Betrayal

**👋 Hello Strangers! —** For all players and chess-curious folks out there who want to chill and make friends: We are hosting a daily chess meetup in Mitte / Prenzlauerberg welcoming all experience levels. It doesn't matter if you just watched the Queen's Gambit or if you have been playing regularly for years – join us Daily from 7pm till midnight. **Pics** · [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/strangerchess/) / **Chat** · [Telegram](https://t.me/strangerchess) / **Web** · [Strangerchess.com](https://strangerchess.com/) (No need to bring anything, boards, clocks, etc. are provided)

**🎉 Happy New Year, Startup Berlin! 🎉** First of all: happy new year to everyone in the community – founders, builders, operators, and the startup-curious 👋 I’m excited to step in as a new organizer and help keep Startup Berlin a practical, founder-first network. To kick off 2026, I’m thinking about a **casual “Happy New Year” get-together** in Berlin: * 🍕 Pizza & 🍺 beer * 🤝 relaxed networking * 🎓 a **30-minute practical intro session**: **“Anatomy of a … agreement”** (no legalese, no theory – just what actually matters in practice) After the short session, plenty of time to hang out, meet people, and exchange war stories. **Update: It is going to be about the Convertible Loan Agreement!** Further topics to be covered in future sessions: * Shareholders’ Agreement – control, vetoes, deadlocks, exits * Employment Agreements – early hires, ESOP/VSOP, typical pitfalls * Founder Agreements – equity splits, vesting, break-ups * Something else? (tell us!) If there’s enough interest, I’ll organize a date and venue shortly (presumably Feb 6th). Depending on the turn-out we might have to restrict participation due to available space (we will find a way for doing it fairly and no worries, there will be more sessions and I am happy to repeat). Looking forward to hearing what would be most valuable for the community – and hopefully seeing many of you in person soon. 🚀

**Transfem\* Embodied Practices** mit Lux für **Queer Femmes\*** [Kostenlos mit ](https://wearevillage.org/shop/transfem-embodied-practices/w06-2026/)**[Anmeldung](https://wearevillage.org/shop/transfem-embodied-practices/w06-2026/)** Ein monatlicher 2,5-stündiger Raum für **transfeminine Menschen aus allen Femme-Spektren** (Transfrauen, Transvestiten, Hormonelle Faggots, Butch-Femmes, Gender-Nonconforming und diejenigen, die sich mit der breiteren transfemininen Erfahrung identifizieren). Der Raum heißt alle willkommen, die sich einer Hormonersatztherapie unterziehen, aber auch diejenigen, die keine medizinische Transition anstreben, und erkennt Verkörperung sowohl als etwas körperliches als auch etwas politisches an. Die Absicht dieses Raumes ist es, das Vertrauen in unsere Körperlichkeit als Femmes zu stärken, unsere körperliche Autonomie zu nähren und in einer unterstützenden Gemeinschaft Kompetenz und Erfahrung für Berührung zu entwickeln. Die Praxis ist als eine Übung für die Resilienz von Femmes gegen gesellschaftliche Gewalt und Ausgrenzung gedacht, die diese Narrative mit Ermächtigung, Präsenz und Freude verändert und neu schreibt. Die Reise führt von der individuellen Körperwahrnehmung (somatische Praktiken und Berührungen) zur gemeinschaftlichen Bewegung (Tanz und Raumübungen) und endet mit freier Bewegung und Integration, wobei Konsens, Autonomie und Fürsorge im Mittelpunkt stehen. **Hinweise** Um sich vollständig auf das Erlebnis einzulassen, werden die Teilnehmenden ermutigt, bequeme Kleidung zu tragen. **Teilnehmer\*innen**: Dieser Workshop richtet sich an alle transfeminine Menschen aus allen Femme-Spektren (Transfrauen, Transvestiten, Hormonelle Faggots, Butch-Femmes, Gender-Nonconforming und diejenigen, die sich mit der breiteren transfemininen Erfahrung identifizieren). **Anmeldung**: Für dieses Event stehen begrenzte Plätze zur Verfügung. Eine Registrierung über unsere Website ist daher erforderlich. **Sprache**: Dieses Event wird auf Englisch sein. **Kosten**: Die Teilnahme ist kostenlos. 🔵 **Transfem\* Embodied Practices** with Lux for **Queer Femmes\*** **[Free event with Registration](https://wearevillage.org/en/shop/transfem-embodied-practices/w06-2026)** A 2.5-hour monthly space for **transfeminine people across all femme spectrums** (trans women, transvestites, hormonal faggots, butch femmes, gender-nonconforming, and those identifying within the broader transfeminine experience). The space welcomes those on HRT and those not pursuing medical transition, recognising embodiment as both physical and political. The intention of this space is to support building confidence in our physicality as femmes, nurture bodily autonomy, and develop touch literacy within a supportive community. The practice is intended as an exercise for femmes’ resilience against societal violence and exclusion, rewriting those narratives with empowerment, presence, and joy. The journey flows from individual body awareness (somatic practices and touch) to communal movement (dance and spatial exercises) and ends with free movement and integration, all centered around consent, autonomy, and care. **General information** To engage fully in the experience, participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes. **Participants**: This workshop is for all transfeminine people across all femme spectrums: trans women, transvestites, hormonal faggots, butch femmes, gender-nonconforming, and those identifying within the broader transfeminine experience. **Registration**: This event has limited spots available. Registration through our website is therefore required. **Language**: This event will be held in English and German. **Cost**: The event is free of charge.

