Today someone came to my Living Tao Book Club Meetup, and afterward, I realized that I needed an opening spiel—words I can say in the beginning to new people to explain what we’re about and what we’re trying to accomplish. So here goes . . .

This is a space and time in which we can explore the deeper things in life—the questions we don’t usually have the opportunity to discuss in our everyday lives. We use books as the catalyst and framework for our conversation. Beyond that, we help and encourage each other to live out the realizations we have.

I don’t pretend to know all the answers, and I encourage everyone to share their unfiltered thoughts and opinions in a respectful and kind way. I can only share my experiences and the awareness and consciousness I have so far. In the process, I think we can go beyond where it is possible to go on our own and can explore new avenues we may not yet have known were possible.

This group is a safe space where I have met amazing and wonderful people who give me hope for the world.