The Philosophy Meetup (Kingston) cover photo

Sun, Nov 17, 2024, 2:00 PM ESTMindfulness for Beginners Redux
Portsmouth Tavern , Kingston, ON
Mindfulness is the awareness that emerges through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally to the unfolding of experience moment by moment”
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) was the concept created by Jon Kabat-Zinn and his team at the University of Massachusetts in the late 1970’s.
Since then, it has spread world wide and has helped millions of people live a better more content life. It forms a portion of today’s Dialectic Behaviour Therapy.
A committed daily Mindfulness practice can play an important role in enhancing your ability to manage emotions and feelings, cope with stress, and improve relationships.
For this meeting, I propose we focus on the seven
Attitudinal Foundations of Mindfulness Practice (Page 123 of Printed book page 108 of Google e-book)
Non-judging, Patience, Beginners Mind, Trust, Non-striving, acceptance and letting go.
And most importantly any other points the Members wish to discuss!
From Google AI Overview
"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's mind there are few". Shunryu Suzuki
The idea of "beginner's mind" is a Zen concept that refers to a state of openness, eagerness and presence that allows people to be original and fresh, with no preconceptions. In this state, there is no thought of achievement or self.
Experts may have a lot of knowledge, but their mindset can be narrow and judgemental, leading to a belief that there is only one correct way to approach a problem or a situation.
The e-book is available on Google Books and Kindle. Reading before meeting suggested to gain maximum benefit (time usually about 3.5 hours)
12 attendees+7
Sat, Dec 7, 2024, 12:00 PM ESTHoliday Luncheon at Amadeus
Amadeus Cafe, Kingston, ON
Dear Philosophers,

Join us (again) for a holiday luncheon at Amadeus! This is a great way to celebrate the start of the festive season, conversing with friends - old and new- over a hot lunch and festive cheer.

I have booked seating for 30 people for this holiday event. It will probably be a set lunch, but with great food. Hope to see many of you there!

Cheers,
Colin
26 attendees+21
Fri, Dec 13, 2024, 7:00 PM ESTHoliday Party
Needs location
Dear members,

Our member Francine has kindly offered to host a holiday drinks/snack gathering for the evening of Friday, Dec. 13th at her place.

The west-end address will be emailed to participants a few days beforehand. BYOB and a dessert/side dish and help us celebrate the holiday season together.

Please be responsible, and arrange for a ride home if partaking in holiday cheer.

Hope to see you there!

Cheers,
Colin

PS- thanks Francine!
20 attendees+15
Wed, Jan 1, 2025, 2:00 AM ESTBlueprint : How DNA makes us who we are (winter reading group)
Needs location
This initial posting is informational only- there is no event at 2am on NY Eve!- about a winter reading group I intend organizing over 2 lunch sessions in Jan and February 2025.

I first want to see how many folks are interested in reading through this book, and give you time to get a copy of it before we start in the New Year. If you are interested in this reading group please click "attending", and then I will post updated meetup sessions some time in December. For this meeting I try to keep the numbers somewhat smaller for the lunch discussions, and will thus run repeat sessions if interest is high to ensure everyone can attend.

The book is Blueprint: how our DNA makes us who we are by Robert Plomin. The publisher has a video about the author and book here:

https://youtu.be/FptGxaxJyms?si=wBSgyCuPgBJ_6d6Q

Here is the book blurb:

In Blueprint, behavioral geneticist Robert Plomin describes how the DNA revolution has made DNA personal by giving us the power to predict our psychological strengths and weaknesses from birth. A century of genetic research shows that DNA differences inherited from our parents are the consistent life-long sources of our psychological individuality—the blueprint that makes us who we are. This, says Plomin, is a game changer.

Plomin has been working on these issues for almost fifty years, conducting longitudinal studies of twins and adoptees. He reports that genetics explains more of the psychological differences among people than all other factors combined. Genetics accounts for fifty percent of psychological differences—not just mental health and school achievement but all psychological traits, from personality to intellectual abilities. Nature, not nurture is what makes us who we are.

Plomin explores the implications of this, drawing some provocative conclusions—among them that parenting styles don't really affect children's outcomes once genetics is taken into effect. Neither tiger mothers nor attachment parenting affects children's ability to get into Harvard. After describing why DNA matters, Plomin explains what DNA does, offering readers a unique insider's view of the exciting synergies that came from combining genetics and psychology.

Hope to see some of you there for this winter reading group session!

Cheers,
Colin
25 attendees+20

The Philosophy Meetup (Kingston)