Religion

Time is precious. Here we value non-boring valuable chats and interactions that are fully engaging, soulfully enriching, inspiring, and leave you a bit wiser than when you arrived. In that spirit (mind the pun!), today’s fully hosted laid back social coffee chat will offer a perfect haven for the inquisitive & curious - those drawn to the mysteries of the universe, life and everything in between. A tasty caffeine infused fun afternoon of thought-provoking causal chats exploring spirituality/consciousness and related interconnected topics spanning **philosophy,** **neuroscience**, **parapsychology,** **paranormal.** **cosmology** and **noetic sciences** over a mug of sweet coffee. Hosted by me - a former Reuters journalist & published empirical researcher exploring spirituality topics in pursuant of the "truth" since a teenager, there'll be no strict structure - a relaxed friendly space to openly chat, exchange ideas & experiences without judgement, but I'll preside to promote inclusivity and zone in on specifics to avoid people digressing onto unrelated tangents to ensure like all of our events - particpants derive maximum utlity and insights from attending. We’ll touch on everything from the limits of scientific understanding to exploring the unexplained using practical fun exploratory divination practices drawing on elements of **psychology, metaphysics, epistemology** and **statistical** **probability** of rare events as we do so. Whether you're a practicing "spiritualist", a curious skeptic, or just someone who loves deep conversation on **life’s big questions**, you’ll hopefully walk away more enlightened with some practical tips you can start applying and inspired to explore more! As well as illuminating chats to guide self-reflection, obviously no sprituality event woul be complete without practical tools so there'll be FREE Tarot & I-Ching readings, demonstrations of meditation method to activate super powerful gamma brain waves, and pyschic tests for a bit of fun, laughter & intrigue! **Sample of conversational threads** might include: Are we mere organisms pursuing biological survival or does consciousness exist beyond neurons firing in our brains? What explains peoples' paranormal experiences? What would reality look like If our brains were limitless? Declassified CIA files show that as as well as mind control experiments, the US govt employed mediums and remote viewers. If all mumbo jumbo then why? Is Nirvana just a fantasy of deluded people? Does everything happen for a reason? To clarify - we define spirituality here as an exploration of consciousness, Donald Rumsfeld's unknown unknowns and undiscovered aspects of reality, NOT religion. After all, as my philosophy professor once rightly postulated to me: "If God created Adam, who created God Lucas?" Yep - that inconvenient flaw **debunks every fairytale religion** out there including the oldest religion of them all - paganism - so why is witchcraft still practised outside of **Hogwarts** today? I may also share the latest peer reviewed empirical evidence surrounding **paranormal** and **consciousness** phenomena. **=== POTENTIAL CONVERSATION STARTERS ===** 1. Does consciousness survive death or is Cambridge Astrophysics Professor Brian Cox right in asserting if **ghosts** existed then particle accelerators at CERN would have already detected ghost molecules making Ouija boards kids play? Are Poltergiests 100% hoax? Brain scans indicate thalamocortical circuits in our brain (pathways in the parietal cortex & central lateral thalamus) drive **consciousness -** so how can spirit/mind live on after **brain death**? 2. Is **synchronicity/coincidence** simply randomness disguised in the eye of the beholder or can what Einstein called “spooky action at a distance" (quantum entanglement) explain it? Molecular Biologists have shown that just like plants - our cells give off resonant frequencies between 10 & 180 kilohertz - could this be a source of non-verbal communication like telepathy? 3. Given **neuroscience**'s infancy with much yet undiscovered - could mediation help access functions outside of our BAU alpha & beta brain wave states? Can **Kundalini yoga** boost **DMT** (dimethyltryptamine) naturally vs drugs like ayahuasca, mushrooms, LSDand if so by what mechanism? Do the artifically created neural signatures using magnetic stimulation observed during mystical experiences debunk them? Is the Maharishi Effect real? 4. Are clairvoyants and mediums just good people readers or are they really able to access time and space in non-linear ways? Is Tyler Henry the real deal or just faking it? Was **Abraham Lincolm** precognizant when he dreamt his own fatal assignation? 5. The laws of statistical probability, Drake Equation & common sense tells us there is other non-microbial life out there. So what explains the Fermi Paradox? Was that 1976 WOW signal aliens? How about the recent strange bahaviour of Boyajian's star or Oumuamua/Atlas interstella object that has just entered our solar system? 6. Could metaverse explain deja vu & reincarnation vs theories from the **psychology** literature (Mandela Effect?) or do we just live in a **simulation** as **Elon Musk** proposes? 7. **Stephen Hawking** once said: "The past, like the future, is indefinite and exists only as a spectrum of possibilities" If matter only manifests when observed as the double slit experiments shows, does that mean everything is consciousness? Does the discovery of *quantum superposition /* disappearing neutrons imply **parallel universes**? 8. Do NDEs suggest something beyond physicality? Were Steve Jobs final words "Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow" before he died (New York Times) visions of an afterlife or just neurochemical changes / drugs playing tricks? 9. Can photons omitted by our bodies explain auras that people see? 10. Could limits in our understanding of quantum physics, space and time explain paranormal experiences? 11. What existed before the **big bang** \- how do you get something from "nothing"? I believe our reality is the product of a black hole\. What you reckon? ***So how do we get to the "truth"?*** Both in my journalism days and applying the most advanced empirical research techniques in my client consulting work - it becomes clear the truth is often elusive. No matter how much we triangulate evidence - we can only provide part answers. "All models are wrong, but some are useful" George Box What we think we know and reality diverge leading to that great **paradox of knowledge.** And as the boundary between knowns and unknown converge, we end up with cognitive dissonance and more questions. In that spirit - every credible philosopher & scientist acknowledges - we'll never get to the complete truth but could **experimental methods** get us closer to it? A balanced approach guided by Immanuel Kant's pragmatism and Aristotle's deductive reasoning seems the most rationale framework here but are there any other methodologies? How about the **"spirituality"** toolkit? **=== RENDEZVOUS POINT ===** We will meet in the Penderel's Oak. *283–288 High Holborn, Holborn WC1V 7HP* zone 1 central london so very easy to get to. I'll be wearing a **Starwars identifier** and will share mobile hotline just before event start and table number/location Lucas - The Unenlightened Desperately Seeking Answers

