Sunday July 12 & bi-weekly * 11am * $5-10 suggested * REGISTER
How do different traditions across history and geography think about how we should live our lives?
Join this community for a casual, biweekly discussion group dedicated to exploring the practical philosophies and lived wisdom of the world’s major spiritual traditions. Over the first 12 weeks, we’ll look at foundational ideas from Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Taoism, Stoicism, Shinto, Yoruba, Animism, Christianity, Islam, and some modern faiths.
The full set of readings will comprise short, accessible excerpts of major texts. Because each of these traditions is vast and could inspire a lifelong study, our goal isn’t a dense deep dive. Instead, we want to look at the unique ways each tradition guides day-to-day living, ethical choices, and personal reflection.
This is less of a learning seminar and more of a conversational space. There are no right or wrong answers, and you don’t need any background in religious studies to participate. Come as you are, ready to chat about the ideas that jump out at you, what resonates with your own perspective, and how these philosophies might map onto our lives.
When: Biweekly starting Sunday, June 28, 2026, from 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Where: Upstairs at Rhizome DC (6950 Maple St NW, Washington, D.C. 20012)
Cost: Free to attend ($5–$10 suggested donation to support Rhizome's community space)
The initial syllabus is mapped out for 12 weeks with readings that are entirely free and available online, though a few weeks are still being finalized to ensure easy web access to readings. If interest sustains, we would love to keep the conversations going beyond the first 12 weeks!
Get Involved:
Check out the working syllabus and readings: tinyurl.com/explorefaiths
Join the community on Meetup: meetup.com/dc-religious-exploration-book-club/
Have questions, concerns, or reading suggestions? Reach out directly to crichardson1399@gmail.com
Taoism (July 12)
Readings:
* Tao Te Ching / Tao Te Ching Explained
* The Complete Works Of Chuang Tzu (Chapters 1 - 7, or as far as you get, I will provide a summary in the meeting since this can take a while)
Summary:
With Taoism, we focus on a philosophy centered on alignment with the natural flow of the universe. For what might be the only time in this group, we will be reading the entirety of the Tao Te Ching accompanied by Tao Te Ching Explained. Don’t stress if you can’t finish it all! Despite having brief chapters, they are meant to be chewed on slowly and can take some time to consider and process. Accompanying this, we will dive into the first seven chapters of The Complete Works of Chuang Tzu, a text filled with fables, humor, and critiques of conventional wisdom.
The Tao Te Ching introduces us to the concept of"non-action" or "effortless action" (wu wei). In our capitalist world, where our value is measured by what we’re able to produce and how much we’re able to do, Taoism offers an alternative path, the idea that power and peace come from stepping back and acting without attachment or forcefulness.Chuang Tzu pushes us to question humanity’s oft rigid thinking, to show that our own perspectives may blind us to the vastness of existence.
Through these texts, we will reflect on our relationship with control and productivity. We will discuss what wu wei looks like in our actual daily lives. We can also chat about how to navigate ambition without losing our natural harmony, and how Chuang Tzu's skepticism might help us let go of our ideas of success and morality.