. **Belonging versus loneliness: everybody can feel lonely sometimes** As human beings we have a natural longing for social connection and support by others. Due to individual and structural discrimination queer people have an ever higher risk to suffer from chronic loneliness. In cooperation with the **Landesstelle für Gleichbehandlung** – (Berlin State Office for the Equality of Treatment – against Discrimination) **we are village \| queer matters** has set itself the goal to offer some programming on the issue of loneliness in the queer community. We have also created a **[survey](https://forms.gle/BZkLsma3sRX2vdRb8)** to find out more about your experiences of loneliness. With your help, we can create a better program that meets your needs and with which we can create more togetherness! **This group consists of a maximum of 15 participants with registration.** **Language**: This series will be held in English. This series is open to everyone. Your English should be fluent enough to follow an event in English. **Cost**: free event with registration **Important**: you must commit to all 6 sessions. **Dates**: 14/05, 11/06, 25/06, 09/07, 23/07, and 30/07.

Möchtest du tiefer in die Welt des Yoga eintauchen? Dann laden wir dich jeden Donnerstag zu unserem Evening Retreat in der Stillen Mitte (Schöneberg) ein – ein Abend für Körper, Geist & Seele, gegliedert in drei aufeinander abgestimmte Teile: 📆 Jeden Donnerstag \| ⏱️ 18:30–22:00 Uhr 📍Stille Mitte, Wartburgstr. 52, Berlin 1️⃣ 18:30 – Ashtanga Vinyasa Flow 2️⃣ 20:30 – Pranayama & Meditation 3️⃣ 21:30 – Satsang & Mantrasingen Du kannst bei einem oder allen Terminen dabei sein. 🧘 Teilnahme auf Spendenbasis oder per Check-in über USC. Meldet euch gerne vorher an unter: https://evening.eventbrite.de Wir freuen uns auf dich! Dein Team der Stiftung Lebenskultur 🙏🏻❤️

Du möchtest den Reichtum natürlich entstehender, bedingungsloser Liebe enthüllen, den jeder von uns im Herzen trägt? Diese Meditation unterstützt uns, die Quelle echter Gutherzigkeit in uns zu öffnen. Wir lernen, uns selbst auf gesunde, heilsame Weise zu lieben und so unsere Haltung anderen gegenüber zu verwandeln. Die Meditation der liebenden Güte kann uns dabei helfen, uns und anderen liebevoller und mitfühlender zu begegnen. Das Event findet sowohl online als auch vor Ort im Dharma Mati Berlin (Soorstr. 85, 14050 Berlin) statt. Um an diesem Online-Event teilzunehmen bitte auf den folgenden Link klicken: https://zoom.us/j/216979828 (Meeting-ID: 216-979-828).

Hey fellow Dragons! ++++++++ Interested in Chinese/German? ++++++++ Learning Chinese/German and need to practice or find language-tandem partners? Interested in cultural exchange? Want to meet awesome internationals? …Or just want to get tips on where to find good Chinese food in Berlin? Whatever the reason, come join us! The more the merrier: such is the Chinese way! ++++++++++++++++ New Website ++++++++++++++++ We have our own community website now. It's hosted in Germany with better privacy guidelines and allows us to have more features than we currently have here. https://www.dragon-descendants.de/ Please think about registering there too and if you are awesome, use the RSVP function there too. In the long run we do plan to migrate permanently to the new site. ++++++++++++++++ Our meetup structure ++++++++++++++++ Our meetup is relatively unstructured. Groups often form organically and evolve and move throughout the evening consisting of members learning Chinese/German, members who are fluent/native, and the rest who are here to socialize in whatever language they're comfortable with and jumping into whichever conversation they find themselves in. We try our best to fulfil everyone's expectations so we can all benefit from the meetup and have a good time; if you have any suggestions or ideas (such as outings!) please don't hesitate to let us know! :) +++ No time on Thursday's? +++ We meet every second Thursday, but we sometimes have other events, which are not regular and occur on different days/at different locations. Stay tuned for announcements! Looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones :) Cheers & 回头见 Yimu & Xuedi

