Recovering from Religion

Greetings All, The Spiritual Discussion Programme on BLESS RADIO 1 is on today from 6pm to 8pm UK time. The topic is "Family first or the Law first?” To listen visit www.blessradio1.com CLICK THE PLAY BUTTON ON THE ZENO VIDEO SCREEN ON TOP RIGHT HAND CORNER Alternatively you can listen on zeno.fm/radio/blessradio1 [Please note this link has changed from the previous address] We are also live streaming on YouTube.Goto [www.YouTube.com](https://www.youtube.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBEwWjhrNU5kZ3FiWlFKcWVVVXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6ece5RqVM1SXANz30l6szCVQY-2cv67si6OWQxtMSPNnmJsOZBTl47GGA1SQ_aem_9B5RFmZKLeVHG_QJhe83Bw) Search for “Blessradio1 Grail Message Family first or the Law first?" After the show, you can also listen to the recording of the show on YOU TUBE (as above). Hope you can listen tonight and join in. PLEASE Call /Text / WhatApp us with your questions or comments on +44 7939 641 958. OR Message us on Bless Chat box on [www.blessradio1.com](http://www.blessradio1.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2fGBcwr_zqUzBvp1UNYPsReHJqU4HJqhn3rg3XZGIk-3b5QHFKoJQolAs_aem_ONWb__d3tcI4BshpKmv6ag) Regards, Saad Farooqi

**TO ATTEND THIS EVENT, YOU *MUST* BOOK [USING THIS BOOKING LINK](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdAVcyG6JEK4GihkucbAzEHM-DO10RPuy705bYJ_EzMOotOyg/viewform) by 15 FEB (MEETUP RSVPs ARE TURNED OFF)** The Darwin Dinner is always a fun event - a chance to socialise over decent food, and including a not-totally-serious quiz. This year we will be at a new, and we think excellent, gastropub, right in the centre of Richmond: **7.30pm on 24 Feb at The Britannia (upstairs), 5 Brewers Lane, Richmond, TW9 1HH**. We will have a set menu with the option of two or three courses, each with a decent choice (including vegan). Costs: **£35.50 (+ service) for two courses; £42.00 (+ service) for three courses**. Buy drinks separately. We will email the menu to everyone who books to make their selection in advance. Everyone then pays individually at the end. **[Please book as soon as you can](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdAVcyG6JEK4GihkucbAzEHM-DO10RPuy705bYJ_EzMOotOyg/viewform) (deadline 15 Feb** so we can give numbers to the pub in advance and sort out menu choices). Charles will be present, albeit in two-dimensional form. *We apologise that the venue is upstairs in an old building. Disabled access is poor.*

Description: Join us for an enlightening lecture that delves into the intricate web of the past and its potential to cast a long shadow over our present lives. In this thought-provoking session, we will explore the profound ways in which the past can negatively impact our well-being, choices, and personal growth. Throughout history, human lives have been shaped by a multitude of experiences, both positive and negative. These experiences accumulate, leaving imprints on our memories and shaping our beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. While the past holds valuable lessons and cherished memories, it can also harbor unresolved conflicts, traumas, and limitations that subtly influence our present reality. During this lecture, we will navigate the labyrinth of psychological and emotional baggage that may accumulate over time, inhibiting our personal development and impeding our ability to lead fulfilling lives. By examining the effects of the past on various aspects of our existence, we will gain a deeper understanding of how it can manifest in detrimental ways. Through engaging discussions, case studies, and real-life examples, we will explore the following topics: 1. The Power of Unresolved Trauma: We will delve into the profound impact of unresolved traumatic experiences and how they can subtly shape our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. By shedding light on the intricate mechanisms behind these effects, we can begin to dismantle their hold on our lives. 2. Inherited Baggage: Examining the intergenerational transmission of pain, beliefs, and patterns of behavior, we will explore how our ancestors' experiences can unconsciously influence our lives. By recognizing and addressing this inherited baggage, we can break free from destructive cycles and chart our own path. 3. Limiting Beliefs and Self-Sabotage: Uncovering the deeply ingrained beliefs and narratives that stem from past experiences, we will explore how they can become self-fulfilling prophecies, stifling our potential and sabotaging our aspirations. By challenging these beliefs, we can reclaim our personal power and reshape our narratives. 4. Breaking Free: Strategies for Healing and Transformation: This segment will offer practical tools and techniques for healing past wounds, releasing emotional burdens, and cultivating resilience. We will explore approaches such as therapy, mindfulness, self-reflection, and forgiveness to facilitate the process of letting go and embracing personal growth. By the end of this lecture, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the profound influence the past can exert on their lives and how to break free from its negative impact. Armed with newfound knowledge and practical insights, they will be empowered to embark on a transformative journey towards self-discovery, healing, and the creation of a brighter future. Note: This lecture is open to all individuals seeking personal growth and a deeper understanding of the psychological and emotional factors that shape their lives. No prior knowledge or experience is required, only an open mind and a willingness to explore the depths of the past.

