Odinism

*Thank you to our friends at the online Monday Night Confrontation Group https://tatfoundation.org/find-a-spiritual-meeting/ for the topic idea.* From Lao Tzu: "The inner emptiness is the door to God.” “Become totally empty; Quiet the restlessness of the mind; Only then will you witness everything unfolding from emptiness” “Be still. Stillness reveals the secrets of eternity.” \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ “Be still, and know that I am God..." – Psalm 46:10 “Within you, there is a stillness and sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.” – *Siddhartha,* Hermann Hesse \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ From Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj: "A quiet mind is all you need. All else will happen rightly, once your mind is quiet.” “To know what you are, you must first investigate and know what you are not.” “Discover all that you are not -- body, feelings, thoughts, time, space, this or that -- nothing, concrete or abstract, which you perceive can be you. The very act of perceiving shows that you are not what you perceive.” \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ "Do you discover what you lack, or why such a feeling of dissatisfaction exists in the first place, by tasting new experiences? By learning new things? By “growth” practices that purportedly increase the size and scope of you? By expanding your consciousness? (Richard Rose once quipped that God himself would have to move out of the way to accommodate you and make room for your vast expansion.)" \~ Nevins, Shawn. *Subtraction: The Simple Math of Enlightenment* (p. 11). **Questions:** * Emptiness, quietness, stillness: Are these the same or different? * Why do you think these terms are used so frequently in inspirational and philosophical teachings? * Might these concepts be useful in finding what you are looking for? How? * What can you do to promote emptiness, quietness or stillness? * Have you been acquiring or downsizing? ***“I am struck with how rare it is to find a few good friends on the path. It is easy to find people who simply want to sit and be entertained by teachers, or who want to sit and entertain by playing the role of teacher. In other words, the quest for affirmation often outweighs the quest for truth.*** ***Yet you may have one or two good friends, and definitely have one or two waiting to be discovered. Find them; be thankful.”*** ***— Shawn Nevins*** 'What will make me happy in life?' ... 'Am I my thoughts?' ... 'What is Enlightenment?' ... We meet every week to ask questions like these in the pursuit of Self-Knowledge and Truth. We are interested in topics like: Zen, stoicism, spirituality, psychology, mindfulness, Nisargadatta, non-violent communication, Socrates, existential philosophy, Alan Watts, taoism, Eckhart Tolle, meditation, Ramana Maharshi, etc. But we are not affiliated with any dogma, philosophy, or religion. Our goal each meeting is to serve as mirrors for one another using question-based inquiry in a safe environment. In a session, every participant takes turns discussing the week's question or topic, and the group asks reflective questions without any agenda besides trying to understand the person's beliefs. A few other guiding principles of our group: * No one is obligated to share * Be honest with yourself and others * Do not try to convince others to believe or think as you do * Keep the focus on the person being questioned We meet at the [Bethesda Library](https://maps.app.goo.gl/GWMozF8zpY1m1PY26) every Monday. The library is a 5 minute walk from the Bethesda Metro on the Red Line, approx 25 minute Metro ride from Metro Center and Gallery Place stations. The library has a a parking lot with metered parking for $1/hour. \*\*\* WE WILL BE IN MEETING ROOM 3 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED ----- THE MEETING ROOM IS IN THE BACK OF THE LIBRARY \*\*\* Please contact us with any questions!

Free Full Body workout! We offer body weight, heavyweights, cardio/ Hitt/ Boxing and personal training. Nutrition plans health & wellness coaching as well. For more information and to redeem your free trial class and fitness analysis, contact Coach L at 365dmvfitnesstraining@gmail.com or (301) 747-3622.

Class: Developing Your Intuitive/Energy Skills Contents: Clearings, empath work, meditation, learning and enhancing energy work skills for working on self and others For further information, please contact Madhu 301-760-7491, info@stress-reliefcenter.com

We will be participating in a trivia night event at Ballston Local in Arlington on Monday. Trivia starts at 7 pm. The location is in proximity to the Ballston Metro Station if you plan on taking public transportation. Parking: There may be free street parking in the nearby residential neighborhoods (perhaps between Wilson and Carlin Springs). Otherwise, paid street or paid parking garage (Ballston Quarter Mall is a garage a few blocks away). Maximum number of members on a team is 6. To ensure you get a spot on a trivia team: * Please arrive by 6:45 PM, or notify the hosts that you are running late by 6:45 PM. If you arrive after 6:45 or don't notify the hosts, you are not guaranteed a spot on a trivia team and may need to form your own, separate team. * Please RSVP so we know to expect you. Don't be like Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn from Wedding Crashers and crash a trivia event. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- If you have Instagram, you can check out our account at asiandiningandadventuregroup for photos and announcements of group outings!

