Mysticism

**Join us for an open Forum of reflection and shared inquiry.** Bring a topic, a question, or simply your curiosity. Our focus is Theosophy and the spiritual journey — the many ways we seek, grow, and wonder together. We invite you to come with an open mind, a willingness to listen, and a respect for the diverse perspectives that enrich our path. As Socrates reminds us, *“wisdom begins with wonder,”* and in that spirit, we welcome questions that lead to more questions, insights that open new doors, and reflections that deepen our understanding. Throughout the afternoon, we’ll pause with selected quotations from the Masters — brief touchstones for contemplation and dialogue. All are welcome. We offer a safe, respectful space for thoughtful conversation and inner exploration.

[Tickets](https://www.trybooking.com/DJZNB) https://www.trybooking.com/DJZNB Steady Mind, Strong Will is a Saturday meetup for people who want a different kind of space: clear, grounded, and genuinely present. It’s a shared practice space where we slow down, reconnect with ourselves, and meet each other with more attention than most places allow. You’ll have moments of quiet, partner work, and group reflection that help you feel more centered and more connected at the same time. We’ll use simple focus exercises, paired practices, and short reflections to help us arrive fully — in ourselves and with each other. A real experience: clear attention, good conversation, and a different quality of presence. You can expect a practical session that feels both centering and social. People usually leave feeling clearer, more settled, and more connected — not just mentally, but relationally too.

Namaste, healer. It's time to light up the third chakra. It's our energetic engine room — the place where confidence, willpower, and personal strength all come together. And when it's humming, life just flows better. Hence, our Reiki Solar Plexus Chakra Healing Night. Come along and we'll do powerful meditations and group healing to strengthen it. Among other things, the solar plexus chakra is essential for: * Confidence (so you can back yourself and step into your power) * Willpower (so you can follow through on what matters to you) * Healthy self-esteem (so you value yourself without needing outside validation) * Good digestion — both physical and emotional (so you can process life's experiences more easily) * A strong sense of identity (so you know who you are and can stand firm in it) So come and join us for a powerful practice night and leave feeling energetically fired up and emotionally centred. Hope to see you there! Jeremy ## Time to Expand Your Reiki with Pellowah Healing? Pellowah is the **yin to Reiki's yang.** High-vibrational healing energy. Incredible symbols. Potent chakra meditations. Expanded consciousness. You'll be surprised by how much it expands your healing abilities. To find out more about our upcoming March 27-28 **Pellowah healing** course, [click here](http://www.pellowah.net.au/pellowah-courses.html).

Ayya Yeshe is a visiting nun from the Buddhist tradition. From the Open Sangha website - “Ayya Yeshe Bodhicitta is a Buddhist nun of 21 years, a teacher, contemplative and feminist activist. Ayya is the founder and director of Bodhicitta Foundation, a socially engaged Buddhist charity and girl’s home working to empower ex “untouchable” Ambedkarite people and poor women and children in Central India. Ayya teaches internationally and is the Abbess of Bodhicitta Dakini Buddhist Monastery, Tasmania, Australia. Ayya is the author of “Everyday Enlightenment” published by Harper Collins and has 100k hits on youtube as a sacred chants artist on the album “Dakini.” Ayya trained mainly in Tibetan Buddhism, but was fully ordained by Thich Nhat Hanh and stayed in Theravada monasteries for many years. Ayyas teachers are the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh and Bhante Sujato. She practices a fusion of Tibetan Buddhism and early Buddhism called the Mahayana Forest Tradition.” [www.bodhicitta-monastery.com](http://www.bodhicitta-monastery.com/) (Australia) [www.ayyayeshe.wordpress.com](http://www.ayyayeshe.wordpress.com/) [www.bodhicitta-vihara.com](http://www.bodhicitta-vihara.com/) (India) The discussion will be in Meeting Room 3 at the Kathleen Syme Library, Stefan - 0437777522