\*\* Please RSVP - this helps the venue plan ahead and ensure enough space is reserved for us \*\* Hey everyone! Are you a young professional in your 20s/30s looking to meet other LGBT young professionals? Then we hope to see you at the upcoming Tuesday drinks! Most people come to these drinks by themselves, and half of the people are first-timers, so these evenings are great to meet new people in London. We have tables reserved on the top floor (loft) of The Yard bar in Soho. Go into the Yard, turn left, and head upstairs. Just ask the bar for the tables reserved for the "Meetup". We usually have the tables opposite to the bar. Many have noticed that it can be difficult to meet up with the LGBT community once you leave university or come to a big new city such as London. For this reason we've decided to start organising drinks for young professionals, intended for those who love to have a drink with like-minded people after a busy day of work. Do spread the word, and bring friends, colleagues and family! Frequently Asked Questions: It's my first time and I'm coming alone, should I be nervous? No, you found the right event! Almost everyone joins these drinks alone and there are always a bunch of first timers. Just grab a drink and say hi to those around the reserved tables and you'll be absolutely fine :) I cannot make it at 7.00pm, can I come later? Yes, definitely! There will always be one of the organisers present from 7.00pm onwards, but most people just join whenever they can. There is no official 'start' so to say, and it usually stays busy till around 10pm-11pm. For first timers it can be easier to mingle if you come before 8pm, when it's not that busy yet. How often are the drinks and where are they held? We have drinks every two weeks from 7.00pm at The Yard Bar in Soho. Sometimes we organise other events such as big nights out, pub crawls and picnics. Just keep an eye on the Meetup page. Is there a dress code? Nope, not at all. Just wear whatever you want. Is there a cost? Only for whatever drinks you buy at the bar. That said, if you enjoy the Meetup, we would really welcome any cash donations to help cover our costs for running the events. However, you will never be directly asked for any money from any of our team. Are the Tuesday drinks for networking? No, the drinks are super casual, and not intended to find your new dream job. We have people from all different professional backgrounds, so it's always cool to hear what others are up to. I don't drink alcohol, can I come? Of course! Since it's on a Tuesday many take it easy, so you won't be an outlier. If you have any questions don't hesitate to pop any of our organisers a message. Looking forward to meeting you all! Xx The young LGBTQ+ professionals team Xx

