Self-Knowledge

Discover the path to stress management, life's tranquility, and self-improvement through Heartfulness Meditation. Embrace relaxation, meditation, and emotional detoxification practices to unlock your best self. Join our free sessions every Wednesday at 730 PM at MD. Experience the profound benefits of these simple yet powerful practices. Commit to a few months of meditation and witness the transformative impact firsthand. We eagerly await your presence at these enlightening sessions.

📚 Do you love reading, but wish you had a structure and a community to share your insights with? Join our small circle of curious minds (just 4 members per gathering) as we come together for an hour of focused reading—in the calm setting of a library or the cozy atmosphere of a café. Here’s how it works: First part: Quiet reading on your own—bring a book you’re exploring, whether it’s philosophy, history, psychology, literature, or anything meaningful to you. Second part: We regroup and each person shares key takeaways, insights, or questions sparked by their reading. This sparks a structured yet free-flowing conversation around ideas, perspectives, and personal reflections. Why join? Add structure to your reading habit. Discover new books, authors, and ideas through others’ choices. Build real connections by sharing and listening deeply. Socialize around something meaningful instead of small talk.

At this event you'll discover how to better understand and control your subconscious mind, helping you overcome doubts and fears. If you have anger issues, depressions and anxieties. this event will show you how to overcome them.

At this event you'll discover how to better understand and control your subconscious mind, helping you overcome doubts and fears. If you have anger issues, depressions and anxieties. this event will show you how to overcome them.

We do the Unlimited bowling for $21.99 shoes included. You can bowl as many games as you like.

At this event you'll discover how to better understand and control your subconscious mind, helping you overcome doubts and fears. If you have anger issues, depressions and anxieties. this event will show you how to overcome them.

If you’ve been feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or just a little “muted,” tonight is your invitation to turn the volume back up. Tonight we’re joined by **Reba Corrine Thomas**, celebrity “Sexpert” seen on TLC’s *90 Day Fiancé: The Last Resort*, for a bold and empowering conversation: **Power & Pleasure: Reviving Your Sensual Self**. Through her signature CPR Framework, Reba will guide us in reconnecting to our bodies, reclaiming our confidence, and embracing pleasure as power. This is your space to release shame, stop living on mute, and step fully into your authentic self, unapologetically. Whether you’ve already registered or are joining us for the first time, we’re glad you’re here. Click [here](meet.google.com/qmn-jjzf-jku) to join! Constance Marie www.sistahood.us

Just Enjoy Self Care is your invitation to slow down, reset, and pour back into yourself. Reconnect and recharge with your pole & aerial buddies! And bring your whole crew -- no pole/aerial experience needed! Flow through our self-care stations including making DIY Body Scrubs, Open Pole Flow, Vision Board & Journaling. Plus, treat yourself to an optional MASSAGE with our professional masseuse. No pressure, no performance-just space to reset and enjoy yourself. Last weekend was about loving others. This weekend is about loving yourself! Tickets also available on Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/just-enjoy-self-care-tickets-1981395346820?aff=oddtdtcreator

Discover the path to stress management, life's tranquility, and self-improvement through Heartfulness Meditation. Embrace relaxation, meditation, and emotional detoxification practices to unlock your best self. Join our free sessions every Sunday at 8 AM and Wednesday at 7 / 7:30 PM at various centers in MD and VA. Experience the profound benefits of these simple yet powerful practices. Commit to a few months of meditation and witness the transformative impact firsthand. We eagerly await your presence at these enlightening sessions.