Book via link [https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1511253](https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1511253?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBEyaDQ3YWN0YXJ0R3g5bnVTV3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR40Ybnft6YhKsuMipBE-n93Q79GR9KtfmQjcYh4Ov_oaOZsbCCLD35tMS0KTQ_aem_J3WHuUnXdwxffxjzNaePdQ) Experience this original dramatic musical based on the life and biblical figure of Mary Magdalene. It is a bold human story of rebellion, ruin and resurrection. Mary Magdalene finds her life forever changed through a life- altering encounter that leads to profound spiritual awakening. The musical was written by John Lee and features an original score by Antonio Rullez, Keith Ng and Beth "Betchay" Mondragon Williams. This production, directed by Beth "Betchay" Mondragon Williams, reimagines Mary Magdalene with depth, dignity and resonance, employing poetic license for artistic purposes. Join us as we stir the spirit through theatre and song. TRAILER below https://youtu.be/a1lwDG8nocw?si=LDDaIAP24p1zW73t Other musicals that have been produced by COG Theatre Group and written by multi award winning playwright, John Lee, include Call of Guadalupe, Saul Saul Paul Paul, Francis of Assisi, Amazing Augustine and John Paul II. “ [http://cogtheatre.org](http://cogtheatre.org/) ## Dates Friday 13 March 2026 - Sunday 15 March 2026 (UTC+11) Fri 13 March, 7pm Sat 14 March, 1pm and 7pm Sun 15 March, 1pm Renaissance Theatre 826 High Street, Kew East VIC 3102

**The Telepathy Tapes podcast** brought the ESP abilities of autistic children to the world’s attention, with several studies exploring this association more closely. However, the neurological effects of autism can affect other abilities as well – like present-life memory and even past-life memories. **Jim Matlock and his team are pioneers** in this new cutting-edge field of study - now exploring it more systematically than ever before, with new findings still coming to light. **Some autistic people have outstanding memory** capabilities, while also struggling in other areas. But other autistic people are unable to form the basic episodic memories that underlie autobiographical recall. And research is revealing that the same factors impacting present-life memory can impact past-life memory as well. **In this session, Jim Matlock will discuss** several case studies of autistic children and adults to describe how autobiographical past-life memories can either be suppressed or enhanced under autism. **About Jim Matlock PhD:** * Anthropologist and world-class reincarnation researcher * Creator of the 'Processual Soul Theory' through his comprehensive, multicultural and interdisciplinary approach * 45+ years involvement in parapsychology and reincarnation studies * Editorial Board member of the *Journal of Scientific Exploration* * Editorial Board member of the Journal of Near-Death Studies * Research Fellow with the Parapsychology Foundation, Inc. * Winner of 2021 Parapsychological Association Book Award for Signs of Reincarnation: Exploring Beliefs, Cases, and Theory (2019) * Author of a multitude of academic publications on reincarnation * Curator of top-notch FB group "Signs of Reincarnation" * **Online Option:** While this is billed as an in-person event, there will be online access as well. Just reach out to me via Meetup or [russ.parapsych@gmail.com](mailto:russ.parapsych@gmail.com) **Post-Event Social Lunch Hangout (12.45 - 1.45pm)** Afterwards, you are invited to lunch with everyone at Flora Restaurant (5min walk from the venue) **PLEASE NOTE:** * **11AM Start -** Please be considerate and arrive early. * **$10 Cover Charge:** Room hire, facilities, and running costs.