**Authentic Relating & Circling with Sophie and Marco** Come and connect and learn the powerful practices of Authentic Relating and Circling. We normally do about a half-hour of Authentic Relating in paired-shares, followed by Circling in up to two breakouts, usually rejoining the large group at the end. However the program will change according to the experience of the participants at each event. If you are not familiar with Authentic Relating & Circling, you can read Marco's book on the [Circling Guide](https://circlingguide.com) website. All events are beginner-friendly and no prior experience is necessary. If all goes well, you will feel that this is what you have been doing your whole life, and all you ever wanted was to be with people who share this way of being! **PS:** **don't look at Meetup RSVP's, as this event is advertised through multiple channels. Please always register due to limited space. To register and get the address, RSVP and then message Marco here on Meetup or else WhatsApp to +49 1573 9667979 or follow this link: [https://wa.me/4915739667979](https://wa.me/4915739667979)** **\*\*Why attend?\*\*** * Are you seeking more fun, connection, and deeper understanding with the people in your life? * Do you lack an honest, loving space to communicate your needs and desires? * You long for a supportive community where all issues can be brought openly and with care? * You are curious about how the powerful practices of Authentic Relating and Circling can enhance your life? *If so, our Authentic Relating and Circling evenings are for you!* **\*\*Who should attend?\*\*** These sessions are open to people of all genders and sexual orientations who want to bring Authentic Relating skills and practice into their life. This program is ideal for you if: * You're interested in other people and how they think and feel. * You enjoy stepping out of your comfort zone. * You're self-responsible and open. * You want to be seen, heard, and appreciated for what's important to you. * You want to engage with others in tender conversations about the challenges of being human. **\*\*Dates\*\*** *We're offering Authentic Relating & Circling every Thursday from 19:00-21:30.* **\*\*Cost\*\*** The cost at the door is 25€ / 30€ / 20€ (depending on your income). Alternatively buy a 5-pass card for €80 (€16 per session). **\*\*Location and Directions\*\*** Kleiststraße @ Eisenacher Str., 10787 Berlin-Schöneberg Our house is a short walk from Nollendorfplatz U, and is also served by several buses. For the exact address message Marco here, or (better)message Whatsapp +49 1573 9667979 (https://wa.me/4915739667979). **\*\*Other Programs\*\*** In addition to AR & Circling live in Berlin, Sophie and Marco have other programs and services, online and in person. These include individual and couples coaching, our 6 week Authentic Relating in Community (in [English ](https://circlingguide.com/arc)and [German](https://circlingguide.com/arcs/)), retreats & immersions. For details refer the the Connecting Circle website at [https://connecting-circle.de/](https://connecting-circle.de/). Join our WhatApp announcement channel [http://bit.ly/46fNuDE](http://bit.ly/46fNuDE) Join our Telegram announcement channel [http://bit.ly/45XXbb6](http://bit.ly/45XXbb6) **\*\*Facilitators\*\*** Marco Beneteau, author of the "Circling Guide" ([www.circlingguide.com](https://www.circlingguide.com/)), the most popular book on Circling within the Authentic Relating tradition. Marco has been leading AR groups for seven years. Sophie Lemperle-McGrath, founder of connecting-circle ([www.connecting-circle.de](http://www.connecting-circle.de/)) is a Gestalt & AR facilitator, mediator and "Getting Real" couples Coach. *Our Authentic Relating & Circling nights are fun and engaging. We hope to see you there!* **\*\*Agreements & Terms of Service (Please read)\*\*** **Authentic Relating and Circling is not therapy**. People encounter states, emotions, beliefs, and sensations in themselves and others which can be difficult. 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 your level of participation, which might include choosing to leave. If all this 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 attend. We look forward to seeing you!

