Lectures

We are meeting at the Multifaith Centre every Friday evening from 7 pm to 9 pm in the Third Floor Quiet room, for periods of 8-fold moving exercise, sitting meditation, and walking meditation in the tradition of Chan Buddhism. The session ends with a tea-sharing and discussion. All are welcome and this event is free of charge!

Good day everyone, Please join us for a fun, interactive and enjoyable evening at this wonderful Firkin Pub location to play some absolute classics like ***pictionary, scattegories, monopoly, clue, cards against humanity, taboo, jenga, hedbanz, euchre, scrabble, balderash, tapple, chess, checker, battleship and always some great new games too!*** \*Joined by my other social groups too; so we can anticipate a fabulous turn out with lots of friendly peers to begin our weekend with! \*All ages over 19 welcome! \*Please note we are at **The Pheasant: A Firkin Pub** at 1999 Avenue Road (roughly 6 blocks north of Lawrence - south of the 401 **(we are in the back dining area to find us)** *\*You can also ask the wait staff or bartender if you like to show you to the group (simply ask for Steve's games event)* **-Free Parking found on residential side streets** (Event Details Below) Sincerely, Steve Flemming (Organizer/Host ) Event Details: **Mix, Mingle and Friday Night Games!** **(Friday April 17th, 2026)** -A chance to play some interactive games we love like ***pictionary, scattergories, taboo, cards against humanity, jenga, monopoly, clue, euchre, scrabble, balderash, tapples, card games,and so many other choices as well!*** \*Feel free to bring your own games and friends too if you like -You'll find it's a cozy, relaxed and enjoyable environment! *** **Event Fee:** 10 dollars (Cash only at the door) (HST included) or by e transfer: **steveflemming11@gmail.com** *** **Friendly Reminders:** -Arrive any time after 7:00 pm (in the back area- great for board games, card games and mingling) (event goes to roughly 11:00 pm) \*Great dinner menu and food specials provided: (One beverage or appetizer minimum upon arrival to support venue) **Parking and Transportation:** \*Lots of street parking on avenue and free residential parking https://www.firkinpubs.com/thepheasantandfirkin/ (15-20 minute walk from Yonge & Lawrence subway station-or simply take bus or uber from the station)

Welcome ! OM Chanting is a group practice that has multiple benefits, including calming the mind, feeling relaxed, activating one's self-healing potential. OM Chanting''s powerful vibration contributes to send Peace . A participation of 5$ minimum is strongly encouraged to sustain the rent of the studio . \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- EVENT DETAILS: address: 283 Spadina Avenue; 3rd floor. ( SE corner of Spadina and Dundas). We will start at 6:30 pm. Please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes earlier. We will be sitting on chairs; you can also sit on the floor if you prefer. You are encouraged to bring a bottle of water. Looking forward to seeing you ! For more information about Om Chanting, please visit: [https://bhaktimarga.org/yoga-meditation/](https://bhaktimarga.org/yoga-meditation/) Much Love, Veda Cell: 416-845-9375

Good day everyone, Please join us for a fun, interactive and enjoyable evening at this wonderful Firkin Pub location to play some absolute classics like ***pictionary, scattegories, monopoly, clue, cards against humanity, taboo, jenga, hedbanz, euchre, scrabble, balderash, tapple, chess, checker, battleship and always some great new games too!*** \*Joined by my other social groups too; so we can anticipate a fabulous turn out with lots of friendly peers to begin our weekend with! \*All ages over 19 welcome! \*Please note we are at **The Pheasant: A Firkin Pub** at 1999 Avenue Road (roughly 6 blocks north of Lawrence - south of the 401 **(we are in the back dining area to find us)** *\*You can also ask the wait staff or bartender if you like to show you to the group (simply ask for Steve's games event)* **-Free Parking found on residential side streets** (Event Details Below) Sincerely, Steve Flemming (Organizer/Host ) Event Details: **Mix, Mingle and Friday Night Games!** **(Friday April 17th, 2026)** -A chance to play some interactive games we love like ***pictionary, scattergories, taboo, cards against humanity, jenga, monopoly, clue, euchre, scrabble, balderash, tapples, card games,and so many other choices as well!*** \*Feel free to bring your own games and friends too if you like -You'll find it's a cozy, relaxed and enjoyable environment! *** **Event Fee:** 10 dollars (Cash only at the door) (HST included) or by e transfer: **steveflemming11@gmail.com** *** **Friendly Reminders:** -Arrive any time after 7:00 pm (in the back area- great for board games, card games and mingling) (event goes to roughly 11:00 pm) \*Great dinner menu and food specials provided: (One beverage or appetizer minimum upon arrival to support venue) **Parking and Transportation:** \*Lots of street parking on avenue and free residential parking https://www.firkinpubs.com/thepheasantandfirkin/ (15-20 minute walk from Yonge & Lawrence subway station-or simply take bus or uber from the station)