This is a **shuffle**/**cutting shapes** class for beginner and intermediate shufflers where we'll learn a 16-count choreo. **Beginner shufflers** will get the chance to learn some basic steps and practice them stress-free in a short choreo to various speeds. **Intermediate shufflers** will learn to vary these basic steps with additional leg and arm movements, learn to combine them in new ways, keep practicing their foundations, and try to integrate the new combos into their freestyle. If you're a complete beginner and wanna try some basic moves by yourself before the class, you can watch this video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xOAJA598uk But you don't have to - don't worry and come just by! **What you need to bring with you:** **Shoes**: If you'd prefer not to shuffle in socks, please bring a pair of dedicated clean athletic shoes with white soles. **Water**: because Shuffling is like an intense cardio workout :) **Fee**: 10€ (in cash or paypal after the event) to cover the cost of the rent, because we're not doing it for profit. Teacher: Ina P.S. You're welcome to join our Telegram group where we share choreos, combos, music, etc. https://t.me/joinchat/73TM5UceauA5YmQy

**GET TICKETS: [https://fienta.com/berlincomedydatinggameshowfeb2026?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=event](https://fienta.com/berlincomedydatinggameshowfeb2026?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=event)** **Just in time for Valentine's Day: Berlin's 1st & only dating game show is back by popular demand! 💞** Berlin's first and only comedy dating game show where your friends help you get a date with other single people in the audience! **💘 HOW IT WORKS:** If you're single & your friend is always bragging how they can find you the perfect date: now's their chance! In this comedy show there are 2 rounds of questions where friends of the single people come up on stage to answer game show style questions on your behalf to help you win a date. At the end of the round, the friend of the bachelor/bachelorette will choose the friend of the contestant whose answers they liked the most. **Not looking for a date?** No problem! That's what the audience ticket is for. **🗓️ WHEN:** Friday, 6. February Show begins 20:00 Doors open 19:30 **📍 WHERE:** Z-Bar Bergstr. 2 10115 Berlin **🎟️ TICKETS:** Starting from €13 when purchased online. €16 at the door (if there's space) **💁🏼‍♀️ ABOUT YOUR HOST, ŽANA (BIH/USA):** Born in Bosnia, raised in Florida, and living in Berlin, Žana’s comedy mirrors her eclectic cultural background and is best described as Balkan pessimism battling delusional American positivity sprinkled in with reggaeton flair. Within 5 months of starting comedy she became a finalist in the 2022 Berlin New Stand Up Awards and is now hosting & producing shows in Berlin & across Europe. **She was nominated for Manchester’s Women in Comedy Festival Awards as Best Newcomer in 2024 and has opened in English & Spanish for a variety of comedians across Europe in such as Dragos Christian, Dwayne Perkins, Rob Anderson, Elena Gabrielle & Silvia de Frente.** You can catch her perform regularly in Berlin to hear her fresh take on the absurdity of immigration laws, her Balkan background, and growing up in Florida. Žana hosts & produces themed & interactive comedy shows in Berlin & beyond, such as the Berlin Comedy Dating Game Show, Funny Fortunes (a comedy & live tarot reading show), Comedy Confessions (an introvert-friendly themed interactive comedy show), Petty Problems (a comedy mock trial show), & more. **She has performed in 40 cities across 18 countries and all of her shows are 100% self-produced. Thanks for supporting an independent artist!** [www.zanafejzic.com](http://www.zanafejzic.com/) **GET TICKETS: [https://fienta.com/berlincomedydatinggameshowfeb2026?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=event](https://fienta.com/berlincomedydatinggameshowfeb2026?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=event)**