Join us for a Free 9 Week Course - Learn to Meditate - Tuesdays in Covent Garden @ 7.30pm - Sahaja Yoga Meditation Please arrive early - join any week - all welcome Friends Meeting House, 8 Hop Gardens Covent Garden, London, WC2N 4EH To enter - please press the Bell marked - 'The Fry Room' Course overview & syllabus:- Week 1 - Mooladhara Chakra - Innocence & Wisdom - Week 2 - The Mother Within - The Kundalini feminine power- Week 3 - Swadhisthana Chakra - Creativity & Pure Knowledge - Week 4 - The Nabhi Chakra - Satisfaction, Contentment & Balance - Week 5 - The Anahat Heart Chakra - Love, Compassion, Fearlessness & Courage Week 6 - The Vishudhi Chakra - Communication, Collectivity & Releasing Guilt - Week 7 - The Agnya Chakra - Forgiveness & Thoughtless Awareness - Week 8 - Sahastrara Chakra -= The 1,000 petalled Lotus - Yoga - Week 9 - The 3 Nadhi's - Channels of Ascent & Evolution - Achieve Yoga & enter into a state of ‘thoughtless awareness’. In the heart of London, very close to Covent Garden, there is a weekly class in free meditation. **Achieve Yoga & Learn to Meditate in 2026 - 7:30- 9:00pm Tuesdays** The first experience of Sahaja Yoga meditation is called Self Realisation. With Sahaja Yoga Meditation we generally sit on chairs to achieve Yoga, effortlessly & spontaneously. As such no Asanas (exercises) are required, no mat or special clothing ## What is Meditation? Meditation is a state of mental silence or rest, where our attention is aware, but not engrossed in thinking. It is known as ‘thoughtless awareness’. It is achieved when the indwelling Kundalini energy awakens and carries the individual attention beyond the level of the 6th chakra, into the seventh chakra, known as Sahasrara. ## Yoga! It is here we achieve Yoga! As the mind finds rest and silence, we become able to feel our inner Self (Spirit). This can be tangibly felt, it actually manifests, as a cool wind, breath or breeze, often experienced on the palms of the hands or at the top (crown) of the head. It is a spontaneous, effortless natural happening. Each week many people experience this actualisation at one of the many free meditation classes on offer ## How to get into balance? The secret of the Sahaja Yoga method resides within us, at the base of the spinal chord, in a triangular bone called the “sacrum bone”. Since our birth in our sacrum bone dwells an inner energy called in Sanskrit Kundalini; it is characterised as a feminine energy and once activated, this energy rises along our spine until it reaches the top of the head and finally connects with the universal energy. This union is called “yoga” in Sanskrit. ## Kundalini As our indwelling Kundalini rises through the central channel, this benevolent feminine energy activates the chakras, removing all the impurities from them and nourishing the entire inner system. It is through this happening that we are elevated into ‘thoughtless awareness’, the mental silence of true meditation www.sahajayogalondon.co.uk Free Meditation & Yoga Classes in London Want to experience it now – Experience Self Realisation now – Guided Meditation ([https://www.sahajayogalondon.co.uk/articles/experience-your-self-realisation-online-now/](https://www.sahajayogalondon.co.uk/articles/experience-your-self-realisation-online-now/ "https://www.sahajayogalondon.co.uk/articles/experience-your-self-realisation-online-now/")) ###

You’re warmly invited to a facilitated, peer-led circle with gentle practices for reflection and connection. There’s nothing to prepare, just showing up is enough. This space is for you if you’ve ever felt worried, frustrated, or disconnected from your body. Peer support is at the heart of the group, and you’re welcome to share, listen, or simply be present, whatever feels right. Each session offers: * A safe, supportive, and private space * Optional gentle reflections or practices * Time to notice thoughts and feelings and reconnect with what matters You are welcome to join us :) This is a free event.

Take a pause from your busy day and join us for a 20-minute guided meditation to breathe your stress away, decompress your body and mind, centre yourself and restore your wellbeing. Leave feeling refreshed, recharged and refocused, ready to tackle the rest of your day. No experience is necessary – this free in-person meditation is open to everyone. **This is a free in-person meditation.** **If you would like to make a voluntary donation, please click** [here.](https://www.innerspace.org.uk/donations/ "https://www.innerspace.org.uk/donations/") \* I consent to my submitted data being collected and stored. We will process your personal data in line with the GDPR requirements and always store it securely and use it only for the purpose for which it has been collected. We will not pass on your details to any third parties without your consent.

If you would like to meet others who have left high-control religious groups, then please join us for our monthly social for drinks and chats. This is a safe space to make friends and talk with people who share a similar past. On average we get about 10 people attending these events and they tend to be a mixture of ex-Muslim, ex-Jehovah's Witness, ex-Evangelical, ex-Orthodox Jews, and other groups. The venue is in a nice pub in the Farringdon area. Nearest tube is Farringdon. Please email info@faithtofaithless.com for registration details with the name of the religion you have left and Terri will be in touch with you shortly after. (We do not publicly disclose the event location so that everyone attending feels safe. Our registration process includes an informal chat by video call to answer any of your questions, explain how the rest of our services work and to ensure the safety of all our service users.)