What’s on your summer bucket list this year? Come share your ideas, hear everyone else’s, and maybe discover a few things you didn’t even know existed. The best part? Some of these ideas may turn into future group meetups. ATTENDANCE POLICY: To keep this group running smoothly and ensure that spots are available for those who genuinely want to attend, please RSVP only if you are confident you can make it. If you RSVP “Yes” and do not attend without updating your RSVP in advance, you may be restricted from attending future events for a period of time. We understand that things come up. If you can no longer attend, simply update your RSVP as soon as possible so your spot can be offered to someone on the waitlist. Repeated no-shows will result in removal from the group. Thank you for respecting everyone’s time and helping us maintain a reliable and engaged community. SUPPORT THINKERS AND DRINKERS: Thinkers and Drinkers International is a registered 501(c)7 nonprofit organization. We work hard to create an organization that adds value to our communities while keeping membership free for all. If you find value in what we’re doing, please consider donating through Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thinkers](https://www.patreon.com/thinkers) CONNECT: Instagram: @ThinkersDrinkersInternational Facebook: [https://www.facebook.com/thinkersdrinkersinternational/](https://www.facebook.com/thinkersdrinkersinternational/) Podcast: [https://www.spreaker.com/user/thinkersdrinkersinternational](https://www.spreaker.com/user/thinkersdrinkersinternational) Email: ThinkersDrinkersInternational@gmail.com

Sometimes life seems ordinary and we struggle to find meaning and purpose. Buddhist meditation provides a creative inner approach to transcending this ordinariness. Mahamudra tantra is Buddha's ultimate intention - a gateway to unparalleled peace and clarity. From this perspective, our life becomes an extraordinary inner journey. **REGISTRATION** Standard: $12 \| Financial Hardship: $6 \| Free for [Members](https://meditation-dc.org/membership/) [Pre-Register Here](https://meditation-dc.org/monday-evening-meditation/) Each class is available by drop in. Everyone is welcome to attend, no previous experience is required. **LOCATION** Kadampa Meditation Center DC 1200 Canal St\. SW \| Washington\, DC 20024 **Metro Stop:** Waterfront or Navy Yard

Interested in meeting new people, discussing and/or learning some of the old lore? Do you have a craft project you are working on? Perhaps a spiritual craft, a coloring book, or a new favorite sweater??? If so, this is for you! We have been discussing the Maria Kvilhaug books of late. Feel free to bring your own ideas. Come join us for a few hours for crafts and discussion. Topics are not predetermined; however we have been discussing Seiðr (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sei%C3%B0r), writing alliterative verse, knitting, carving, painting, and fashioning ritual tools. You can come and meet people and share knowledge of your own craft! We plan on meeting the second Wednesday of every month. This is a very laid back event where you can meet or talk with between 4 - 8 other like-minded souls.

Some people eat to live. We live to eat — and we want you at the table. Fork & Wander is a D.C./NoVA food community built for people who get genuinely excited about a good meal. We meet up regularly to explore restaurants you’ve been meaning to try, hidden gems off the beaten path, cuisines that take you somewhere new, and spots so good you’ll wonder how you lived without them. No awkward networking. No cliques. No dress code. Just great food, easy conversation, and people who will absolutely order the thing they’ve never heard of. What we do: • Monthly group dinners across D.C., Arlington, and Northern Virginia • Cuisines from all over — we go everywhere and try everything • Occasional food crawls, market visits, and cooking nights • A welcoming mix of regulars and newcomers every time Whether you’re a serious foodie or just someone tired of eating alone — pull up a chair. The more the merrier, and the table’s always big enough. Who joins us: Food lovers, solo diners looking for community, couples, transplants exploring the city, and anyone who believes the best part of a meal is who you share it with. Come hungry. Leave with new favorites and new friends. 🥂

* **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)** **Check out our local events at [EckankarMaryland.org](http://eckankarmaryland.org)** **For more information:** **Call or text: (301) 439-2120** **MEC@eckankarmaryland.org**

Our True Self – Soul – has **both** a cherished legacy and a dramatic destiny. The legacy is our unique talents, limitless creativity, and God’s unconditional love. The destiny is an Eternity of growth, service, and joy as we apply our gifts to the upliftment of all life. How can we use the opportunities of **this** lifetime to unfold into our best and highest self? How can we identify and refine our greatest gifts so that we can begin living a more fulfilling and self-directed life **today**? In this lively interactive session, we’ll explore: \~ Practical tips for fulfilling your destiny. \~ Techniques for welcoming more of God’s love into your life. \~ ECK teachings that reveal how to take the next step toward shaping your future. Guests will receive a free copy of the book, **Love—the Keystone of Life,** while supplies last. We’re looking forward to seeing you there! A flyer for this event is available for you at: [https://eck-va.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Poster-for-June-14th-2026-Love-the-Keystone-of-Life-Shaping-Your-Own-Destiny-Rev-2c.pdf](https://eck-va.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Poster-for-June-14th-2026-Love-the-Keystone-of-Life-Shaping-Your-Own-Destiny-Rev-2c.pdf)

Whether you’re coming solo or with friends, Divino is the perfect place to gather. Enjoy live music, handcrafted dishes, and a warm, social atmosphere. FREE PARKING GARAGE