**The Telepathy Tapes podcast** brought the ESP abilities of autistic children to the world’s attention, with several studies exploring this association more closely. However, the neurological effects of autism can affect other abilities as well – like present-life memory and even past-life memories. **Jim Matlock and his team are pioneers** in this new cutting-edge field of study - now exploring it more systematically than ever before, with new findings still coming to light. **Some autistic people have outstanding memory** capabilities, while also struggling in other areas. But other autistic people are unable to form the basic episodic memories that underlie autobiographical recall. And research is revealing that the same factors impacting present-life memory can impact past-life memory as well. **In this session, Jim Matlock will discuss** several case studies of autistic children and adults to describe how autobiographical past-life memories can either be suppressed or enhanced under autism. **About Jim Matlock PhD:** * Anthropologist and world-class reincarnation researcher * Creator of the 'Processual Soul Theory' through his comprehensive, multicultural and interdisciplinary approach * 45+ years involvement in parapsychology and reincarnation studies * Editorial Board member of the *Journal of Scientific Exploration* * Editorial Board member of the Journal of Near-Death Studies * Research Fellow with the Parapsychology Foundation, Inc. * Winner of 2021 Parapsychological Association Book Award for Signs of Reincarnation: Exploring Beliefs, Cases, and Theory (2019) * Author of a multitude of academic publications on reincarnation * Curator of top-notch FB group "Signs of Reincarnation" **Online Option:** While this is billed as an in-person event, there will be online access as well. Just reach out to me via Meetup or russ.parapsych@gmail.com Here are the Teams meeting details: [Autism and Past-Life Memories - Parapsychology Meetup Melbourne | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams](https://teams.live.com/meet/9353411450149?p=fHMKtHIjiSKrh9ZeA6) Meeting ID: 935 341 145 014 9 / Passcode: 5fj6Cq **Post-Event Social Lunch Hangout (12.45 - 1.45pm)** Afterwards, you are invited to lunch with everyone at Flora Restaurant (5min walk from the venue) **PLEASE NOTE:** * **11AM Start -** Please be considerate and arrive early. * **$10 Cover Charge:** Room hire, facilities, and running costs.

✨ **Do you want to...** * 🫶🏽 Connect with like-minded people in your local community? * 🏋🏽‍♂️ Meet others who are passionate about growing, uplifting themselves, and supporting others? * 🌈 Share insights from your personal journey (or simply listen and learn)? * 🧘🏼‍♂️ Experience a simple yet powerful meditation practice to find calm and clarity? Or maybe you just want to... ☮️💟☯️ **Spend your Sunday evening in a peaceful, zen space and meet some amazing new people?** *** ### **Join us on Sundays!** Let’s come together, share positive energy, and build a warm, supportive local community. **Bring a friend (or two!) and let’s connect.** *** ### **What’s on the evening’s flow?** * **Open meet & greet** – connect and settle in * **Sharing circle** (totally optional!) – share your thoughts or simply listen * **20-30 min guided meditation** – for relaxation and deeper connection *** ### **Everyone is welcome!** All ages (with guardians for under 18), backgrounds, genders, and experiences – no meditation experience needed. The event runs for about **2.5 hours**, but you’re free to come and go as you need. *** ### **What to bring?** * **Donation:** A contribution of **$10 or more is recommended**. Your donations directly help us cover venue costs, provide resources, and keep this meditation community alive and growing. * **Warm jumper/jacket** (just in case!) * **Water** * **Any books/resources/inspiration you’d love to share** *** ### **Where?** 📍 **250 George St, Fitzroy VIC 3065** Enter through the church gates. You’ll see a small garden on the left and stairs on the right leading up to the **Dance of Life Yoga Studio (first door on your right upstairs).** *** ### **Important Notes:** * Spaces are **limited**, so if you can’t make it, please update your RSVP to “Not going” or send us a quick message. * **No-show policy:** To keep it fair for everyone, repeat no-shows without notice may not be able to RSVP in the future. * Attendees under 18 must have a guardian present.

