Virtual Reality (VR)

This is a shared journey into healing sound, where we relax, connect, and create something beautiful together💫 **1\. Guided Sound Bath \+ Gentle Movement** We’ll begin with a calm, immersive sound bath using healing instruments to help you settle in, slow down, and tune into the space. **2\. Healing Instrument Exploration** You’ll have time to try Tibetan singing bowls, crystal bowls, handpan, and chimes, exploring their sounds and vibrations in your own way. No pressure, just curiosity. **3\. Group Sound Creation** We’ll come together to create a shared “healing piece,” layering sounds and building an immersive sound bath as a group. **4\. Recording the Sound** We’ll record what we create so you can take it home and use it later for sleep, relaxation, focus, or winding down at the end of the day. **Where we meet:** We’ll meet at my studio in Richmond, located in a residential building just off Burnley Street. When you arrive, head up the stairs to **Level 1**. The studio is in **Unit 7**. **How to get here:** 5 minutes walk from tram 48/75, 10 minutes walk from tram 70 and Burnley Station. Street parking available. **Knowledge required:** Suitable for everyone, no experience needed. **What to bring:** Just yourself 😊 Instruments, mats, blankets, pillows, and eye masks are all provided. You’re welcome to bring your own healing instruments to share, or your own mat if you prefer! **Contact:** Call/text 0433921416 if you're lost or wanna chat.

**Music Soothes the Savage Beast** How do we measure the affect of a person and their work on people? How did Mozart affect his generation and future generations? What is Elvis’ affect? Why is Taylor Swift so popular? **1\. Music and affect** Read part of the article by Reimer. “When I was sixteen, a junior in high school in Brooklyn, I auditioned for the City High School Band of New York and was placed as first chair clarinet. First rehearsal, a piece we played (I don't remember what it was except that it was new to me) had a long, melodic clarinet solo, with accompaniment. When we finished playing it the director stopped the band and said, "Very nice, first clarinet. Let's do it again, this time with more feeling." Reimer, B. (2004). Once More with Feeling: Reconciling Discrepant Accounts of Musical Affect. In Source: *Philosophy of Music Education Review* (Vol. 12, Issue 1). [https://about.jstor.org/terms](https://about.jstor.org/terms) 1. What does it mean to “Play with Feeling”? 2. Which music has moved you? Was it how it was played, the person playing it or the music itself? 3. What sort of emotion did you feel when moved by music, can you label the emotion? **2\. Mozart and Affect** Clip from Amadeus Film [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKRened1Fik](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKRened1Fik) 0:00- 3:00 - 7:20- end 1. What were your impressions of the person of Mozart versus the music of Mozart? 2. What emotions were present in the room? 3. What context did knowing that Salieri was the court composer and the king himself playing the music have on the affect/feeling in the room? **3\. Theories of The “Mozart Effect” [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLASrOujkGw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLASrOujkGw)** a) Why do you think people thought Mozart made people smarter? b) Has music ever contributed to better study or cognitive effects for you? c) Why do we feel that classical music is more “virtuous” than pop or rock music? **4\. Elvis \- clip from a Ed Sullivan** Video 1: Ed Sullivan Performance [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNYWl13IWhY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNYWl13IWhY) Video 2: Cultural impact of Elvis’ performance [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLISRukZc10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLISRukZc10) 1. What is the initial response to Elvis’ presence and performance? 2. What is the audience response to his introduction to the song? 3. What moral and cultural rules did Elvis break? **5.a Cardigan Music video** **[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-a8s8OLBSE ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-a8s8OLBSE)** **5.b Article** “We’re in a log cabin replete with open fire, the kind of warm Romantic environment where one imagines Thoreau writing into the evening. On the wall hangs a faded portrait beside an oil painting of a rustic country cottage. It’s early in the morning, or late at night, and a singer, wearing what appears to be an antebellum nightdress, is serenading us on a battered old piano, before suddenly she opens the top of the instrument and climbs in, all the time enveloped in an enchanted golden powder. She reappears in a mythic forest imbued with vivid green hues and vibrant, saturated moss. We’re watching the music video for Taylor Swift’s first single “cardigan,” from her 2020 album folklore.1 Like Lewis Carrol’s Alice or the children in C.S. Lewis’s Narnia, Swift opens the piano lid and enters another world (Figure 1). The fantastical folkloric quality of this setting in the Arcadian woods, what Vernallis would call the “implied geography of the video” (258), is rein­forced by emotive lighting and majestic waterfalls (Figure 2). Next, the piano stool acts as a portal, transporting Swift to sea, the instrument itself acting as life raft in a scene not unlike one from James Cameron’s Titanic (1997), before finally taking her home. The drenched protagonist comforts herself with the eponymous cardigan upon her return, in a significant teleological moment of audio-visual synchronization (Figure 3). What is being mediated here? Why this turn to folklore and indie-folk esthetics in Swift’s work? I suggest that this single and, indeed, the album folklore provide a peak example of a societal search for foundations during the pandemic”. McGrath, J. (2023). The Return to Craft: Taylor Swift, Nostalgia, and Covid-19. *Popular Music and Society*, 46(1), 70–84. [https://doi.org/10.1080/03007766.2022.2156761](https://doi.org/10.1080/03007766.2022.2156761) 1. What is Swift evoking in her video? Do you agree with McGrath that she's evoking a sense of a more magical world? 2. Why do you think this song had such an impact during the pandemic? 3. Does Swift remind you of other artists or evoke another time that's nostalgic to you? **Afterparty** What is your favourite music? Do you use music to soothe yourself or psyche yourself up to anything? Think of powerful songs that have stayed with you for a long time. Why do you think they have stayed with you?

