What we’re about
A casual and friendly reading and discussion group. We are planning to read texts such as Plato, Kierkegaard & Nietzsche.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Asian Philosophies | Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18 (Final)Link visible for attendees
Our schedule for 2024 is every Saturday 2:00pm Pacific (5:00pm East)
We will continue the Bhagavad Gita study and discussion in 2024.
Here is the reading material: (please read Chapter 18) Final Chapter- Sri Aurobindo's verse by verse translation: Click here
- Gandhi's interpretation: Click here
Gita is basically a poetic song of God, if you will, not meant to be taken literally. The notion of God is commonly understood as Krishna, but the way we approach it here is as the God within us all. Its our own song, that we all seem to have forgotten and we are reminding ourself our purpose of life via Gita. You can read it as God, or you can read it as a human. Ultimately, its our own personal journey to that higher state and deeper depths within ourselves to the Parm-atma (The Supreme Soul).There are 1000s of interpretations of Gita, some in English and many in other languages. Each interpretation has that author's personal take. We can start with any one of those, but depending on your specific place in your life you will need to internalize this for yourself with the goal that one is able to stay mentally unperturbed even in chaos. Please feel free to explore on your own, in the context of your life.The presenter will use the verse translation listed above and guide the conversation with a philosophical interpretation.
There are 18 chapters in this book. We have completed through Chapter 14 sine 2023. For rest of 2024 we will have a session every two weeks. We will cover the remaining Chapter 15-18. We will alternate the session content between the whole Bhagvad Gita review for new comers followed by a chapter in as much detail as possible in the 2 hours.
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Our Schedule as follows:- (2024-06-29) History of Chinese Philosophy -9 : Lao Zi, Tao Te Ching
- (2024-07-03) Bhagvad Gita Chapter 14
- (2024-07-13) History of Chinese Philosophy-10: Zhuang Zi
- (2024-07-20) Bhagvad Gita Review 1 - Crisis, Conditioning, Dilemmas
- (2024-07-27) Bhagvad Gita Chapter 15 (2024-07-27)
- (2024-08-03) History of Chinese Philosophy -11 Later Mohists
- (2024-08-17) Bhagvad Gita Review 2 - Action, Duty, Humility
- (2024-08-24) History of Chinese Philosophy - 12 : Yin-Yang School
- (2024-08-31) Bhagvad Gita Chapter 16
- (2024-09-07) No Meeting
- (2024-09-14) History of Chinese Philosophy -13 Xun Zi
- (2024-09-21) Bhagvad Gita Review 3 - Devotion, God, Ego
- (2024-09-28) History of Chinese Philosophy -14 Legalism - Han Fei- Bhagvad Gita Review 4 and Chapter 17
- (2024-11-02) ** Reading Book of Changes (I-Ching)
- (2024-11-09) History of Chinese Philosophy -15 Confucian Metaphysics
- (2024-11-09) Bhagvad Gita Chapter 18 (final)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please see all our past presentation :
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1moDzDM4xb--hDgw7zXC7Rrayq-GEwQYETyJKa4W9usU/edit?usp=share_link
History of Chinese Philosophy
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXkeU_Ho4cmOF1TQb2xrEW0-RVNhnJXje
Bhagavad Gita Playlist
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXkeU_Ho4cmOShIitClQSIlGa26pY1KJk
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - FTI: On why conservatives are so successful globallyLink visible for attendees
Strong-belief conservatives have been surging across the world. Let’s talk about the techniques that conservatives have been using globally to create such a surge in success all around the world. While of course the strategies are not the same anywhere, I believe there are some common themes from the places I’ve made observations and done fact checking where conservative popularity has swelled, even when the conservative narrative falls off the rails of truth. Hear me out with an open mind, then tell me where you agree and disagree in the conversation portion of the evening.
Format: Lecture and discussion
Note: social time for our community 15 minutes before the presentation.
To get familiar with our organization, feel free to learn more here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E16-qv-OZZoKh4HSyHCtQ_eZA-ko_n3Kd3SwxfLpk84/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.qsvmnmkadvaqAfter registering via zoom, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
We publish our event recordings on our Youtube channel to offer our help to anyone who would like to but can’t attend the meeting, so we need to give this clause. If you don’t want to be recorded, just remain on mute and keep your video off.
Here’s our legal notice: For valuable consideration received, by joining this event I hereby grant Free Thinker Institute and its legal representatives and assigns, the irrevocable and unrestricted right to use and publish any and all Zoom recordings for trade, advertising and any other commercial purpose, and to alter the same without any restriction. I hereby release Free Thinker Institute and its legal representatives and assigns from all claims and liability related to said video recordings.
- FTI: Thinkers Multi-group BYOB potluckNew York Society for Ethical Culture, New York, NY
Come join us for a BYOB potluck with thoughtful discussion. The first time I’ll be joining this event will be March 29th, if it goes well I’ll attend regularly, probably monthly.
1st & 4th Fridays: 7:00PM-09:00PM
NYSEC Meeting House: Ceremonial Hall
All are welcome!
BYOB (no hard liquors)/Potluck
Donations Appreciated but Not Required
Donate Here via Ethical NYC to Support this Event
https://ethicalnyc.app.neoncrm.com/forms/54
+1 (212) 874-5210
[email protected]
https://ethical.nyc/
· Location is subject to change for special events. Check website calendars and Meetup pages for various groups for updates and changes.
· Default room is Ceremonial on the 4th Floor. Room is subject to change depending on capacity or activity. Check for any posted signs.
· Use the wheelchair ramp entrance at the Meeting House NOT the Fieldston School. Press both doorbells if the door is locked. The elevator and stairs are right there to take to the 4th floor.
Our friends at various groups are cross-posting this event. Some groups have after-parties.
RULES for In-Person Meeting:- GROUP PROMOTION: Each group may bring flyers or posters advertising membership, donations, and meetings.
- DRINKING: Bring your own booze should be limited to beer and wine, no hard liquors. Everyone should drink responsibly and don't get sloshed. Save the hard drinking for the after parties in outside bars.
- RESPECT FOR DIFFERENCES: While there is overlap among the groups, not every group is the same and thinks the same. Respect each other's differences and different ideologies. Look for common ground not for things to hate. We're all friends here, treat each other as such.
- ARGUMENTS: Listen to each other’s opinion completely in good faith. Ask questions about other's points instead of immediately dismissing. Approach taboo subjects--such as sex, religion, and politics--with strangers cautiously; back out if getting heated. Agree to disagree and walk away if necessary.
- RESPECT FOR THE MEETING HOUSE: Use appropriate trash/recycling cans and clean up after yourselves. Leave the Meeting House better than you found it. Respect the neighborhood, don't act foolishly on the streets when entering and leaving or loitering.
- NO ELECTIONEERING: Due to tax restrictions for many groups being §501(c)(3) tax-exempt, do not discuss, promote, denigrate, or leave/display/hand out materials for any candidate, campaign, party, or proposition on any upcoming election. No electioneering during the event. Other activities prohibited by tax-restrictions are also not allowed.
- SELF-RECOGNITION: Try to speak from your own experiences and own your intentions and impacts. Recognize your own privileges and different backgrounds.
- CONFIDENTIALITY: Meetings are private despite being open to the public. Recordings are prohibited. You may share what you learned, but not direct quotes and identities.
- MEETING MODERATION: The organizers, hosts, co-hosts, moderators, and discussion leaders will use various methods available to ensure compliance with the rules and maintain decorum.
Attending any meeting or event implies agreement with the above rules.
