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The Spiritual Journey can Expand  Quickly for Those Ready
The Spiritual Journey can Expand Quickly for Those Ready
''A Course in Miracles (ACIM)" is The Channelled Works of Jesus / Isa / Yoshua (Same Human Being - Named Differently by Different Religions) from 1965 - 1972. It Supplements and can go beyond anything The Bible, The Koran and The Torah has taught you. Find Out if you are ready to experience Spiritual Growth Beyond Religious Teachings (THE ACTUAL PROMISED: SECOND COMING) that have been Edited or Re-Translated over many centuries or EVEN Added to for The Suppression of Women. It Upholds the prophecies from those 3 holy books, but Clarifies More Deeply where they don't seem able to FULLY for the ordinary 21st Century human being, who finds it difficult to understand esoteric teachings handed down by Mystical Schools. You have free will to decide when you will commence your Journey HOME from Earth. We can Listen to Recordings of the above mentioned works. Alternatively, I also have DVD or CD recordings from Joseph Campbell, Deepak Chopra, Mother Theresa, Stuart Wilde, David Hawkins, Esther Hicks, Dennis Waitley, Gregg Braden, Wayne Dyer and Others. Topics that can be covered include: How "A Course in Miracles" came to be, Near Death Experiences, The Second Coming, The Evolution of Mankind's Spiritual Understanding, The Human Ego, Buddhism, The Christian Teachings EDITED FROM The Bible, Taoism, Ayurveda, Zen, Chi, The Bhagavad - Gita and Guided Meditations. This event is stated to run 3 hours, but those not able to can leave early and this would never be a problem. The Nature of THE BIRTHER (ETERNAL UNCONDITIONALLY LOVING SOURCE) and The Nature of OUR ESSENCES (SOULS) are Identical (Made in God's Image). The Insane Human Ego is THE ORIGINAL MISTAKE. Our Goal is to use THE POWER of REASON to UNDO IT, while on Earth!!!
SEA OF FAITH IN AUSTRALIA (SoFiA)
SEA OF FAITH IN AUSTRALIA (SoFiA)
## **SEA OF FAITH IN AUSTRALIA (SoFiA)** \- Melbourne\. In-Person Lecture/Discussion. ***"The Physics of Spirituality."*** Speaker: **[Dr. Kim Sawyer](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Findependentaustralia.net%2Fprofile-on%2Fkim-sawyer%2C628%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExWGk4N0ZDVnZmd3NjMFpNZHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR68MS2W6igTE1I4Y7Xh9V4uCluwuykX2lF5a6vM2vnRMYLRsaikT8tz0dtKig_aem_OY2dKBcfgrIf8ujZ5yqhWg&h=AUB8tK_kJDEaXi2Ie1rmwE_zIDXEYvFSSPd6au_7V6wXiV1NT1u4d-08Sq1mfOozX0MiBycY1_p4dOpr3OMOM_hsKhcbfW7IJVjlOse8gy8yTaHDFL4SmXBYUR_VE5gTa1dDSYdhxJAKzA&__tn__=R]-R&c[0]=AUBGVZoA7kb0gkt-rRu34rQKnZbM0tA5VLLch4k_4co5-HnsDc0BGgYbNZX4qD20r19piXZ0PqkiPy8uk4-Ac-kANW3RkUtzjqiWRW3hb-4rBKxJob6B4tRFS2MHNiLldSVKmT_r1dNSIlhJw4BDEywHuXLuwzRsC5f6556H&c[1]=AUBGVZoA7kb0gkt-rRu34rQKnZbM0tA5VLLch4k_4co5-HnsDc0BGgYbNZX4qD20r19piXZ0PqkiPy8uk4-Ac-kANW3RkUtzjqiWRW3hb-4rBKxJob6B4tRFS2MHNiLldSVKmT_r1dNSIlhJw4BDEywHuXLuwzRsC5f6556H)** \- \(Melbourne University\)\. *\~ SoFiA promotes the open exploration of religion, spirituality and the search for meaning. They welcome ALL viewpoints, including Atheism.\~* Enquiries: sofmelbourne@gmail.com **[SOFiA Website](http://www.sof-in-australia.org/).** **[Facebook: 'Sofiatalk'](https://www.facebook.com/groups/sofiatalk/)** \- Please join their ongoing discussions\.