Everything in the universe vibrates: from the whisper of a leaf to the pulse of the stars. Sound is the primordial heartbeat of creation, and music, its universal language. For humans, singing is not just a creative expression; it is a path to transcendence, a bridge between the mundane and the divine. The Voice, our most intimate and sacred instrument, resonates with ancestral echoes. Since time immemorial, it has been used in healing rituals, as a channel for spiritual connection, and a key to higher states of consciousness. When we sing with sacred intention, breath, mind, and heart merge into a harmonious flow that transports us to deep peace and a precious state of contemplation. Sacred singing opens an inner space of living silence, where vibration becomes a healing dance that harmonises our being. Schedule (draft) 6 pm Doors open. 6:15 Start. Doors close. Satsang. 6:40 Brief pause, doors open briefly. 6:45 **Singing together** 7:30 Pause. 7:35 **Singing together** 8:40 Sharing food & connection. Rearranging the room. 9 pm End Times within the event are approximate. **DONATION** Standard at 20€ (both: 30€) Supporter 25-50€ / Supported 5-15€ or write to [yaya.yala.amor@gmail.com](mailto:yaya.yala.amor@gmail.com) Looking forward to seeing you there! :)

Das Thema Angst ist nicht nur ein Thema der Psychologie. Angst kann man auch soziologisch und philosophisch untersuchen. Das soll beim nächsten Treffen geschehen.

### The Body: Power, Shame, and Freedom The body is one of the most personal and universal aspects of human existence. It is how we experience the world, express identity, form relationships, and navigate society. Yet the body is never purely biological. Across history and cultures, bodies have been shaped by social norms, political systems, religious beliefs, economic structures, and ideas about morality, beauty, gender, and control. The human body is deeply connected to power. Societies regulate bodies through laws, institutions, medicine, fashion, labor, media, and cultural expectations. Certain bodies are privileged, protected, and celebrated, while others are marginalized, disciplined, or excluded. Standards surrounding beauty, health, sexuality, gender, and physical ability influence how people are perceived—and how they perceive themselves. At the same time, the body is closely tied to shame. Shame can emerge from social judgment, religious expectations, family dynamics, cultural ideals, or comparison with others. People may experience shame related to appearance, aging, sexuality, vulnerability, illness, disability, race, gender expression, or bodily imperfection. In this sense, shame is not only personal but also social and political, shaped by broader structures of power and belonging. Yet the body is also a site of freedom, resistance, and self-expression. Throughout history, individuals and movements have challenged norms surrounding bodies, identity, sexuality, dress, and physical autonomy. The struggle for bodily freedom includes questions of consent, self-determination, health, gender equality, reproductive rights, disability rights, and freedom from violence and discrimination. In contemporary society, the body is increasingly shaped by technology, digital culture, and consumer capitalism. Social media intensifies visibility, comparison, and self-presentation, while medical and technological developments transform how bodies are modified, monitored, and understood. New possibilities for self-expression coexist with new pressures surrounding perfection, productivity, and control. Looking ahead, emerging technologies—including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, genetic engineering, and virtual reality—may fundamentally reshape how humans experience embodiment, identity, and physical existence. This raises important questions: What does bodily freedom truly mean? How much control should individuals or societies have over bodies? And how can dignity and autonomy be preserved in a world of increasing surveillance, optimization, and technological intervention? This discussion invites a critical exploration of the body as a biological, psychological, social, and political reality—one deeply connected to identity, power, vulnerability, and human freedom. *** 📅 Event Details 🗓️ Date: Saturday, 16 May 2026 ⏰ Time: 14:30 📍 Location: Hardenbergstraße 10, 10623 Berlin 📱 WhatsApp: For prep materials and directions (Group Chat) [Group Chat](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ba8ZAaH2Yuk6FGmD3LLO7H)

Ciao a tutti! For our event we would like to meet you at 17:00 and have a beer all together, or other drinks. The goal of our first meeting is to get to know eachother and practice Italian and German. Please don’t be afraid that your language skills might not be sufficiently good or that you are a beginner. We understand that learning languages is a difficult and long journey. We don’t tolerate discrimination. We don't tolerate any aggressive or weird attitude. This has to be a Place of Comfort zone for everyone :) Please be respectful and kind with the others! PS: you can find us on the pool table area usually, if not just ask to the bar area for the reservation on the name "Claudio" A presto, bis bald Claudio Ich hoffe dass wir bald uns sehen!

