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 …

We explore a wide variety of topics in a conversational style always respecting each other's opinion.  You do not need a background in philosophy, only an interest in seeking truth and wisdom. The value of our discussons come from the combined perspectives of those that attend.  From student to Physicist we all have a unique perspective and can learn from each other; please join, attend and contribute your wisdom to ours? Steven Easley The DC Philosophy Cafe We are now holding bi weekly discussi …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Enjoy reading brainy books? Classics of world literature? Philosophy? Something entertaining, yet intellectually stimulating? Do you actually CHOOSE to pick up novels by the likes of E.M. Forster, D.H. Lawrence, Emily Bronte, or maybe Toni Morrison? Does exploring philosophical classics (Plato's Symposium, maybe? Sartre? Hume?) actually appeal to you? If reading great literature with a friendly, laid-back, edgy intellectual crowd turns you on, then this is the meetup for you. We won't tak …

This group is for anyone interested in developing mindfulness in daily life through meditation. We welcome everyone from any background. We want to provide a supportive environment for practicing meditation and developing mindfulness. Byoma Kusuma offers guided meditation sessions which are designed to help you develop mindfulness and its resultant benefits through Shamatha (Calm Abiding) and Vipashyana (Insight) techniques. Group sessions provide a supportive environment and group synergy, and …

You have read all the books, graduated from religion, atheism, eastern and western philosophy. Now you want to get out of your mind!  You want to fearlessly practice your most important muscle, daily, every moment.  If you are ready to live according to the way of heart, this group may be a good station on your journey. They way of Heart is the way of Life.  It can help you realize all your dreams. For me, it helped me come up with even better dreams. Highly interactive and electrifying gatherin …

The DC Objectivist Salon is a group of individuals in the Washington, DC metro area dedicated to the serious study and practical application of Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism. The DCOS is a proud supporter of the Ayn Rand Institute; its new public policy and outreach division in DC, the Ayn Rand Center for Individual Rights; and the Objectivist Club Network. Please see the 'Pages' section for more information.

Welcome to the Washington DC Medieval Reading Group! What we do: The Medieval Reading Group meets to discuss works of the middle ages.  Our focus is on Medieval English Literature, but we will read various genres, and make occasional pilgrimages to the continent.  The format follows that of "Great Books" Seminars (please read).  You do not have to have any special knowledge to participate, just a willingness to meet the text on its own terms.  All selections will be read in translation.  I will …

We intend to engage the population of D.C. in discussions that clarify the axioms underlying the policies shaping our world. We do not adhere to any one political, economic, philosophical, or religious ideology; rather, we value critical Socratic style discourse and have aspirations to influence the culture of D.C. and the world accordingly. You should join this group if you have a passion for ideas that spans many disciplines and wish to enkindle the Socratic daemon in today's world.

I'm starting this group because I would like to meet up with a group of good peeps on a regular basis to discuss the issues of the day like health care reform, recycling (just kidding), the bailouts, guns and gun policy, hunting, VA politics, and the answers to questions like, "Why are we here?" over massive quantities of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Guinness:) Actually, just kidding. I don't personally want to get hammered, but a beer or two over some good political and philosophical discussion w …

Hi Guys! This is our version of the informal philosophy club. The current plan is to go through interesting readings in book-club manner, but if anyone is interested in a specific topic feel free to let us know. - Organizers --------------------------------------------------------- Dialogues we have covered so far: -Gorgias -Phaedo -Parmenides -Meno -Apology -Symposium -Phaedrus -Ion (Read during meetup)

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 …

Thinkers, theorists, realists, idealists, atheists, visionaries, scientists, scholars, and truth-seekers. Whatever your philosophical position, please join us for some thoughtful discourse, invigorating debate, and alternative observations on everything from social fads to political perversions to media mind control. From the casual observer to the hardcore intellectual, we welcome all who share a passion for deep thought, meaningful conversation, and stimulating company. There is no agenda for …