We are going to be seated together at **the big table on the 1st floor** of the cafe. As always, we will do **two sessions of each 45 minutes** of writing with **one break of 15 minutes** in-between. We are making reservation and counting on you to show up, so please register only when you are going to be there, don't forget to update your RSVP if you can't come. Unfortunately cafes in Berlin are getting less and less laptop-friendly, please don't forget to order your drink or snack to support the cafe which will have us. If you are new to the meetup, don't worry, just come and say hi to the organizer. We also have many long-term regulars who will be happy to help you out and feel welcomed. We also have a **Telegram chat**: https://t.me/joinchat/ERW3pxD5kfELGeWs9SUhjw For more information, visit: https://shutupwrite.com Looking forward to see you! 😊

**🎟️ Get your tickets here: [https://fienta.com/pettyproblemsberlinjan2026-166184?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=event](https://fienta.com/pettyproblemsberlinjan2026-166184?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=event)** **Berlin's 1st & only mock trial comedy show!** In this new format improvised comedy show, comedian & host Žana Fejzić (BIH/USA) with the help of local Berlin comics will determine how petty your problems are in a mock trial. **You, the audience, get to play jury & decide on a guilty or innocent verdict. 👩🏼‍⚖️** Find out if the punishment fits the crime! **Like Judge Judy (or Barbara Salesch for the Germans) but nicer!** ⚖️ **👩🏼‍⚖️ HOW TO PARTICIPATE:** Before the show begins at the door you'll find a QR code to scan to submit your petty problem anonymously. Your problem remains anonymous unless you wish to state it's yours. **🗓️ WHEN:** Friday, 6. February Show begins 22:00 Doors open 21:30 **📍 WHERE:** Z-Bar Bergstr. 2 10115 Berlin **🎟️ TICKETS:** Starting from €11 when booked online €15 at the door, cash or card (subject to availability) **💁🏼‍♀️ ABOUT ŽANA (BIH/USA):** Born in Bosnia, raised in Florida, and living in Berlin, Žana’s comedy mirrors her eclectic cultural background and is best described as Balkan pessimism battling delusional American positivity sprinkled in with reggaeton flair. Within 5 months of starting comedy she became a finalist in the 2022 Berlin New Stand Up Awards and is now hosting & producing shows in Berlin & across Europe. **She was nominated for Manchester’s Women in Comedy Festival Awards as Best Newcomer in 2024 and has opened in English & Spanish for a variety of comedians across Europe in such as Dragos Christian, Dwayne Perkins, Rob Anderson, Elena Gabrielle & Silvia de Frente.** You can catch her perform regularly in Berlin to hear her fresh take on the absurdity of immigration laws, her Balkan background, and growing up in Florida. Žana hosts & produces themed & interactive comedy shows in Berlin & beyond, such as the Berlin Comedy Dating Game Show, Funny Fortunes (a comedy & live tarot reading show), Comedy Confessions (an introvert-friendly themed interactive comedy show), Petty Problems (a comedy mock trial show), & more. **She has performed in 40 cities across 18 countries and all of her shows are 100% self-produced. Thanks for supporting an independent artist!** [www.zanafejzic.com](http://www.zanafejzic.com/) [YouTube](http://youtube.com/@ZanaFejzic) [Instagram](http://instagram.com/zanafejzic) [TikTok](http://tiktok.com/@zanafejziccomedy) **🎟️ Get your tickets here: [https://fienta.com/pettyproblemsberlinjan2026-166184?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=event](https://fienta.com/pettyproblemsberlinjan2026-166184?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=event)**

