You can register for this monthly gathering here:

https://speakeasy.breezechms.com/form/4bbe1c

The Silly and the Serious

Kindness takes on both light-hearted and profound expressions in our intricate world. In its playful form, it encompasses spontaneous acts that bring joy and laughter, offering a refreshing break from gravity. In its most thoughtful expression, it addresses pressing societal issues with compassion and wisdom. Striking a balance between these dimensions is pivotal and crucial; playfulness fosters connections and resilience, while empathy grapples with deep-rooted challenges, striving for enduring transformation. Together, they cultivate a mature mind and harmonious society adept at navigating the complex dynamics of life with love and awareness.

You are invited to our next Zoom meeting is this Wednesday! This conversation is going to be about concentration. I had previously spoke about this but I did not record it. Since people have asked about this one, I thought we could bring it back and explore it further.

This gathering is open to everyone and feel free to share:

Time: WED Sep 27, 2023 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM CST

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87213088762?pwd=WGltc1F3RnFDdzk4ZVl0cjJPS2hJdz09

Meeting ID: 872 1308 8762

Passcode: 067835

'At the center of the universe dwells the Great Spirit. And that center is really everywhere. It is within each of us.' -Black Elk

Wednesday July 26 at 7pm CST
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88555278648?pwd=K0dESjY3YUF2SjZMbmhMUE9zUzhuUT09

Meeting ID: 885 5527 8648
Passcode: 691340

In the domain of mental health, stigma is a prevalent barrier to treatment and recovery.  In this context, stigma refers to the negative attitudes, beliefs, and stereotypes surrounding a myriad of diseases in the brain and those who experience them. It is a form of social discrimination that leads to prejudice, misunderstanding, and marginalization of individuals with mental illness.  Out of fear of shame, sadly, many people are reluctant to seek help in order to avoid being identified and labeled or judged.  

Substance Use Disorders (SUD), in particular, remain mostly untreated, widely misconceived and therefore the most stigmatized in behavioral healthcare.  Surveys and studies have revealed that the general public tends to hold more negative attitudes and beliefs towards individuals with SUD compared to other health conditions. People with an addiction are most likely to be viewed as dangerous, prone to violence and to blame for their disease.  SUD is often viewed as a moral failing or simply the result of poor choices.

Even though addiction meets the criteria for the classic definition of a disease, many sectors of society have erroneously objected.  This has had a significant impact on the history of criminalization of addiction and the appalling trend of mass incarceration.  

With annual drug overdose deaths shockingly surpassing 100,000 for the first time in American history, by now everyone has been affected by the disease of addiction.  I have spent much of the past 7 years dedicated to learning about and helping people with drug and alcohol dependence.  In my personal and creative life, I receive more questions about addiction than anything else.

In this meeting, I hope to shed light on the complex nature and development of addiction and different substance use disorders including the biopsychosocial factors.   We will evaluate debates around interventions and abstinence vs harm reduction, how to support a loved one and how to know when one needs professional help.  

Most of all, we will investigate the subtle ways that mental health stigma is perpetuated by language, public policy and cultural norms.  The conventional term of "drug abuse" itself carries a lot of moral baggage.  In what other field of medicine would the word "abuse" be employed when describing symptoms of a disease?  Abuse conjures images of violence and can reinforce the criminal justice response rather than the patient care response.

Please bring your own insights, experiences or questions to share.  Looking forward to an important conversation.

THE HOMESTEAD 1854

611 E. Main Street, Plano, IL

Admission is free | Donations welcome!
A virtual option to join is available for Patreon members: https://patreon.com/kindmind

Doors open at 6pm// drinks will be served (no food this time).

Gathering begins at 7pm with talk, conversation and guided mindfulness. Come meet a friend or make a friend. The talk ends at 8:30pm and grounds close at 10pm.

Topic: The Edge of Knowledge

Understanding the nature of knowledge has been a timeless pursuit for thinkers and seekers throughout history.  This branch of study in philosophy is often referred to as epistemology.