Across the UK, debates are intensifying about what children should be taught in schools — from how Britain’s colonial past is presented, to how race, migration, and identity are discussed in the classroom. Concerns about “political bias,” calls to remove certain books from reading lists, and pressure to sanitise difficult parts of history raise important questions about who controls knowledge and whose stories are told. Who gets to decide what counts as “truth” in education? How should schools approach Britain’s history of empire, slavery, and racial inequality in ways that are honest, evidence-based, and inclusive? How can we encourage critical thinking about history and society without relying on religious narratives or moral frameworks? Join Association of Black Humanists for an open and thoughtful discussion on education, historical truth, and the importance of intellectual freedom. This is a participatory session rather than a lecture — there will be no expert panel. Your perspectives, questions, and experiences will shape the conversation as we explore these issues together. All are welcome. **Date: Saturday, 28th February 2026** **Time: Please arrive on time at 2.45pm** **Venue: Pembury Community Centre** **1 Atkins Square, Dalston Lane, Hackney, London E8 1FA** A voluntary donation of £3 would be much appreciated.

February's book: The Pioneering Life of Mary Wortley Montagu: Scientist and Feminist by Jo Willett 300 years ago, in April 1721, a smallpox epidemic was raging in England. Lady Mary Wortley Montagu knew that she could save her 3-year-old daughter using the process of inoculation. She had witnessed this at first hand in Turkey, while she was living there as the wife of the British ambassador. She also knew that by inoculating - making her daughter the first person protected in the West - she would face opposition from doctors, politicians and clerics. Her courageous action eventually led to the eradication of smallpox and the prevention of millions of deaths. But Mary was more than a scientific campaigner. She mixed with the greatest politicians, writers, artists and thinkers of her day. She was also an important early feminist, writing powerfully and provocatively about the position of women. She was best friends with the poet Alexander Pope. They collaborated on a series of poems, which made her into a household name, an ‘It Girl'. But their friendship turned sour and he used his pen to vilify her publicly. Aristocratic by birth, Mary chose to elope with Edward Wortley Montagu, whom she knew she did not love, so as to avoid being forced into marrying someone else. In middle age, her marriage stale, she fell for someone young enough to be her son - and, unknown to her, bisexual. She set off on a new life with him abroad. When this relationship failed, she stayed on in Europe, narrowly escaping the coercive control of an Italian conman. After twenty-two years abroad, she returned home to London to die. The son-in-law she had dismissed as a young man had meanwhile become Prime Minister. The meeting starts at 7:15. At 7:30 pm we will break up into small groups. Those familiar with the CLH Book Group meeting know how this works: in each group we take turns introducing ourselves and giving our 1 minute thoughts on the book. It's important not to go over a minute and not to interrupt other people's minute so that everyone gets a chance to participate. After this first round, each group discusses for another 20 minutes or so. We then shuffle the groups so as to talk to as many different people as possible and in the new groups repeat our introductions and 1 minute thoughts. We'll do this a couple of times before coming all together at the end in one last big group. While we are very social and welcoming, the book group's primary focus is on discussing books. Feel free to turn up if you haven't managed to finish this month's book but note that the group works best when we have all read at least half of the book and are prepared to share our opinions. *** £3 per person to attend. If it's your first time, come and try us out for free! If you prefer, you can [pay online, by clicking here](https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=ZWCNRJ25BDL96). We encourage dialogue, debate and sharing of information on our site but ask people to keep their comments cordial. Any views expressed here are those of the individual posting them and may not reflect those of CLH.

Here is a recap of how the Club works: 1\. We meet every six weeks or so in or near the National Theatre\. 2\. We vote in advance and pick two articles from a short list to read before we meet\. Usually one relates to politics/current affairs and the other to history\, culture or science\. 3\. We talk about each one for around half an hour and the beauty of Article Club is that we can think more deeply about the broader themes of a topic\, and how well the article gets to grips with them\. 4\. We each give a score out of 10 for the articles that have been discussed\. 5\. We set the date for the next Article Club and sometimes adjourn to the pub\. I will post in the comments a Google form that you can use to vote for the articles you would like to read and discuss at this event. The point of Article Club is to challenge ourselves to read a diverse range of articles, share them with like-minded people and deal with our anxiety that we aren't reading books. Article Club was set up by Ross Bailey in 2015 who did a fantastic job at running it. Ross was followed by the equally fantastic Claire Ferraro and I (Alistair Baker) have been in the chair for the past seven years. OUR NEXT MEETUP: ARTICLE CLUB #74 Thursday 26th February 2026 - 7:30pm to around 9:15pm. We sit on the soft round seats in the Lyttelton Theatre bar on the first floor.

