Welcome to our May 2026 newsletter.
This month we feature articles by Alan Bodnar and Carmel Shalev, as well as a book review by Tom Cummings. We also highlight next week's SBN Sunday morning meditation group, at which Linda Modaro will be a guest teacher.
War Journal
As a secular dharma practitioner in Israel, Carmel Shalev reflects on her daily experiences during the current war. She explores how one can be mindful and compassionate at a time when "countless individuals suffer bereavement, injury, displacement and destitution, bearing the terrible consequences of narcissistic, megalomaniac leaderships and collective selves."
Taking the Wheel: A Secular Buddhist Approach
Alan Bodnar explains how mindfulness can mitigate the impact of the "self-driving system", our tendency to be reactive. While we can never be fully mindful, we can "begin to experience less reactivity, more balance, and a greater sense that we are actually participating in how our life unfolds."
We're All Downstream
Noah Rasheta, who hosts the popular Secular Buddhism podcast, discusses how Buddhism has evolved, his view of the term "secular Buddhism", and a new offering on his website, eightfoldpath.com.
A Review of The Secular Path to Well-being
Tom Cummings reviews Jeffrey Fracher's book, The Secular Path to Well-being: Practical Dharma for Today. The book offers strategies that provide practical, accessible applications of dharma teachings to the dilemmas we all face.
Fracher offers this inspiring view on the transformative nature of pragmatic dharma: “This transformation does not mean that life becomes free of challenges. As we all know, life is hard and suffering is inevitable. The dharma does not promise to eliminate all difficulties. It does, however, offer us tools to navigate them with wisdom and grace …It means showing up fully for ourselves and others, making choices that align with our values, and cultivating a sense of gratitude and joy in the face of life’s challenges.”
Linda Modaro at SBN's Sunday Morning Meditation Group
On May 3, Linda Modaro, the guiding teacher of Sati Sangha, will be a guest teacher at SBN's Sunday morning meditation group, which will meet from 11 am to 12:15 pm Eastern Time. To learn more about reflective meditation, Linda's approach to meditation practice, and to get the Zoom link for the meeting, click here.
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.
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