Sacred Texts, Shared Thoughts: A Religious Exploration Discussion Group
On Sunday, August 23, 2026, Rhizome DC hosts a meeting of Sacred Texts, Shared Thoughts, a casual biweekly discussion group that explores practical philosophies and lived wisdom from major spiritual traditions around the world. The session runs from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM and is designed as a conversational space rather than a formal seminar. Participants are encouraged to come as they are, without any prior background in religious studies, and talk about what stands out, what resonates personally, and how these traditions might apply to everyday life.
The group’s initial 12-week syllabus moves through foundational ideas from traditions including Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Taoism, Stoicism, Shinto, Yoruba, Animism, Christianity, Islam, and some modern faiths. Readings are short, accessible excerpts of major texts, all free and available online, and the emphasis is on how each tradition guides day-to-day living, ethical choices, and personal reflection. The organizers hope to continue the conversations beyond the first 12 weeks if interest remains strong.
When: Sunday, August 23, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM. This is a session in a biweekly series that begins Sunday, June 28, 2026, and is initially mapped out for 12 weeks.
Where: Upstairs at Rhizome DC, 6950 Maple St NW, Washington, D.C. 20012.
Tickets: Free to attend, with a $5–$10 suggested donation to support Rhizome’s community space. The event page includes a registration button for those planning to attend.
Run time: 90 minutes.
Format: Casual, conversation-driven discussion; no background in religious studies is needed, and there are no right or wrong answers.
Topics and readings: The syllabus samples Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Taoism, Stoicism, Shinto, Yoruba, Animism, Christianity, Islam, and modern faiths through short excerpts focused on daily living, ethics, and personal reflection.
Readings and syllabus: Free readings are available online; the working syllabus can be found at tinyurl.com/explorefaiths. A few weeks are still being finalized to ensure easy web access to all readings.
Ages: Not specified on the event page.
Accessibility: The event takes place upstairs at Rhizome DC; no additional accessibility information is provided.
Contact and community: For questions, concerns, or reading suggestions, email crichardson1399@gmail.com. The group also has a Meetup page at meetup.com/dc-religious-exploration-book-club/.