🌄 **Mahashivratri** is one of the largest and most sacred festivals celebrating The Grace of Shiva, who is considered the Adi Guru or the First Guru from whom the Yogic tradition originates. 🪐 On this night, the planetary alignment creates a natural upsurge of energy in the human system. **Staying awake, aware, and upright** through the night is said to be deeply supportive for physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. **All are welcome to join the all night festival across 3 floors** 🎥 Celebrations from the Isha Yoga Centre streamed all night in the Main Hall ❤️ 6pm-7pm Miracle of Mind Session in the West Studio 🥁 Live music in the West Studio 🧘🏼‍♂️ Meditations & Chanting 🍜 Pot Luck Dinner & Refreshments in the Colet Cafe 🔥 **Stay until 6am, take Monday off work, and let's make it a night to remember!** 🔗 **Register here:** https://isha.co/msr-london

meet here White Hart Pub https://maps.app.goo.gl/j1ayyrNH51uug2gC9 Following on from the highly successful "Morality Curry" back in Nov, we are continuing the series of curry-night chaats with a discussion on mortality. We're only here once (or are we?) so what better way to spend some of that time than over some madras, vindaloo or even phall and get to the crux of matters. We'll meet first in the White Hart and then go to a restaurant on Brick Lane... Some of the questions we'll be discussing: * When did mortality first feel real? * If you had a guaranteed 90 healthy year would you plan life differently? * Is a shorter meaningful life better than a long comfortable one? * Is it better to be remembered, or to be fully present while you’re alive? * We delay living - but for what, exactly? *The event is free - you just need to pay for your food and drink.* *Last time we negotiated a £20 meal deal on Brick Lane which included a starter, main course, side-dish, rice, bread and a beer!*

This **MahaShivratri**, take part in the **Miracle of Mind Experience** A one hour session structured by **Sadhguru**, led by a teacher 🌏 Participate in a global movement for inner well-being ⚡️ Learn simple yet powerful practice to enhance your life **Session followed by:** 🍜 A home cooked meal 🥁 Live music 🔥 MahaShivratri celebrations ...if you wish to stay for the rest of the evening 🔗 **Register Online** To attend the sesssion register for Mahashivratri and arrive by 6pm for the Miracle of Mind Session https://isha.co/msr-london