Good day everyone, Please join us for a fun, interactive and enjoyable evening at this wonderful Firkin Pub location to play some absolute classics like ***pictionary, scattegories, monopoly, clue, cards against humanity, taboo, jenga, hedbanz, euchre, scrabble, balderash, tapple, chess, checker, battleship and always some great new games too!*** \*Joined by my other social groups too; so we can anticipate a fabulous turn out with lots of friendly peers to begin our weekend with! \*All ages over 19 welcome! \*Please note we are at **The Pheasant: A Firkin Pub** at 1999 Avenue Road (roughly 6 blocks north of Lawrence - south of the 401 **(we are in the back dining area to find us)** *\*You can also ask the wait staff or bartender if you like to show you to the group (simply ask for Steve's games event)* **-Free Parking found on residential side streets** (Event Details Below) Sincerely, Steve Flemming (Organizer/Host ) Event Details: **Mix, Mingle and Friday Night Games!** **(Friday April 17th, 2026)** -A chance to play some interactive games we love like ***pictionary, scattergories, taboo, cards against humanity, jenga, monopoly, clue, euchre, scrabble, balderash, tapples, card games,and so many other choices as well!*** \*Feel free to bring your own games and friends too if you like -You'll find it's a cozy, relaxed and enjoyable environment! *** **Event Fee:** 10 dollars (Cash only at the door) (HST included) or by e transfer: **steveflemming11@gmail.com** *** **Friendly Reminders:** -Arrive any time after 7:00 pm (in the back area- great for board games, card games and mingling) (event goes to roughly 11:00 pm) \*Great dinner menu and food specials provided: (One beverage or appetizer minimum upon arrival to support venue) **Parking and Transportation:** \*Lots of street parking on avenue and free residential parking https://www.firkinpubs.com/thepheasantandfirkin/ (15-20 minute walk from Yonge & Lawrence subway station-or simply take bus or uber from the station)

***Ready to ditch small talk and dive into some seriously fun social games?*** Join us for an evening packed with laughter, friendly competition, and creative chaos! This isn’t your average game night — it’s a **social playground** where everyone gets involved, teams clash in good fun, and every round brings something exciting and unexpected. **🧩 What’s in the lineup?** 🧱 **Hands-On, Physical Games**: * **Connect Four Face-Off** – outthink your opponent, four moves at a time * **Jenga: Wobble Battle** – steady hands win, one block at a time * **Building Blocks Showdown -** build and stack Legos * **Body Talk** – communicate using only body language * **And More!** 🧠 **Mental & Word Games** * **People’s Choice Showdown** – think *Family Feud*, but spicier * **Pictionary** – unleash your inner artist * **Story Wars** – craft wild tales on the fly * **The Great Divide** – take a stand and defend it * **Truth Quest** – get real… or ridiculous * **Forbidden Words** – fast-paced, brain-twisting wordplay **🔥 Why come?** Because you’ll laugh. You’ll think. You’ll act out something embarrassing. And most importantly — you’ll meet awesome people who love a good game night as much as you do. **💡 Come prepared to:** * Jump in and participate — this is not a spectator sport! * Bring your quick wit, open mind, and sense of humour. * Expect surprises, twists, and maybe even a few friendly rivalries. **Where to Meet (MADO Cafe at the Food Hall inside The Well):** * The easiest way to get to the venue is to make your way to La Plume restaurant or The Dorset restaurant and turn towards the statue then take the stairs to the lower level. * Shoppers will be on the right and across from Shoppers will be an entrance to The Well's food court. * Make a left and you should see the long tables and MADO cafe. * **We'll meet at the long tables in front of MADO Cafe** **Get ready for a night of connection, creativity, and competitive fun. RSVP now — and may the most social gamer win! 🎭✨**