Join us for some games of (Japanese) Riichi Mahjong at Good Games Box Hill. We welcome beginners and seasoned players alike; let us know ahead of time if you are a beginner. We play with WRC rules with red fives. Please see the following website for more information regarding rules ([https://www.worldriichi.org/wrc-rules](https://www.worldriichi.org/wrc-rules)). Games are timed at 75 minutes + 1 additional hand and scores are tracked on https://scores.vicriichi.org/. Estimated start time for games: \- 12:45pm \- 2:15pm \- 3:45pm Have the best 10 consecutive games between 1 May 2026 and 31 July 2026 to earn a $50 gift card to spend at Good Games! Entry fee: $5. If paying by cash, please pay at the counter. This money is used to pay for our use of the store space, maintaining equipment and other meetup services, and organising larger events open to everyone! Please change your RSVP to not going if you're no longer able to attend. This will give the next person on the waitlist the opportunity to attend. There is free parking available in the Care Park on Watts St next to the store. Want to support Victorian Riichi Mahjong and receive exclusive benefits? Then become an official member! For $30/year, members receive an extensive benefits package that includes: -Eligibility to discuss and vote on Club matters during live Club meetings, and to vote and run for Leadership Officer positions. -Complimentary Vic Riichi merchandise every membership year. -Early access and discounted entry fees for events and tournaments. -Mahjong coaching, workshops, study sessions, and online log reviews. -Access to exclusive members-only merchandise and events. -Access to meetup benefits such as discounted loyalty cards. Please see [here](https://www.vicriichi.org/membership) for more info! If you would like to connect with other Victorian/Australian Riichi Mahjong players online, check out our website, [https://www.vicriichi.org](https://www.vicriichi.org), and join the [Victorian Riichi Mahjong Association (VRMA)](https://vicriichi.org/discord) and [Australian Riichi Mahjong Association (ARMA)](https://discord.gg/m8rYv4fS4F) Discord groups!