Join our Backgammon Meetup to play, socialize, and enjoy this classic game! Everyone’s welcome! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player. Expect fun, friendly games, laughter, and new friends. 👉 Please RSVP only if you plan to attend. 👉 Bring your own set if you have one. *** **How to Play (Quick Guide):** * Each player has 15 checkers and moves them toward their home board. * Dice rolls decide how many spaces you can move. * Land on an opponent’s single checker to send it to the bar. * Once all your checkers are home, start bearing off (removing them). * First to remove all checkers wins! *** **Fun Fact:** The Origin of Backgammon: Backgammon is one of the oldest known board games, with roots deeply embedded in the ancient civilisations of Mesopotamia. But it is in Persia, where the game truly flourished and evolved into what we now know as 'Takhte Nard'. Archaeological findings suggest that early forms of backgammon were played in Iran over 5,000 years ago. Artifacts such as game boards and dice have been discovered in sites like 'Shahr-e Sukhteh' (The Burnt City), indicating the game’s ancient origins.

This group is for everyone who is interested in drawing portraits! For me, drawing has been a wonderful way to gain a new perspective on the world and the people within it. Whether you are just starting out or have been drawing for ages — all levels are welcome :) How it works: 1\. We meet at The Castle pub in Mitte and do short sittings of 15 minutes for each other\. The first sitting is divided into 3 warm\-up sketches\, 5 minutes each\. 2\. Before we start\, everybody writes their name on a blank card \(provided by the organizer\); these cards are then used to randomly pick the model every 15 minutes\. 3\. Usually we do 8 sittings\, with a 15\-minute break in the middle \(so after 4 sittings\, or 1 hour\)\. -> The participation is free, but it is expected that everybody orders something from the bar to support the lovely location. Get out your pencils and let's start! Please bring your own art supplies!

Hi, dieses Mal besprechen wir „Endling“ von Jasmin Schreiber (2023). Hier der Link zum Inhalt und Buch : https://bastei-luebbe.de/Buecher/Romane-Erzaehlungen/Endling/9783847901457?srsltid=AfmBOoraygUWNe6VpnbkTjEISJwiNRsOMpTUiNxZPdVzBkNcJbjRqRqf Wir treffen uns diesmal im Fuchsbau nahe Kottbusser Damm. :)

What is Tantra? How does Tantra differ from other spiritual or self-development practices? What is the role of sexuality in Tantra? What are the core principles of Tantra? Can Tantra be practiced alone or is it mainly for couples? How does Tantra enhance personal and spiritual growth? This 4-hour workshop is designed specifically for beginners who are curious about Tantra and want to get a first taste of its profound teachings. With the aim to demystify, we’ll address common questions and misconceptions through both discourse and direct experience. After the introduction round and discourse, you’ll be invited to practice a series of guided exercises designed to deepen your comprehension of Tantra's core principles. These practices include active meditation, energy practices and both solo- and partnered exercises, allowing you to tap in to an embodied experience of the teachings. You will gain tools that can be applied in your daily life, enhancing both your personal and spiritual growth. **What to expect** * **Discourse and Q&A**: learn about Tantra through discourse and ask your questions * **Guided practice**: experience Tantra through guided embodiment and meditation practices, both solo and with partners * **Conscious connection:** explore yourself through the meeting with others. Learn new tools and skills to initiate deeper intimacy. * **Sharing**: integrate your experience through sharing with others. * **Cozy studio setting**: enjoy a comfortable and intimate environment. By the end of the session, you are likely to leave with a renewed sense of peace, a deeper connection to yourself and others, and a more profound understanding of Tantra. This workshop serves as a gentle yet powerful introduction, equipping you with the knowledge and experience needed to explore Tantra further. **What to bring:** * Wear comfortable clothing * Water bottle to stay hydrated **Tickets:** 55€ per person Please purchase your ticket via [sophieheldens.com](https://www.sophieheldens.com/tickets?utm_source=meetup&utm_campaign=introduction) **Location:** Praxis Köpi Köpenicker Straße 175 10997 Berlin Kreuzberg Walk to the second courtyard and take the stairs to the front door on the left **Please note:** Praxis Köpi is located on the 5th floor and there is no elevator available. Only book a ticket if you can walk the stairs. The benefit: a beautiful private studio with loads of natural light. **!! Please arrive 10 minutes early so we can start on time !!** Once we start the session, I can’t let you in anymore because it disturbs the class. Please do yourself and the group a favour by coming on time. Thank you! **Workshop facilitator** Hi! My name is Sophie. My passion for Tantra is rooted in a deep spiritual yearning and an inner knowing that Tantra is my path. My desire to teach Tantra has been sparked by having witnessed my own growth and healing as a result of these practices and it is inspired by a vision to create a more beautiful world. I create a space that is loving and nurturing, with a strong emphasis on ensuring that you feel save and supported. My workshops are gentle yet transformative, spiritual yet grounded and always heart-centered. I'm passionate about bridging the wisdom of ancient Tantra with modern-day practices. For more information, feel free to visit my website: [www.sophieheldens.com](https://www.sophieheldens.com?utm_source=meetup&utm_campaign=introduction) *PS. despite seemingly low attendance on Meetup, these events always take place with sufficient participants unless communicated differently*

