POSTS:
Secular Buddhism
‘Think different’ to prevent extinction: the value of Gregory Bateson’s Cybernetic Epistemology and Posthumanism for a secular dharma
Hugh Palmer argues that Gregory Bateson's cybernetic epistemology provides an important resource for developing a secular dharma which recognizes our interconnection with nature.
An interview with Stephen Batchelor on secular dharma
In a recent interview Stephen Batchelor discussed the historical antecedents and development of secular Buddhism, the divergent 'core logics' of traditional and secular Buddhism, and the need to create a new Mindfulness Based Human Flourishing program.
What are the core elements of a secular approach to the dharma?
At a recent online meeting of leaders and facilitators of secular Buddhist groups, organizations, and sanghas, various perspectives were offered on the best way to define or describe a secular approach to the dharma.
A practitioner’s journey to secular Buddhism: Katya
Katya grew up in a culturally Jewish, Leftist family in New York City and became involved with a Buddhist sangha in 2001. When her sangha refused to engage politically around issues of racism after the murder of George Floyd, she connected with the Secular Buddhist Network and has become an active participant.
John Dewey, flourishing and Buddhism
Seth Zuihō Segall argues that the Buddhist notions of non-self, interdependence, impermanence, and dukkha need to be situated in the broader framework offered by John Dewey's pragmatic theory.
A practitioner’s journey to secular Buddhism: Tim
Tim grew up in a Christian household, but found a disconnect between his church's teachings and how church members lived their lives. He was introduced to Buddhism over 20 years ago and learned about secular Buddhism in the course of his explorations. Colette Descent edited the interview for SBN.
Our diverse paths to secular Buddhism
Each month, we highlight the path that brought an individual to explore and then fully engage in a secular approach to the dharma.
A practitioner’s journey to secular Buddhism: Jeff
Jeff was deeply involved in orthodox Judaism for 15 years, but eventually moved away from this spiritual tradition to explore secular Buddhism: a non-dogmatic, ethical approach to life.
A practitioner’s journey to secular Buddhism: Colette
Colette Descent is an active participant in several SBN groups. She is a member of the monthly online discussion group, the weekly meditation group, and is participating in the Spring 2022 SBN course on secular Buddhism, Exploring a Secular Dharma. We asked Colette about her path to becoming a secular Buddhist and how it has impacted her life.
Anger, conflict and compassion
Given the anger that many people feel in relation to the tragic events in Ukraine and to violent conflicts in other parts of the world, John Danvers reflects on this powerful emotion and how we might deal with it in a skillful way so that anger is transformed into compassionate action.
Stephen Batchelor on an ethics of uncertainty
On 9 March 2022 Stephen Batchelor gave an online talk on an ethics of uncertainty which was sponsored by Mind and Life Europe. Stephen argued that both Gotama and Socrates articulate a situational ethics that is grounded in compassion and unknowing rather than a priori moral convictions and metaphysical certainties.
The emergence of Navayana Buddhism
Dennis SengTing Oliver argues that despite the wide variety of Buddhisms practised in the west, there are certain common trends within western Buddhism that may be the basis for a new 'yana' or vehicle for practitioners: Navayana Buddhism.
SBN’s Exploring aging from a secular Buddhist perspective
Based on conversations at the Secular Buddhist Network’s monthly online discussion group, several of the group’s members have formed a new interest group to explore the aging process as a spiritual practice, within a secular Buddhist frame.
What is eudaimonic enlightenment?
Seth Zuihō Segall proposes a model of eudaimonic enlightenment that he believes integrates the best of the Buddhist and Aristotelian approaches. It is based on a version of Buddhism that is pragmatic and naturalistic, and that has the enhancement of individual and collective flourishing both within a single lifetime and over the course of long-term social development as its ultimate goals.
A conversation about the present and future of secular dharma
On 9 February 2022 leaders and facilitators of secular Buddhist groups and sanghas from nine countries - the UK, Ireland, France, Spain, Austria, Germany, Japan, Australia, and the USA - met on Zoom to discuss their current projects, future goals, and how to strengthen collaboration.
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