## 🇩🇪 Berlin Korean-German Language Exchange 🇰🇷 ## [베를린 한국어-독일어 언어교환 모임] 정신없고 비싸기만 한 언어교환은 이제 그만! 체계적이고 친절한 환경 속에서 편안하게 친구들을 만들며 자연스럽게 언어를 배우는 시간을 가져보세요. Stop attending chaotic and overpriced meetups! We pursue a structured, friendly environment where you can make friends and practice languages naturally and comfortably. *** ### ⏰ **TIME & SYSTEM (일시 및 운영 방식)** * **Start Date:** May 8th (Friday) / 5월 8일 첫 모임 시작 * **When:** **Every Friday** at 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM (1.5 hours) * **언제:** **매주 금요일** 오후 4:00 – 5:30 (총 1시간 30분) * **System:** \* 3 rounds of German (15 mins each) + 3 rounds of Korean (15 mins each) * **Partner swap every 15 minutes!** You will meet a new partner for every round. * **운영 방식:** \* 독일어 15분씩 3라운드 + 한국어 15분씩 3라운드 진행 * **15분마다 파트너를 교체**하여 다양한 분들과 대화할 수 있습니다.💬 **For Shy & New Members (초보 및 내성적인 분들을 위해)** * **Ice-breaking cards on every table!** Each table has a list of fun and easy topics to talk about. No need to worry about what to say next! * **Don't worry if you are shy!** Even if you are an introvert or new to language exchanges, our structured system and friendly atmosphere will help you fit right in. * **테이블마다 준비된 아이스브레이킹 주제!** 각 테이블에는 대화를 도와줄 재미있고 쉬운 질문지(쪽지)가 비치되어 있습니다. 다음 대화 주제를 고민할 걱정이 없어요! * **내성적이어도 걱정 마세요!** 이런 활동이 처음이거나 낯을 가리는 분들도 걱정하지 마세요. 체계적인 시스템과 친절한 분위기 속에서 자연스럽게 어울리실 수 있습니다. *** ### 📍 **LOCATION (장소)** * **Venue:** Petit Brunch * **Address:** Schönhauser Allee 140a, 10437 Berlin * **Note:** The venue is subject to change. **Please check our Instagram Story for any location updates before you come!** * **장소:** Petit Brunch * **주소:** Schönhauser Allee 140a, 10437 Berlin * **참고:** 장소는 변동될 가능성이 있습니다. **방문 전 인스타그램 스토리 공지를 반드시 확인해 주세요!** * **How to find us:** Please look for **'Aiden Park** once you arrive. * **찾아오시는 법:** 카페에 들어오셔서 \*\*에이든 박'\*\*를 찾아주세요. *** ### 💡 **DETAILS (참여 안내)** * **Language Level:** A2 – C2 / 독일어 또는 한국어 실력 A2\~C2 권장 * **Age Limit:** 20+ years old / **만 20세 이상** * **Entrance Fee:** **5€** (Cash or Bank transfer only / Pay on-site) * **입장료:** **5유로** (현금 혹은 계좌이체만 가능 / 현장 지불) * **1 drink per person is mandatory** (Cafe drinks are separate). * 카페 음료비는 별도이며, **1인 1주문은 필수**입니다. *** ### 💬 **CONTACT & RSVP (연락처 및 신청)** * If you suddenly cannot attend, please let us know via **Instagram DM**. * Even if the RSVP is closed, feel free to stop by! If there's an extra seat, you might be able to join at a discounted price. * 갑작스러운 불참 시 **인스타그램 DM**으로 알려주세요! * 모집이 마감되었더라도 자리가 있다면 조금 더 저렴하게 참여 가능할 수도 있으니 편하게 들러보세요. *** ### ⚠️ **NOTICE (주의사항)** * Any participant who joins with intentions other than language exchange and makes others uncomfortable may be removed from the group based on a majority vote. * 언어 교환이 아닌 다른 목적으로 입장하여 다른 파트너를 불편하게 만든다면, 다수결에 의해 강제 퇴장 조치될 수 있음을 알려드립니다. *** **[Organizer Contact]** * **Instagram:** @kr.de.language.exchange.berlin

