Welcome to our October 2025 newsletter.
This month we feature articles by Vince Cavuoto, Tom Cummings, Nan DiBello, Robert M. Ellis, Linda Modaro, Mike Slott, Karsten Struhl, and Sharon Tobias. We also highlight Ted Meissner's 2018 interview with Bernat Font on the topic of secular mindfulness and Buddhism.
Stephen Batchelor's New Book: Buddha, Socrates, and Us
Tom Cummings reports on a talk by Stephen Batchelor on his new book, Buddha, Socrates, and Us: Ethical Living in Uncertain Times.
In the book, Stephen Batchelor explores the philosophical, social, and political worlds of the Buddha and Socrates, showing how their teachings continue to provide lessons in how to lead a flourishing and engaged life in a turbulent, uncertain, and violent world. Click here to purchase the book.
Situational Ethics and Creative Precepts: Sex and Intoxicants
Based on her Reflective Meditation approach, Linda Modaro urges practitioners to creatively engage with the precepts regarding sex and intoxication.
A Secular Buddhist Response to Gaza
Sharon Tobias, Nan DiBello, and Karsten Struhl urge all Buddhists to condemn the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, support humanitarian assistance efforts, and demand that the U.S. stop supplying weapons to Israel.
Ted Meissner's The Secular Buddhist Podcast
Over fifteen years and 337 episodes, Ted Meissner's Secular Buddhist podcast provided those interested in the secular dharma with fascinating and insightful interviews with meditation teachers and writers. This month we feature Ted's interview with Bernat Font on the topic of secular mindfulness and Buddhism, originally aired on October 11, 2018.
Bernat Font trained as a dharma teacher with Bodhi College, mentored by Stephen Batchelor, and has a PhD in Buddhist Studies from the University of Bristol; his doctoral thesis is on the notion of vedanā. His approach to meditation has been mainly influenced by the Burmese teacher Sayadaw U Tejaniya besides his own study of the texts of early Buddhism. He believes that our dharma needs to keep being updated, and this applies to secular Buddhism itself—otherwise it would ossify into yet another dogma.
Why Buddhists should be Interested in Embodied Meaning
Robert M. Ellis discusses how embodied meaning is a crucial aspect of the Buddha's Middle Way and thus should be an important part of any Buddhist practitioner's perspective.
Rediscovering the Core Cause of Human Suffering
Vince Cavuoto asserts that the Buddha's key discovery was to uncover the conditional root of suffering in the appropriation of the five aggregates as "I, me, mine."
How Secular Buddhists Can Contribute to Movements for Social Change
Mike Slott discusses the ways in which a secular approach to the dharma offers important resources to political activists.
Connect with the Secular Buddhist Network
Looking for a sangha? - To facilitate the development of local sanghas, SBN has established a listing for individuals looking to meet others in their geographical area. Click here.
SBN's Monthly Discussion Group - Meets the third Thursday of each month on Zoom. Click here.
Sunday Morning Meditation Group - Meets every Sunday at 11 am US Eastern Time on Zoom. Click here.
Sunday Evening Practice Circle- A long-time offering of the Secular Buddhist Association, meets the 2nd and 4th Sunday every month, 8:00 p.m. Central Time (9:00 p.m. Eastern). Click here.
SBN Reading Groups- SBN sponsors two reading groups. Book, article, video and podcast selections for both groups focus on topics related to secular Buddhism. Click here.
Exploring Aging from a Secular Buddhist Perspective- Meets the second and last Monday of each month on Zoom. Click here.
Secular Dharma and Political Activism - Meets the first Friday of every month on Zoom. Click here.
Secular Buddhist Zen Pub - Meets every Saturday, 11 am US Eastern Time on Zoom. Click here.
SBN online course on Exploring a Secular Dharma- Click here to learn about the basic ideas and concepts of secular Buddhism through a free online course.
Upcoming Events, Workshops, and Retreats
SBN's Calendar of Meetings and Courses - A calendar of SBN sponsored discussion and meditation groups, as well as SBN's courses on secular Buddhism. Click here.
Upcoming courses and retreats - Click here for a listing of upcoming courses, programs, and retreats of interest for secular Buddhists and socially engaged Buddhists.
Facing Gaza: Leading Palestinian and Israeli Dharma Teachers in Dialogue (October 11 on Zoom from the Sati Center)
You are invited to join a dialogue with Dr. Muna Shaheen and Dr. Stephen Fulder, leading Palestinian and Israeli dharma teachers, hosted by Gil Fronsdal. There is an urgent need to explore how we can make sense of what is happening, how we can plant the seeds of change, how we can deal with the strong emotions and views all around us, and how the dharma can give us ways to respond. Click here to register for the program.
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