I have to believe in a world outside my own mind. I have to believe that my actions still have meaning, even if I can't remember them. I have to believe that when my eyes are closed, the world's still there. Do I believe the world's still there? Is it still out there? … Yeah. We all need mirrors to remind ourselves who we are. I'm no different. (Memento, 2000) No matter what anyone tells you - words and ideas can change the world. (Dead Poets Society, 1989) See, Mr. Gitts, most people never have …

This group is open to anyone interested in discussing philosophy, perception, spirituality or just looking a little more deeply at the world around us, how it works and how we relate to it and each other. Some of the topics we will be discussing are: - What is life?  a gift from the divine, a chemo-electric byproduct, an interesting concept, or something else? - What do we know?  a discussion of knowledge and belief - Emotion and reason, the collaboration or conflict  between the mind and the …

Cutting edge discussions yet timeless truths! Weary of the "same old same old"? Want to meet very interesting people outside the customary? Well come connect with others who are interested in Socrates Cafe, a philosophical community. Be a social thinker! Our basic guidelines, established centuries ago in Plato's Dialogues, are that all opinions expressed need to be supported by reasons, and that all assumptions need to be examined. Dialogue is not a competition, a sport or debate with winners an …

DC UL Backpacking Guiding Philosophy: To backpack the Mid-Atlantic, with the idea of waking early, walking far, traveling light, and having a fulfilling backcountry experience. “Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away”—Antoine de Saint-Exupery This meet up group specializes in high-mileage, light-weight, overnight backpacking adventures throughout the Mid-Atlantic, especially Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.  …

CFI–DC Drinking Skeptically is an informal social event designed to promote fellowship and networking among skeptics, critical-thinkers, and like-minded individuals. CFI–DC Drinking Skeptically provides an opportunity for skeptics to talk, share ideas (and yes, drink) in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. We discuss the issues of the day and whatever else is on our minds. But most of all, we have fun while promoting skepticism, science, and rationality. Don't drink? Don't let that stop you from joini …

What is “Integral”? It simply means whole, complete, full, all inclusive.  It is both a theory and the basis of a life practice. It demonstrates how to integrate and include body, mind, and spirit in self, culture, and nature. This means acting so as to find your entire life to be full and complete, a life that “makes room for everything,” from wild rock star to devoted family man, from bodily pursuits to spiritual practice, from nature worship to meditation, from business practices to play and …

CFI–DC Drinking Skeptically Baltimore is an informal social event designed to promote fellowship and networking among skeptics, critical-thinkers, and like-minded individuals. CFI–DC Drinking Skeptically Baltimore provides an opportunity for skeptics to talk, share ideas (and yes, drink) in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. We discuss the issues of the day and whatever else is on our minds. But most of all, we have fun while promoting skepticism, science, and rationality. Don't drink? Don't let that …

Bodhi Path (www.bodhipath.org) is an international organization of Buddhist meditation centers founded by Shamar Rinpoche. Rinpoche and many other teachers provide meditation, philosophy instruction and guidance to learn and practice Buddhism. Meditation instruction is geared to the needs of those in attendance. Various texts are also studied and discussed to deepen our understanding of Buddhist Philosophy. Our meditation group in DC has been together for 10 years and is expanding in order to be …

This is a non-denominational book club. Just like any other book club, we are reading down a list of books on the topic of Buddhism and we discuss them at restaurants and cafe's near Takoma Park and Silver Spring. You don't need to be self identifying Buddhist to participate and the organizer will not pressure you to "join the club." We'll be reading books for the popular audience and will rotate through all the major traditions with a mild leaning towards Buddhism as it is developing in the US …

Are you between the ages of 18 and 35 and looking for a welcoming community of young adults in the Bethesda area? Are you interested in exploring your spirituality, meeting like-minded people, and becoming active in great causes? We're starting a Young Adult group at the River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Bethesda, MD. We'd love for you to join us! RRUUC is a welcoming community with a strong congregation. If you are asking yourself: What is UU? Am *I* a UU? We believe that person …

Ever read C. S. Lewis or Tolkien and envied their bond in the Inklings? Wish you could have a beer with N. T. Wright, Brian McLaren, Charles Townes, or Francis Collins? Well...this group can't promise to reach those heights of intellectualism. But we can at least enjoy great conversation, share what we're reading, what we're learning and expand our minds by association, ALL while enjoying a good beer or coffee at one of Baltimore's many great hangouts. I hope we can read each others' work, share …

Do you enjoy exploring life's BIG questions? Not only wonder "why?' but seek to find your own answers? Look beyond the obvious and acceptable? Like to connect on a heart level and stimulate your mind? Accept that ALL is energy and we are all a spark of the Divine or Spirit? Support wellness, wholeness  and alternative care? Desire unity, not seperatism? Embrace healing on all levels- physical, mental, emotional and spiritual? Come together in community (communal-unity) in a caring, welcoming set …

Hello DC! Our meeting format: Approximately an hour and 15 minutes to discuss the topic agreed upon at the start of each meeting. If more than 20 people attend I may ask for a volunteer to lead a second group, in order to keep things manageable. Toward the end of the session we will go around the table to give everyone an opportunity to make a short closing remark. When time is up, we will take a short break to give people an opportunity to leave; if the conversation is good, people are welcome …

We are an organization dedicated to learning and practicing Heart Chan meditation.  We do not only sit quietly and relax, because Chan is far beyond this.  We learn what mediation is about—its purpose, practice, and effects—through tradition-based practice. Chan (it’s the same word as “Zen” from Japanese) could be regarded as a philosophy about one's life from birth to death and all its ups and downs in between.  Through this philosophy, we could understand ourselves better.  Not many people un …

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WELCOME TO THE 5RHYTHMS® Created by Gabrielle Roth and practiced by tens of thousands worldwide, 5Rhythms® is a philosophy, perspective, performance art and a dynamic movement practice rooted in the principle that if you put the psyche in motion it will heal itself. Movement is both the medicine and the metaphor, reaching across all languages, cultures and age groups to transform suffering into art, art into awareness, and awareness into action. Wherever the 5Rhythms are practiced, a community i …

We meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday evenings and the 2nd and 4th Sunday evenings at 7pm at 2-B Oakway Road, Timonium, MD 21093. We also meet on the 1st and 3rd Sundays at noon at One Wisdom Fellowship, 500 E. 39th Street , At the corner of Greenmount Ave. (York Rd.) and 39th St. Baltimore, MD 21218 . Please determine if you can commit to attending any of these sittings before you join the group. Join the Insight Meditation group on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BaltimoreInsightMeditation …

A gathering of Augmented Reality (AR) technologists, entrepreneurs, and the 'AR-curious' (we see you peeking hackers and investors - come on down:). Learn about and discuss the latest news in Augmented Reality technology (hardware, software, and philosophy) from around the globe. Share and collaborate on new AR projects and get to know like-minded individuals exploring AR - human kinds 8th form of Mass media (alongside print, recordings, cinema, radio, TV, the Internet and mobile). See what has …