FIND MEANING

How should we respond to suffering? Can we respond without wallowing in self-pity? Or can we turn it into a song? Can suffering be used for self-transformation?
Suffering can help us find what’s at the very root of our life. Or it can be debilitating, destructive, impossible to endure. In this meeting we will explore several insights about suffering (from Abraham Heschel, Jiddu Krishnamurti, Buddhism). Then, we will engage in Practice (Visionary meditation), to see the place of suffering in our own life. Finally, we will see how we can use suffering for self-transformation.

The way we have been trained to think of relationships is static, limited, fatal. Normal relationships, whether they are casual friendships or romantic love, are the pursuit of beings who are essentially alone. We never reach the core, and therefore we remain isolated.

What is real relationship? Visionary relationship is a response to the mystery of loss, mortality, isolation. It is recognition that we are on parallel paths, building a common visionary world. Relationship means mutuality. It requires more than a simple exchange. It means that we know something about each other. Relationship means that we are no longer alone in the world.

In this meeting we will engage in Reflect (Visionary meditation) to explore the quality of our existing relationships. We will review Martin Buber’s view of the I-you relationship, and Jiddu Krishnamurti's view that an ambitious person cannot love.

Finally, we will discuss a possible action, Friendshape. Friendshape is for those you want to keep alive in your heart, including an alternative marriage contract.

It’s easy to blame others for violence in society. But the roots of violence run deep, and we are all responsible to some extent. Let’s begin by meeting to explore the subtle, indirect (as well as obvious) ways we make violence possible. Then, let’s go onto the streets to ask others to join with us in self-transformation for the sake of the innocent victims.

Peace is more than the cessation of fighting. Profound Peace means living in a way that the other person is as important as you. Let’s begin with one conflict, striving to understand the position of those we oppose. Then, we can begin to set up a Peace Brigade of people on both sides.
The Guide should select the conflict.

Let’s admit that we really don’t know what the objectives of either side are or what the real causes of the conflict are. But to be honest it doesn’t matter very much. The main thing is not to take a side just because we happen to be on that side. We owe it to ourselves not to be bamboozled.

Are we essentially alone in the world? Does social activity makes us even more isolated? Can aloneness – bringing an end to thought, ambition, desire – make us less lonely?

Police work is necessary, but not transformative. It is the use of force to enforce laws. It suppresses rather than inspires. We can do a little better. Let’s meet with police as friends, to help each other think about deeper ways to respond to people in trouble.

Enforcing the law is important, but so is responding to the living human being in front of you. Respond to conflict by transforming the conflict situation. Help those in trouble, including victims and those causing harm. Look at evil with the eyes of a mother.

Let's meet with friends and frenemies for an evening of readings on wonderful works. Focus this meeting: Quest.

To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go

If you like you may bring a work of art to share - any reading, video, etc. Participants may bring anything they like, no matter how recent, unknown, or unconventional, as long as it reminds us, somehow, of the potential grandeur of life. But there is no need to bring something - we have plenty of wonderful works available!

We will also have a talking circle, to check in and express our thoughts and feelings about what is truly important.

Visionary Society will provide light snacks and drinks. We'll gather at the apartment of an organizer (or other homey location).

One hour meeting at a downtown cafe to review the topic 'What is your calling?' Each participant can select one Perspective to discuss, esp. with regard to their own position in life.

Action. Go downtown and spend thirty minutes handing out Visionary Society pamphlets on 'What is your calling?' Talk with each person briefly, explaining our purpose and how to get more involved.