Welcome to **Electric Social** \- Berlin’s electrifying arcade bar where nostalgia meets nightlife\! Think neon lights\, beers\, retro games\, and the unbeatable Sip Happens vibe you know and love\. Join us for a night of laughter, friendly competition, and laid-back fun as we take over one of Berlin’s coolest new spots. Whether you’re a Mario Kart master, a pinball wizard, or just here for the vibes, there’s something for everyone. 🎮 **What to expect:** ✨ A full bar with great drinks and booths to hang out in 🕹️ Classic arcade & video games to battle your new friends 🥂 The friendliest crowd in Berlin (that’s you lot!) 💬 Chill areas to chat, connect and hang out between rounds This isn’t your average night out — it’s a chance to play, laugh, and meet new people in a place built for fun. So grab your tokens, bring your A-game, and get ready for another unforgettable Sip Happens night! 📍 **Electric Social, Berlin** 🗓️ **Doors open at 20:00** 🎟️ RSVP now to secure your spot – it’s going to be *next-level fun!*

Im Jungfernheideweg 77, 13629 Berlin treffen wir uns zwischen 13.30 Uhr und 21.30 Uhr wieder um gemeinsam Brett- und Gesellschaftsspiele zu daddeln. Das Angebot richtet sich an alle Interessierten. Kinder bitte erst ab 12 Jahre. Eine Vielzahl toller Brettspiele sind vor Ort, es können aber auch gerne eigene mitgebracht werden. PS: Es wäre sehr hilfreich wenn die Leute, die sich anmelden und dann doch nicht können, sich auch wieder abmelden vorher. danke schön

**Silent Reading Book Club** A new way to enjoy reading! Ditch the old book club, where everyone has to read the same book…this is better! It works like this: Bring your own book. Come chat, have some tea or coffee, get to know your neighbors. Then we quietly read together, side by side, for about one hour, each one reading their own book, and afterwards we talk with each other about what we are reading. You may read in any language, you may read any book. We are a group of international residents of Berlin from many different countries, of all ages, and we converse in English. We welcome you! no registration needed- the event is donation based