Details Location: Crimson Whiskey Bar (Downstairs Bar, Not Rooftop) The purpose of Thinkers and Drinkers is to facilitate casual but meaningful and interesting conversations with other people in a face-to-face setting. The topics cover a wide variety of issues and are different for every meeting. While conversations may get heated at times, we ask that all members be respectful of each other and refrain from personal insults. Topic: Trust in Institutions Across much of the world, trust in major institutions, including government, media, corporations, courts, universities, and science, appears to be shifting. Surveys often show declining confidence in public institutions, while at the same time people continue to rely on them for stability, information, and coordination. Recent years have included disputed elections, misinformation concerns, public health crises, economic disruptions, and rapid technological change. These events have raised difficult questions about credibility, legitimacy, and accountability. Some argue that skepticism toward institutions is healthy in a democracy, encouraging transparency and reform. Others worry that widespread distrust can weaken social cohesion and make collective problem solving nearly impossible. Major surveys and studies on institutional trust include: • Pew Research Center, Public Trust in Government: https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2024/04/30/public-trust-in-government-1958-2024/ • Edelman Trust Barometer (annual global survey): https://www.edelman.com/trust/trust-barometer • Gallup, Confidence in Institutions: https://news.gallup.com/poll/1597/confidence-institutions.aspx • World Values Survey, Trust indicators across countries: https://www.worldvaluessurvey.org Historically, periods of low institutional trust have sometimes preceded major reforms or political realignments, while in other cases they have contributed to instability or authoritarian backlash. Understanding when distrust is justified, and when it becomes dangerous, remains an open question. Questions to Consider • What factors most strongly shape trust in institutions, performance, transparency, shared identity, or something else? • Is declining trust primarily a problem, or can it be a healthy corrective? • Are some institutions, such as courts, science, or local government, more deserving of baseline trust than others? • How should societies respond when large portions of the public lose faith in elections, media, or public health guidance? • Can trust be rebuilt once it is lost, and if so, how? • Does technology, especially social media and AI, strengthen or weaken institutional legitimacy?

**✅ First class is FREE – only 10 spots available!** Learn real self-defense skills in a small-group setting. No experience needed, open to all adults. 📲 RSVP now and text Jim at **301-326-9146** to confirm—once spots are gone, they’re gone. *** ## **Free Intro Self-Defense Class – Maryland Systema** Want to learn how to protect yourself while also improving your health, focus, and confidence? Join us for a free first class at **Maryland Systema**, a unique approach to self-defense that blends both physical and mental training. *** ### **Why This Class is Different** Unlike most programs that only teach physical moves, Systema trains your body **and** your mind. You’ll explore: * **Structure** – staying balanced under pressure * **Breathing** – keeping calm and controlling fear * **Relaxation** – avoiding panic and wasted energy * **Movement** – adapting naturally to any situation You’ll also learn to read an attacker’s intentions and respond proportionately—aligned with Maryland’s self-defense laws. *** ### **What You’ll Gain** ✔ Practical skills you can use right away ✔ Better stress control and awareness ✔ Improved strength, mobility, and coordination ✔ Confidence in handling real-world situations *** ### **Class Info** 📍 **Location:** Dance Exchange, Takoma Park (free parking) 🕒 **Length:** 1.5 hours 👥 **Small Group:** Max 10 students for personalized guidance 👖 **What to Wear:** Comfortable long pants and clothes you can move in 💵 **Cost:** Free for first-time students *** ### **How to Join** RSVP here on Meetup to save your spot, then text Jim at **301-326-9146** to confirm. Spots are limited—once the group fills, we close registration. *** **Maryland Systema** Real-world self-defense training for adults—helping you stay ready, stay calm, and stay safe.

**Life** Blaise Pascal was born in 1623 in the Auvergne region of France. His father was an expert mathematician and member of the *noblesse de robe* (a designation for high-level bureaucrats). His mother died when Pascal was only three. Under his father’s anti-scholastic and modern approach, Pascal read widely but idiosyncratically in law, the Bible, Church Fathers, science, and, eventually, mathematics—but relatively little in literature. By his teens, his father had introduced Pascal to the group of intellectuals associated with Père Marin Mersenne. He suffered medical issues from a young age and throughout his life and was for some time under the care of one of his sisters. He was, for example, too ill personally to conduct his famous experiment on Puy-de-Dôme that provided evidence that air pressure differs at different elevations. He had a deeply mystical or religious experience (“Night of Fire”) on the evening of November 23, 1654, after which he renounced his mathematical and scientific pursuits in favor of religious pursuits. He had notes from the Night of Fire sown into his jacket. He died at only 39 in 1662. **Themes** While Pascal did not invent the triangle named for him (it had been known not only to Chinese, Indian, and Islamic scholars but also European ones), he studied it and showed some of its properties. In physics, he did experiments with mercury demonstrating that air pressure varied with elevation and studied hydraulics, giving us what is now called Pascal’s law. He was one of the first to devise a working calculating machine, several of which still exist, creating three versions for different uses. As might be expected from someone of such evident skill in math and science, he did not care much for Aristotelian approaches, such as essences, form, and matter. Pascal as philosopher presents some problems. In the first place, his non-scientific writings had the avowed purpose of promoting Christianity and, at times, Jansenism. His most famous work, *Pensées*, was not published in his lifetime but rather arranged by family and associates after his death based on written notes supposedly but not definitively intended for a work of Christian apologetics. But the psychological insights of the Pensées, and its clear and sharp style, have perhaps against his own wishes established Pascal as some sort of philosopher, if not a proto-(Christian) Existentialist. His attacks on the power and utility of reason are ironically almost coeval with the start of the European Enlightenment. Among his more famous ideas is that the heart has its reasons that the mind knows not of and discussing belief in God in terms of a wager. Is Pascal’s Wager a joke, taking to humorous extremes techniques of probability he had had a hand in developing? Or is he serious, aiming to show that reason fails when it comes to life’s most consequential decisions? Or is the Wager meant to offer reasoned support for a prior, non-rational embrace of God? We’ll discuss these and other questions to try to understand Pascal’s contributions to philosophy and what insights he can offer today. **Reading** Our readings for this month are *Pensées* and selections from *Discussion with Monsieur de Sacy*, the *Art of Persuasion,* and *Writings on Grace*. These can all be found in an edition from [Oxford University Press](https://global.oup.com/academic/product/penses-and-other-writings-9780199540365?cc=us&lang=en&). **Optional** * [Blasie Pascal, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy](https://iep.utm.edu/pascal-b/) * [Pascal's Wager, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy](https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/pascal-wager/) * [Lettres Provinciales, Wikisource](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Lettres_Provinciales) * [Prayer, to Ask of God the Proper Use of Sickness, Wikisource](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Blaise_Pascal/Prayer,_to_Ask_of_God_the_Proper_Use_of_Sickness) **References for Pascal's Contributions to Math and Science** * [Pascal's Triangle: What It Is and How to Use It, Science Notes](https://sciencenotes.org/pascals-triangle/) * [Pascaline (Calculator), Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascaline) * [Pascal's Law, Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal%27s_law) * [Pascal's Theorem (Geometry), Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal%27s_theorem)