**English for Beginners (A1–B2): Casual Speaking Meetup** （※Mainly for people in their late teens to 20s） • You understand English… but can’t reply? • You studied for years… but still can’t speak? • You feel nervous speaking English? You’re not alone You just need a place to try This meetup is for beginners who want to actually SPEAK. ✨ Small group (4–10 people) ✨ Friendly & relaxed atmosphere ⸻ **✨ What makes this different?** We don’t just chat randomly. Everyone gets a chance to speak! • Level-based groups (A1–B2) • Pair conversations (10 min each) • New partner every round • Simple question sheets No one is left out :) ⸻ **No pressure, no judgement** Mistakes are OK ‍♂️ Speak slowly, use gestures or a translator You WILL speak — even a little! And you might actually enjoy it ⸻ **How it works (1 hour)** • Short intro • 3 rounds of pair conversations • Free chat at the end Speak a little or a lot — both are okay! ⸻ **Who is it for?** • English learners (A1–B2) • International students / working holiday • Anyone who feels shy speaking English • Young adults (around 18–30) ⸻ **About the host** Hi, I’m Yuki I also struggled to speak English before. So I created this space where beginners can feel safe and try. ⸻ **When & Where** Saturday 11:00–12:00 — Meeting Room 1 - Library at The Dock **Free (just buy a drink)** ⸻ ✨ Just come, try, and enjoy! See you there :)

Join **RMIT Pickleball Club x RUMA** for a fun, social round robin pickleball session with snacks and prizes! We’ll provide paddles, balls, basic coaching, and plenty of social games. Come along, meet new people, and try one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. **What’s included:** * 3-hour pickleball session * Beginner coaching * Paddle and ball hire * Social games with RMIT Pickleball Club and RUMA members * Snacks Purchase ticket: * [RMIT Pickleball Club membership](https://store.rmit.edu.au/pages/club/pickleball) (only if you don't have it already) * [Session ticket link](https://store.rmit.edu.au/products/saturday-afternoon-pickleball-16-may-2026) ($10) - You must be RSVP'd as GOING on Meetup, or your session ticket will not be valid.

Join us every first and third Saturday of the month to learn about Theosophical principles and how we may apply them to our lives. From its inception in 1875, the Theosophical Society encouraged study of the Ageless Wisdom to discover enduring religious Truth and to make Brotherhood a living reality in the world. *“For real Theosophy IS ALTRUISM, and we cannot repeat it too often. It is brotherly love, mutual help, unswerving devotion to Truth.”* HP Blavatsky, Our Cycle and The Next, 1889. *The mission of the Theosophical Society is to serve humanity by cultivating an ever-deepening understanding and realization of the Ageless Wisdom, spiritual Self-transformation and the Unity of all life.* Resolution passed by the General Council of The Theosophical Society in 1924. According to these principles, a theosophic life is not just theoretical, but must also be practical, indeed must be a life of service. Amid the noise and conflict of the modern world, what might be our role, as individuals and as a Theosophical Society? Through a range of books and Theosophical pamphlets, we will look to both exoteric, widespread social principles and to more esoteric, spiritual principles for discussion and guidance.

\*\*\*\*NEW SESSION!!\*\*\*\* Welcome to Melbourne Volleyball Academy. 🤗 **[[WHAT]]** This session is specifically for games only (no training). There will be a cap of 18 players, allowing for 3 teams of 6. Games will be played to 15 points, with a cap at 18 points. These games are intended to be played at a high-intermediate(BB)/advanced(A) level. Please see an explanation of skill levels on our website here: [https://melbournevolleyballacademy.com.au/skill-levels-explained](https://melbournevolleyballacademy.com.au/skill-levels-explained) **[[WHO]]** The session is intended for ADVANCED players. Players should be able to: * Have strong fundamentals for all volleyball techniques * Serve receive a majority of serves well & serve over the net consistently * Basic understanding of 5-1, and 6-2 systems (we do not play a pass middle 4-2 system in this session) * Have an understanding of base defense * Know all/most volleyball rules Players that are not of the intermediate(BB)/advanced(A) level will be asked to leave as we want to ensure that all players have an enjoyable time playing. **[[HOW MUCH $$]]** $14 card payment will be processed on the day via square reader (EFTPOS). **[[WHEN]]** The stadium is booked from 12:20 PM-2:20 PM weekly, every Saturday. However, feel free to come early and stretch as the Recreation Centre is open earlier. Last minute dropouts and no shows will have a zero-tolerance policy going forward. All players are expected to update their RSVP at least 24 hours in advanced if they are unable to attend. This applies to players on the going list and the waitlist. **[[OTHER DETAILS]]** Only those on the “going” list are permitted to play. If you are on the waitlist, or not registered at all, you will not be permitted into the gymnasium.

