Spirituality

Join the NoVa Psychedelic Meetup group for a chill happy hour and dinner meetup! Come connect with friendly, open-minded people, share conversation, and enjoy a welcoming evening together. Everyone is welcome. This is a great chance to build community, meet others in the area, and enjoy good food and drinks in a casual setting. Feel free to bring a friend. We hope to see you there! **Details:** Date: Tuesday, June 16 Time: 5:55 PM to ? Location: Ozzie's Good Eats 11880 Grand Commons Ave, Fairfax, VA 22030

This is an **event at 1801 Robert Fulton Dr., Reston, VA 20191** (All participants must have RSVP'd). We continue exploring the foundational Buddhist sutra: the **Heart Sutra**. This the shortest sutra but the most fundamental. Our meeting schedule will be as follows: * **40 minutes:** Sitting meditation * **5 minutes:** Break * **45 minutes:** Group discussion of the Heart Sutra. During the sitting meditation session, we will provide you with a non-roller chair (or feel free to bring in your own meditation pad/pillow). If you are a first timer, detailed instructions will be provided when you are here at 1801 Robert Fulton Drive).

Obon is our annual summer Japanese cultural festival. We get together to eat, dance, and laugh as a community as a way to express our joy and gratitude for our loved ones who have passed on before us. Come for our [Japanese “Bon” dancing](https://vimeo.com/726547585), Nen Daiko performance, and delicious desserts, vendors, and children’s activities. Stay for the evening memorial ceremony where we fill our beautiful Japanese garden with hundreds of candles that represent the influences that our departed loved ones had on our lives. This moving tribute is a fitting way to end the day spent with friends, families and neighbors. Guests should note that tickets will only be sold [online](https://ekoji-buddhist-temple.square.site/product/2025-ekoji-obon-festival-admission-tickets/64?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=2OUGY7WDGU2LLSFJ7T6IQPB6) as attendance is limited by county regulations. Tickets will be sold ONLINE ONLY and go on sale May 1 (for EKOJI members) and May 15 (for the public). For more information, to pre-order tickets, food, or candles, or to sign up to volunteer at the event, please visit [www.ekoji.org](www.ekoji.org).

Namaste and Blessings! Girish is touring the USA this summer and will be coming to our area on June 22 at a private residence in Bethesda MD - not to be missed. Monday June 22 at 7 pm. Here is the link: [https://girishmusic.ticketspice.com/girish-kirtan-concert-in-bethesday](https://girishmusic.ticketspice.com/girish-kirtan-concert-in-bethesday) Donation is $25 in advance, $30 at the door All are invited, all are welcome

**Hi Everyone!** The DMV Nonduality Community (https://www.meetup.com/dmv-nonduality-community) is doing something a little different from their usual gatherings. On Sunday morning, June 21st, doors open at 10:30 AM for the meditation. We will explore the pathless path to spiritual awakening and enlightenment. In person, Jeff will be leading us through his Effortless Meditation & Beyond in our home. After the meditation, we can share our experiences of the meditation and, possibly, talk about what it's like to live an Awakened life. **EM&B is a unique, effortless, simple, direct, quick and effective tool:** 1. **to experience MUCH less anxiety, frustration, depression, stress and suffering due just to daily living and due to intensely life-long emotional issues** 2. **to experience MORE and MORE inner Peace, Joy, Freedom, Love, Compassion, Appreciation, Gratitude** 3. **to directly realize Spiritual Awakening \~ your True Self...** Jeff has taught EM&B to small and large groups for over 19 years. In addition, he served as a volunteer when he taught EM&B to inmates at a local jail for over 13 years. The results were remarkable! Generally, inmates experience enormous amount of frustration, anger, sadness, depression, anxiety and fear about things they have no control over on the outside, as well as concerns for themselves inside. Through EM&B, many experienced deep Peace... In April 2019, Jeff received an Excellence award for "Outstanding Volunteer" from the Montgomery County Correctional Facility. Come connect with like-minded individuals from the DMV area and embark on an experiential journey of discovery of who we **really** are. **We're looking forward to being with you.** **Take care in This Peace and Compassion,** Jeff & Julie Address: 3 Briardale Ct. Rockville/Derwood, MD 20855 Plenty of parking on one side of Briardale Ct. or any space not marked "Reserved." 301-885-8259

Is there hidden value in the difficulties and hardships of life, or are these things just to try to get past as quickly as possible? If so, how can we emerge from the current world crisis we are facing as stronger, more resilient individuals and communities? When we look at the difficult moments of our lives, aren’t those often the times when we grew the most? So many valuable lessons in life and growth opportunities are hard-won, often coming out of these trying moments. So why are we so focused on avoiding these difficulties? From this perspective, how would we as individuals and as a society confront the inevitable struggles we will be faced with? How can we build stronger communities that ensure not only that we don’t have to face struggles alone, but that we as individuals will emerge stronger as well? 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 opportunity for growth during times of struggle. Join us for a lively discussion as we reflect on the meaning of the struggles of life and explore the true nature of progress. *“The troubles of this world pass and what we have left is what we have made of our souls.*” – Bahá’í Teachings \*\*\* This event is free and open to all regardless of background or belief. Donations will not be accepted.

Click here to Register/RSVP: https://online.innerengineering.com/en/event-details/24199 Isha Kriya is a free guided meditation that takes only 12-18 minutes and can be easily practiced at home, work, or anywhere else. This meditation is designed to promote clarity, health, and joy, and its simplicity and effectiveness make it a truly special experience. Through regular practice, Isha Kriya can offer the following benefits: Decreased stress and negative emotions Enhanced clarity Heightened focus and energy Greater sense of peace and joy Duration: 60 minutes Open to all aged 12+ (Minors between 12-17 must be accompanied by an adult).