# **Unlocking Flow: Aligning with Your Natural Rhythm** ### **Step into ease, creativity, and conscious momentum.** Flow is the state where effort meets ease, and time seems to dissolve. This workshop explores how to access and sustain flow in your daily life by aligning with your natural rhythms, mentally, emotionally, and energetically. Through movement, breathwork, and mindful awareness, you'll learn how to cultivate flow states that support creativity, productivity, and spiritual alignment. **Key Takeaways:** * Understand the science and spirituality of flow states * Identify your personal rhythm and energy cycles * Learn practices to enter and sustain flow * Enhance creativity, focus, and inner harmony Saturday, Feb. 21st, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm. Held at Meditation Museum, 9525 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD Free Event – Register at: [https://shorturl.at/6wKXS](https://shorturl.at/6wKXS)

● Are you looking for a moment of peace in the middle of a busy world? ● Would you like a simple way to reconnect with divine love, clarity, and inner guidance? ● Curious about spirituality—but not sure where to begin? You are warmly invited to a spiritual gathering. Join us from the comfort of your own home or in person and experience the sacred sound of HU. HU helps to open the heart and bring a sense of peace, comfort, love, and inner guidance. Please invite friends, family, or anyone who has an interest in spirituality. Free to attend, with no obligation or commitment. **What to Expect:** ● A short reading ● Gentle singing of HU (or you may simply listen) ● Quiet reflection ● Spiritual Conversation Join us in-person at the Central Maryland ECK Center, 1738 Elton Rd., Suite 104, Silver Spring, MD 20903. Or Online at [THE SOUND OF SOUL EVENT](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89597899210?pwd=reKwx1zJtFNylttx8N4LKs3zYJN7a3.1) Meeting ID: 895 9789 9210 Passcode: 978196 Phone: 301-715-8592 For local information, call: 301-439-2120 Presented by the MD & DC Satsang Societies, Inc., Chartered Affiliates of Eckankar. Copyright © 2026 ECKANKAR. The terms ECKANKAR, ECK, EK, MAHANTA, SOUL TRAVEL, and VAIRAGI, among others, are trademarks of ECKANKAR, PO Box 2000, Chanhassen, MN 55317-2000 U.S.A.

Discover the path to stress management, life's tranquility, and self-improvement through Heartfulness Meditation. Embrace relaxation, meditation, and emotional detoxification practices to unlock your best self. Join our free sessions every Sunday at 8 AM at VA. Experience the profound benefits of these simple yet powerful practices. Commit to a few months of meditation and witness the transformative impact firsthand. We eagerly await your presence at these enlightening sessions.