There is an interplay between sensory perception, intellectual understanding and the notion of objective truth.  The limitations, complexities, and transformative power inherent in the quest for knowledge cannot be understated.

What does it mean to KNOW something?  
HOW does one know something?  

We are never able to fully stand outside the world and its apparent parts in order to objectively examine as separate from ourselves.  Absolute truth may be like the horizon that ever expands as we attempt to approach it, revealing new frontiers and the endless depth of unknowing.

Power dynamics play a significant role in the production and dissemination of knowledge. Institutionalized structures, privileges and biases can influence whose "knowledge" is valued and whose perspectives are marginalized.  Recognizing and challenging these power imbalances is vital to foster a more inclusive and equitable knowledge ecosystem.

We might consider the restorative potential of egalitarian inquiry and the implications of its obstruction.  Some research methodologies require significant resources such as labor, money and time to gain access to knowledge.  Who is able to participate and how might our understanding of the world be different otherwise?

An ethical dimension emerges when contemplating the function of knowledge. While knowledge empowers and enlightens, it can also be a double-edged sword, capable of destruction and exploitation. Moral responsibility requires discernment in how knowledge is acquired, shared, and applied. The preservation of certain knowledge, such as the occult, may have been conceived as a protective measure, honoring the need for maturity and wisdom in its application.

Together, let us explore the interconnectedness of these thought-fragments.  Like a mosaic, knowledge can be taken as relatively complete depending on where you look, while paradoxically offering countless possibilities for continuation.

THE HOMESTEAD 1854

611 E. Main Street, Plano, IL

Admission is free | Donations welcome!
A virtual option to join is available for Patreon members: https://patreon.com/kindmind

Doors open at 6pm with drinks inside the house.

Gathering begins at 7pm with talk, conversation and guided mindfulness. Come meet a friend or make a friend. The talk ends at 8:30pm and grounds close at 10pm.

Topic: Unexpected Lessons from Seeds

In this gathering in honor of Earth Day celebrations, we will delve into the underground world of seeds and the unexpected life lessons they can teach us. From the sacred lotus seed which can remain viable for over 1,000 years to the dust-like orchid seeds that rely on fungus to germinate to the lodgepole pine which requires fire to release its seeds from the resin in cones - there is much to glean about resilience, potential, and interconnectedness.

These odd timelines and strange conditions can remind us that human progress is also not always straightforward. It can also inspire us to remain engaged in sowing the seeds of kindness and transformation in the face of adversity, trusting the latent magic will unfold.

In Hinduism and Buddhism, "bija" is often used to describe the seed or essence of something, which can represent the beginning or source of a concept, idea, or practice. For example, in yoga and meditation, bija mantras are seed syllables that are considered to hold the essence of a specific energy or deity. When chanted or meditated upon, these bija mantras are believed to help activate and harmonize the associated energy or invoke the deity's presence.

We will reflect on the wisdom of seeds in nature and culture and explore ways to apply the insights to daily life for nuturing a destiny of peace and happiness.

REGISTER HERE: https://speakeasyspiritualcommunity.com/calendar-1/

Topic: MATURITY

Join Todd and the Speakeasy community this Sunday morning for rich conversation on spiritual topics, meditation, prayer, inspiration and music. 

THE HOMESTEAD 1854

611 E. Main Street, Plano, IL

Admission is free | Donations welcome!
A virtual option to join is available for Patreon members: https://patreon.com/kindmind

Doors open at 6pm with food and drinks inside the house.

Gathering begins at 7pm with talk, conversation and guided mindfulness. Come meet a friend or make a friend. The talk ends at 8:30pm and grounds close at 10pm.

To register for yoga at 5pm or to book a room at The Homestead 1854, please visit https://thehomestead1854.com

Topic: The Pearls and Perils of Empathy

Mary Oliver wrote that "empathy is a kind of seeing, and it involves imagination as well as vision."