Jonathan Sattin, the founder of triyoga, and his team invite you to come HOME – to the site of the original triyoga building in Primrose Hill. HOME will be a beautiful, welcoming, warm space. A place for yoga, Pilates and treatments with the best UK and international teachers and therapists. A place for enjoying amazing food and simply hanging out. A place of community. There will be two yoga studios with over 90 classes a week, online classes, workshops, a Pilates equipment and Reformer studio, two treatment rooms, changing areas/showers, a café/hangout area and a far-infrared sauna. **Cost:** £24 for a single visit. Check HOME for all the memberships and packs available Note: We provide this service via HOME. The prices are their centre set fees. We do not set their prices. [Book via Home](https://www.homewellness.uk/book-yoga)

In this live and in-person seminar you will have an opportunity to explore how you could possibly improve YOUR self-confidence. How does a lack of confidence affect you? Is it in personal relationships? In the professional arena? In meeting new people in social groups? Or just within yourself and having your own confidence to do what you would really like? This seminar is geared toward you. Come and discover what could be a real boost for you! Personal interviews are offered and personal recommendations can be made to assist you in life. The seminar is presented to you by an experienced life improvement consultant from the Church of Scientology London. All references are taken from the works of L Ron Hubbard.

The Humanist Monthly Program is our longest running event and still a community favorite. In the old days it used to be called "Going to HCCO" and we still like to think of it as our flagship event. Food and drinks will be provided at the event. Feel free to show up a little bit early to hang out and talk. Our March speakers are Molly Gaines and Zack Parrish, co-organizers of the Secular Education Association: They will share their story of how a small group of Ohio parents grew into a national organization tracking released-time religious instruction and other church–state issues in public schools. The presentation will cover SEA’s early wins and hard lessons, what we’re seeing nationally right now, and how local advocates can play a meaningful role in protecting public education. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the landscape — and practical ways to get involved. Going forward our meetings will be hybrid. You can meet us in-person or attend online Join Zoom Meeting [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1) Meeting ID: 878 3656 4953 Passcode: 760812 One tap mobile +19292056099,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (New York) +13017158592,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (Washington DC) The formal presentation will start at noon

How do we recover from having had a toxic or narcissistic ex? How do we move on from the past, especially something as traumatic as a divorce or breakup? How do we avoid anxiety and depression? How do we have more self esteem? In this meeting, you will learn the mental health secrets to help you quickly get over the past and heal your mind. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is created by the Dianetics & Scientology life improvement center.

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

In this local meeting, you will discover knowledge that you can use to get over the past. The key to improving your personal motivation, self-confidence, and happiness is to get over your painful memories. When you become free of your past, you will be free from stress, anger, anxiety and depression. Studies show that negative emotions can affect your health. By being free of negative emotions, believe it or not, you will most likely even look younger, feel more energetic, and become healthier! Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is brought to you by the Dianetics and Scientology life improvement center.

Always an overachiever, David Bayer didn't settle for being Number Two in just about anything. Whether a runaway entrepreneurial success as a teenager, the leading online director for Ducati with over $70 million in sales, or as an early mid-life crisis overachiever with at least three wildly self-destructive behavioral addictions, whatever David did, he did it wholeheartedly. Not surprisingly then, when it came to facing his failures and determining his next course of action, David sought health and healing with the same full-strength effort he had previously used to bring about his own ruination. Seeking to learn from the best of the best, David's pursuit of tangible, practical, actual change from the mind and emotions, outward, brought a new passion--that of encouraging others to learn from his mistakes and to be able to strive after and achieve healing and success in their own lives. We are reading *A Changed Mind*, by David Bayer, and can't wait to enjoy the group discussion on **Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 6:30 pm**, at **True Food Kitchen, Easton Town Center**. Come join us! Get your tickets on [EventBrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-changed-mind-columbus-ohio-tickets-1978437853879)! Check us out on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/events/1390625182655746)!

ASH is Atheists, Skeptics and Humanists of First Unitarian Universalists of Columbus Ohio TBD Snacks are usually available, and you are welcome to bringing something to share!

Meeting Room 2b, Main Library Join us for a welcoming evening of reflection, gentle music, and meaningful conversation. We’ll begin with a short grounding moment, followed by a brief reading from spiritual or philosophical traditions, and an open reflection circle where participants can share (or simply listen). Libera Animae is an interfaith community focused on inner growth, creativity, and authentic connection. We desire to cultivate a space where all questions are welcome and each person is treated with compassion and respect.