Hi all! Welcome to the Melbourne Sci-Fi/Fantasy Social Catch-up. Come along and talk to like-minded people and catch up on all the things you love about this genre. Be it the latest movies, TV shows, or a book you love; or maybe, you have played this fabulous board or computer game that you just want to share with others. Geeky t-shirts or quirky badges welcome! What a great chance to chat with new people or old friends about so many diverse topics. You never know, you might find a whole new sub-genre to delve into. New and old members are welcome to attend. Food and drink will be available for purchase at the tavern. If your plans change (even if it is at the last moment), please change your RSVP to a NO, so your event host knows who to expect on the day and so I can manage the booking at the Mitre Tavern! See you soon 🤓🤓🤓🤓

**How to take control of your subconscious and harness its power!** EVERY SUNDAY AT 11AM Join us for an eye-opening lecture where the speaker will break down complex ideas in a clear and practical way. You'll gain insights into: * The true definition of the subconscious * How it generates unwanted emotions * Its real purpose and function * What determines the pressure it exerts on you But this isn't just another lecture where you sit and listen passively. It's interactive and engaging - you can ask questions at any time. FREE ADMISSION Reserve your spot today. Seats are limited, so don't wait too long to sign up.

**With 1000s of spontaneous cases with children** investigated and documented over the past 60+ years, the team at DOPS has accumulated a formidable body of evidence suggestive of reincarnation. The types of evidence include detailed memories of verified past lives, personal traits, skills, interests and phobias, etc. and among these the most compelling aspect is cases of birthmarks and birth defects that align with injuries sustained in the previous life, often at the time of death. **In this session, Russ Townsend** will lead a discussion around spontaneous past-life memories in children, how they are investigated and verified, common objections and refutations, and then a number of detailed case studies related to birthmarks and birth defects. At the conclusion, he will walk through the interpretations and theories about this phenomenon. **About Russ:** * Meetup Organiser * Lifelong enthusiast for science, philosophy, and spirituality * Member of AIPR * Trainer / Facilitator * radio show host * Author **Post-Event Social Lunch Hangout (12.45 - 1.45pm)** NOTE: TRYING OUT NEW LUNCH VENUE... Afterwards, you are invited to lunch with everyone at **Gopal's Restaurant** (5min walk from the venue) **PLEASE NOTE:** * **11AM Start -** Please be considerate and arrive early. * **$10 Cover Charge:** Room hire, facilities, and running costs.

Clear skies + easygoing vibes 🌞 Vidula (founder of ***Connect Through Play***) will be guiding an afternoon of drama-inspired, interactive games designed to help you meet new people in a fun, low-pressure way. Think movement, laughter, structured group activities - just show up, play, and connect. A great chance to meet new people and make friends. Meeting point: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/U3oaqAs5gAoz5EKV6](https://maps.app.goo.gl/U3oaqAs5gAoz5EKV6) Cost: $4 (covers meetup costs) Payment details: Account name - Social Threads BSB - 063106 Account number - 10989323 **Payment confirms your spot.**