The word "empathy" has origins in Greek "Empatheia" and the root "pathos," which means "feeling."  It was first introduced to the English language in the early 20th century as a translation of the German word "Einfühlung," which means "feeling into." The term was initially used in the context of aesthetics and art appreciation.

Over time, the concept of empathy has evolved to encompass a broader range of psychosocial processes associated with 1) affective empathy (experiencing or sharing the emotions of another) and/or 2) cognitive empathy (understanding the perspective of another).  Empathy is a crucial component of emotional intelligence and the development of meaningful relationships.

The opposite of empathy is apathy or the lack of feeling.  So as a virtue, empathy can be the foundation for generating compassion and a motivating energy for prosocial behavior.  However, it could also be argued that the value of empathy is unstable on its own and may need to be balanced with rationality and discernment in order to navigate between the extremes of excessive empathy and calloused indifference.  

Otherwise, the drawbacks involve our susceptibility to emotional exploitation as targets of manipulative marketing or weaponized empathy.  There is also the risk of empathy distorting facts as evidenced by proximity bias (preference to those close in distance or likeness) and other modes of selective empathy, short-term focus, and the prioritization of identifiable individuals over large groups or abstract statistics.  These limitations have inspired the effective altruisim movement which aims to update our evolutionary empathy instincts to match the often complex modern social problems.

Additionally, unbound empathy can lead to distress and burnout.  Preoccupation with the feelings of others can result in decision paralysis or the hindering of our ability to respond timely and skillfully.  When a river floods its own banks, it turns turbulent and loses the balance that sustained its nourishing flow; or like the tides of the sea, we naturally require a cycle of rising and retreating.

Ultimately, empathy's true spiritual power reorients to our recurring theme of kindness and discovering our underlying circulation with totality. Feeling into oneness.  It is an elegant common cornerstone among most major spiritual traditions. At the heart of their moral philosophy, the empathic aphorisms enshrine the same message in colorful ways.  

Beyond "The Golden Rule," other verses include "the whole world is a family" in the Rigveda, "all beings are Buddha nature" in the Lotus Sutra, and "be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle," attributed to Philo of Alexandria.

We will explore the ends of empathy in all its bittersweetness.

THE HOMESTEAD 1854

611 E. Main Street, Plano, IL

Admission is free | Donations welcome!
A virtual option is available to patreon members: https://patreon.com/kindmind

Doors open at 6pm with food and drinks inside the house.

Gathering begins at 7pm with talk, conversation and guided mindfulness. Come meet a friend or make a friend. The talk ends at 8:30pm and grounds close at 10pm.

To register for yoga at 5pm or to book a room at The Homestead 1854, please visit https://thehomestead1854.com

Topic: Being vs Having

In 1976, German social psychologist Erich Fromm published a book which presented the titular question, "To Have or To Be?"  This philosophical inquiry would resurface throughout his work as two distinct modes of existence.  He further claimed that modern society in its materialism prefers having.

In our meetings and mindfulness practice, we often consider the dialectic of being vs doing.  Well, Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa wrote, "to have is to tarry."  In a sense, the more you have, the more you have to do which can weigh you down in terms of freeing your mind.

But does that mean that the goal of spiritual growth would be to eliminate possessions?  I don't think it's that simple.  It is more about transcending possessiveness.  

There is a clear cultural example of this difference when comparing the legacies of human relations with the land or ecology.  If you look at a map of Native Land that shows historically Indigenous territories, you will not find the straight lines and rigid markers as is the case with modern states and countries.  It's much more fluid like the area of defense on a baseball field, with any location more or less covered by a player.  This ties into the notion of stewardship as opposed to ownership of the land, as well as the experience of land as a community rather than a commodity.

Today, what could change with our life, work, responsibilities and relationships if we brought this awareness into our consciousness and mode of existence?  

What changes and what matters more in the moment between:

having something and being present?
having friends and being friendly?
having success and being sincere?
having love and being loving?

Looking forward to exploring this and more with you this month.  And feel free to comment or add suggestions to what you hope to hear about.  