Letting Go – A Transformational 9D Breathwork Journey
Letting Go – A Transformational 9D Breathwork Journey
***Letting Go – A Transformational 9D Breathwork Journey*** 📅 Thursday 18th June 🕔 5:00 PM 📍 Aintree (Near Rockbank), Victoria 3336 **Are You Still Carrying the Weight of the Past?** Do you find yourself replaying old conversations, holding onto resentment, battling self-doubt, or feeling trapped by patterns that seem to repeat no matter how hard you try? Perhaps you've done the talking, the thinking, and the analyzing... Yet something still feels heavy. The truth is that many of our deepest wounds are not stored in the mind alone—they are stored in the body. This powerful 9D Breathwork journey is designed to help you release what no longer serves you and reclaim the energy that has been trapped in the past. Who Is This Journey For? **This experience is for anyone who is ready to:** ✨ Release emotional baggage and old pain ✨ Let go of resentment toward themselves or others ✨ Break free from repetitive patterns and self-sabotage ✨ Quiet the inner critic ✨ Heal from relationship wounds or childhood experiences ✨ Step into greater peace, clarity, and personal power If you've ever felt emotionally or energetically weighed down by the past, this journey was created for you. What Happens During The Journey? **"Letting Go" is a deeply immersive 70-minute 9D Breathwork experience that combines:** 🌬️ Conscious connected breathwork 🎧 Immersive 9D audio technology 🧠 Subconscious reprogramming 💛 Emotional release processes ✨ Guided visualization 🙏 Forgiveness and gratitude integration Through powerful breathing techniques and carefully designed soundscapes, you'll bypass the analytical mind and access the deeper emotional patterns stored within the body. You'll be guided to release old stories, unresolved emotions, and limiting beliefs that may no longer serve your highest good. What You May Experience ***Many participants report:*** 💛 Feeling physically lighter 💛 Emotional release and relief 💛 Increased inner peace 💛 Greater self-compassion 💛 Improved clarity and focus 💛 Freedom from old emotional burdens 💛 A deeper sense of self-love and empowerment Every journey is unique, and your experience will unfold exactly as your mind and body need. **What To Bring?** ✔️ Yoga Mat ✔️ Blanket ✔️ Pillow ✔️ Water Bottle ✔️ Comfortable Clothing ✔️ Open Mind Click the link below to reserve your spot: ***[https://buy.stripe.com/dRm00jb9F3wh7w1bCngA80y](https://buy.stripe.com/dRm00jb9F3wh7w1bCngA80y)*** No previous breathwork experience is required. Simply come as you are. A Safe & Supportive Space This is not about fixing yourself. **You are not broken.** This is an invitation to release what no longer serves you, reconnect with your true self, and step into a new chapter with greater freedom, clarity, and peace. ***Release. Heal. Reclaim.*** *The wound is not your fault.* *The healing is your invitation.* **🌿 We look forward to welcoming you.**
Melbourne Language Exchange & Social at The Asian Beer Cafe
Melbourne Language Exchange & Social at The Asian Beer Cafe
**Welcome to our Linguas Thursday Social + Language Exchange Meetup 🌍** We meet weekly at **Thursday — Asian Beer Café** **Level 3, Melbourne Central** **211 La Trobe Street, Melbourne VIC 3000** Follow us on Instagram: [https://instagram.com/Linguas.AU](https://instagram.com/Linguas.AU) We will be in the area called the Chairmans Lounge. It is roped off. We ask that you **purchase a drink at the bar** or **pay $3.5**. *** ### 💬 Find your people (New!) Looking to practice a specific language? Post in the discussion using: * **#LearnSpanish** * **#LearnEnglish** * **#TeachEnglish** * **#LearnJapanese** * etc. 👉 This helps others find you faster and makes it easier to connect. *** ### *** ### ⏰ What to expect We consistently have **100–120 attendees** every Thursday (across multiple Meetup groups). People arrive at different times — **best time to come is between 6PM and 9PM.** Come solo or with friends — most people come alone and join conversations naturally. *** ### 🌏 Who attends? A mix of: * Native & non-native English speakers * International students * Backpackers & working holiday travellers * Professionals & expats * Local Australians You’ll meet people from: Europe, China, Japan, Korea, Latin America, and more. *** ### 🗣️ Why join? 👉 A relaxed, social way to practice English 👉 Meet people from around the world 👉 No pressure, no structure — just conversations *** ### 🍕 FREE DRINKS & FOOD FOR FRIENDLY VOLUNTEERS! We’re looking for **friendly volunteers** to help welcome newcomers and keep the vibe social. 👉 You’ll get: * Free drinks (beer/soft drink) * Food (pizza, wedges, etc.) * A fun team to hang out with No experience needed — many of our volunteers are **first-timers too**. Interested? 👉 [www.Linguas.au/Volunteer](www.Linguas.au/Volunteer) *** 📲 **More info:** [https://instagram.com/Linguas.AU](https://instagram.com/Linguas.AU) or **@Linguas.AU**
Railway Hotel.