While a philosopher might ask the question, “Why are we here?”, geologists want to know, “How did we get here?”. In this meetup we will travel back in time through the Earth’s history; learning how our planet operates today, what it may have been like in the past, and the tools geologists use to figure these things out. Join us for this quick trip through geologic time, from the Anthropocene to the Hadean! For this meetup, we have an expert in earth sciences who will share her expertise with us and facilitate the gathering. Sarah Mount is currently a PhD student in the Earth Sciences department at the University of Toronto. She works in experimental petrology and makes her own igneous rocks to try to understand processes that happen in nature. Her PhD project involves experiments, stable isotope measurements, and the application of stable isotopes to exciting things like planetary formation. \-\-\-\-\- No readings for this meetup, but I’m including a great Radiolab episode that explains the science of dating rocks [https://radiolab.org/podcast/heavy-metal](https://radiolab.org/podcast/heavy-metal) \-\-\-\-\- I will take some pictures during the meetup.

Hello everyone, **\*\*Kindly Read Carefully\*\*** Please join me and my other groups for a fantastic spring afternoon involving a leisure nature and beautiful neighbourhood walk \- Include trails\, parks\, cafes\, ice breakers\, washroom breaks and beautiful sties to see -Our great event will continue as we hit a fabulous location for dinner, beverages and conversation (optional) -Stick around after dinner for live disco band and Dancing (optional) **Time and Location: Where to meet us?** We will meet at out front of **Smoke Show** **744 Mt. Pleasant Rd)** \*Arrive early if you like (however we will meet out front at **3:00 p.m. (we will wait for everyone to arrive until roughly 3:30 p.m.)** This will give us an opportunity to introduce ourselves as everyone arrives; then make our way on our small adventure through quieter and more natural parts of the city we don't usually get to see. More details below: Sincerely, Steve Flemming (Organizer/Host) **Event Details:** **Saturday Nature and Neighbourhood Walk! (Dinner Party and Disco Band After)** -A great event planned as we explore Parks, Trails, Cafes and beautiful Neighbourhoods with cool sites to see -During the walk we will stop and rest at different spots, bathroom breaks, take some lovely scenic photos, group photos and share some laughs together -Play a couple ice breaker games near the beginning of the walk as well to help us get to know one another \*This event is a great way to naturally make connections, get some fresh air, exercise and (re) connect with some wonderful people **Bonus after our Leisure Nature and Neighbourhood Walk:** \*Stick around after the walk for a fun Saturay evening gathering at an iconic venue with Reserved Seating, Great Menu, Beverages, Mingling and Live Disco Band. **Event Fee:** 10 dollars (cash only) when you arrive (HST is included) or e transfer in advance to Steveflemming11@gmail.com \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Time and Location: Where to meet us?** **Date:** Saturday April 18th We will meet at out front of **Smoke Show** **744 Mt. Pleasant Rd)** \*Arrive early if you like (however we will meet out front at **3:00 p.m. (we will wait for everyone to arrive until roughly 3:30 p.m.)** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ***Thanks for reading everyone, remember to RSVP and see you real soon!*** :) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-

**You know there’s more to life than this.** More than the noise. More than the striving. More than the constant doing. If you’ve ever felt that quiet inner pull toward something deeper, this afternoon is for you. Join us for an Open House at the **School of Practical Philosophy in Toronto** — a not-for-profit community where philosophy is not studied as theory, but lived in everyday life. This is not a lecture. It’s a conversation. A space for reflection, inquiry, and genuine connection with others who are also seeking truth. All of our courses are offered by long-time students of the School who volunteer their time — not because they are paid, but because they have experienced the value of this work and wish to share it. What to expect: * A welcoming, no-pressure environment * An introduction to practical philosophy (East + West, applied to daily life) * A simple mindfulness exercise you can take home immediately * Thought-provoking discussion with like-minded people You are invited to attend with **no obligation**. Stay for the first class, experience it for yourself, and decide if it resonates. Come as you are — curious, questioning, or simply open. Register to secure your spot: **[OPEN HOUSE](https://schoolofpracticalphilosophy.asapconnected.com/?org=1361#CourseGroupID=44887)**

Our Golden Lotus Meditation & Lecture Cancelled! We will resume next Sunday April 26th. Hope to see you then. Until then remember to Meditate and do your Kriyas

Dear Toronto 💖 We are a beautiful, diverse and loving people! 🥳 **Join** the upcoming **Open Heart Meditation 1 & 2 Full Day Workshops** to immerse yourself in the loving, happy guidance from our heart's direct connection to the source of all love and happiness. This workshop pair will be held in a family home, so we will enjoy a comfortable and cozy atmosphere to share and experience all of the wonderful, positive feelings together and support each other. Registration Page and More Info: **https://bit.ly/OH12April-Toronto** Questions? Ask Away! ABallon2@gmail.com