Do you want more motivation and confidence to build Lasting Relationships? This is a free, in-person meeting on the subject of betrayals, losses and how to get over them so you can build lasting relationships. Are you burdened by a stressful relationship? Unhealthy relationships can trigger feelings of anger, despair or self-doubt. They can create dwindling spirals of fights and seeking to make-up, or trying to “pin the blame” on someone or something. If you don’t find the RIGHT reasons, or select the correct sources of the problem, the problem can just get worse and worse. Whether in love or personal ties, with friends or at work, our life really IS affected by the quality of our relationships. Good ones can promote pleasure and survival, while less optimum ones can lead to annoyance, anger, self-doubt, stress, or even affect our health and ability to survive well. Whether you are suffering from a divorce, or a painful break-up, don’t know who to trust (or who to CHOOSE) as a partner, friend, boss or employee - the anxiety of relationship troubles can really make a mess of things. Maybe you’ve suffered a betrayal, or are dealing with hostility or criticalness or invalidation. Dwindling relationships can involve destructive behavior, where we hurt those we love, or start succumbing to self-destructive thoughts, attitudes or behaviors that spiral out of control and affect much more than our immediate relationship. Past losses in love or life can affect how we act or react to new people and situations and hold us back from even starting to create new, possibly great relationships! How can one get back onto a saner course of action? Come to our Meetup, where we can introduce you to some of the knowledge, tools and techniques of the breakthroughs in the field of the mind that we can apply to this ever important area of life: human relationships! Break free from self imposed limitations Here we will discuss: • How to “erase” the trauma of past hurts and betrayals so that one isn’t always repeating past mistakes. • Why and how do the negative emotions of others affect you? • Why is my partner withdrawing and what can I do about it? • Why do we sometimes feel compelled to hurt the ones we love? • Fights & arguments - what's really behind them? • What underlies “corrosive criticism” or the need to invalidate self or others? • How one can stably change one’s outlook on life so they can affect positive change? • Where do compulsive destructive behaviors come from and what can be done about them? • How to form closer bonds & keep growing the relationships with the people you care about? • How to enhance one’s own ability to survive and create positive healthy relationships whether in love, family & friendships or in work, business or one’s career? Relationships can be hard and life itself IS challenging. Why not arm yourself with the knowledge and breakthroughs that have been made about the mind, mental reactions & interpersonal relationships, so that one has better awareness and control over themselves and life in general. Learn where painful experiences are “stored” and how they can unknowingly affect us. You will also find out how one can “erase” those past painful experiences so that one is free to move forward without being tripped up by the past. Learn too, about what can lead some people to become “toxic” personalities and how to identify those traits in others so you won’t be tripped up trusting the wrong person. Our free Meet-ups occur in a safe environment where one can learn, without fear of judgment or criticism, and without the recommendation of harmful mental techniques or therapies, just how YOU can get yourself onto a happier & more successful path: in love & in life. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there. This class is held at the Dianetics and Scientology Life Improvement Center.

This is a free, in person meeting. Burdened by a stressful relationship? Unhealthy relationships can trigger feelings of anger, despair or self-doubt. They can create dwindling spirals of fights and seeking to make-up, or trying to “pin the blame” on someone or something. If you don’t find the RIGHT reasons, or select the correct sources of the problem, the problem can just get worse and worse. Whether in love or personal ties, with friends or at work, our life really IS affected by the quality of our relationships. Good ones can promote pleasure and survival while less optimum ones can lead to annoyance, anger, self-doubt, stress, or even affect our health and ability to survive well. Whether you are suffering from a divorce, or a painful break-up, don’t know who to trust (or who to CHOOSE) as a partner, friend, boss or employee - the anxiety of relationship troubles can really make a mess of things. Maybe you’ve suffered a betrayal, or are dealing with hostility or criticalness or invalidation. Dwindling relationships can involve destructive behavior, where we hurt those we love, or start succumbing to self-destructive thoughts, attitudes or behaviors that spiral out of control and affect much more than our immediate relationship. Past losses in love or life can affect how we act or react to new people and situations and hold us back from even starting to create new, possibly great relationships! How can one get back onto a saner course of action? Come to our Meetup, where we can introduce you to some of the knowledge, tools and techniques of the breakthroughs in the field of the mind that we can apply to this ever important area of life: human relationships! Break free from self imposed limitations Here we will discuss: • How to “erase” the trauma of past hurts and betrayals so that one isn’t always repeating past mistakes. • Why and how do the negative emotions of others affect you? • Why is my partner withdrawing and what can I do about it? • Why do we sometimes feel compelled to hurt the ones we love? • Fights & arguments - what's really behind them? • What underlies “corrosive criticism” or the need to invalidate self or others? • How one can stably change one’s outlook on life so they can affect positive change? • Where do compulsive destructive behaviors come from and what can be done about them? • How to form closer bonds & keep growing the relationships with the people you care about? • How to enhance one’s own ability to survive and create positive healthy relationships whether in love, family & friendships or in work, business or one’s career? Relationships can be hard and life itself IS challenging. Why not arm yourself with the knowledge and breakthroughs that have been made about the mind, mental reactions & interpersonal relationships, so that one has better awareness and control over themselves and life in general. Learn where painful experiences are “stored” and how they can unknowingly affect us. You will also find out how one can “erase” those past painful experiences so that one is free to move forward without being tripped up by the past. Learn too, about what can lead some people to become “toxic” personalities and how to identify those traits in others so you won’t be tripped up trusting the wrong person. Our free Meet-ups occur in a safe environment where one can learn, without fear of judgment or criticism, and without the recommendation of harmful mental techniques or therapies, just how YOU can get yourself onto a happier & more successful path: in love & in life. We look forward to having you join us! This class is sponsored by the Dianetics & Scientology Life Improvement Center of Central Ohio.