**Luxury & Empowerment: Refining capacities to receive and to give** with ***Jorge De Hoyos*** for **GBTQ+ men\*** **[Book a ticket](https://wearevillage.org/en/shop/sensual-touch/w20-2026)** Member: **15€** Non-member: **30€** Ready to rewrite your scripts on intimacy? Join us for an exploration of the delicate dance between giving and receiving. By tuning into your body’s unique signals of “yes” and “no,” you’ll learn to transform old habits into playful new roles. Whether you’re seeking the “luxury vacation” of a perfect touch or the thrill of radical generosity, this workshop offers a safe, consent-based space to expand your capacity for pleasure. What are your patterns in getting what you want? Is it vulnerable to ask for what you truly desire? And if something is requested of you, are you confident to give appropriately and enough? The relational work of cultivating pleasure through consent requires listening to where your body registers expanded channels and resistances & blocks to the flows of intention and energy. Which habits then would you like to transform? What new and fresh roles might you try on? What touch would be a luxury vacation, and how adventurous can you be in your generosity? All capacity levels welcome! \*Nudity and gential touch is possible, but no where near expected or required. 🔵 **Luxus & Empowerment: Die Kunst des Empfangens und Gebens verfeinern** Sensual Touch Lab Series mit ***Jorge de Hoyos*** Bist du bereit, deine Skripte über Intimität neu zu schreiben? Begib dich mit uns auf eine Entdeckungsreise durch den feinen Tanz zwischen Geben und Nehmen. Indem du lernst, auf die ganz eigenen Signale deines Körpers für „Ja“ und „Nein“ zu hören, transformierst du alte Gewohnheiten in spielerische neue Rollen. Egal, ob du den „Luxusurlaub“ einer perfekten Berührung suchst oder den Nervenkitzel radikaler Großzügigkeit – dieser Workshop bietet dir einen sicheren, konsensbasierten Raum, um deine Fähigkeit für Genuss zu erweitern. Welche Muster zeigst du, wenn es darum geht, das zu bekommen, was du willst? Fühlst du dich verletzlich, wenn du nach deinen wahren Wünschen fragst? Und wenn etwas von dir erbeten wird: Hast du das Selbstvertrauen, angemessen und aus vollem Herzen zu geben? Die Beziehungsarbeit, Lust durch Konsens zu kultivieren, erfordert ein tiefes Hineinhören: Wo spürt dein Körper offene Kanäle und wo zeigen sich Widerstände oder Blockaden im Fluss von Absicht und Energie? Welche Gewohnheiten möchtest du transformieren? In welche neuen, frischen Rollen würdest du gerne schlüpfen? Welche Berührung wäre für dich wie ein Luxusurlaub, und wie abenteuerlustig kannst du in deiner Großzügigkeit sein? Alle Erfahrungsstufen sind willkommen! \*Nacktheit und genitale Berührungen sind möglich, werden aber keinesfalls erwartet oder vorausgesetzt.

