Reason

Hello TEDheads! All of us will go through suffering at some point. What will you cling to on that day? Cliches and easy answers won't be enough. You will need something beyond 'everything happens for a reason'. Where will you find hope beyond positive thinking and pop-psychology? The talks below will invite us to figure out a path that deals with reality without cliche. A path that invites us to drink of the real and not simply cover our pain. Let's explore these questions and more together next week. ***Please watch the following TED talk and read the article on your own device before the event.*** *** # ★ **Talk #1:** ["Everything happens for a reason" -- and other lies I've loved](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTcJmIbn5nw) \| Kate Bowler In life's toughest moments, how do you go on living? Kate Bowler has been exploring this question ever since she was diagnosed with stage IV cancer at age 35. In a profound, heartbreaking and unexpectedly funny talk, she offers some answers -- challenging the idea that "everything happens for a reason" and sharing hard-won wisdom about how to make sense of the world after your life is suddenly, completely changed. "I believe that in the darkness, even there, there will be beauty and there will be love," she says. Kate Bowler \| TED • July 2019 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTcJmIbn5nw # ★ **Resource # 2:** [The gift and power of emotional courage](https://www.ted.com/talks/susan_david_the_gift_and_power_of_emotional_courage) \| Susan David Psychologist Susan David shares how the way we deal with our emotions shapes everything that matters: our actions, careers, relationships, health and happiness. In this deeply moving, humorous and potentially life-changing talk, she challenges a culture that prizes positivity over emotional truth and discusses the powerful strategies of emotional agility. A talk to share. https://www.ted.com/talks/susan_david_the_gift_and_power_of_emotional_courage **Please note the following:** We want to provide a space for those who are curious about life, enjoy TED Talks, and want to share their findings with others. Please join us as we consider this topic, **Wednesday, May 6 at 7:15pm.** Newcomers are most welcome! Hoping to see you there. (Please sign up only if you really intend to attend). NOTE: We ask for a **4 Euro contribution** on the night to cover costs. Thank you.

## Details The title of the event is a paradox! Read in silence and then discuss with like-minded folks! :-) 📝 **How does this work?** We will meet in the Bartley's Restaurant area from 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM for silent reading and followed up by discussion. **During silent reading, you're expected to remain silent and read.** Please bring your headphones and refrain from the discussion during the first one hour in the area. 👥 **Socialising** After an hour, at 8:15 PM, we'll discuss and socialize about the book you're reading. We highly encourage you to move between tables and strike up conversations with fellow book lovers. These discussions about literature and reading recommendations are often the highlight of the event! Feel free to join at any point during the event. The event is indoors, hopefully, we can continue the tradition of the silent reading in the winter! **📌 Helpful Tips and Notes** * Bring headphones to block out surrounding noise * I will post a comment on the event page when I arrive to indicate where we're seated, so everyone can find us * If you prefer to skip the silent reading, you can join directly at the bar at 8:15 PM ⚠️**Something Happened?** If something unpleasant happened to you, it may happen to others. It may be small but don't hesitate to reach out to me. Looking forward to meeting you all 😊

DubJUG 265, our live in-person event, presents Professor Ž (aka Željko Kozina!) Hear why Netflix dumped REST in favour of GraphQL and explore how memory management improves performance, the different parts of Java memory and the various garbage collectors. OFFICIAL BOOKING >>>>> https://ti.to/dublin-java-user-group/265-zeljko-kozina ## **Talk 1:** Netflix dropped REST, but should you? Last year, Netflix announced that it was dropping REST completely in favour of GraphQL. It is undoubtedly one of the popular kids on the Development playground right now. GraphQL is a new way to build APIs, one that's easier, faster, better, and more flexible than the old RESTful API system, or at least that's the promise. In this session, a REST developers' Assessment of Spring GraphQL, Željko will cover the basics of Spring GraphQL, explore its strengths and weaknesses, and determine whether it is a better option for your company than a conventional REST API. ## **Talk 2:** Trash Talk - Optimising Java Garbage Collection Understanding how Java organises memory is important for every Java professional, but this particular topic is a common knowledge gap for many software professionals. With the help of Željko, this talk explores how memory management can help you improve performance effectively, helping you understand the different parts of Java memory and the various garbage collectors so you can select your preferred one.