THE HOMESTEAD 1854

611 E. Main Street, Plano, IL

Admission is free | Donations welcome!

Doors open at 6pm with cocktails/mocktails/light dinner menu.

Gathering begins at 7pm with talk, conversation and guided mindfulness. Come meet a friend or make a friend. Event ends at 8:30pm and grounds close at 10pm.

To register for yoga at 5pm or to book a room at The Homestead 1854, please visit https://thehomestead1854.com

The theme: The First Virtue

Historically, morality was in the domain of religion. Although most existing faiths claim their teachings go back to the dawn of time, we can understand that these belief systems have emerged and disintegrated like empires.

However, scholars trace living spiritual traditions of the Indian subcontinent to the 15th century BCE suggesting seniority at least among scriptures. The cornerstone of these and many other organized moral philosophies around the world is nonviolence. Also known as ahimsa in Sanskrit, it is the central theme of Jainism and the very first step in the first (yama) of eight limbs of yoga in Hinduism.

This ancient virtue can also be found as a basis for other maxims and codes around the world as attempts to do the least harm such as the golden rule, Mill’s utilitarianism or Kant’s categorical imperative. Despite this principle being woven into the fabric of social construct, it seems so many civilizations fall way short of its vision.

In this meeting, we will explore the role of nonviolence today and the challenges or limitations. Violence is quite prevalent in nature, so it cannot be only a matter of living more naturally. Some modern thinkers assert that you cannot have life without death elsewhere nor construction without destruction. So, what about other life forms, self-defense, war, criminal justice, disease, mental health, etc?

If there is a time to kill, then perhaps the important clue for spiritual growth lies in ahimsa’s explanation in Jainism. Guided by simplicity, necessity and intention, one can aspire to cultivate a mind with less and less desire to increase suffering while adopting a lifestyle that harmonizes with the balance of the broader ecological community to which we belong.

THE HOMESTEAD 1854

611 E. Main Street, Plano, IL

Admission is free | Donations welcome!

Doors open at 6pm with cocktails/mocktails/light dinner menu.

Gathering begins at 7pm with talk, conversation and guided mindfulness. Come meet a friend or make a friend. Event ends at 8:30pm and grounds close at 10pm.

To register for yoga at 5pm or to book a room at The Homestead 1854, please visit https://thehomestead1854.com

The theme: FEAR ITSELF

We like to get a little spooky at our October gatherings. This time, we will investigate the nature of fear and whether it is truly an emotion or more of a reflex.

Also, why are so many people attracted to scary movies when in real life we typically avoid frightening situations? There are a multitude of reasons but recent studies have indicated that fans of horror fared better in the pandemic in terms of preparedness and psychological resilience. Therefore, it could function as a kind of virtual reality tester and mechanism of exposure to worst-case scenarios.

In the final episode of “Dirty John,” the true story of a murderous conman, the daughter Terra credits her survival and ability to fight like hell from having previously binged AMC’s apocalyptic horror series The Walking Dead.

There are many different types of fear but psychologist Karl Albrecht believes that they can be categorized and fit into a hierarchy or “Feararchy.” However, philosophers like Jiddu Krishnmurti asserted that these are still only the branches of one tree of fear and implored seekers to cut it down at the root.

And on an evolutionary level, our instincts associated with fear are predominantly codes for responding to a long-gone world. Most of the ancient imminent death threats like predators, storms and enemies have been replaced by longform health complexities like addiction, obesity and loneliness.

What will it take to download the updates and how could that transform our lives and society?

“Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.” — Bertrand Russell

Behn Gallery, 2149 Glebe St., Suite 100, Carmel, IN

REGISTER HERE: https://www.behngallery.com/form/guest-todd-fink

A gathering of art and ideas with award-winning master photographer, Roben Bellomo, and Kind Mind Podcast host, Todd Fink.

