At some time in their lives many people may struggle with questions like: Who or what am I essentially? Does my existence have meaning? Does life have a purpose? or What is the Truth? Many people when confronted with such questions adopt a belief system to relieve the tension of facing such questions head on. Most of them never consider the possibility that a definitive answer to such questions can be found - a final answer that leaves no doubt. Yet that is the testimony of many throughout the ages - that it is possible to find answers, final answers, for oneself.
If that is true how are we to go about finding such answers? A major clue that has been left by those who have found is that the answers are within. Many have also recognized the value of working with others as a way to expedite progress. That is the purpose of these meetings. They serve as a place where people can come together to look into themselves and confront the basic issues of life.
The meetings are a mix of discussion and questioning with the overall aim of knowing and understanding ourselves and our minds. Meetings begin with an open discussion of the poster topic for the week which serves as a catalyst for self inquiry. After the initial discussion the meeting moves toward questioning one another. This often takes place in a conversational format and the point of the questioning is to help each person retreat from untruth in themselves - to see where their own thinking might be clouded by desires or fears, where they might be rationalizing or if they might have unchallenged assumptions and convictions.
The meeting is not intended for people who want to get together and idly talk about philosophy as an exercise and demonstration of their intellect. Meetings embody the spirit of friendship and are for people who want to take an honest look at themselves and confront the questions that are bothering them and who have a suspicion that the answers lay within. Many people who participate in this process over time will find that their thinking becomes more clear and that they understand themselves and others better.