Join an immersive meditation experience to deeply free your body, mind and brain from accumulated stressful states. It’s an opportunity to take a conscious pause from the rush of daily life, and to discover greater wellbeing, calm and joy from within. **Learn six meditative arts** Dissolve stress in deeper layers of your consciousness to break the habitual continuity in your thinking, emotions and actions and nurture beautiful states of being. **Transform through insights** Be in a field where the mind naturally calms down and insights happen, leading to greater relief from accumulated stress and thinking patterns. **Grow in awareness through Deeksha** Experience Deeksha, the phenomenon that helps to speed up your growth and takes you from merely understanding a teaching into experiencing its essence. **Enjoy restfulness in your body and mind** Let your body recharge and your brain rewire for greater clarity and emotional balance, naturally experience joy and connection. **Receive powerful tools for your inner state:** Learn to apply practices that become your daily instruments for dissolving inner stress and nurturing beautiful states of being. **Who is this course for** The course is suitable for you regardless your meditation experience. Join it if you like to: * Discover joy, motivation, and clarity in life * Feel greater connection to yourself and the people around you * Spend much less of your time in anxiety, fear, or doubt * Pursue your career goals not from a place of exhaustion and strife, but from calmness and passion * Dissolve the sense of dissatisfaction with life * Live a greater life, in touch with your inner compass, without feeling empty or lost You will deeply detox from stress on all levels, and feel renewed, with more clarity in mind and greater inner balance to live from beautiful states. **Course format** * The format is a 2-day course where you arrive in the morning and leave in the evening, so it is not a residential retreat. * Expect approx. 8-9 hours per day, with time allocated for breaks and lunch. * The course includes guided meditations, wisdom teachings, breathing practices, and Deeksha. * This is not a yoga retreat. However, we will include some simple body movement just to support ourselves during the day. * The course language is English. * Please participate only if you can attend both full days to receive the full experience. **Dates & Time** Course dates: 16-17 May 2026 Daily timing: 09:00–18:00 **Pricing** The prices include participation in the course, a small gift and tea and snacks during the breaks. * €200 – Early bird price until 26th April * €290 – Regular price starting from 27th April Refund policy: * Full refund until 15th of April (1 month prior event) * 50% refund until 8th of May (1 week prior event) * No refund from 9th of May This course is also offered in a retreat format in Sweden from 28-31 May. The content will be the same, but the experience includes staying at the Oneness Nordic Center in a beautiful Swedish forest. Learn more about it [here](https://www.meetup.com/oneness-berlin/events/313783601/?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=share-btn_savedevents_share_modal&utm_source=link&utm_version=v2&member_id=474772230). **How to join** To reserve your spot please [sign up](https://forms.gle/H5U5nRqHWQe9BW778) and complete the payment. You will find the payment details in the form. Feel free to reach out if you need any help or have a question. *The minimum number of participants for this course is 7, the maximum is 21, so please secure your spot.*

What did “freedom” mean at the founding of America—and how has that vision evolved over time? Join us at **Unity of Fairfax** for an engaging community conversation featuring experts from the **National Constitution Center** as we explore the connection between the American Revolution and the continuing story of civil rights and liberties in the United States. Together, we’ll reflect on the founding ideals of liberty, representation, and individual rights—and examine how those ideas have been challenged, expanded, and reinterpreted throughout American history. This discussion offers an opportunity to deepen your understanding of the Constitution while engaging thoughtfully with questions that still shape our society today. Whether you love history, value civic dialogue, or simply want to better understand the principles behind America’s freedoms, you are warmly welcome. We'll be in Classroom 1, or you can join us online, via our[ Zoom link](https://constitutioncenter.zoom.us/meeting/register/hc_8FV8yTv6s4DH-i0lMLA). *** ### **Who Should Attend** * Anyone interested in the Constitution or civic education * People curious about freedom of speech and religion * Community members who enjoy thoughtful, respectful dialogue * Students, educators, and lifelong learners * Individuals seeking connection across perspectives ### **What to Expect** * An engaging talk led by experts from the National Constitution Center * Clear, accessible insights into the First Amendment * Opportunities for reflection and community discussion * A respectful, inclusive environment for all viewpoints * A chance to connect with others interested in civic topics

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

Optional Questions: Life Stages & Transitions

1. What did you think you'd have figured out by now that you're still completely winging?
2. When did you realize your parents' advice was for a world that no longer exists?
3. What are you finally old enough to stop pretending to care about?

Optional Questions: Identity After the Roles

4. Who are you when nobody needs anything from you?
5. What dream keeps resurfacing even though the "practical" time has passed?
6. How do you handle having the freedom you always said you wanted?

Optional Questions: AI & Being Human

7. What human experiences will AI never truly understand?
8. If machines handled all your have-to's, what would you actually do?
9. What becomes more precious as everything becomes automated?

Optional Questions: Belief & Meaning

10. What certainties have you given up, and what rushed in to fill that space?
11. How has knowing someone who died changed how you live?
12. What do you believe now that would shock your younger self?

Optional Questions: The Modern Psyche

13. What anxiety do you carry that previous generations didn't have?
14. Which of your survival strategies are you ready to retire?
15. What uncomfortable truth about happiness did it take you years to accept?

Optional Questions: Work & Purpose

16. When did you stop believing that your job would complete you?
17. What would you do for work if money and status weren't factors?
18. How has your definition of "making it" changed over the years?