Railway Hotel.
Advanced Futsal - Thursday Mixed 5-a-side Futsal / indoor soccer (7pm - 8pm)
Advanced Futsal - Thursday Mixed 5-a-side Futsal / indoor soccer (7pm - 8pm)
Thursday Futsal in Footscray! ⚽⚽⚽ 5-a-side Futsal (indoor soccer), played on an indoor pitch. Cost: $10 (pre-pay) 10 players min/max. Court booked for 1 hour. RSVPs only please. Normal Runners/Sneakers or Futsal shoes are fine (no studs). Location: Victoria University Footscray Park Campus - 3rd Floor (court 3), Corner of Ballarat rd and Geelong rd, Footscray (near the Flemington Racecourse). Located in Footscray, which is just 5km from the CBD. Plenty of Parking available. Also serviced by public transport. It is a 15 min walk from Footscray train station. https://www.vu.edu.au/campuses/footscray-park Refund Policy: Please be aware that if for some reason you cannot attend, that you provide at least 24 hours notice to allow a sufficient replacement. Failure to not attend or withdraw in a timely manner will lead to removal from the group. https://youtu.be/iF65zrwsIaY
Presenting - How to Think on your Feet
Presenting - How to Think on your Feet
Smashing! Try something new Thursday Interactive reality workshop - Tonight learn how to respond to questioning, by thinking on you feet Serious about improving your leadership - **Why mess, come to the best** Why is Smashing different to other speaking clubs? Just two member's thoughts, "The fun/laughs factor is definitely a point of difference. We keep it moving with high standards so it’s a nice balance. Too strict makes it tense and boring, too loose and we can lose the energy/commercial feel. SmashSpeak's vibe's in the sweet spot." "At other clubs I used to listen to long speeches and lectures, here we get so many chances to talk every meeting, that we have to improve" **Free parking** close: O'Connell and Cobden streets **IMPORTANT: Be on time, as doors close when the show starts** “Proudly Australian" – Free-flowing teamwork, greater good focus, sharing the stage, etc Multicultural Hub, 506 Elizabeth St (Opposite Queen Vic Market) Level 1, PURPLE Room (End of corridor) More to come...

Reason Events This Week

Discover what is happening in the next few days

What is Art For? On Emotion, Aesthetics and Creativity
What is Art For? On Emotion, Aesthetics and Creativity
A painting that brings a person to tears. A banana worth 6.4 million dollars. A photograph ending a war. What is behind these phenomena? Please join us this Sunday to discuss the Philosophy of Art, where it comes from, what makes it powerful and why it is a universal across time and cultures. We will meet at the Captain Melville at 2pm for a 2:15pm start sharp. **Please note the new $5 mandatory donation entry fee** (cash or transfer on day) to help with MeetUp subscription costs, venue costs, etc. There is no pre-requisite preparation necessary, nor a philosophical background, all that is required is a curious mind. These discussions are both a Socrates Cafe style discussion and lively metaphysical dojo, in the spirit of learning and friendly debate, so please feel free to challenge assumptions and be prepared to have your own assumptions challenged. This event is also posted to the Philosophy Circle group. We will explore the topic through a range of questions, including: **What is Art?** * What comes to mind when we use the word ‘Art’? What are the categories of objects or activities that you would consider to be art? * Which of these are art?: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1_1nl2_GKbGzzSbXsRRsnAZlkmNVqWPjm **Emotion** * Is art a luxury or necessity in life? Is it essential to happiness? * Why is art so effective at making us feel powerful emotions, even when we know it doesn’t represent reality? Are these ‘true’ emotions, or somehow different / simulated? * Why do we sometimes seek our art that makes us feel sad? **Objectivity** * Is there such a thing as objectively bad art? * Are there intrinsic properties that make something aesthetic (beautiful)? Are they universal? * Are there objective standards of ‘taste’? Can one person be said to have better taste than another? If so, on what basis or criteria? **Value** * What gives art its value? Why do we consider replicas differently? Is naturally occurring beauty different to art? * What compels humans towards art? Is there an evolutionary / biological explanation for the seemingly wasteful expenditure of resources on outputs that have no practical function? **Creativity** * Are only humans able to appreciate art? * Are only humans creative? * Is there such a thing as something truly new, or is every idea or expression a recombination of existing inputs into a different configuration of outputs? * Can a machine be creative? If not, what is the constraint? * Could we ever regard AI-creativity in the same way as that of a human? Hope to see you there!
