Welcome to our September 2026 newsletter.
This month we feature articles by Bernat Font, Cathryn Jacob & Vince Cullen, Kathryn Koehl, Ramsey Margolis, and Marc Symons & Sharon Tobias.
Modern Tech Makes Dharma Practice Harder
Bernat Font discusses how modern technology, including online delivery apps, has facilitated access to desired consumer products to an unprecedented degree and thus stimulates reactive greed.
Living Life on Life’s Terms: Turning the Wheel of Secular Dharma
Ramsey Margolis introduces a new book from the secular Buddhist publishing imprint, Tuwhiri: Living Life on Life's Terms. The co-authors are Stephen Batchelor, Martine Batchelor, and Bernat Font.
What's New from SBN
Secular Buddhism Online Course: SBN's introductory course on secular Buddhism, Exploring a Secular Dharma, will run from October 5 to November 9. The course explores the key ideas and practices of secular Buddhism, an important trend that has emerged in Buddhism in recent years. Click here to register for the course.
SBN's New Daily Life Practice Group: Marc Symons and Sharon Tobias discuss a new SBN online group that focuses on how we can bring mindfulness to our daily life activities. Click here for more information.
RAFT to Freedom: Setting Out Together
Cathryn Jacob and Vince Cullen discuss RAFT to Freedom, a peer-led, task-based program grounded in secular Buddhism which begins Sept. 1. It may be especially helpful to those seeking to change harmful cravings, but it is not limited to recovery.
BCD and IMCW to Host Virtual Town Hall on Engaged Buddhism
The Buddhist Coalition for Democracy (BCD) and Insight Meditation Community of Washington, DC (IMCW) are hosting a virtual town hall — The Bodhisattva Path in Action: How Buddhism, Politics, and Social Engagement Serve Democracy — on Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. ET via Zoom. Click here to register.
10% Off Two New Tuwhiri Books
During the month of September you can get 10% off:
- Living life on life’s terms: turning the wheel of secular dharma by Stephen Batchelor, Martine Batchelor and Bernat Font
- The secular path to well-being: practical dharma for today by Jeffrey Fracher
Use the code OMB2609 in Tuwhiri’s online store and you’ll get 10% off either one or both of these books – and delivery is included.
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.
Exploring Secularism - Meets the last Thursday of every month, 12 Noon US Eastern Time on Zoom. For more information, click here.
Daily Life Practice Group - Meets the first and third Tuesday of every month, 1 pm US Eastern Time on Zoom. For more information, click here.
SBN online course on Exploring a Secular Dharma- Click here to learn about the basic ideas and concepts of secular Buddhism through an online course.
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