**Our February novel is: Julia by Sandra Newman** **This month is a classic, dystopian, fiction, literary fiction, women’s fiction, and science fiction novel. The book is 394 pages in print and 14 hours and 20 minutes on audiobook.** **An imaginative, feminist, and brilliantly relevant-to-today retelling of Orwell’s 1984, from the point of view of Winston Smith’s lover, Julia, by critically acclaimed novelist Sandra Newman.** Julia Worthing is a mechanic, working in the Fiction Department at the Ministry of Truth. It’s 1984, and Britain (now called Airstrip One) has long been absorbed into the larger trans-Atlantic nation of Oceania. Oceania has been at war for as long as anyone can remember, and is ruled by an ultra-totalitarian Party, whose leader is a quasi-mythical figure called Big Brother. In short, everything about this world is as it is in Orwell’s 1984. All her life, Julia has known only Oceania, and, until she meets Winston Smith, she has never imagined anything else. She is an ideal citizen: cheerfully cynical, always ready with a bribe, piously repeating every political slogan while believing in nothing. She routinely breaks the rules, but also collaborates with the regime when necessary. Everyone likes Julia. Then one day she finds herself walking toward Winston Smith in a corridor and impulsively slips him a note, setting in motion the devastating, unforgettable events of the classic story. Julia takes us on a surprising journey through Orwell’s now-iconic dystopia, with twists that reveal unexpected sides not only to Julia, but to other familiar figures in the 1984 universe. This unique perspective lays bare our own world in haunting and provocative ways, just as the original did almost seventy-five years ago.

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/a/9/6/600_348310902.jpeg Instructor - Crow, HPS Class fee is $30 at the door or approved exchange RSVP with Advance pay of $25 (discounted) by PayPal on the web or by contacting Enchanted Elements (614) 437-2642. Reservations made directly to Enchanted Elements will be added to the class list manually not online. Private Instruction ~ Closed to the Public ~ Initiated Members Only Please come prepared for ritual. Blessings ~ Crow