**GO TO EVENTBRITE FOR LINK TO MEETING:** Recovering from Religion EUROPE BASED WOMEN'S VIRTUAL Support Group Tickets\, Multiple Dates \| Eventbrite This is an RfR-wide event, not tied to any particular local chapter. \*NOTE: This meeting is solely for individuals who identify as female, non-binary and gender-fluid. The Recovering from Religion WOMEN'S chapter support group [Europe-based time zones] will meet the 2nd Tuesday of each month @ 6pm local time UK, unless the date falls on a holiday. Attendees are welcome to share, and may also decide to remain anonymous if they so choose. The primary focus of a Recovering From Religion support group is to provide ongoing and personal support to individuals as they let go of their religious beliefs. This transitional period is an ongoing process that can result in a range of emotions, as well as a ripple effect of consequences throughout an individual’s life. As such, the support meetings are safe and anonymous places to express these doubts, fears, and experiences without biased feedback or proselytizing. We are here to help each other through this journey. There is no cost to attend this support group but, if you feel so inclined, donations can be made at www.recoveringfromreligion.org/donate If you find you need to talk with someone before the next support meeting, RfR has a hotline and online chat for that express purpose. Go to www.recoveringfromreligion.org and click on the green chat bubble in the lower left corner of the site to chat online. If you are in need of professional help, we can offer the Secular Therapy Project to provide options to connect with a professional therapist. All therapists have been thoroughly vetted by our organization and offer only evidence-based and non-religious treatment. Connect with them at www.seculartherapy.org. Like what RfR does? Why not volunteer! There are quite a few options. Head over to www.recoveringfromreligion.org/volunteer for more info.

Our True Self – Soul – has both a cherished legacy and a dramatic destiny. The legacy is our unique talents, limitless creativity, and God’s unconditional love. The destiny is an Eternity of growth, service, and joy as we apply our gifts to the upliftment of all life. How can we use the opportunities of this lifetime to unfold into our best and highest self? How can we identify and refine our greatest gifts so that we can begin living a more fulfilling and self-directed life today? In this lively interactive session, we’ll explore:  Practical tips for fulfilling your destiny.  Techniques for welcoming more of God’s love into your life.  ECK teachings that reveal how to take the next step toward shaping your future. Guests will receive a free copy of the book, Love—the Keystone of Life, while supplies last. We’re looking forward to seeing you there! A flyer for this event is available for you at: https://eck-va.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Poster-for-June-14th-2026- Love-the-Keystone-of-Life-Shaping-Your-Own-Destiny-Rev-2c.pdf

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

Communication is everything in life! You are only as successful as your ability to communicate. \- What if you could confidently talk to anyone? \- What if you had the ability to calmly control every conversation? \- What if you could close that sale\, ask for that date\, make new friends\, repair problematic relationships\, get that raise\, or effortlessly express any idea with confidence? You can! The secret to success relies on your ability or inability to effectively communicate. Attend a free seminar and gain a better ability to communicate. 1266 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH 43215 Hosted by the Church of Scientology of Central Ohio For more information, contact Rhiannon, the Event Host at 614-221-5024

Let's talk about relationships in such a way that you can really benefit from the knowledge. We can talk about * Soulmates * How to start a relationship * How to maintain a relationship * How to pick the right partner * How to recognize the red flags * How to improve communication * How to avoid argument and fights * How to increase trust You ask the questions, we'll talk about them. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is sponsored the Dianetics & Scientology Self-Improvement Center.

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

The emotional pain from past bad experiences easily lingers in the present, making it hard to enjoy life and create your future. Even when you think you've moved on, the negative emotions can be triggered, sending you back into the pain of that experience. And we are talking about pain; emotions such as grief, depression, anxiety, fear (or terror), boiling anger, simmering resentment, feelings of shame, blaming and regret can leave you incapacitated to a greater or lesser degree. In this local event we will be discussing the reasons why these past bad experiences have the power to affect you long after they occurred. We'll go over why the emotional pain can be so strong. We'll also discuss some simple solutions to overcome your emotional pain and be free to fully enjoy your life again. Examples of painful experiences include: * A broken relationship or divorce. * Death or loss of a loved one. * Death of a pet. * A sudden shock or bad news. * A betrayal. * Being part of an abusive relationship. * A bad injustice. * Loss of a job, position or business. * A grave illness or injury. The negative emotions from these experiences don't just go away on their own. But the good news is there is a way to clear them out of your way. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is sponsored the Dianetics & Scientology Self-Improvement Center.

Jimmy V's Grill & Pub in Grandview Heights. You are responsible for your own meal/drinks. We usually don't have any agenda other than eat, drink and talk. :) If the weather is nice we will be on the back patio, otherwise we are in the cigar room. This group has been meeting every Tuesday evening for over a decade. Many attendees do not RSVP on meetup. Please don't let the small number here discourage you. Anyone/everyone is welcome to come. We'd love to have you join us. COTA bus #5 comes to W. 5th and Wyandotte Rd. And it's a minute walk to the restaurant.