Islamic Knowledge

📚 Do you love reading, but wish you had a structure and a community to share your insights with? Join our small circle of curious minds (just 4 members per gathering) as we come together for an hour of focused reading—in the calm setting of a library or the cozy atmosphere of a café. Here’s how it works: First part: Quiet reading on your own—bring a book you’re exploring, whether it’s philosophy, history, psychology, literature, or anything meaningful to you. Second part: We regroup and each person shares key takeaways, insights, or questions sparked by their reading. This sparks a structured yet free-flowing conversation around ideas, perspectives, and personal reflections. Why join? Add structure to your reading habit. Discover new books, authors, and ideas through others’ choices. Build real connections by sharing and listening deeply. Socialize around something meaningful instead of small talk.

Montgomery County MD Real Estate Investors, Agents and Professionals! We just launched a Cash-Flow Breakfast Club for your area! This is the most unique real estate investor club, education, networking and mastermind event in the US! **Join us for our official launch event for Montgomery County MD on December 18.** **This is a 12 part education series with new topics every month. This event is session 9 of 12!** **This event is free but has very limited seating and we are limited to the first 50 to RSVP! Join us and become a founding member of this amazing community!** *(it is ok to attend even if you missed previous sessions. Each session has stand alone topics. You can also attend other near by locations to get caught up on sessions that you have missed.)* **Very limited seating. In-person only.** **Make sure to RSVP today to reserve your spot.** **When: December 18, 2025 @ 5:30pm - 8:30pm EST** **Where: Twinbrook Library** **202 Meadow Hall Dr, Rockville, MD 20851** The Cash-Flow Breakfast Club is NOT just a meet up. It’s the most unique Real Estate Investor Community of Mentors, Coaches & Masterminds. A community of growth oriented, abundance mindset, go-giver individuals with a BARE MINIMUM commitment to become financially free through real estate investing. We focus on providing education and building networks to help every member solve their cash-flow freedom equation, so they can have the time-freedom needed to follow their passions, make a lasting impact and even change the world! The unique format of this event, which consists of high-level education, gamified networking, mastermind breakout sessions, case studies, group deal analysis, market deep dives, and peer-to-peer coaching facilitation makes this the most impactful local real estate investor group a real estate investor can be a part of. The foundation of the group is built around the belief that everyone in the room has the potential to change the world… however most of us never have the time, energy or financial situation to even dare to dream big enough. Most of us have passions that will never be followed, amazing businesses or ideas that will never be pursued… unless we can solve the Cash-Flow Freedom Equation, which ultimately leads to Time-Freedom. Once that happens it is usually much easier for us to think bigger, dream bigger, be bigger. · 🤯 Learn more about the Cash-Flow Breakfast Club [HERE](https://cashflowbreakfastclub.com/) · 🥇 Get in the VIP List to be notified about the next event in your area [HERE](https://the.cashflowbreakfastclub.com/VIP) · 🤙🏼 Learn more about Launching your own Cash-Flow Breakfast Club Location [HERE](https://cashflowbreakfastclub.com/launch-your-own-club/) · 🤝🏼 Learn more about becoming an Affiliate-Sponsor at one of our club locations [HERE](https://cashflowbreakfastclub.com/affiliate-sponsors/) · 📷 View photos and videos of some of our recent events [HERE](https://cashflowbreakfastclub.com/about-the-cash-flow-breakfast-club/) · 😎 Looking to represent? Browse Cash-Flow Breakfast Club apparel and fly swag [HERE](https://cashflowbreakfastclub.com/shop/)

Hey Beautiful People Karaoke for SOCKS returns on Thursday December 18, 2025 from 6pm - 9pm: This year, SOCK donations will go towards The House D.C., an organization dedicated to empowering at risk youth in Anacostia. This year, Karaoke for SOCKS is sponsored by Virtuous Phoenix, LLC, NAASC Washington, DC Metro Chapter, Teen & Co. Wellness and Consulting PLLC, and Goombay Adventurers/Goombay Cares. Sock Donations will go towards The House D.C. Please feel free to visit the website. [Home - thehousedc.org](https://thehousedc.org/) Please rsvp your space with the link and bring "BRAND NEW" socks !!! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/karaoke-for-socks-tickets-1974532628244?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