This Meetup was created as a sacred place for those who feel called to explore consciousness, spirituality, personal growth, and the deeper aspects of who we are. We come together every two weeks not for casual socializing, but to connect with depth, presence, and authenticity. Everyone’s perspective is welcome here without judgement. My intention for this gathering is to be conscious and deliberate—like a living container that supports us all in being seen, heard, and understood. This space may not be for everyone—and that’s okay. If you’re looking for light social banter or casual networking, this group may not resonate with you. But if you feel called to walk into a space where people speak from the heart, share with honesty, and lean into spiritual exploration with wonder and sovereignty—then you’re in the right place. We don’t always know where the conversation will flow—but we trust the current. And every time, it brings us to understanding each other from a deeper level. If this resonates then I look forward to sharing this space with you. ***All are welcome and facilities are wheelchair friendly

Join us for zazen (mediation) on Wednesday evening. **Wednesday** is for existing students. Beginners or newcomers to the dojo can arrange an introduction to zazen practice by sending an email. zen.in.ireland@gmail.com **On Wednesday**, students have the opportunity for daisan which is one-to-one with the teacher and gives the opportunity to ask questions in relation to the practise. It is a wonderful **opportunity** to deepen ones understanding and practise of Zen. **Mary Soshin Laheen** is the teacher at Earth+Sky Zen. Recommended donation is €5. We accept donations using the following Paypal link: PayPal.Me/earthskyzen The weekly schedule. Please arrive 10 minutes before start. Monday: 7am Tuesday: 7am Wednesday: 7am Wednesday: 6.15pm Thursday: 7am Sunday: 6.15pm

About us: The Tibetan Dharma and Meditation Group is part of a Buddhist organisation based in Taiwan, which is centred on one of the greatest living Rinpoches (teachers) in the world at the moment. It aims to introduce people living in Ireland to Buddhist teachings and practices that have been passed to Rinpoche through his masters and their masters going back many, many generations in order to benefit and bring peace to all sentient beings. Location: We hold our meetings in the small hall at Sandyford Community Centre, Lambs Cross, Sandyford, Dublin 18.

**IMPORTANT UPDATE:** Due to a fire incident at Kyodai Izakaya, It's been **temporarily closed**. Let's meet at J.R Mahon's on 1-2, Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 (across the river from Izakaya Kyodai). We still need a venue for presentations. If anyone can help, please get in touch (e.g. via Discord). The minimum requirement is a room with a screen, or projector. We have a Discord server, which you're welcome to join: https://discord.gg/nCBrCXB6 Clojure Ireland is sponsored by [Taxamo - a Vertex Company](https://twitter.com/taxamo).

From all her travels, particularly in Egypt and India, Helena Blavatsky brought back to the West ancient teachings on the knowledge of the human being and his mysteries. The ancient science of numbers, and in particular the number 7, is one of the elements that has been passed down to us by the philosopher known as HPB. The ‘septenary key’ offers a profoundly universal view of the Human Being and Nature: it allows us to understand the law of evolution that governs their interactions, including the spiritual and material dimensions of this driving force of life. **About the mysteries of the number 7** The number Seven is universal and the Septenary is linked to the “Star” symbol of the accomplished Human Being, so wonderfully depicted by Leonardo da Vinci. HPB reminds us that the organisation of the cosmos itself is based on a septenary key; and that this organisation is also found in the elements that make us up. Adjusting to this great melody of life, to this universal law, is the great inner struggle of the human being. The number seven is that of Nature in motion, in evolution. It teaches us that humanity has not finished its evolution. The actualisation of the number Seven and its principles and qualities is the great inner struggle that the Human Being must wage in order to become a fulfilled Individual, living in harmony with the laws of Nature. This individual, connected and embracing the inner battle, whom we could call a ‘peaceful warrior’, is one of the mysteries unveiled by the number 7. *There will be a break with tea, coffee and cakes.*

Movie to be announced soon -

Many of us are now realising that in order to live more in harmony with each other and the planet we need to recognise that we humans are nature. We are not separate from or superior to the natural world, we are part of the web of life and deeply connected to the rest of the living world. In this group harmony singing workshop we will sing songs and chants from around the world which celebrate our connection with and belonging to the natural world. Though we have been a destructive force on this planet, we humans also know how to be stewards of the land. Singing in harmony helps us to reconnect to our sense of togetherness and belonging and helps us tune in to our connection to the rest of the living world. All welcome – women, men and older kids who like singing. You don’t need any singing or voice-work experience as it isn’t about talent, it is about participation. This is a relaxed, inclusive, friendly and safe space, with no right or wrong way to use the voice. Adults of all ages, orientations, backgrounds and abilities are welcome. Singing is a wonderful way to feel connected to oneself and others. This group singing workshop will help you find joy, connection, harmony and oneness. Through simple vocal exercises, movements and inspiring and empowering chants and songs from around the world, we will sing our cares away, have fun and express ourselves. You will leave renewed and uplifted, and with a deep sense of belonging and community. Click [here](https://fullcirclechange.ie/offerings/self-care/singing/) to learn more about the style of singing at this workshop. Harmony singing is extremely beneficial to our physical, mental and spiritual health and wellbeing, and you will leave feeling recharged, grounded, and uplifted. Please book a ticket in advance [here](https://fullcirclechange.ie/event/we-are-nature-singing-workshop/). Prices from €45/40 concessions or €70 for 2 people booking together