A half-day gathering of embodiment & authentic connection in West London. Workshops, ecstatic dance, sound journey & community social space **CONNECTIVAL UK** **Connection, Emodiment, Ecstatic Dance & Community in the Heart of London** **📍 The Amadeus, Maida Vale, West London** **📅 Sunday 15 February** **⏰ 3:00–8:00pm** **🔞 18\+ \| Sober Event** **Hosted by Ecstatic Dance London** **Sign up for updates & discounts:** [https://ecstaticdancelondon.myflodesk.com/we-are-london](https://ecstaticdancelondon.myflodesk.com/we-are-london) **For booking and more info:** [https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1981004496777?aff=oddtdtcreator](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1981004496777?aff=oddtdtcreator) **Why Connectival? And Why London Needs It** London is one of the most vibrant cities in the world, yet many of us feel disconnected, overstimulated, and yearning for genuine human connection. *Connectival, created and hosted by Ecstatic Dance London in collaboration with guest facilitators, is a response to that need.* This gathering (we plan to run this every month) offers practical tools for connection that you can take into everyday life through movement, presence, and authentic conversation. These practices foster deeper relationships with yourself and with others, particularly in a fast-paced city urban environment like our beloved London. Held just after Valentine’s Day, Connectival widens the idea of love beyond romance into something more human and sustainable. Friendship - Community - Expression - Presence, and Belonging. Connectival is rooted in consent, inclusivity, embodied awareness, and respect for boundaries. This is a space to feel safe, welcome, and human. In a city that rarely slows down, Connectival is an invitation to pause, move, and reconnect with yourself and with others. **What Is Connectival?** Connectival is a half-day embodied connection gathering bringing together: • Guided embodiment and connection practices • Authentic relating and verbal connection tools • An extended ecstatic dance journey hosted by Ecstatic Dance London • Sound journey for integration • Spacious time to connect, rest, or simply be All held in a warm, consent-led, agreements-based, connection-positive environment. You are welcome to come alone, with friends, or with a partner. **The Journey & Schedule:** 3:00–3:30pm \| Arrival and Landing Doors open, arrival, and settling into the space. -Upstairs LAND & GROUND: Non-verbal dance/ movement space - feel free to come stretch, move, sit in meditation, do yoga, or just lay on the ground and let the music wash over you. -Downstairs HANG OUT & CHAT: Space to leave bags/ jackets. Hang out, verbal & social space, chai & herbal teas **3:30pm \| Doors Close** **No entrance after 3:30pm to create a safe space for people at the event** **3:30\-4:30pm \| Connectival OPENING CIRCLE** The container begins. We talk through the agreements, offer a consent-based mini-workshop and answer any questions. 4:40–5:40pm \| Parallel Connection Workshops with guest facilitators TBC Facilitated by experienced guest facilitators, to be announced. -Upstairs An embodied connection workshop exploring presence, awareness, and connection through movement. Optional touch may be offered and is always consent-based. -Downstairs An authentic relating workshop offering simple and practical communication and listening practices for real world connection. **5:45–7:30pm \| ECSTATIC DANCE JOURNEY** A long-form ecstatic dance PLUS Cacao Ceremony held by Ecstatic Dance London. Move freely, rest when you need, and express yourself in your own way. Downstairs during the dance A relaxed hangout space with tea and chai, space to chat or rest, a cuddle corner, and optional bodywork such as massage or reflexology, availability permitting. 7:30–7:45pm \| Sound Journey A grounding sound bath to integrate the dance and settle the nervous system. 7:45–8:00pm \| Closing Circle We come back together to land the experience as a group. 8–8:30pm \| Open Connection and Social Time Healthy snacks, herbal teas, conversation, and a gentle transition back into the evening. **Ticket Options** **Choose the experience that fits you best:** • Full experience including workshops and ecstatic dance • Dance only including ecstatic dance, sound journey, and closing circle • Concession tickets with limited availability Please arrive on time for the experience you choose. We also offer limited crew spaces (requirement: you need to have **What to Expect** • A sober and consent led space • Clear and experienced facilitation • Freedom to participate at your own pace • No pressure to dance, talk, or touch • A welcoming and inclusive atmosphere No previous experience with dance or connection practices is needed. **What to Bring** • Comfortable clothes for movement • Layers for warmth and rest • A water bottle • Curiosity and openness Yoga mats and some cushions/ blankets will be provided. **Venue** **The Amadeus** **Maida Vale, West London** **A beautiful venue with wooden floors, underfloor heating, and intimate side spaces, ideal for movement, rest, and connection.**