**Your True Self** **A gentle guided meditation for unmasking.** reconnecting, and returning to yourself. So much of life teaches us who to be. How to act. How to cope. How to stay liked, capable, productive, easy-going, strong. Over time, these layers can become so familiar that we stop noticing them. The body begins carrying them quietly, in tension, in vigilance, in overthinking, in the feeling of always needing to hold ourselves together. **This Saturday morning meditation is an invitation to gently step beneath those layers.** Slowing down enough to hear what is underneath the noise. **Through Yoga Nidra, somatic awareness**, **hypnotic visualisation, breath, and grounding nature imagery**, we’ll explore what it feels like to gradually loosen the identities, expectations, and protective patterns we’ve carried for years, and reconnect with something quieter and more instinctive underneath. **The session will unfold slowly and gently while lying on the grass in Edinburgh Gardens**, surrounded by the stillness of the morning and the movement of the trees overhead. **This practice may feel especially supportive if you are:** • Feeling disconnected from yourself or your body. • Tired of constantly overthinking or analysing. • Feeling emotionally or mentally overstimulated. • Navigating change, uncertainty, or transition. • Wanting to reconnect with your intuition in a more embodied way. • Longing to feel more grounded, present, and internally steady. **This session is designed to help you:** • Soften layers of tension and performance held in the body. • Reconnect with your body as a place of awareness and guidance. • Build trust in your own internal signals and intuition. • Quiet mental noise and deepen present-moment awareness. • Feel more connected to yourself beneath conditioning and expectation. **Session Structure:** **We’ll begin with Yoga Nidra**, a guided deep rest practice where you simply lie down and allow the body to settle. Through slow awareness moving through the body, the nervous system begins softening out of alertness and into deeper presence. **From there, we’ll move into a long-form guided visual meditation** focused on unmasking and reconnecting with your true self beneath conditioning, expectation, and performance. Using grounded forest imagery, somatic awareness, and gentle hypnotic language, you’ll be guided into a quieter space beneath the constant movement of thought, where the body can begin communicating more clearly again. **No meditation experience is needed. This session is beginner-friendly and fully guided from start to finish.** **When and Where** 🗓 Saturday, 16th May ⏰ 10:00am – 11:30am (1.5 hours) 📍 Edinburgh Gardens, Fitzroy North We’ll set up on the grass near the Rotunda. Look for my yoga mat and the large pink sign that says “Free Guided Meditation.” **Weather Notes** This is an outdoor session. If the weather becomes rainy or unsuitable, I’ll update the Meetup event beforehand. Please check the event page before heading out, Melbourne weather can always surprise us. 🌿 **What to Bring** • Yoga mat or something comfortable to lie on. • Blanket or warm layers. • Eye covering or small pillow (optional). • Water. • Comfortable loose clothing suitable for cooler weather. **Arriving Late** Arriving a little early can help you settle in before we begin. If you’re running late, please still come along and quietly join when you arrive 😊 Everyone is welcome. **Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, uncertain, emotionally tired, or simply wanting a calmer way to reconnect with yourself, this space is here for you.** I look forward to sharing this morning with you 🌿✨ Kathy