*theme:* **DIY Group Psychoanalysis "Deeper Listening, Awareness, Case Study Mindset"** Psychoanalysis "unlocks the past, informs the present, and expands the future. video clips: **Psychoanalytic SPIDER framework for listening 23min** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znUgyRsN0nk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znUgyRsN0nk) **Psychoanalytic theory in 3 minutes** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucB1b6f750k](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucB1b6f750k) **Psychoanalysis A Curiosity about the mind 6min** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcmVjQBF4MQ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcmVjQBF4MQ) Psychoanalysis = a theory and practice treating symptoms and personality as **disguised compromises** around unconscious conflicts, using a structured relationship (transference) to make those patterns visible so you can **repeat less blindly** and **choose a bit more freely**. "Until you ***make the unconscious conscious***, it will direct your life and you will call it fate." Carl Jung \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Interpersonal Process Group** **Psychodynamic shared exploration, learning and growth** Interpersonal process groups focus on the interactions and dynamics between group members to facilitate personal growth and learning. These groups provide a courageous space for individuals to explore their interpersonal patterns, receive feedback, and develop more effective social skills. **The core principle is that the group itself becomes a microcosm of a member's real-life relationships, allowing for insights and behavioral changes.** Key aspects of interpersonal process groups: * **Exploration of Interpersonal Dynamics:** Members examine their communication styles, relationship patterns, and how they relate to others within the group. * **Feedback and Self-Awareness:** The group provides a platform for members to receive feedback on their behaviors and develop greater self-awareness. * **Development of Social Skills:** Members practice new ways of relating, communicating, and collaborating within the group, leading to improved social skills. * **Microcosm of Relationships:** The group mirrors real-life relationships, allowing members to observe and analyze their patterns in a safe and controlled setting. * **Personal Growth and Well-being:** Through these processes, individuals can experience significant personal growth and enhanced well-being. Benefits of participating in an interpersonal process group: * **Increased self-awareness:** Understanding one's own behavior and its impact on others. * **Improved communication skills:** Learning to communicate more effectively and assertively. * **Stronger relationships:** Developing more fulfilling and meaningful relationships. * **Reduced anxiety and stress:** Finding support and coping mechanisms for social challenges. * **Enhanced empathy and understanding:** Learning to see situations from others' perspectives. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Join us for an exciting meeting of personal growth as we delve deep into the realm of self-development. This meetup is designed for personal growth addicts like you who are eager to unlock their hidden potential and take charge of their lives. Don't miss this chance to meet fellow personal growth enthusiasts, share experiences, and learn from one another. Step into a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and transformation. Come prepared to engage in provocative conversations, share your opinions, wrestle with challenging ideas, and leave with a renewed sense of deeper meaning and learning. **Tentative Agenda:** 1:00pm Social, Setup & Introductions, guidelines, terminology; 1:15pm Interactive open dialogue conversation & sharing; 2:45pm debrief, summary, debrief 3:00pm finish Light snacks, water & hot tea provided. Tysons-Pimmit Library is on Leesburg Pike (Rt 7) in Falls Church, VA off I-495 beltway exit 47. **Meeting room #2** is down 1st left hallway, on left side across from the bathrooms.

***“I am struck with how rare it is to find a few good friends on the path. It is easy to find people who simply want to sit and be entertained by teachers, or who want to sit and entertain by playing the role of teacher. In other words, the quest for affirmation often outweighs the quest for truth.*** ***Yet you may have one or two good friends, and definitely have one or two waiting to be discovered. Find them; be thankful.”*** ***— Shawn Nevins*** 'What will make me happy in life?' ... 'Am I my thoughts?' ... 'What is Enlightenment?' ... We meet every week to ask questions like these in the pursuit of Self-Knowledge and Truth. We are interested in topics like: Zen, stoicism, spirituality, psychology, mindfulness, Nisargadatta, non-violent communication, Socrates, existential philosophy, Alan Watts, taoism, Eckhart Tolle, meditation, Ramana Maharshi, etc. But we are not affiliated with any dogma, philosophy, or religion. Our goal each meeting is to serve as mirrors for one another using question-based inquiry in a safe environment. In a session, every participant takes turns discussing the week's question or topic, and the group asks reflective questions without any agenda besides trying to understand the person's beliefs. A few other guiding principles of our group: * No one is obligated to share * Be honest with yourself and others * Do not try to convince others to believe or think as you do * Keep the focus on the person being questioned We meet at the [Bethesda Library](https://maps.app.goo.gl/GWMozF8zpY1m1PY26) every Monday. The library is a 5 minute walk from the Bethesda Metro on the Red Line, approx 25 minute Metro ride from Metro Center and Gallery Place stations. The library has a a parking lot with metered parking for $1/hour. \*\*\* WE WILL BE IN MEETING ROOM 3 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED ----- THE MEETING ROOM IS IN THE BACK OF THE LIBRARY \*\*\* Please contact us with any questions!