Photographer Roben Bellomo, of Behn Gallery, will share artistic perspectives that reflect the Unseen through a showcase of intricate and timeless images. TED Talk Speaker, Todd Fink, of the Kind Mind podcast, will expand on this topic relating to ways we can explore our own awareness to things Unseen.

In appreciation of art, learning, and community, this will be a friendly-filled and awe-inspiring event with nourishing conversation and enjoyable refreshments!

Registration is required due to limited space. Event is free.

Tickets available here: https://tedxnaperville.ticketspice.com/tedxnaperville-2022-community

Our Fall 2022 event will be held outside on a real, working farm. We are limiting the event to two hundred tickets to allow for intimate conversations with speakers, encourage lively participation, and provide the opportunity to make new friends with other participants.

What can you expect?

Community

Our theme is “Community.” Be prepared for a giant family reunion-style event, surrounded by speakers, and friends, new and old. Expect some fun surprises, too!

True interactivity.

With the smaller event, expect to be bumping into a number of past speakers. They have expressed the desire to be off the stage to have conversations with you. All speakers will be wearing something different, so you will know who they are, but what they talk about - that’s up to you!

YOU guide the conference.

Our Ideashops do not require pre-registration, we will have maps and information on who is hosting the Ideashop and where at the event. We will also have guides pointing the way. Since the event is outside, some Ideashops will require a short 5-minute walk.

Think of this event as an outdoor festival, but instead of music as the focus, it is about ideas (and don’t worry, there will be music too!).

A few Ideashops will be regular tours of the farm, a walking nature photography mini- Masterclass, lessons on resiliency led by an Olympic medalist, and a discussion on diamond computer processors by a leading scientist of nanomaterials.

It’s a Farm. Be prepared!

It’s outside, rain or shine. While we will have tents in certain areas and speakers’ Ideashops, please be prepared for any weather. Bring lawn chairs, blankets - anything that would make you comfortable to enjoy the conversation. Fortunately, the farm does not have any significant challenges, such as animal droppings or angry bulls, but come prepared for the elements.

Food.

All tickets include dinner and we will be hosting food trucks on the farm. While beer and wine will be provided, in the spirit of community you are welcome to bring a bottle of wine or ale should you wish to share it with new friends.

Campfire and Smores

No visit to an outdoor farm would be complete without a smores bar and a campfire to end the evening.

THE HOMESTEAD 1854

611 E. Main Street, Plano, IL

Admission is free | Donations welcome!

Doors open at 6pm with cocktails/mocktails/light dinner menu.

Gathering begins at 7pm with talk, conversation and guided mindfulness. Come meet a friend or make a friend. Event ends at 8:30pm and grounds close at 10pm.

REGISTER HERE: https://speakeasyspiritualcommunity.com/calendar-1/

Topic: RELEASE

Join Todd and the Speakeasy community this Sunday morning for rich conversation on spiritual topics, meditation, prayer, inspiration and music. 

THE HOMESTEAD 1854

611 E. Main Street, Plano, IL

Admission is free | Donations welcome!

Doors open at 6pm with cocktails/mocktails/light food

Gathering begins at 7pm with talk, conversation and guided mindfulness. Come meet a friend or make a friend. Event ends at 8:30pm and grounds close at 10pm.

Join this monthly virtual event which includes a message from Todd about failure and defeat, a Q/A session, guided meditation and conversation around the meaning of life.

HOW TO ATTEND:
Open to all Kind Mind patreon members. Sign up here to receive the Zoom invite and access more bonus content:

https://www.patreon.com/kindmind

LOCATION

Isle a la Cache Museum is located at 501 E. Romeo Road (135th Street), east of Route 53, in Romeoville, IL.

EVENT DETAILS

Join Todd Fink, founder of the “Kind Mind” podcast, as he leads us on a mindfulness journey in this unique program. Trees care for each other in very special ways. They have family relationships, and trees seem to live with the wisdom and understanding that on some level every tree matters to the well-being of the whole forest. If even one tree is destroyed, the ecosystem becomes comprised, the canopy has a hole and the microclimate shifts in temperature and moisture, jeopardizing the health of all trees. Therefore, they employ unique mechanisms to protect the community.

