SBN Editor, Author at Secular Buddhist Network

POSTS:

SBN Editor

The Secular Buddhist Network in Germany

There is a vibrant network of secular Buddhists in Germany. Learn about their network and the foundation that organizes symposia, discussions, retreats, open meditation evenings and publishes books and online content on Secular Buddhism.

A secular approach to practicing meditation

Secular Buddhists can and do practice meditation in a variety of ways, but there is no secular Buddhist meditation practice per se. Instead, secular Buddhists bring a secular outlook and orientation to existing forms of meditation practice.

Reimagining Community newsletter #11 August 2020

Welcome to our August 2020 newsletter. This month we introduce new articles by Bill Gayner and Alex Carr, as well as a recent dharma talk by Stephen Batchelor. We announce a new online course on secular Buddhism. The secular Buddhist glossary item for the month is SANGHA. Finally, our feature is an excerpt from a new article by Stefano Bettera.

Stephen Batchelor on ‘Everyday Nirvana’

In a dharma talk given to the Community Meditation Center (New York City, USA), Stephen Batchelor emphasized that nirvana should be understood as an experience of the cessation of reactivity rather than an end state or experience of complete and ultimate freedom from the poisons of greed, hatred, and confusion.

Reimagining Community newsletter #10 July 2020

Welcome to our July 2020 newsletter. This month’s glossary item is NOT SELF and we introduce new articles by Stefano Bettera, Ted Meissner, and Mike Slott. Our feature is an excerpt from an article by Lenore Lambert.

Reimagining Community newsletter #9 June 2020

Welcome to our June 2020 newsletter. This month’s glossary item is MINDFULNESS and we introduce new articles by John Danvers and Stefano Bettera, as well as a new secular mindfulness course offered by Dave Smith. Our feature is an excerpt from a dharma talk by Winton Higgins on secular Buddhist meditation.

Reimagining Community newsletter #8 May 2020

Welcome to our May 2020 newsletter. This month’s glossary item is the FOUR [GREAT] TASKS and we introduce new articles on the basics of secular Buddhism and Bodhi College's course on the Secular Dharma. We also want to know why you became a secular Buddhist and what you think of SBN's guidelines for contributors and readers' comments. Our feature article is an excerpt from Stephen Batchelor's new book, The Art of Solitude.

SBN guidelines for contributors and readers’ comments

As a ‘hub’ or space where dialogue is fostered and resources and experiences are shared among secular Buddhists, we will adhere to certain guidelines for contributors and readers' comments which are consistent with our approach and our intention to play a constructive role in the development of a secular approach to the dharma.

Reimagining Community newsletter #7 April 2020

Welcome to our April 2020 newsletter. This month’s glossary item is the FOUR IMMEASURABLES and we introduce new articles on secular Buddhists' responses to the coronavirus, how an Irish, working class radical became one of the first western Buddhist monks, and a book review of Evan Thompson's Why I am not a Buddhist. Our feature article is an excerpt from a blog post by Bernat Font on secular Buddhism.

Metta in the time of the coronavirus: responses of secular Buddhists to the pandemic

Several contributors to the Secular Buddhist Network website offer their insights on how we can best respond to the coronavirus pandemic. The common theme is that by fully understanding core Buddhist insights regarding impermanence, suffering, and interconnection, as well as cultivating an ethical stance of care and compassion, we can skillfully respond to this current crisis.

Exploring secular Buddhism through courses and retreats

For those who want an introduction to secular Buddhism, or who wish to explore key ideas in secular Buddhism more thoroughly, there are a number of excellent courses and retreats to choose from.

Reimagining Community newsletter #6 March 2020

Welcome to our March 2020 newsletter. This month’s glossary item is the FOUR FOCUSES OF MINDFULNESS and we introduce new articles by John Danvers and Bernat Font. Our feature article is an excerpt from a dharma talk given by Stpehen Batchelor.

Stephen Batchelor’s ‘The Art of Solitude’

Yale University Press has just released Stephen Batchelor's new book, The Art of Solitude. In this book Stephen turns his attention to solitude, a practice integral to the meditative traditions he has long studied and taught. He aimed to venture more deeply into solitude, discovering its full extent and depth.

Interview with Winton Higgins on The Mindful Cranks podcast

In an interview for The Mindful Cranks podcast, Winton Higgins discusses different approaches to secular Buddhism, the tendency of Western Buddhists to focus on mindfulness meditation as a form of self-help and self-improvement, and the need for practitioners to become caring dharmic citizens, politically engaged in the struggles to create a just and sustainable society.

Reimagining Community newsletter #5 Feb. 2020

Welcome to our February 2020 newsletter. This month’s glossary item is the EVERYDAY SUBLIME and we introduce new articles by Stefano Bettera and Bill Gayner. Our feature article is an excerpt from a talk given by Winton Higgins in 2019 on satipaṭṭhāna or insight meditation.