Acoustic music, poetry and storytelling. Soul Fuel Sunday is a monthly gathering of poets, storytellers and songwriters held at Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel. These intimate, unique evenings are not to be missed, offering audiences the rare opportunity to hear spoken word artists and songwriters perform completely unplugged, supported only by the natural acoustics of our gorgeous neo-Gothic Chapel walls. Each month, experience performances from musical artists interspersed with spoken word, storytelling, poetry and meditations, with singer-songwriter Russell Swallow.

**Honouring the earth** Part 2 of the book club 'Cherishing the Earth' led by Alison Bybee and David Carter. Join us for insightful discussions over tea and cake, as we explore a book that celebrates and reflects on our planet, searching for a spiritual response to the ecological crisis that confronts us all. We will meet on the 3rd Sunday of every month for four months. The book, *Cherishing the Earth – Nourishing the Spirit*, edited by Maria Curtis, presents a range of Unitarian responses to the global environmental crisis. Contributors include ministers, lay people, and children, writing from diverse theological and ethical perspectives, exploring what it might mean to live in right relationship with the Earth. Their insights range from the prophetic and political to the practical and intensely personal, but all share a sense of gratitude for the sacred gift of life. Maria Curtis asks what changes we need to make in ourselves and in our society if we are to work towards healing the Earth and restoring balance to the global ecosystem: *“We need to re-imagine what a healthy relationship between humanity and the natural world might look like, one conducive to the flourishing of all beings onEarth.”* Rev. Dr Maria Curtis is a Unitarian minister with a background in education and psychology. Our four book club sessions: **18th January: Prophetic Voices** **15th February: Honouring the Earth** **15th March: Changing Hearts and Minds** **19th April: Active Hope and Young Voices** Each session will be standalone so that you can attend all, several or just one. We encourage participants to buy or borrow the book and to have read the sections if possible beforehand. **Buy the book: email *[alonghurst@unitarian.org.uk](mailto:alonghurst@unitarian.org.uk)* (£12 plus £3.50 P&P) Subsidised books available by request for those in financial need, just contact: [ministryteam@rosslynhillchapel.org.uk](mailto:ministryteam@rosslynhillchapel.org.uk)** Suggested donation: £10, for those who can afford to make a contribution. We are a registered charity - please give what you can.

Let’s get together and fellowship at this open mic night! It’s a chill event and a great place to meet new people. Feel free to share your talent or even a testimony if you’re moved to 🤗. After the event ends, we’ll head over to the Wegmans in Reston for games! Wegmans- 11950 Hopper St, Reston, VA 20191

Come join us in call and response chanting (kirtan) of ancient mantras! Mantras are melodic phrases in the ancient language of Sanskrit that allow us to travel beyond the incessant ruminations of our mind and touch a part of ourselves that can only be reached by the sound of our own voices. The self calling out to the SELF and being heard! This event is free, but donations are appreciated 🙏🏾 Devadas is a kirtaniya, composer and artist hailing from Brooklyn, New York. He leads kirtans throughout the world and has recorded a wide variety of acclaimed CDs, including his latest releases, 3 Prayers and Radio Nada. In 2012, Devadas collaborated with indie-rock icon J Mascis to produce and record the film score for the feature documentary One Track Heart: The Story of Krishna Das. Devadas produced Nina Rao’s chant album, Antarayaami, and in 2016 launched the Lokah Peace Project, an online and ever-expanding video project aimed at inspiring reflection, empathy and harmony.