Greetings Everyone !!! Welcome to the Northern Virginia Casual Biking Group (NOVA-CBG). For your cycling pleasure, please join us for various casual bicycle rides around the area. Now, how do we define "casual"? Well, we really don't pressure anyone to be a professional cyclist. We don't ask you to own any special gear (except for a helmet). We don't ask you to wear special outfits (unless you want to of course). All we ask is that you come as you are comfortably with a bike that is in well-tu …

RRNA is a social and discussion group serving people who hold naturalistic worldviews. Many secular humanists, atheists, freethinkers, skeptics, and Buddhists are naturalistic. The "brights" movement, from which this group grew, advocated a naturalistic worldview. "Naturalism," as we use it, comes from the field of philosophy. But one needn't be versed in philosophy to know one is a naturalist; many people live with a naturalistic assumption, but would not be familiar with the label.  Simply put …

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 …

Dear Advaita Friends, When Stanley Sobottka organized Advaita Friends, he wrote, “This group is open to all who are interested in the teaching of Advaita, which is the teaching that the only Reality is Awareness.” This ancient teaching is always new in each moment, and we can realize it merely by turning our attention to the root of our awareness. This remains the focus of Advaita Friends, and I invite you to join us, if you share this interest. Alongside the social activities in Advaita Friends …

A diverse group of seekers meets weekly to hear a short presentation by a fellow student of Theosophy, followed by open Q&A and discussion. This group has been active in the DC area since 1920, and is affiliated with dozens of similar groups around the world. Theosophical discussions commonly include subjects like reincarnation and karma, universal brotherhood, great teachers and masters of wisdom, the nature of the soul, comparative religion, laws of science and nature, the origins of man and t …

Mission Students For Liberty is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide a unified, student-driven forum of support for students and student organizations dedicated to liberty. What Liberty Means to SFL Students For Liberty is an organization that supports liberty. SFL does not dictate the foundations upon which individuals justify their belief in liberty. Rather, Students For Liberty embraces the diversity of justifications for liberty and encourages debate and discourse o …

Vive la francophonie! Afternoon French Conversation in Metropolitan DC est un groupe composé principalement de membres qui parlent le français comme deuxième ou troisième (voire quatrième!) langue. L'objectif du groupe est de promouvoir des rencontres intéressantes entre des personnes de même sensibilité pour parler le français dans un milieu détendu. Les sujets sont illimités: la philosophie, le cinéma et la littérature, ........ Afternoon French Conversation in Metropolitan DC is a group prim …

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 …

The Washington DC Area Vegan Meetup Group Meet other vegans in the DC area. Share ideas/thoughts on the philosophy of being vegan, recipes, new restaurants, vegan products, related topics, or simply make friends who share your interests. The group is sponsored by the Vegetarian Society of DC (VSDC, www.vsdc.org), who provides the enabling structure and pays the regular Meetup fee so that individual members of the group do not have to pay anything. A number of the group's activities will be organ …

Our Philosophy The philosophy of this organization is built upon the idea of "Givers Gain®": By giving business to others, you will get business in return. This is predicated on the age-old idea of "What goes around, comes around." Our Mission The mission of BNI is to help members increase their business through a structured, positive, and professional "word-of-mouth" program that enables them to develop long-term, meaningful relationships with quality business professionals. Belonging to BN …

Meet other local fans of author Ayn Rand and her philosophy of Objectivism -- a philosophy of Reason, Purpose and Self-Esteem that holds human life on this Earth as the standard of all values and *your* life as an end in itself.

Calling all Singles 40 & Up! Meet for wine (or beer), espresso and decadent desserts (or nachos) and engage with other singles in stimulating conversation on a wide range of topics ... politics, literature, the arts, philosophy, sports, your past travels and wish list ... Light weight chattering is OK. Heavy weight pontificating is cool, too. Anything and everything goes. Humor is a big plus. With all this gabbing goin' on, you just might meet (and be) "the one."

We're a group of laid back and genuine people that get together for meditation, movies, book clubs, spiritual discussions and socializing.