**ONTARIO PROVINCIAL ECK Light & Sound Service - (Hybrid event**) **Awaken to the God Knowledge Within** * Experience contentment from the wisdom and joy inside you * Connect with the source of divine guidance “As we unfold, our potential for solving problems increases. This is simply because we have a closer, more intimate contact with the Light and Sound of God. We expand in our circle of awareness.” \- Harold Klemp\, *Touching the Face of God,* p. 77 You are warmly invited to attend the Provincial ECK Light and Sound Service **online** or **in person**. **Note:** This hybrid (in-person AND online) event and will be followed at **12 noon** by a recorded talk and interactive discussion, featuring a video titled **“You Are the Light”,** a talk by ECK Master Doug Kunin. This event uses the same Zoom link as the preceding ECK Light and Sound Service, described below. Date and time: **Sunday, April 19, 2026** **10.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m** Please note: All the ECK Light and Sound Services in 2026 will be hybrid (In-person and on Zoom) **In-person** **York University Glendon Campus, Centre of Excellence, York Hall A, (Welcome Centre) Room YH A002, 2275 Bayview Ave, North York, ON M4N 3M6.** **Parking:** Enter the York University Campus via Bayview and Lawrence. Paid parking can be found on the right. Room YH A002 is located downstairs in the first glass reception building. A host will be available to provide directions. Please stay for light refreshments afterward. **Online by Zoom** [https://www.eckankarcanada.ca/ontario](https://www.eckankarcanada.ca/ontario/zoom/) For attending online on Zoom: Either click on the link provided above or use the following ID and passcode Meeting ID: 839 7768 4697 Passcode: 168803

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Doom and Dinosaurs,”** a look at how mass extinctions shaped the dinosaurs and what research on these events tells us about Earth life’s long-term prospects, with Ian Wilenzik, paleontologist and visiting assistant professor of biology at George Washington University. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-dino-doom](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-dino-doom) .] Pity the poor dinosaurs. They lacked both scientific research to help deal with potential environmental catastrophes and places where they could have a beer and discuss it. You, on the other hand, have the opportunity to come to Profs and Pints to hear a fascinating talk on the impact of mass extinctions on dinosaur evolution and what research on dinosaurs tells us about biodiversity and Earth’s current biodiversity crisis. Dr. Ian Wilenzik, who has studied and taught courses on dinosaur evolution, population spread, and extinction, will leave you with a greater appreciation of the resilience of life on earth and how we’re both the product and source of biologically catastrophic events. Many of us are familiar with how a big meteor impact about 66 million years ago wiped out the Earth’s dinosaur population, leaving us only with their feathered descendants, birds. Less well known is how the Earth actually has undergone five periods of mass extinction that wiped out nearly all life, and how dinosaurs arose from one and endured another—both caused by volcanic activity—before meeting their match in the third. To ground his discussion, Dr. Wilenzik will talk about how we study mass extinctions by looking for geologic evidence of volcanic activity, meteoric blasts, and other catastrophic activity and of gaps in the fossil record after them. He’ll also discuss what makes a dinosaur a dinosaur, describing their distinct anatomical features. He’ll talk about how they and other forms of life evolved over long periods of time and were affected by extinction events. We’ll look at how the meteor-caused mass extinction that wiped out dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous paved the way for the rise of mammals and the emergence of primates, and, eventually, us. Looking ahead to future mass extinctions and what might survive them, we’ll talk about how that plant you forget to water might have the last laugh, as well as why crocodiles might be around a while. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: A *Triceratops* mounted skeleton at the Los Angeles Museum of Natural History (Photo by Allie Caulfield / Wikimedia Commons).