Spread Eagle Pub Trivia
Spread Eagle Pub Trivia
Special trivia event at the Spread Eagle in Richmond on a Sunday! Free trivia in the bar and restaurant from 3pm to 5pm with “Million Dollar Mick”. Thanks go to Mark for booking the table for this one. They have a parma special for $20 as well.
Philosopher's Walk - Royal Botanic Gardens
Philosopher's Walk - Royal Botanic Gardens
Weather looks reasonable on Sunday. Participants are invited to join us for a walk and talk about science, philosophy, AI and emerging technology. **Schedule** * **10.30** am – Meet outside the entrance to the Royal Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre (near the Observatory House, and a walk away from the Shrine of Remembrance) * **11.00** am – Venture into the gardens and walk the outer path anticlockwise, spiralling inwards towards the lake * \~1.00 pm – (optional) Lunch by the lake, (BYO or there are Terrace Café options) **Getting there:** If coming by **tram**, get off at Stop 19 - Shrine of Remembrance/St Kilda Rd **Parking** is free on Anderson St far side of the Botanic Gardens ([near eastern gate B and Tecoma gate C](https://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/melbourne-gardens/interactive-map/)) subject to time limits in some stretches (mostly 3 hrs) - which is the only free parking area near the gardens that I can find. Check signage on the day. See this [PDF for more detail](https://athsvic.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/The-Tan-Parking-Map.pdf). **Possible discussion topics** * Latest AI models - Anthropic's Mythos and Fable blocked after US bans foreign use * AI Pause / Stop - will it work? (Regulatory catch-up, xrisk, global-coordination & geopolitical arms races, enforcement & logistics, existing capability overhang) * Technical AI safety - Mechanistic interpretability, linear probes, RLHF, behavioural evals * General AI alignment approaches: control vs motivation: \- control \(External Constraints\) focuses on building walls *around* the AI to restrict what it can do, trip wires etc. \- motivation \(Internal Alignment\) focuses on changing the AI’s inner desires so it *wants* to be ethical/help humans/act in accordance with the well-being of all sentience * AI ethics: how is it related to AI safety? What should be the target for AI alignment? Should the target be aggregate human preferences, religious doctrine, moral naturalism or something else? * Metaethics and ethics * Moral realism: a stance-independent moral ontology, useful for capturing non-arbitrary moral choice * Moral anti-realism: error theory, non-cognitivism, moral relativism etc * Can AI be fault-tolerantly aligned to moral realism or anti-realism? * Is sentience required for moral reasoning or moral deliberation? Can it be a hindrance? * Moral progress and indirect normativity * AI safety, automated persuasion, the orthogonality thesis * How epistemics (including science) makes progress * Health, wellness, and how to live a good life * Latest trends in AI: ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude * Economic impacts of AGI, automation, and unbounded inequality * UBI and universal wealth redistribution * The likelihood of future doom or utopia * Human augmentation and hacking human potential * Plato's cave * Fun theory and value theory "All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking." - Nietzsche, *Twilight of the Idols* Philosophy discussions can feel quite sedentary - hence our experiment in cross-pollinating exercise with engaging discussion. Exerting mind and body together may produce a fascinating dynamic. A sedentary lifestyle (and, by association, philosophy) has been linked to depression, anxiety and chronic stress. Ease the anxieties of the armchair philosopher engaging in mental gymnastics with minimal muscle movement - join our raggle-taggle crew of aspiring philosophers walking the talk. Healthy body, healthy mind. Bring elemental protection (umbrellas, sunscreen, etc).