Join me to swim into light, for darkness into light on the 9th of May at Killiney Beach ⛱️ at 445am, you know the drill, bring warm clothes for after swim and hot drinks and yummy cakes, thats optional, swim in the water when the sun is raising, it's a great morning, do it for yourself or someone else, looking forward to seeing you all there.

Hi all, Our first Meetup will be a casual get-together for anyone interested in Time Series Analytics, Forecasting, and Data Analytics. The idea is simple: meet new people, share your background, talk about your work/study experience, exchange ideas, and enjoy a coffee or a beer together in a relaxed atmosphere. We’ll meet at the bar on the ground floor of the Camden Court Hotel Camden Street Lower, Saint Kevin's, Dublin, D02 W086 www.camdencourthotel.com/en/ I’ll be there, so feel free to join! See you soon! Simone

When judging morality, should we prioritize **intentions/duty** or **outcomes/results**? It introduces two influential philosophers as representatives of these approaches. * **Immanuel Kant (deontology):** An action is moral when it is done from **duty** and follows rational, universal principles (the **categorical imperative**). Certain acts—like lying—are wrong regardless of the consequences; you can’t do a wrong thing for a right reason. * **John Stuart Mill (utilitarian consequentialism):** The morality of an action is determined by its **effects**, specifically how much **happiness/well-being** it produces. Mill argues that some pleasures are “higher” than others, and that good intentions don’t redeem harmful outcomes. ## Discussion Questions 1. **The lying dilemma:** A murderer comes to your door and asks if your friend is hiding inside. Kant would say you must not lie. 2. **Can good intentions rescue a bad outcome?** 3. **The organ harvest problem:** A surgeon has five patients dying of organ failure and one healthy patient in for a checkup. Killing the one to harvest organs would save five lives, and the math works out for the utilitarian. Why does this feel so deeply wrong? Is that feeling a point in Kant's favor, or just a bias we should overcome? 4. **Do rules need exceptions?** Kant insists moral rules must be universal, with no exceptions. But most of us can imagine extreme scenarios where any rule seems like it should bend. Does the need for exceptions fatally undermine deontology, or is the strength of the system precisely that it refuses to bend? 5. **Who gets to calculate the consequences?** Utilitarianism asks us to maximize good outcomes, but we're notoriously bad at predicting consequences. If we can't reliably know the results of our actions, is it practical to base our entire moral system on outcomes? Does this uncertainty push us back toward rules and principles? 6. **Everyday morality:** Think about a real moral decision you've made recently, even a small one. Did you reason more like a Kantian (what's the right thing to do in principle?) or more like a utilitarian (what will produce the best result?)? Do most people naturally lean one way? 7. **Justice vs. the greater good:** A town can prevent a deadly plague by sacrificing one innocent person. The greater good is clearly served. But is it just? Can an action be morally right and deeply unjust at the same time? 8. **The big synthesis question:** Are these two systems actually opposed, or do they often arrive at the same answers by different paths? Is it possible that we need both: rules to guide us in the moment and consequences to evaluate systems and policies over time?

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.

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

Join us for our May Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss *[Cantoras](https://caroderobertis.com/books/cantoras/)*[ ](https://caroderobertis.com/books/cantoras/)by [Caro de Robertis](https://caroderobertis.com/bio/) in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.

We will have our certified mediums available and you can receive 3 10-minute readings for $20. To keep you safe, we will be following all CDC and Health Dept. guidelines at our psychic fair today. Sitters and readers required to wear a mask. We will maintain a minimum of 6 foot physical distance during readings. Please, if you can, bring your own portable chair to use during your readings. Please note that we are at our wonderful new home at Unity of Columbus, 4211 Maize Road, Columbus, OH

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

We may pick a specific topic and post in advance or may discuss current events and various ad hoc topics . We would love to spend time hanging out and getting to know one another. Atheist, agnostics, other non-theists, and atheist-friendly people are welcome to join us. Note: COUNT operates a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/COUNT.discussions (http://www.facebook.com/groups/COUNT.discussions/) to promote discussions among members and visitors.