Fink will explore the philosophy, mythology and ecology of the forest world and how it relates to human potential. The program will conclude with a special guided meditation.

EVENT REQUIREMENTS

No registration required.

Meet at the picnic shelter at Isle a la Cache. Limited seating will be available at picnic table benches; bringing a chair is recommended to ensure seating for this program. 

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service to participate in this program should submit a request online no later than 48 hours before the program.

Facebook event page here

When you stop trying to get it, you got it.

It may sound counterintuitive given the popularity of law of attraction.

But doesn't the affirming and manifesting work also reinforce the sense of lack in the first place?

Studies show that we are not accurate at predicting what would make us happy... because it is never really the thing but the feeling that we seek.

Therefore, the pursuit of happiness can make it hard to positively appreciate the present moment.

Consider health, career, love or revolution and how urgency or desperation tempts us to resort to interventions that push it away or us out of harmony with the original vision.

Most importantly, this law of reverse effort applies to spirituality and inner peace, as there is no process to still the mind.

There is only a process to disturb it.

Let's talk about it!

HOW TO ATTEND:
Open to all Kind Mind patreon members. Sign up here to receive the Zoom invite and access bonus content:

https://www.patreon.com/kindmind

WHO:

Join Todd Fink (certified addiction counselor and mindfulness teacher) for a message about concentration, group meditation and conversation about the meaning of life. Todd is the host of the Kind Mind podcast and co-founder of The Giving Tree Band.

HOW:

Open to all Kind Mind patreon members. Sign up here to receive the Zoom invite and bonus content:

https://www.patreon.com/kindmind

WHAT:

Accessing Worlds With Concentration.

We all have an often underused and therefore latent power of concentration. It is like the aperture of a camera which controls how much light comes through the lens. When it is smaller, it yields marvelous depth of field but a blurring of the periphery.

Similarly, the light of conscious attention can be directed like a laser to penetrate the phenomenal world to reveal deeper insights and master an aspect of life.

Ordinarily, our understanding and attentional interests are coming from the environment and outer conditioning with the illusion of one's willful direction, just as the tides appear to be the work of the ocean and not the invisible gravity of the moon.

Concentration also represents the sixth limb in the philosophy of yoga. Dharana is the Sanskrit word with its root "dhar" meaning "to hold." But this is not the same as meditation, which in some ways is the opposite, like the large aperture full of light due to having no specific focus.

In this meeting, we will explore various creative and contemplative paths to concentration, it's material and spiritual benefits as well as it's relationship to meditation and other limbs of yoga.

Invite friends on Facebook

WHO:
Join Todd Fink (certified addiction counselor and mindfulness teacher) for a message about intuition, group meditation and conversation about the meaning of life.

Todd is the host of the Kind Mind podcast and co-founder of The Giving Tree Band.

HOW:
Open to Kind Mind patreon members. Sign up here to access the Zoom invite and bonus mindfulness content:

https://www.patreon.com/kindmind

WHAT:
The Science of Intuition

Intuition is defined as the ability to know something immediately or to know something without proof.

In the digital age, intuition may have taken a backseat to satellite GPS and Google searches. However, its philosophical significance for our personal life and psychological growth has not been diminished but rather overlooked.

There is a good scientific reason to call it a "gut feeling." According to researchers at Johns Hopkins, we have as many as 500 million neurons lining our gastrointestinal tract forming what scientists call the enteric nervous system (ENS) or second brain.

This can partly explain why antidepressants may be prescribed for irritable bowel syndrome, which often includes emotional distress. The medication can soothe symptoms by acting on nerve cells in the gut.

But is intuition still a good guide? Is it outdated now that we have seemingly more rational tools at our instant disposal?

This meeting will explore the science and spirituality of intuition along with its theological origins in Sanskrit and Latin languages which emphasized "inner" and "tutor" as its core meaning, respectively.