Optional Questions: Relationships & Connection

19. What relationship dynamic do you keep recreating, and why?
20. When did you realize your parents were just people trying their best?
21. What kind of loneliness doesn't go away even when you're with others?

Optional Questions: Time & Mortality

22. What are you running out of time to say or do?
23. How differently do you spend your time knowing it's finite?
24. What will you regret not trying, even if you fail?

Optional Questions: Society & Culture

25. What social convention do you follow even though it makes no sense?
26. Which generation do you understand least, and what might you be missing?
27. What aspect of how we live now will seem insane in 20 years?

Optional Questions: Personal Philosophy

28. What rule for life did you create after learning something the hard way?
29. When did you stop believing that everyone else had it figured out
30. What paradox about life have you learned to live with?

We have many cats and kitties hoping to find their fur-ever families. Come meet them at [Pet supplies Plus](https://www.petsuppliesplus.com/store/va/sterling/4487-sterling/4487) in Sterling from Noon to 2pm on Saturday, May 17th. For a sneak peek of our adoptable animals, please visit the [Humane Society of Loudoun County website](https://humaneloudoun.org/adopt/)! If a particular fur-baby (or two) catches your eye, [complete a no-obligation application today](https://humaneloudoun.org/adopt/adoption-process/) to expedite the application process.

What becomes possible when different generations come together—not just to share perspectives, but to truly collaborate? This meetup invites participants of all ages to explore how intergenerational connection can strengthen communities, spark innovation, and create more sustainable solutions for today’s challenges. Each generation brings unique experiences, insights, and strengths—and when combined, they can become a powerful force for positive change. Through guided discussion and reflection, we’ll explore: * How generational perspectives shape the way we see the world * Where misunderstandings arise—and how to move beyond them * Practical ways to collaborate across age groups in our communities and work Whether you’re early in your journey or bring decades of experience, your voice matters in this conversation. All thoughtful voices are welcome.

International Day of Protest Against Shock Treatment Educational Open House Join us for an educational Open House in observance of the International Day of Protest Against Shock Treatment, an internationally recognized day focused on awareness, ethics, and human rights in mental health care. This event is designed to inform the public about electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)—its history, current use, reported risks, and the importance of informed consent, transparency, and patient rights. Through educational displays and guided discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to review documented information and see an excerpt of the documentary, *Therapy or Torture*. The Open House emphasizes the importance of ethical standards in mental health treatment and the need for safeguards that protect individuals from harm, coercion, or misuse of authority. What to expect: Educational exhibits and informational materials Historical and contemporary context on shock treatment Discussion on informed consent and patient rights A respectful, non-political learning environment This event is open to the public and intended for community members, students, professionals, advocates, and anyone interested in human rights and ethical mental health care. Quiet reflection, questions, and thoughtful conversation are welcome.

**Join us for Soul Coffee, an informal gathering where we can connect a bit deeper, check in on each other, and share some real soul conversation together - as always, across beliefs and traditions.** Soul Coffee is a gathering by BreadBreakers, a community for people of all stripes to build meaningful relationships and have curious conversations. **Our mission in BreadBreakers is to be a place of compassion and belonging in a time of division and isolation; to rebuild the town square, one table at a time.** Usually we do this by breaking bread and having facilitated conversations over dinner, but sometimes it's good to just meet over coffee and spend some unstructured time talking about the deep stuff. At each Soul Coffee, we'll keep it simple and talk about three questions: - How's your soul doing? - How have you experienced wonder lately? - What do you need right now? No matter your religion, or if you even are religious; no matter where you are spiritually; no matter if you even think souls exist - come to be seen and known, to just be humans together in a crazy world, to talk about those things of the spirit that are so central to the human experience but rarely get discussed. **Join us, invite a friend, and be a part of the movement to mend our fractured society and normalize a better way of being in community with one another.** BreadBreakers, an initiative by[ Restoration United Methodist Churc](https://restorationreston.org/breadbreakers)h in Reston, VA, is a religiously inclusive community, a collaboration between the church and those of all different beliefs. All faiths and all stripes are welcomed. Our leadership, volunteer team, and community include people who attend Restoration and people who don't.