Self Mastery & Enoughness™ | 9D Breathwork Journey
Self Mastery & Enoughness™ | 9D Breathwork Journey
**Self Mastery & Enoughness™ \| 9D Breathwork Journey** 📅 Sunday 21 June 🕓 4:00 PM 📍 Aintree (Near Rockbank), Victoria 3336 ⸻ ***Have You Forgotten How Amazing You Truly Are?*** Do you ever feel like no matter how much you achieve, give, or accomplish, it still doesn’t feel like enough? Do you find yourself battling self-doubt, comparing yourself to others, overthinking decisions, or constantly seeking validation? You’re not alone. Many of us have spent years unknowingly running an internal program that whispers: “You’re not enough.” This powerful 9D Breathwork journey is designed to help you rewrite that story. ⸻ A Journey Back To Your True Self Self Mastery & Enoughness is a transformational 9D Breathwork experience designed to help you release self-criticism, reclaim self-worth, and embody the truth that has always been within you: I Am Enough. Through immersive 9D sound, conscious connected breathing, subconscious reprogramming, and powerful somatic integration, you’ll move beyond the noise of the analytical mind and reconnect with your authentic self. This is not about becoming someone new. *It’s about remembering who you have always been.* ⸻ What You Will Experience ✨ Conscious Connected Breathwork ✨ Immersive 9D Audio Technology ✨ Positive Subconscious Reprogramming ✨ Self-Worth & Confidence Activation ✨ Emotional Release & Nervous System Regulation ✨ Deep Self-Acceptance Integration ✨ Guided Visualisation & Reflection ⸻ Common Outcomes: 💛 Increased confidence and self-belief 💛 Reduced self-doubt and overthinking 💛 Greater emotional resilience 💛 Improved self-worth 💛 More self-compassion and acceptance 💛 Increased clarity and focus 💛 A deeper connection to your authentic self 💛 Lasting inner peace ⸻ Perfect For Anyone Who… • Struggles with self-doubt • Battles their inner critic • Constantly compares themselves to others • Finds it difficult to acknowledge their worth • Wants to feel more confident and empowered • Is ready to stop seeking validation and start trusting themselves ⸻ What To Bring: ✔ Yoga Mat ✔ Blanket ✔ Pillow ✔ Water Bottle ✔ Comfortable Clothing ✔ Open Mind Click the link below to reserve your spot: **[https://buy.stripe.com/4gMaEX1z5d6R9E9dKvgA80A](https://buy.stripe.com/4gMaEX1z5d6R9E9dKvgA80A)** No previous breathwork experience is required. Simply come as you are. ⸻
Philosophy Roundtable: Art
Philosophy Roundtable: Art
A painting that brings a person to tears. A banana worth 6.4 million dollars. A photograph ending a war. What is behind these phenomena? Please join us this Sunday to discuss the Philosophy of Art, where it comes from, what makes it powerful and why it is a universal across time and cultures. We will meet at the Captain Melville at 2pm for a 2:15pm start sharp. **Please note the new $5 mandatory donation entry fee** (cash or transfer on day) to help with MeetUp subscription costs, venue costs, etc. There is no pre-requisite preparation necessary, nor a philosophical background, all that is required is a curious mind. These discussions are both a Socrates Cafe style discussion and lively metaphysical dojo, in the spirit of learning and friendly debate, so please feel free to challenge assumptions and be prepared to have your own assumptions challenged. This event is also posted to the Socrates Cafe group. We will explore the topic through a range of questions, including: **What is Art?** * What comes to mind when we use the word ‘Art’? What are the categories of objects or activities that you would consider to be art? * Which of these are art?: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1_1nl2_GKbGzzSbXsRRsnAZlkmNVqWPjm **Emotion** * Is art a luxury or necessity in life? Is it essential to happiness? * Why is art so effective at making us feel powerful emotions, even when we know it doesn’t represent reality? Are these ‘true’ emotions, or somehow different / simulated? * Why do we sometimes seek our art that makes us feel sad? **Objectivity** * Is there such a thing as objectively bad art? * Are there intrinsic properties that make something aesthetic (beautiful)? Are they universal? * Are there objective standards of ‘taste’? Can one person be said to have better taste than another? If so, on what basis or criteria? **Value** * What gives art its value? Why do we consider replicas differently? Is naturally occurring beauty different to art? * What compels humans towards art? Is there an evolutionary / biological explanation for the seemingly wasteful expenditure of resources on outputs that have no practical function? **Creativity** * Are only humans able to appreciate art? * Are only humans creative? * Is there such a thing as something truly new, or is every idea or expression a recombination of existing inputs into a different configuration of outputs? * Can a machine be creative? If not, what is the constraint? * Could we ever regard AI-creativity in the same way as that of a human? Hope to see you there!
