In this meetup you will learn how to Belly Dance the way people who have grown up in the Middle East learned - by seeing it and being immersed in it. This is a revolutionary new way to learn how to dance - and it makes sense, right?! If you're into learning all the precise muscle contractions needed for each move and want to memorize the counts for each step - this class isn't for you. The main focus of this class is FUN. But you will learn - a lot - in an awesome and fun way. There will be no b …

This group is dedicated to an exploration of the ideas informing educational philosophy, policy-making and planning - including investigation, analysis and critique of educational design at the local, state, national and international levels. I hope to open an erudite and broad-minded conversation about the underlying purpose(s) of public education from an eclectic, multi-angled perspective (i.e., classical Western, Eastern, post-modern, traditionalist, etc.). I am interested in what are the m …

Discover a new path to spiritual awakening with spiritual teacher Ustad Mazhabi. About Us: Mawlana Faizani International is a nonprofit educational organization that was established in 1997 by spiritual teacher and visionary Ustad Mazhabi. As our name indicates, Mawlana Faizani International was established to represent the spiritual teachings and enlightenment of the authoritative spiritual leader, Mawlana Faizani. Mawlana Faizani is a Sufi master of the Qadri, Naqshbandi, Chishti and Suhrawa …

This is group is for interested people to discuss concepts of Ancient India. Discussions and seminars are welcome on Astrology (Jyotish), Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism), Ganita (Vedic Mathematics), Samhita (Astronomy), Sanskrit, Mantra Shastra (The Vedic science of sound therapy), Vastu Shastra (The Vedic science of architecture) and any other relevant subject. From ancient times sages of India selflessly showered knowledge to us on numerous aspects of human life - from precise methods of timing ev …

Kundalini Yoga and Meditation is an ancient technology perfect for modern times. The purpose of the Kundalini Yoga Chicago Meetup Group is to gather regularly to experience meditations, yoga and the gong (as taught by Yogi Bhajan). Anyone interested in personal growth and development is invited to join.

William Meader is an international author and teacher of Esoteric Psychology. His passion is to teach the deeper implications of modern spiritual development, and the means to more effectively express the soul in the outer world. William is presenting his first Chicago lecture series in January 2011. Presentations will include: Evolution of Consciousness - The goal of human evolution is to achieve a state of enlightened consciousness. This journey is governed by one's capacity to transform the p …

Looking for like-minded folks who dig super-contemporary fiction and are dying to start a book club! If you read newer stuff like Murakami, Junot Diaz, Jonathan Franzen, DFW, Dave Eggers (also the best of non-fiction) let's talk. Meetings will be once a month in the Ukrainian Village / blue line area. Guys and girls 25-40ish who are serious about reading and want awesome book club selections, please join!

Are you interested in learning about another culture and seeing world-class, original Japanese art outside the confines of a museum? Do you want to learn the nuances of collecting and investing in art? Come join us at The Salon of the Floating World! The Salon of the Floating World is dedicated to the study and appreciation of Japanese prints and paintings and the culture and artists that produced them. Learn all facets of collecting art such as investing, connoisseurship, and proper handling a …

If you would like to read those books that you feel you ought to have read but have never gotten around to it, then this is the group for you. Book selections will be chosen from "1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die," edited by Peter Boxall. The list of books, which comprises selections in many genres from the 1600s-2000s, is in the Files section. We try to have two meetings per month. The main meeting, which I organize, is dedicated to a more modern classic (post-1900) while the second meet …

  We are excited and honored to announce IT Girl Studio.    IT Girl Studio is about finding the IT girl in YOU, a modern guide to having it all.  Our experts are carefully selected to provide the highest results. IT Girl Studio creates a judgment free space for women to realize their full potential, live adventurous lives, and access their feminine power.    Our goal is to adventure into the inquiry of what it means to be a powerful, desirable woman with a compelling presence.  Our mission is to …

Hello All! I'm starting this group since music is one of my great passions. My interest not only resides in the listening process, but having interesting conversations dwelling into meaning. My vision for this group is to meet once every week or two. As a group we will pick an album to listen to and then the next time we meet we will listen to excerpts and discuss the album as a whole. I’m hoping this will lead to not only an interesting analysis, but for the opportunity for all of us to have so …

Art Appreciation is the understanding of the timeless qualities that characterise all great art. So too is philosophy concerned with universality and truth. What is your relationship to art? Why is art meaningful to you? This group explores the great world of art, aesthetic experience, and its relation to philosophy.  We will be looking at all types of media from painting to music, poetry and film.   Also see these other philosophy groups in Chicago: Greek Philosophy: http://www.meetup.com/ …

Join us for weekly public lectures in Chicago on the Gnostic Teachings, a practical, spiritual and scientific methodology for transforming suffering and acquiring personal knowledge of the divine. Gnosis is the universal wisdom at the heart of all great religions and mystical traditions, and has manifested through innumerable teachers and spiritual guides. The principal literature of discussion is the canon of Samael Aun Weor, a modern author and expositor on esoteric topics such as Gnosticism, …

Chicago Black Literature Book Club seeks to bring together both women and men who enjoy thought-provoking black literature -- both modern and contemporary -- to partake in discussion, debate and dining!

      Push your training to a new level!   Learn a system that teaches you not only how to defend yourself, but how to avoid attacks and to dominate your opponent.           Learn an art proven in modern warfare!    Special force operatives from all branches of the military extensively use techniques from Filipino Martial Arts in Close Quarter Combat.   Test  yourself while learning new skills!   FMA integrates easily with all styles of martial arts. The open nature of the system allows …

We've had a modernist fiction book club going since May 2011, with a lot of good discussions, and could use a couple more regulars. In the past, we've read novels by Joyce, Malraux, Kafka, Wright, Mishima, Faulkner, Nabokov, Unamuno, Ellison, Hamsun, Woolf, Biely, and Gide.