Come check out a free screening and talk about the film "**Resurrecting Poplar Island"** at the Patuxent Research Refuge. For those of you who haven't been involved in its construction, Poplar Island (like its northern cousin Hart-Miller) was nearly washed away by erosion over the past century. For over two decades now, it has been rebuilt into a large wildlife refuge using dredge material from shipping channel maintenance. Perhaps this film will get enough people jazzed up to take the long trip out to it next summer. More info at the link below. [https://www.fws.gov/event/free-film-speakers-program-resurrecting-poplar-island](https://www.fws.gov/event/free-film-speakers-program-resurrecting-poplar-island) Film: **Resurrecting Poplar Island**, exploring the rebirth of a once-thriving island community in the Chesapeake Bay, lost to erosion in the late 20th century. The island is now home to a thriving ecosystem, thanks to “an extraordinary partnership between state and federal agencies.” Q&A with guest speakers from Poplar Island. Friends of Patuxent will provide light refreshments. Schedule: Visitor Center special hours opening at 4:00 Film Starts at 5:30 Intermission with free snacks at 6:00 Speaker portion begins at 6:20 Building closes at 8:00

• What we'll do On https://blackecon101.podbean.com/ Thursdays at 6 pm. discussing the economy....

Looking to grow your real estate network, stay ahead of market trends, and connect with like-minded professionals? Don’t miss our local REIA, happening the third Thursday of every month. Whether you’re an experienced investor, first-time borrower, or industry expert, you’ll gain valuable insight, strategic conversations, and meaningful connections that can help you take your business to the next level. Come for the knowledge, stay for the network.

• What we'll do Economist William Michael Cunningham on Podbeam Thursdays at 6 pm. https://www.podbean.com/

**Life** Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz was born in 1646 in Leipzig. He had access to a substantial library early in life and is said to have taught himself Latin to read the Church Fathers and Latin Classics. He attended universities in Leipzig and Altdorf, earned a doctorate in law in 1667, turned down a faculty position, and went to work for the Elector of Mainz. In 1672 he had the opportunity to visit Paris to discuss his Egypt Plan, in which France would invade Egypt and leave Germany and the Netherlands alone. There he met several leading French thinkers, including [Nicolas Malebranche](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nicolas-Malebranche) and [Antoine Arnauld](https://iep.utm.edu/antoine-arnauld/), and studied mathematics under [Christian Huygens](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Christiaan-Huygens) (discovering integral and differential calculus after about three years). He created a calculating machine and, based on this work, was made in 1673 a member of the Royal Society. In 1676 he began working in the court of the Duke of Hanover. He spent much of his life promoting science, libraries and learning and was the first president of the [Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prussian_Academy_of_Sciences). Leibniz made contributions to not only mathematics but physics, theology, and philosophy. He sought to reconcile Catholicism and Lutheranism and, in his own way, modern science and philosophy to certain Aristotelian ideas, such as the substantial form and final cause. He died in Hanover in 1716. **Themes** Leibniz is regarded, along with Descartes and Spinoza, as one of the most important rationalist philosophers of his age. He wrote a work in response to John Locke arguing that some principles or ideas are in some sense innate. In metaphysics, he asserted the principle of sufficient reason, which says that things happen when there is more reason for them to happen than not, and claimed that, strictly speaking, all true statements are analytic (e.g., it can be truly predicated of Ceasar *a priori* that he crossed the Rubicon). Unhappy with atomistic and other accounts of substance, he argued that monads (dimensionless, soul-like entities) are fundamental, reflect everything that has ever happened or will happen, and are in sync with each other through a pre-established order chosen by God. From the conclusion that God has chosen this world, and that God can only choose the best, Leibniz famously claimed that this is the best of all possible worlds. The system Leibniz set up would seem to leave little room for human freedom, but he tried to argue that people were nonetheless free in some sense. Right or wrong, his views are complex and interesting. **Works and This Month's Reading** Leibniz wrote so much that the critical edition of his collected works, underway for several decades, remains unfinished. Much of this output consists of short works—letters, journal articles—rather than a magnum opus. His only book-length statement of his philosophy published in his lifetime is *Theodicy*. His other major works include *Discourse on Metaphysics*, *Monadology*, and *New Essays on Human Understanding*. Except for *Monadology*, our readings this month are not from his most famous works; however, the selections in the *Shorter Leibniz Texts* are helpfully arranged, cover many of Leibniz's main claims, and, because the selections are short, can be read in coherent, manageable chunks. **Readings** · [The Shorter Leibniz Texts (Strickland)](https://www.amazon.com/Shorter-Leibniz-Texts-Collection-Translations/dp/0826489516/) · [Monadology (Google Books, pp. 215-271)](https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Monadology_and_Other_Philosophical_W/0IARAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1) – The Strickland version listed below is a good alternative. Both have more footnotes and explanatory text than text from Leibniz. **Optional** · [Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, IEP](https://iep.utm.edu/leib-ove/) – Summarizes Leibniz’s thought based on *Discourse on Metaphysics*, *Monadology*, *Theodicy*, and *New Essays on Human Understanding*. · [Leibniz's Monadology: A New Translation and Guide (Strickland)](https://www.amazon.com/Leibnizs-Monadology-New-Translation-Guide/dp/074869322X/) – An alternative to the version on Google (above), this version also has relevant selections from *Theodicy*. · [Leibniz: Philosophical Essays](https://www.amazon.com/dp/0872200620/?) – Contains Discourse on *Metaphysics*, *Monadology*, the Preface to *New Essays on Human Understanding*, and several other short works and letters. · [The Philosophy of Spinoza & Leibniz (YouTube) - Magee & Quinton, 1987](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7n7wfQOGaI) · [The Essence of Calculus (YouTube) - 3Blue1Brown](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUvTyaaNkzM) \- Quick intro\. · [Mathematical Treasure: Leibniz's Papers on Calculus (MAA)](https://old.maa.org/press/periodicals/convergence/mathematical-treasure-leibnizs-papers-on-calculus) – If you’re curious what Leibniz’s calculus looked like. · [Mathematics - 19th Century, Algebra, Calculus | Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/science/mathematics/Mathematics-in-the-19th-century) – History of math, with some math.