Logosophy and a more conscious humanity
Logosophy and a more conscious humanity
Connect with a supportive community dedicated to continuous growth. Together, we’ll dive into meaningful topics that help us become a little better every single day.
Magic Mind & Peak Consciousness: Cultivating Psychic Abilities - Dr. Alex de Foe
Magic Mind & Peak Consciousness: Cultivating Psychic Abilities - Dr. Alex de Foe
**What if psychical abilities (psi) can be cultivated in earlier life?** What are the implications for modern society and our perception of the world? A new theory based on entropy and perception may hold the answers... After 70+ years of controlled studies into psychical phenomena, scholars still lack a cohesive theory of what makes them possible.... **In this presentation, Dr Alex De Foe** draws on his 15+ years of research to model psi as an emergent lifespan experience - understanding it in relation to neural development and entropy, experiences often reported by children. Drawing upon the "free energy model" in perception and social neuroscience, Alex will make the case for cultivation of psi in pivotal states of consciousness. Part 2 will focus on experiential analysis to support the argument, including case studies and a short practice task called 'Image Streaming' that engages aspects of the mind at the periphery of experience. **Image Streaming** is a technique that bridges the divide between the conscious, unconscious, and super-conscious mind, related to Michael Thalbourne's concept of 'transliminality', in which material flows between these dimensions of mind seamlessly. **Case studies will be presented from:** * Research into out-of-body experiences (OBEs) and lucid dreams * A new theory on archetypes and the collective unconscious * Speculative accounts at the bridge between spiritual emergence and spiritual 'emergency' **About Dr. Alexander De Foe (PhD, M Couns):** * Academic at Monash University (2021-2026). * Runs a research program on mindfulness/consciousness * At RMIT University (2016-2021), he managed a virtual reality lab focusing on embodied cognition and social neuroscience. * Published over 30 peer-reviewed studies/papers on consciousness, perception, and general psychology. * Chair of the Australian Centre for Consciousness Studies * Committee Member of the Australian Institute of Parapsychological Research * Associate Editor at the Anthropology of Consciousness Journal. **Post-Event Social Lunch Hangout (12.45 - 1.45pm)** NOTE: TRYING OUT NEW LUNCH VENUE... Afterwards, you are invited to lunch with everyone at **Gopal's 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.

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Drunken Philosophy: Where Is Everybody? The Fermi Paradox and the Great Filter
Drunken Philosophy: Where Is Everybody? The Fermi Paradox and the Great Filter
Welcome to Drunken Philosophy, a casual, curious, social discussion club. Come grab a drink and a seat at The Oracle. **Optional topic for this meetup: Where is everybody?** In 1950 the physicist Enrico Fermi was talking about aliens over lunch and asked a question that still has not gone away: if the universe is so vast and so old, and even a fraction of those billions of stars have planets, where is everyone? By the numbers the galaxy should be crowded with civilizations. Instead we look up and hear silence. That gap between "they should be everywhere" and "we see no one" is the Fermi Paradox. One of the most unsettling answers is the idea of a **Great Filter**: somewhere on the road from dead chemistry to a galaxy-spanning civilization, there is at least one step that is almost impossible to get past. Maybe the filter is behind us. Maybe life starting at all, or simple cells becoming complex, or intelligence ever evolving, is the freak accident, and we already cleared the hard part. Or maybe the filter is ahead of us, and advanced civilizations reliably wipe themselves out before they spread. Here is the part that messes with people. If we ever found life somewhere else, even pond scum on Mars, most people would call it the greatest discovery in history. But it might be the worst possible news. It would mean life is common, the early steps are easy, and the hard step is still in front of us. So the eerie silence overhead might actually be the best sign we could ask for. **Questions to wrestle with:** * Is it better to be alone? Would you rather we find alien life and learn we are not special, or find nothing and quietly improve our odds of surviving? * Where do you bet the filter sits, behind us or ahead of us, and why? * If it is ahead of us, what is it? Nuclear war, climate collapse, AI, something we cannot even picture yet? And can we do anything about a filter we cannot see coming? * Two principles pull opposite ways here. The principle of mediocrity (the Copernican principle, Sagan's "no privileged place in the universe") says we are ordinary, so what happened on Earth probably happened everywhere, which makes the silence scream louder. The anthropic principle says of course we find ourselves somewhere life was possible, since we could not observe anything else, so our being here may say almost nothing about how common life is. Which lens do you trust, and does the silence still demand an answer once you account for observer selection? * And if we did confirm life out there and had to accept we are not special, what would that do to belief in a higher power, and would shedding (or keeping) that belief help or hurt our odds of pulling together as one species? * Does any of this change how you live, or how humanity should be spending its time and money right now? As always the prompt is optional. Come for the conversation, stay for the drinks, and bring your own questions.