This is introductory meditation for people who wants to learn basics of meditation. It's a free event held every week and everyone is welcome to join.

**✅ First class is FREE – only 10 spots available!** Learn real self-defense skills in a small-group setting. No experience needed, open to all adults. 📲 RSVP now and text Jim at **301-326-9146** to confirm—once spots are gone, they’re gone. ## **Free Intro Self-Defense Class – Maryland Systema** Want to learn how to protect yourself while also improving your health, focus, and confidence? Join us for a free first class at **Maryland Systema**, a unique approach to self-defense that blends both physical and mental training. *** ### **Why This Class is Different** Unlike most programs that only teach physical moves, Systema trains your body **and** your mind. You’ll explore: * **Structure** – staying balanced under pressure * **Breathing** – keeping calm and controlling fear * **Relaxation** – avoiding panic and wasted energy * **Movement** – adapting naturally to any situation You’ll also learn to read an attacker’s intentions and respond proportionately—aligned with Maryland’s self-defense laws. *** ### **What You’ll Gain** ✔ Practical skills you can use right away ✔ Better stress control and awareness ✔ Improved strength, mobility, and coordination ✔ Confidence in handling real-world situations *** ### **Class Info** 📍 **Location:** Woodley Gardens Park in the brick building (free parking) 🕒 **Length:** 1.5 hours 👥 **Small Group:** Max 10 students for personalized guidance 👖 **What to Wear:** Comfortable long pants and clothes you can move in 💵 **Cost:** Free for first-time students *** ### **How to Join** RSVP here on Meetup to save your spot, then text Jim at **301-326-9146** to confirm. Spots are limited—once the group fills, we close registration. *** **Maryland Systema** Real-world self-defense training for adults—helping you stay ready, stay calm, and stay safe.

⚡ **Reset your mindset. Meet someone unexpected. Walk away with new clarity.** Join us for a free, small-group event held in our **Startup Garage** — a **spacious, bright, comfortable living-room style space** inside a single-family home. Think couches, coffee, and real conversation — **not an actual garage 😊** 🔁 You’ll be **paired** with different attendees throughout the event for short, energizing rounds — each sparked by a simple **opening line** designed to make you laugh, reflect, and think bigger about what comes next. You won’t just talk about what’s behind you — You’ll begin to **picture what’s ahead** in a way that actually excites you. *** **☕ Coffee and snacks are on me.** Just show up with a curious mind — and a willingness to laugh. We’ll guide you through questions that blend **wisdom and humor** — the kind that help you see your story through a new lens. *** **🔍 What You’ll Experience** • One-on-one rounds to explore purpose, identity, and new possibilities • Light, energizing activities designed to shift your mindset in under 10 minutes • Fresh insights from people you’ve never met — but may never forget • A laid-back, thoughtful space to connect without pressure *** **💼 Who It’s For** • Divorced/Separated or midlife professionals figuring out what’s next • Entrepreneurs, builders, and creatives in a season of reinvention • Men and women who prefer **meaningful conversation** over surface level talk Whether you’re starting over, scaling up, or just ready for something more aligned — this space is for you. *** 📊 *Most attendees are in their 30s, 40s, or 50s — navigating life and growth with curiosity, clarity, and a sense of humor.* 🛋️ **Hosted in a spacious living-room setting** inside a single-family home (Ashburn). Full address shared after RSVP. 🌐 Explore more: [https://midlifereinvention.co](https://midlifereinvention.co) 🎥 Curious about the 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 vs 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰 concept before attending? Here’s a short 10-minute explanation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtgoDgqppGI&feature=youtu.be

Dear all, This meditation session is for folks that have already attended the beginner and intermediate levels. Please confirm with your instructor before joining this session. We are having this mediation from 9-10am. Looking forward to meeting you in person and online https://us06web.zoom.us/j/7551126133?pwd=TmJVc3VnQlUvVU9qUzBPdU1SaWRqUT09 Directions : From Stoneridge on Rt 50 come past Rt 28, turn right on Sullyfield, it is on left past Westmorefield Dr. From Fair Oaks, take left on Sullyfield after crossing Walney and it is on Left after crossing Westmorefield