Sit back and relax as Tibetan & crystal bowls (and other instruments) help bring you back into alignment thru sacred sound therapy. This is a great way to clear yourself and recharge for the week ahead. For those interested, it can also assist in achieving deeper stages of meditation. Space is limited so a RSVP is required. Once you have joined us for an event, you are welcome to text to confirm your spot. FIRST TIMERS: All are welcome as long as you come with an open/positive mind and respectful heart. No prior experience necessary. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes early so you can get situated. You are also welcome to walk our grounds or check out or crystal shop. IMPORTANT DIRECTIONS: The address is 15406 Riding Stable rd. Property is at end of 1/2 driveway into the woods. you will drive over a small stream. Please be EXTRA MINDFUL to drive slowly (5 MPH) as to not stir any driveway dust. It is a shared driveway so it's important to respect our neighbors. Please do not stop to interact with horses. COST: To help make this affordable to all, we have an offering range of $15-$25. If you would like to contribute in another way, please let us know. With Love and Gratitude

The power of unity can easily be seen in how we come together in times of crisis. But what about after the immediate crisis has passed? Can spirituality help us harness the power of unity, regardless of circumstance, and despite our many differences? With each passing day, it seems like we are realizing more and more how interconnected we all are, how much we depend on one another. Old patterns of existence based on division aren’t working for us. Particularly in times of crisis, we see that we do better when we come together, when we’re able to support one another and draw strength from each other. But what if this power wasn’t limited to times of crisis? What if unity wasn’t just a lofty idea worth aspiring to but a strategy to be used in affecting positive change? Is there specific guidance we can follow, methods we can enact to help us create a more materially and spiritually advanced society? Come join a different kind of conversation – one that welcomes every perspective in a search for the truths that unite us all – as we discuss the spiritual perspective offered by the Bahá’í Teachings on the power of unity in helping us enact a social & spiritual transformation. Join us for a lively discussion as we explore the role of spirituality in helping us work with each other on the path towards the betterment of us all. “So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole world.” – Bahá’í Teachings \*\*\*This event is free and open to all regardless of background or belief. Donations will not be accepted.

