POSTS:
Mike Slott
A review of Ron Purser’s ‘McMindfulness: the new capitalist spirituality’
The title says it all. In McMindfulness: how mindfulness became the new capitalist spirituality, Ron Purser offers a scathing criticism of how the Buddhist practice of mindfulness has been transformed into a method to reduce the stress levels of individuals in a competitive, capitalist society. Is he right?
A secular reinterpretation of the Eightfold Path
While the Eightfold Path is an essential framework and guide for traditional and secular Buddhists, the goal of the path for secular Buddhists is not nirvana but human flourishing in this life. This requires us to reinterpret the meaning and function of the eight path factors.
Should secular Buddhists be socially-engaged Buddhists?
Mike Slott explains why secular Buddhists should be socially engaged, from service work with individuals to participation in radical political movements.
Three paths for secular Buddhists – crucial conversations and movements
Mike Slott identifies three trends or paths within secular Buddhism: 1) a dharmic-focused effort to reconstruct Buddhism, 2) bringing a secular form of Buddhism into the mindfulness movement, and 3) integrating secular Buddhist perspectives and insights into projects for radical, political transformation.
Reflections on the Second Noble Truth: it’s more than craving
Mike Slott argues that Buddhists need to broaden their understanding of the causes to suffering (the Second Noble Truth) to include not only the inevitable sources of dukkha (sickness, death, etc.) and our own unskillful ways of being in the world due to craving, but also social and economic structures which harm human beings.
Three marks of existence, or three factors of human experience?
Mike Slott contends that, from secular Buddhist perspective, it is more appropriate to view impermancence, not-self, and dukkha as aspects of our experience rather than ontological characteristics of reality.
Meditating without nirvana: a transformative experience
From a secular Buddhist perspective, Mike Slott contends that meditation should not be about reaching or accessing nirvana, but developing the capacity to become wiser, more compassionate, and mindful.
Meditating with and for each other
Mike Slott argues in this article that traditional meditation retreats in insight and Zen centers are too individually-focused, that there needs to be more opportunities to develop a sense of community and comraderie among retreat participants. He offers "practical suggestions on how solidarity and support between retreatants, as well as a greater focus on our engagement in the world, can become part of meditation retreats."
Secular Buddhism and the real reasons to meditate
Mike Slott argues that the goal of meditation is to become a more mindful and compassionate person, one who can contribute to creating a society in which all human beings can flourish.
Core elements of a secular and socially-engaged Buddhism
Mike Slott explores how a radical social theory and core Buddhist insights are both essential to understanding the causes of suffering and creating a society in which all human beings can flourish.
Taking a second look at Radical Dharma through the lens of social class
Mike Slott discusses Radical Dharma, a book which proposes a radical approach to Buddhism. He argues that the book is valuable in several respects, but the authors fail to make social class a core part of their radical analysis.
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