September MMAH Meeting

Hello everyone,

This is a reminder of another exciting MMAH Dinner Meeting with typical spirited discussion to follow.

When: 5:00 pm, Sunday, September 27, 2009
Where: Great Wall Buffet Restaurant (Private Banquet Room)
4832 W. Saginaw Hwy.
Lansing, Michigan 48917
(517) 327-9500
Cost: Buffet $8:25 (beverage extra except for tea), or order from menu

Click on Get Directions for interactive map (not to be confused with the World Buffet Restaurant on the same strip mall, located west of Mall Drive that runs N-S between the 2 restaurants)

We are delighted that Dr. Vivek Palavali will be the feature speaker who will talk about his perspective on religion, humanism, and the philosophy of living life fully. Dr. Palavli is a brain surgeon and author of the book, A Mindful Life: A Brain Surgeon's Personal Experiences and Philosophical Reflections on Living Life Fully. He also is the producer of the film Creator of God: A Brain Surgeon’s Story. This film has won the Best Documentary Film Award when recently shown at the Film Festival in Pasadena, California, and also won the Best Documentary Film Award when more recently shown to a packed house at the Film Festival in Ferndale, Michigan.

Dr. Palavali’s talk will include showing a trailer of Creator of God and some other short films he has produced.

"Past is a dream
Future is a fantasy
Today is the reality"
---- Buddha

I am epicurean in philosophy and a brain surgeon by profession. I enjoy nature, philosophy, science, oil painting and world travel. Born in India, I migrated to the USA in 1986 and now I am an American citizen. Naturally inquisitive, I have been curious to figure out the best way to live this one and only life. During residency training at the University of Chicago and practicing neurosurgery for 12 years in Michigan, I dealt with many unexpected tragedies that patients suffer, which made me realize that life is fragile and must be revered and enjoyed to the best possible extent, every day. As a consequence I authored the book, A Mindful Life: A Brain Surgeon's Personal Experiences and Philosophical Reflections on Living Life Fully.

I have also been on a quest, since my teenage years, to find an answer to the big question, "Does God really exist?" That philosophical inquiry took me through a global journey. Of course, I took a video camera during those world travels and couldn't resist producing a documentary film, Creator of God: A Brain Surgeon's Story. I couldn't sit still watching the incessant images of children dying, getting debilitated or displaced from their families and homes due to crusades and jihads around the world. All of this done in the name of God. I had to document my point of view, from a brain surgeon's perspective on whether God exists or not.

I believe in love and peace.
---Dr. Vivekanand Palavali

Check out http://surgeonscut.co... for more information about Dr. Palavali - his book, his films, and his blog by navigating the site.

We are anticipating a good turnout for this meeting. Please RSVP to provide an approximate headcount for reserving the Private Banquet Room that can accommodate 100+ people. You can email or call me anytime at (517) 750-3887, or (517) 914-2278 cell

Jim Hong, Director
Mid-Michigan Atheists and Humanists
Affiliate of American atheists