Let’s spend Saturday exploring Scienceworks together. The plan is to meet at Scienceworks in the morning, then move through a full lineup of activities: the Pumping Station Guided Walk, The Glow Show in the Lightning Theatre, several Melbourne Planetarium sessions, and the 4:30pm Fulldome Flicks screening of One Step Beyond. This will be a fairly full day, but the vibe will be relaxed and low-pressure. There will be breaks between sessions, and we can chat, explore the museum, grab food/coffee, or just take it easy between shows. After the final session, anyone who wants to continue hanging out can join for optional dinner at Grazeland Melbourne nearby. Solo attendees are very welcome. **Who this is for** This is good for anyone interested in science, astronomy, space, engineering, museums, planetarium shows, or just doing something a bit different on a Saturday. You do not need to know anyone beforehand. I’ll be there from 10:30am and will help people find the group. **Links** * Meetup start point: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/XogEGEFLkeYryFmB7](https://maps.app.goo.gl/XogEGEFLkeYryFmB7) * Scienceworks Map: [https://museumsvictoria.com.au/scienceworks/plan-your-visit/visitor-map/](https://museumsvictoria.com.au/scienceworks/plan-your-visit/visitor-map/) Pumping Station Guided Walk: [https://museumsvictoria.com.au/scienceworks/whats-on/pumping-station-tour/](https://museumsvictoria.com.au/scienceworks/whats-on/pumping-station-tour/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) * The Glow Show: [https://museumsvictoria.com.au/scienceworks/whats-on/the-glow-show/](https://museumsvictoria.com.au/scienceworks/whats-on/the-glow-show/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) * Starlight: [https://museumsvictoria.com.au/scienceworks/whats-on/starlight/](https://museumsvictoria.com.au/scienceworks/whats-on/starlight/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) * Black Holes: [https://museumsvictoria.com.au/scienceworks/whats-on/black-holes/](https://museumsvictoria.com.au/scienceworks/whats-on/black-holes/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) * "Ticket to the Universe" show: [https://museumsvictoria.com.au/scienceworks/whats-on/ticket-to-the-universe/](https://museumsvictoria.com.au/scienceworks/whats-on/ticket-to-the-universe/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) * Fulldome Flicks: [https://museumsvictoria.com.au/scienceworks/whats-on/fulldome-flicks/](https://museumsvictoria.com.au/scienceworks/whats-on/fulldome-flicks/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) * Optional dinner — Grazeland Melbourne: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/NUD9ZTGT41NioKbMA](https://maps.app.goo.gl/NUD9ZTGT41NioKbMA) **Timeline** * 10:30am — Meet at Scienceworks * 11:00am — Pumping Station Guided Walk * 12:00pm — The Glow Show * 1:00pm — Starlight * 2:00pm — Black Holes * 3:00pm — Ticket to the Universe * 4:30pm — Fulldome Flicks: *One Step Beyond* * 5:30pm — Meetup ends * Afterwards — Optional dinner at Grazeland Melbourne food court The timeline is based on the current Scienceworks session schedule, but attendees should still check the official booking page before purchasing tickets. **Tickets / cost** Please buy your own tickets for the sessions you want to attend. Meetup RSVP does not include museum entry or session tickets. Scienceworks museum entry and individual show/session pricing can vary depending on what you book, so please check the official booking page carefully before purchasing. I recently purchased a Museums Victoria Membership, as it should work out cheaper for me in the long run with multiple museum / Scienceworks visits. If you think you may visit Scienceworks, Melbourne Museum, IMAX, or other Museums Victoria events more often, you may want to check whether membership is worth it for you too. Recommended sessions to book if you want to follow the full meetup plan: * 12:00pm — The Glow Show * 1:00pm — Starlight * 2:00pm — Black Holes * 3:00pm — Ticket to the Universe * 4:30pm — Fulldome Flicks: *One Step Beyond* The Pumping Station Guided Walk is currently listed as included with museum entry, but it is “book on arrival” and may depend on guide availability and weather conditions. Fulldome Flicks may have separate entry conditions, so please check the official ticket page when booking. **Transport** Scienceworks is in Spotswood. Public transport options include train to Spotswood Station, followed by about a 10-minute walk. Please check PTV before travelling in case of disruptions. **Food** There maybe be a café option at Scienceworks during the day, but we may have limited time between some sessions. You may want to bring water and some snacks. After the final session, we can optionally head to Grazeland Melbourne for dinner. Grazeland is next to Scienceworks and is currently listed as open on Saturdays from 12 noon to 10pm, with a $4 entry fee. **Bring** * Your booked tickets / booking confirmation * Water bottle * Snacks or lunch if you prefer not to rely only on café food * Comfortable shoes * Phone charger or power bank * A light jacket **What to expect** This is a full-day museum and planetarium meetup. Most of the day will be indoors, with some walking around Scienceworks and between session spaces. The group may move fairly quickly between sessions, so please arrive on time if you want to stay with the main group. You are also welcome to join only part of the day or leave early. The vibe will be relaxed, friendly, and social. **Weather / backup** Most of the meetup is indoors, so normal rain should not be an issue. The Pumping Station Guided Walk may be affected by guide availability or weather, so if that changes on the day, we can use that time to explore Scienceworks instead. **Important notes** Please book your own tickets in advance if you want to attend the timed shows. Some sessions may sell out. Please try to book the same session times listed in the timeline so we can stay together as a group. If your plans change, please update your RSVP to “Not Going” so numbers stay clear.