As you may or may not know--I didn't until late last year--Aristotle wrote extensively on "friendship" in the Nicomachean Ethics. After 69 years the concept of friendship still creates questions and uncertainty. I had close friends in high school and for a few years after high school but our interests diverged and people moved all over the country so it was hard to maintain connections. * So if I/you haven't talked with a friend for several years, are you still friends? Are we friends who meet at Drunken Philosophy or Omnipresent Atheists? * Can you be friends with someone with whom you have virulently divergent political views? Sartre and Camus could not. * Aristotle regarded friendship as essential to a good life, not merely an added "bonus." Do you agree? * In the Nicomachean Ethics (Books VIII and IX), he claims that wealth and power are meaningless without friends. Trump has wealth and power but seems to have no real friends, but wealth and power seem meaningful to him in perverted ways. Can you have meaning in your life without friends? * Do men and women view and maintain friendships in different ways? * Aristotle categorizes friendship into three types, based on what forms the bond: * **Utility**: Based on mutual benefit, but this type is fragile and ends when the usefulness ceases. * **Pleasure**: Based on shared enjoyment (e.g., humor, hobbies). Common among youth but fades as interests change. * **Virtue (The "Complete" Friendship)**: Based on mutual respect for each other's character and goodness. You wish good for the other for their sake, not yours. * **Key Principles of "True" (Virtuous) Friendship:** * **Permanence**: Virtuous friendships last a lifetime whereas those based on utility and pleasure are fleeting. * **Reciprocity**: Requires mutual goodwill; secret or unreciprocated affection does not qualify. * **The "Second Self"**: A true friend is "another self"—their virtue helps you understand and improve yourself. * **Time and Intimacy**: Deep ("complete") friendships are few, built on time and shared experiences. * **Self-Love and Friendship:** * Good friendship starts with being a friend to yourself. * They distinguish shallow egoism (chasing honors) from real self-love (pursuing virtue). * A virtuous person’s pleasant self-company allows them to be a stable, good friend to others. * Aristotle argues that one's social circle ultimately reflects one's character—a view with striking relevance today. Well--the Drunken Philosophy social circle certainly reflects good character!

This is a free, in-person meeting on the subject of betrayals, losses and how to get over them so you can build lasting relationships. Burdened by a stressful relationship? Unhealthy relationships can trigger feelings of anger, despair or self-doubt. They can create dwindling spirals of fights and seeking to make-up, or trying to “pin the blame” on someone or something. If you don’t find the RIGHT reasons, or select the correct sources of the problem, the problem can just get worse and worse. Whether in love or personal ties, with friends or at work, our life really IS affected by the quality of our relationships. Good ones can promote pleasure and survival while less optimum ones can lead to annoyance, anger, self-doubt, stress, or even affect our health and ability to survive well. Whether you are suffering from a divorce, or a painful break-up, don’t know who to trust (or who to CHOOSE) as a partner, friend, boss or employee - the anxiety of relationship troubles can really make a mess of things. Maybe you’ve suffered a betrayal, or are dealing with hostility or criticalness or invalidation. Dwindling relationships can involve destructive behavior, where we hurt those we love, or start succumbing to self-destructive thoughts, attitudes or behaviors that spiral out of control and affect much more than our immediate relationship. Past losses in love or life can affect how we act or react to new people and situations and hold us back from even starting to create new, possibly great relationships! How can one get back onto a saner course of action? Come to our Meetup, where we can introduce you to some of the knowledge, tools and techniques of the breakthroughs in the field of the mind that we can apply to this ever important area of life: human relationships! Break free from self imposed limitations Here we will discuss: • How to “erase” the trauma of past hurts and betrayals so that one isn’t always repeating past mistakes. • Why and how do the negative emotions of others affect you? • Why is my partner withdrawing and what can I do about it? • Why do we sometimes feel compelled to hurt the ones we love? • Fights & arguments - what's really behind them? • What underlies “corrosive criticism” or the need to invalidate self or others? • How one can stably change one’s outlook on life so they can affect positive change? • Where do compulsive destructive behaviors come from and what can be done about them? • How to form closer bonds & keep growing the relationships with the people you care about? • How to enhance one’s own ability to survive and create positive healthy relationships whether in love, family & friendships or in work, business or one’s career? Relationships can be hard and life itself IS challenging. Why not arm yourself with the knowledge and breakthroughs that have been made about the mind, mental reactions & interpersonal relationships, so that one has better awareness and control over themselves and life in general. Learn where painful experiences are “stored” and how they can unknowingly affect us. You will also find out how one can “erase” those past painful experiences so that one is free to move forward without being tripped up by the past. Learn too, about what can lead some people to become “toxic” personalities and how to identify those traits in others so you won’t be tripped up trusting the wrong person. Our free Meet-ups occur in a safe environment where one can learn, without fear of judgment or criticism, and without the recommendation of harmful mental techniques or therapies, just how YOU can get yourself onto a happier & more successful path: in love & in life. We look forward to having you join us! This class is sponsored by the Dianetics & Scientology Life Improvement Center of Central Ohio.