## **DISCUSSION: definitions** **1\. Colonialism: definition** **Video = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOOpBnCSdps** **[‘What is Colonialism?’ | Douglas Murray](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOOpBnCSdps) \| 1 minute** **A Definition** "Western colonialism, a political-economic phenomenon whereby various European nations explored, conquered, settled, and exploited large areas of the world." (‘Western colonialism’ Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Western-colonialism) **2\. Decolonisation : definition** **Video= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_32LJcvQc0** **[‘What is Decolonization?’ | Helpful Professor Explains](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_32LJcvQc0) \| 3 minute** **A Definition** "While decolonisation has acquired an obvious importance in our times, it is not however a new phenomenon. In the past it had profound effects on the world's political structure. This was certainly the case with the revolutionary decolonisation which gave birth to the United States in the second half of the 18th century and the Latin American States in the first half of the 19th century; likewise with the progressive, peaceful emancipation of the British dominions over the best part of a hundred years.” (‘Factors of Decolonisation’ by F. Van Langenhove *Civilisations*, Vol. 11, No. 4 (1961), pp. 401-428 https://www.jstor.org/stable/41378282) **3\. Anti\-Colonialism / postcolonialism : definition** **Video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d92dN8EoAbc** **[‘Colonial Discourse: Postcolonial Theory concepts | Postcolonialism’ | Dr. Masood Raja](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d92dN8EoAbc) \| 0:00\-5:00** **A Definition** "The power to narrate, or to block other narratives from forming and emerging, is very important to culture and imperialism, and constitutes one of the main connections between them." — Edward Said, Culture and Imperialism (1993) ## **DISCUSSION: case-studies** **1\. Colonisation and de\-colonisation : "Mad dogs and Englishman go out in the midday sun"** | **Belgian Congo** | **West Papua** | **East Timor** | **South Africa** | | ------------- | ---------- | ----------- | ------------- | | | | | | **2 Anti-Colonialism / postcolonialism as a political (& interpretive?) paradigm** | **Oppressed / Oppressor** | **Narrative / Discourse** | **Edward Said “Orientalism”** | | ---------------------- | ---------------------- | ------------------------- | | | | | *"The Orient was almost a European invention, and had been since antiquity a place of romance, exotic beings, haunting memories and landscapes, remarkable experiences. . . . The Orient is not only adjacent to Europe; it is also the place of Europe’s greatest and richest and oldest colonies, the source of its civilizations and languages, its cultural contestant, and one of its deepest and most recurring images of the Other." Orientalism by Edward Said (1978)* **3\. Bible Translation vs Theological Syncretism** "The translation of the Bible was not just a literary exercise; it was an act of cultural empowerment. By adopting the mother tongue, the translator was saying that the culture of the people was a worthy vessel for the divine word. It gave people a sense of their own dignity and worth in the eyes of God." — Lamin Sanneh, Translating the Message (1989) **vs** "The danger of syncretism is not just that it introduces 'foreign' elements into the faith, but that it allows the 'world' to provide the framework, while the gospel is merely used to fill in the gaps. In syncretism, the gospel loses its power to challenge the culture because it has become a prisoner of the culture." — Lesslie Newbigin, The Gospel in a Pluralist Society (1989) **4\. Australian context: see image handout \(applied Anti\-Colonialism / postcolonialism ?\)**

Christians in Tech is a community at the intersection of faith and technology. Our meetups are designed to spark meaningful conversations, promote knowledge sharing, and encourage growth—both in your career and your spiritual walk with God. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting your tech journey, CIT welcomes you. Our Website [https://linktr.ee/citcbus](https://linktr.ee/citcbus) Sponsors and Partners * Improving (Venue Sponsor) * Bethel World Prayer Center (Fiscal Sponsor) * Fruits & Roots (Coffee Partner)

Meeting Room 2b, Main Library 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. We desirere to cultivate a space where all questions are welcome and all members are treated with compassion and respect. All backgrounds are welcome.

Rev. Steven Clevenger is an ordained spiritualist minister with over 40 years experience as a Spiritual Healer, Clairvoyant and Spiritual Teacher, educated and trained at the White Lily Chapel. Rev. Siobhan Wolf Shaffer is an ordained spiritualist minister and certified medium and healer with over 20 years experience. She began her development in 1988 in Pennsylvania and continued when she moved to Ohio in 1998 where she studied at Rays of Lights Church with Rev. Steven Clevenger. Our full worship services consist of an inspirational lecture, healing meditation, and messages from the spirit world that serve to demonstrate evidence of eternal life. Please visit our Official Church Website (http://raysoflightchurch.com) for more information.

Christians in Tech is a community at the intersection of faith and technology. Our meetups are designed to spark meaningful conversations, promote knowledge sharing, and encourage growth—both in your career and your spiritual walk with God. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting your tech journey, CIT welcomes you. Our Website [https://linktr.ee/citcbus](https://linktr.ee/citcbus) Sponsors and Partners * Improving (Venue Sponsor) * Bethel World Prayer Center (Fiscal Sponsor) * Fruits & Roots (Coffee Partner)