Join us for a relaxing time of folding together at the Ratio chocolate factory in Brunswick! Bring a fun origami project to fold and share, all while sipping on delectable hot chocolate! Standard origami paper will be provided. We just ask for a gold coin to help with group expenses.

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 You will need to scan your ID at the door to get a visitor badge. **Abstract** TBD **YouTube Link** TBD

We are recruiting new group leaders for virtual men's groups! Our primary groups are outdoor movement groups, but we are launching virtual groups for the state of Ohio and beyond and the groups will move outside in the spring, creating room for men's groups, women's groups and coed groups all over the country. Read below to learn about our groups and click the links at the bottom to apply. ### **What is an Outdoor Empowerment Group?** Our Outdoor Movement & Community Empowerment Groups are simple, guided experiences designed to help people reconnect with nature, themselves, and others. We combine some form of movement (hike, walk, run, bike, yoga, workout) and meaningful conversation within a simple community circle to create a space where individuals can support each other while prioritizing mental and physical well-being. Whether you’re seeking stress relief, personal growth, or community, our groups offer everyone a unique and welcoming environment. ## **Why Join?** * **Improve Mental & Physical Well-Being** – Movement, nature, and supportive conversations reduce stress and promote balance. * **Feel Less Alone** – Build genuine connections with like-minded people in a safe, welcoming space. * **Gain Clarity & Perspective** – Step outside daily routines and into a space designed for personal growth and reflection. ## **The Ideal Group Leader** The ideal group leader * Has a born-in passion for mental health, movement, connecting with nature and building community. * Has 5 extra hours per week to dedicate to a meaningful cause for at least one year. Yes, you can leave any organization at any time and we can also ask you to leave, but we are building with legacy in mind and we need people who can commit and be ALL IN on this mission to build with us. * Is independently financially stable with the ability to volunteer with no expectation of pay. This is a deeply beautiful journey of service that all participants commit to at Speak Your Mind. * An ability to manage groups with high emotional intelligence and desire for human connection. * An ability to self-motivate and market/promote their group on Facebook and other social platforms. * Nature informed therapy or clinical therapists/psychologists a plus. ## **Our Impact**  Since launching, we have helped thousands find support, connection, and healing through our Outdoor Movement Groups. 100% of participants surveyed have reported: * A noticeable improvement in mental clarity and emotional well-being. * An increase in social connection and a sense of belonging. * Said they would return again. We believe mental health should be accessible, community-driven, and rooted in nature. Join us and take the first step toward a more connected, grounded, and supported version of yourself. ### **Why Our Groups are Donation-Based** Our Outdoor Movement Groups are made possible through a donation-based model. This approach allows us to keep our events accessible to everyone, regardless of financial circumstances, while also ensuring that we can continue expanding our reach. It’s a great way to pay it forward and support the growth of this beautiful mission! Every contribution helps us: * **Cover Essential Costs** – Donations allow us to pay essential legal, marketing, insurance, and admin costs as well as nourish the important people who run the organization. * **Grow Our Mission** – With your support, we can bring these healing experiences to thousands more people in the future and execute our long term plan to expand across the USA, affecting up to 500,000 people per year. By choosing to contribute, you’re not just leading an event—you’re helping build a mental health movement that supports long-term well-being and connection for all during a severe mental health epidemic. ## **Come Join Us!** We’d love to have you be part of this growing community of people prioritizing their mental health, movement, and connection. 🔹 **Visit Our Website to Learn More:** https://speakyourmind.men/joinusoutside 🔹 **Apply Here to Lead Your Own Group!** – https://form.jotform.com/taketimespeakyourmind/sym-group-leader-application 🔹 **Support the mission**: If you resonate with the mission and want to support, feel free to join a group before applying or donate to help us reach our goals to help more people! You can donate here: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/angels-for-angels/speak-your-mind Please text Mario with any questions: (808) 855-8831