Free In-Person Meeting: Get Over Losses & Betrayals, Build Lasting Relationships
Free In-Person Meeting: Get Over Losses & Betrayals, 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. 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.
Sunday Brunch
Sunday Brunch
Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!
LGBT Reads: In-Person Book Discussion
LGBT Reads: In-Person Book Discussion
Join us for our June Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss [The Queer Principles of Kit Webb](https://catsebastian.com/the-queer-principles-of-kit-webb/) by Cat Sebastian in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.
HCCO at the Pride Parade
HCCO at the Pride Parade
We will be marching again this summer at Pride. Come ready to show your Pride and stand-up for every human's right to love, respect, and family! * **Step-off:** 10:30AM * **Route:** High Street from the Capital to Goodale Park Update: We are meeting at Bob Leonhard's house. You can park your car there and we will carpool to the parade. This will eliminate you finding parking in the city and excessive walking. You SHOULD BE AT BOB'S HOUSE BY 8:45 a.m.! We will leave for the parade at 9:15 am sharp! Bob's address: 2858 Thorndale Avenue, Columbus, OH 43207 If you have questions, his number is 614-301-7436
Fun & easy way to play more tennis (read event description)
Fun & easy way to play more tennis (read event description)
We’re still working to get more people into these Meetups, but our goal is to give PlayYourCourt members a few social tennis outings each week in addition to your practice sessions and Challenge League matches. These Meetups are co-ed, super laid back, and all skill levels are welcome. Post your skill level and a suggested court in the comments section so we can round up as many players as we can for some tennis fun! Also, if you’re looking to meet new practice partners or play some matches and you aren’t already in the PlayYourCourt Community, you can go here to see what we’re all about and sign up: https://www.playyourcourt.com/tennis-community/columbus-oh/meetup/ If you love tennis, we’d love to have you! Be sure and watch the quick video that explains how everything works. Happy hitting! - Scott
COUNT RMH Housewarmer Volunteering (Ronald McDonald House)
COUNT RMH Housewarmer Volunteering (Ronald McDonald House)
Some trained COUNT volunteers work together once a month at RMH (http://www.rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer.php) as Housewarmers (usually on the 1st Sunday from 1 – 5 PM). Some schedule other shifts at their convenience. You may try this out with less fuss by following a "Fast track" or go through the normal process. Fast track • Arrange a time to shadow a COUNT volunteer. Call Dave Nohle at 614-268-9558 (cell). • Show up and try it out. • Complete application, etc. later. Normal process • Complete an online application (http://rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer/). • Attend orientation in advance. • At orientation you will complete forms agreeing to keep family/patient info private and allowing a background check and tour the facility. • Complete one training shift. Daily shifts are: morning 9 AM - 1 PM, afternoon 1 - 5 PM and evening 5 - 9 PM. • Schedule shifts online using the on the RMH scheduling system (http://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/?FROM=32895). The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) provides housing and meals for families with sick children. The Columbus RMH is the largest in the world with 137 rooms. COUNT has been volunteering there since May 2014. Housewarmers work with RMH guests to provide a home-like environment - greet, assist with family needs, answer phones, give tours, assist with checkin/checkout, prepare guest rooms after checkout, clean facility, laundry, restock supplies and staff the front desk. RMH Housewarmers volunteer at least one four-hour shift a month. All Housewarmers must complete an application and agree to a background check before they can be full fledged volunteers.