#16 January 2021
Welcome to our January 2021 newsletter.
This month we highlight new articles by Linda Modaro, Stefano Bettera, and Mike Slott, as well as an interview with David Edwards, a UK-based media critic. We also note the publication of a new book from Tuwhiri, a publishing imprint created by secular Buddhists, and the first meeting of a new online group for secular Buddhists.
SBN's interview with David Edwards on corporate media bias, politics, & meditation
SBN interviewed David Edwards, the co-editor of the UK-based media watch site Media Lens and author of several books. David discussed his critique of corporate media bias and how political activists can make a real difference by focusing on being, not just on doing; on learning to truly live and feel, rather than solely on external change.
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.
SBN's new online group for secular Buddhists to hold its 1st meeting in January
SBN is sponsoring a monthly online group, which will hold its first Zoom meeting on 21 January. The group meeting will include a period of meditation along with an exploration of secular Buddhist perspectives and practices. There will be an emphasis on participation through large group and small group discussions.
If you would like more information on this group or want to participate, please click here. Please indicate your interest in the 'Your message' text box.
Coming to terms with being human: a fourth mark of existence
Buddhists teachings point us towards three characteristics that are common across everything in sentient life: dukkha, anatta, and anicca. Linda Modaro posits a fourth mark of existence based on our need to survive and thrive.
Connect with Secular Buddhists worldwide
If you have a sangha, centre, meditation group, resource or website, or are an individual who would like to connect with other secular Buddhists, fill out our simple form and we can add you to our listing of secular Buddhist groups and individuals.
We've also developed an interactive map as a visual aid to encourage communication and also make it easy to see where we might find others travelling the same spiritual path.
Last chance to register for SBN's online, introductory course on secular Buddhism
We still have a few openings for SBN's free online course based on Stephen Batchelor's book, After Buddhism. The course will begin February 3. Participants in the course will discuss the topics in each module with each other and meet on Zoom every two weeks with the instructors for the course. The course is limited to 20 participants. For more information and/or to register for the course, click here.
Tuwhiri's new book: Love you: public policy for intergenerational wellbeing
Tuwhiri, a publishing imprint created by secular Buddhists in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia, is publishing a new book by Girol Karacaoglu, Love you: public policy for intergenerational wellbeing, This book examines the processes by which wellbeing-focused public policy objectives - consistent with the Buddhist ethic of care - are established, and implemented.
Healing together
Stefano Bettera urges us to rediscover a view of the other that is not dominated by fear, but courageously puts friendship back at the centre, as a sincere opportunity to get to know each other, to compare notes, to build an identity that is the beginning of a process of imagining a new collective identity.
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