PLEASE NOTE!!! This event will be In-Person for our very 1st Improving collab! If you know the [Columbus Unity group](https://www.meetup.com/columbus-unity-user-group/) location, we'll be at the same place. This is our 1st event and are doing a soft launch with limited attendance. 1st come 1st serve. If you want to be there and we fill up, please email me at [info@thecogg.com](mailto:info@thecogg.com) and I'll be in touch. All street parking is free on Sundays but you can also pay to park in any of the local garages. See image of [parking map here](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Mr9_LFIggbs-0_Zd3AJTGNqEhgMf2TzQ/view?usp=sharing). \-\-\- On the last Sunday of the month, we're having our usual end-of-the-month social gathering with our GameDev Meetup meeting. There will be announcements and presentations followed by some social networking Let's continue the conversations with good vibes and friends. All are welcomed from all ages and backgrounds to this public event. If we can, we'll be streaming or uploading the video later via our COGG YouTube channel here: [https://www.youtube.com/@TheCOGG/streams](https://www.youtube.com/@TheCOGG/streams) (Also please do subscribe if you have not done so!) No game development experience required! If you are interested in doing a 20 minute game development related presentation, please fill out our form online here: [https://goo.gl/forms/lVdTJZiNJewlPJuj1](https://goo.gl/forms/lVdTJZiNJewlPJuj1) Or e-mail us at info@thecogg.com with the following: Your Name, Company/Affiliation, Name of Your Game/Topic, Description, Tech Needs, and Your Contact. Be sure to check out our Discord for real time news updates: [https://discord.gg/NrBhuNQ](https://discord.gg/NrBhuNQ)

Rev. Steven Clevenger is an ordained spiritualist minister with over 40 years experience as a Spiritual Healer, Clairvoyant and Spiritual Teacher, educated and trained at the White Lily Chapel. Rev. Siobhan Wolf Shaffer is an ordained spiritualist minister and certified medium and healer with over 20 years experience. She began her development in 1988 in Pennsylvania and continued when she moved to Ohio in 1998 where she studied at Rays of Lights Church with Rev. Steven Clevenger. Our full worship services consist of an inspirational lecture, healing meditation, and messages from the spirit world that serve to demonstrate evidence of eternal life. Please visit our Official Church Website (http://raysoflightchurch.com) for more information.

Are you passionate about supporting other men on their mental health journey? We’re building a movement of virtual and in-person men’s groups across Ohio — and we’re looking for group leaders who want to make a real difference with us. As a group leader, you’ll create a safe space where men can connect, reflect, and grow together. Training and support are provided — you just need heart, presence, and a willingness to lead. **Apply now to lead a group in your area:** 👉 https://form.jotform.com/taketimespeakyourmind/sym-group-leader-application Speak Your Mind is a mental health non profit dedicated to bringing our community together to end the isolation that leads to mental struggle and suicide. Learn more about them here: https://linktr.ee/taketimespeakyourmind

NFT's are here to stay folks! This is a group for like minded people interested in understanding, leveraging, using, creating for, profiting from, trading too i suppose, NFT's.. everything around them, complexity, fear and exploits, best practices and more. **PLUS** This group will talk AI ART tools, techniques, artists, video, audio, prototypes and more in the AI assisted production space- ART specifically, but we can get into any aspect of some of the cooler things happening in AI in general.