📚 Do you love reading, but wish you had a structure and a community to share your insights with? Join our small circle of curious minds (just 4 members per gathering) as we come together for an hour of focused reading—in the calm setting of a library or the cozy atmosphere of a café. Here’s how it works: First part: Quiet reading on your own—bring a book you’re exploring, whether it’s philosophy, history, psychology, literature, or anything meaningful to you. Second part: We regroup and each person shares key takeaways, insights, or questions sparked by their reading. This sparks a structured yet free-flowing conversation around ideas, perspectives, and personal reflections. Why join? Add structure to your reading habit. Discover new books, authors, and ideas through others’ choices. Build real connections by sharing and listening deeply. Socialize around something meaningful instead of small talk.

● Would you like to look deeper into the source of life? ● Do you want to find your own answers to everyday questions? ● Singing HU can bring you Love, Happiness, and Stability You’re warmly invited to join us at our **Friday HU Chant at 7:00 pm** You will be welcome to chant out loud or simply listen, whatever is right for you. The chant lasts about 20 minutes, followed by brief contemplative time and conversation with others of like heart. **Attend In-Person at:** The Maryland Eckankar Center 1738 Elton Rd., Suite 104 Silver Spring, MD 20903 (**Doors open at 6:30 pm**) For more information: Call or text: (301)439-2120 MEC@eckankarmaryland.org Presented by the DC & Maryland Satsang Societies, Inc. Chartered Affiliates of ECKANKAR. Copyright © 2025 ECKANKAR. The terms ECKANKAR, ECK, EK, MAHANTA, SOUL TRAVEL, and VAIRAGI, among others, are trademarks of ECKANKAR, PO Box 2000, Chanhassen, MN 55317-2000 U.S.A.

**The power of unity can easily be seen in how we come together in times of crisis. But what about after the immediate crisis has passed? Can spirituality help us harness the power of unity, regardless of circumstance, and despite our many differences?** **With each passing day, it seems like we are realizing more and more how interconnected we all are, how much we depend on one another. Old patterns of existence based on division aren’t working for us. Particularly in times of crisis, we see that we do better when we come together, when we’re able to support one another and draw strength from each other. But what if this power wasn’t limited to times of crisis? What if unity wasn’t just a lofty idea worth aspiring to but a strategy to be used in affecting positive change? Is there specific guidance we can follow, methods we can enact to help us create a more materially and spiritually advanced society?** **Come join a different kind of conversation – one that welcomes every perspective in a search for the truths that unite us all – as we discuss the spiritual perspective offered by the Bahá’í Teachings on the power of unity in helping us enact a social & spiritual transformation. Join us for a lively discussion as we explore the role of spirituality in helping us work with each other on the path towards the betterment of us all.** **“So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole world.” – Bahá’í Teachings** **\*\*\*This event is free and open to all regardless of background or belief. Donations will not be accepted.**

Discover the power of your breath to manage your mind and experience instant peace & calm. Join a 60-minute free Workshop and get a glimpse of the Sudarshan KriyaTM- The breathing technique that is revolutionizing the lives of millions. What you’ll discover at ‘Beyond Breath’ ✔ A taste of the Sudarshan KriyaTM, a breathing technique taught in the Happiness Program ✔ An instant energy booster that awakens & relaxes your mind - Take it home and practice daily! ✔ The peace & calm of a unique guided meditation ✔ Secret keys to manage your mind ✔ The power of surrounding yourself with positive, like-minded people. You can use your breath to master your thoughts and emotions - the key to managing the quality of your day. The Happiness Program At the end of this workshop you may enroll into the Happiness Program (3 days, 3 hours each day) to learn the Sudarshan KriyaTM, a science-backed, rhythmic breathing technique through which you can: Tap into a reservoir of energy and use it as you please! Relieve deep-rooted stresses and anxieties Uplevel your productivity Overcome emotional blocks, move on from past events and shed limiting beliefs Heal your body & gain power over your mind Experience the true state of meditation Learn more about the Happiness Program & the Sudarshan KriyaTM in our introductory workshop 'Secrets to Meditation'. register: http://aolf.live/introSKY

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

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!