We all know about love in our personal relationships, that it’s not just something you think or even say but that it’s something you show by putting what you’re feeling into practice. But what happens when we think about love in a wider context? How do we embrace loving those beyond our existing circles? What about all of humanity? Is it enough to simply feel love for all mankind, or do we also have to seek out ways to put that into practice? This can seem like a daunting task, but even coming together with people of different backgrounds and beliefs and exploring these ideas together in an open and respectful setting can help contribute to creating the world we want to see! Come join a different kind of conversation – one that welcomes every perspective in a search for the truths that unite us all – as we discuss the spiritual perspectives offered by the Bahá’í Teachings on the power of love in action. Join us for a lively discussion as we explore how developing that practice in ourselves and in others can help create the change we want to see in the world. *“Do not be content with showing friendship in words alone, let your heart burn with loving kindness for all who may cross your path.”* – Bahá’í Teachings \*\*\* This event is free and open to all regardless of background or belief. Donations will not be accepted.

✨ Toasty Tea Happy Hour at Rising Phoenix ✨ Join me for a Freya’s Teas Toasty Tea Happy Hour at Rising Phoenix Holistic Center☕🌿 📍 9028 D Prince William St, Manassas, VA 20110 🗓 Friday, February 20 ⏰ 3:00–6:00 pm Come in from the cold and enjoy a cozy tea tasting where I’ll be serving samples of some of my most-loved herbal blends crafted to gently nourish body, mind, and spirit. Freya’s Teas is where herbs, intention, and ritual come together to warm the body and nourish the spirit. Inspired by the Norse goddess of love, beauty, and fertility, my teas are handcrafted herbal and tea blends designed for well being. Stop by anytime between 3 and 6pm, sip something warm, and soak in the beautiful, intentional energy of Rising Phoenix ✨ And if you decide to stay and shop (winky, winky) you will receive 20% off any crystals! Can't wait to see you there! 💚

**Is it unrealistic or even naive to think that we should try to live a virtuous life in today’s world?** **As children we’re taught to be good, to be kind, to be honest. Yet as we get older, some of these virtues get lost or sacrificed for the sake of expediency or convenience, or a sense that they’re just not compatible with the world today. Even worse, some might think it could allow others who don’t hold to these values to take advantage of us. But what is the impact on a society that no longer values these ideals? What is the impact on us as individuals? Can a spiritual perspective help us to recognize the inherent value of these qualities?** **Come join a different kind of conversation – one that welcomes every perspective in a search for the truths that unite us all – as we discuss the spiritual perspectives offered by the Bahá’í Teachings on the importance of nurturing – and valuing! – good people. Join us for a lively discussion as together we explore how developing qualities like truthfulness, integrity, and kindness can enable the progress and improvement of society as a whole.** **“Truthfulness is the foundation of all human virtues.” – Bahá’í Teachings** **\*\*\* The event is free and open to all regardless of background or belief. Donations will not be accepted.**

**\| The Spirituality of Depolarization** *** **In a world increasingly marked by division and conflict, finding common ground has never been more crucial – and seemingly more difficult. At the same time, if we’re willing to go outside of ourselves, there are a growing number of grassroots efforts – thousands in the US alone! – all exploring various means of depolarization. In this context, might there be a role for spirituality to help guide us towards these aims, towards greater empathy and understanding for one another?** **More and more it seems like we can each pick and choose the bubbles we want to live in, with many of those bubbles drifting further away from others. And while there can be comfort to be found in this, are we maybe also missing out on an even better world we could be living in? What would an approach to our lives and our communities look like that speaks to our fundamental commonalities instead of our differences? How might we find and strengthen a common ground that unites while respecting our unique perspectives and contributions? What has the unique power to connect each and every one of us, to help us find that common ground, to better understand and express our essential oneness as human beings?** **Come join a different kind of conversation – one that welcomes every perspective in a search for the truths that unite us all – as we discuss the spiritual perspective offered by the Bahá’í Teachings on the role of spirituality in navigating polarized communities and bridging divides. Join us for a lively discussion as we explore how spirituality can help foster a society strengthened by unity and based on understanding amongst its citizens.** **“So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.” – Bahá’í Teachings** **\*\*\* This event is free and open to all regardless of background or belief. Donations will not be accepted.**