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“The Twister Talk,”** on tornadoes and advances in our understanding of them, with Jeffrey Halverson, professor of geography and environmental systems at the University of Maryland Baltimore County and author of *An Introduction to Severe Storms and Hazardous Weather.* [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-twister-talk](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-twister-talk) .] Springtime brings tornado outbreaks and devastation across the United States. The good news for those of us who anxiously eye the skies: Tornado science is rapidly evolving and improving, as are the means by which we detect funnel clouds and warn of their approach. Get up to speed with what’s known about tornadoes with the help of Dr. Jeffery Halverson, a severe storm expert with the *Washington Post* Capital Weather Gang who previously has given excellent Profs and Pints talks on hurricanes and snowstorms. He’ll describe how, with the help of research conducted by tornado hunters, meteorologists are using ever more sophisticated computer simulations and datasets to try to “crack the code” when it comes to how and where tornadoes form. We’ll look at how science teams wielding Portable Doppler Radars on small trucks are learning that tornado wind speeds are much stronger than once presumed. We’ll consider how decades of data are changing how we think about “Tornado Alley,” and we’ll review what’s known about the relationship between tornadoes and climate change. Professor Halverson will conclude by discussing the technological strides being made in terms of tornado warning and detection, and how tornado scientists are teaming up with social scientists to gain a better understanding of what leaves us vulnerable to natural hazards. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: An F5 tornado over Elie, Manitoba in June 2007 (Photo by Justin Hobson / Wikimedia Commons).

What does freedom of speech—and freedom of religion—really mean today? Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking conversation featuring experts from the **National Constitution Center**. Together, we’ll explore the First Amendment’s protections around speech and religion—what they mean, how they’ve evolved, and how they continue to shape our daily lives. This is a welcoming space to learn, reflect, and engage in meaningful dialogue with others in the community. Whether you’re brushing up on your knowledge or diving in for the first time, you’ll leave with new insights and perspectives. All are welcome—bring your curiosity! We'll be in Classroom 1, or you can join us online, via our[ Zoom link](https://constitutioncenter.zoom.us/meeting/register/hc_8FV8yTv6s4DH-i0lMLA). *** ### **Who Should Attend** * Anyone interested in the Constitution or civic education * People curious about freedom of speech and religion * Community members who enjoy thoughtful, respectful dialogue * Students, educators, and lifelong learners * Individuals seeking connection across perspectives ### **What to Expect** * An engaging talk led by experts from the National Constitution Center * Clear, accessible insights into the First Amendment * Opportunities for reflection and community discussion * A respectful, inclusive environment for all viewpoints * A chance to connect with others interested in civic topics

**Sonic Meditation Concert with Dr. Ivy Shadiah: Experience Meditation as Concert-level Immersion** Love Potion #1 is a **curated Sonic Meditation Concert** designed as a full-body surround sound bath, an intimate, high-frequency wellness experience merging art, healing, aroma, and sacred sound technology. Created for those seeking restoration, inspiration, and profound energetic renewal. Led by **Dr. Ivy SHADIAH — Queen of Vibration**, this transformational concert blends crystal singing bowls, sacred resonance, and vibrational sound design to create a living field of healing sound.You do not simply listen… You are surrounded. You are restored. You are retuned. Sun., May 3rd, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Held at Brahma Kumaris, 14020 Thunderbolt Pl, Suite 200, 2nd Floor, Chantilly, VA. Free Event – Register at: [https://shorturl.at/QBTJA](https://shorturl.at/QBTJA)

Please join us every week for power networking! Our Chapter Passed $1,666,736 USD in the past 12 months! BNI members, on average, increase their business 20% the first year. Our chapter is a dynamic, committed group of business people who know how to refer business to each other. Come for our meeting -- stay for the referrals!!! We have open categories for individuals who will bring enthusiasm and integrity to our meeting. Just one person per professional specialty is allowed in each chapter. Visit a meeting to find out more and lock out your competition! Register Here: https://bninovanorth.com/va-nova-north-bni-mclean-business-connection--n136/en-US/visitorregistration?chapterId=16988

This will be our last meeting on *Nature's God: The Heretical Origins of the American Republic*, by Matthew Stewart. For this meeting, please read the last two chapters: Chapter 7: The Empire of Reason Chapter 8: The Religion of Freedom **Where did the ideas come from that became the cornerstone of American democracy?** America’s founders intended to liberate us not just from one king but from the ghostly tyranny of supernatural religion. Drawing deeply on the study of European philosophy, Matthew Stewart brilliantly tracks the ancient, pagan, and continental ideas from which America’s revolutionaries drew their inspiration. In the writings of Spinoza, Lucretius, and other great philosophers, Stewart recovers the true meanings of “Nature’s God,” “the pursuit of happiness,” and the radical political theory with which the American experiment in self-government began. [LINK](https://a.co/d/bkTWJNb) I recommend using an AI tool like ChatGPT to ask these questions: 1. What does Matthew Stewart say about the empire of reason in his book Nature's God? 2. What does Matthew Stewart say about the religion of freedom? I hope to see you there! Fred