Welcome to our April 2024 newsletter.
This month we feature new articles by Stefano La Fontana and John Peacock. We also highlight a secular dharma meditation retreat and an interview with a prominent advocate of mindfulness and compassion in society. Finally, we ask for help in redesigning our newsletter banner.
Secular Dharma and Ethical Living Retreat
Stephen Batchelor, Winton Higgins, and Lenorë Lambert led a residential study retreat on Secular Dharma and Ethical Living in December 2023. Their secular dharma approach focused on the ethical perspectives and practices needed to engage with the various interconnected crises our world faces in the twenty-first century.
The Elephant in the Dharma Hall
John Peacock argues that for too many, Buddhist practice is a retreat into a quietism that ignores the pressing social and political realities of our time. In his view, politics must find its way into the dharma hall.
Any graphic artists in the house?
The SBN monthly newsletter is 4 and a half years old and it's time to ‘freshen up’ the newsletter's banner design. If anyone is interested in offering their ideas and expertise, please email us at secularbuddhist.network@gmail.com.
Ronn Smith's interview with Rick Hanson
Ronn Smith, a key contributor to the Secular Buddhist Network, recently interviewed Rick Hanson, a psychologist, meditation teacher, and author, for Tricycle magazine. In 2022 Rick founded the Global Compassion Coalition (GCC), .an organization dedicated to creating a society in which compassion is the dominant value. To read the interview, click here.
Unlearning meditation with AlphaZero
Stefano La Fontana explains how an A.I.-based chess program learns from experience, avoiding pre-conceived chess rules, much like the practice of recollective awareness meditation.
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. When you join the listing, you'll have access to a private listing of individuals who are seeking sangha-mates.
SBN's monthly discussion group - Meets the third Thursday of each month on Zoom. It’s a great opportunity for secular Buddhists and those who are interested in learning more about a secular approach to the dharma to connect with each other and to discuss key issues.
Sunday meditation group - Meets every Sunday at 11 am US Eastern Time on Zoom. After brief meditation instructions, we meditate silently for 30 minutes, followed by a period of sharing our experiences with each other.
SBN reading group - Meets the first Thursday of each month on Zoom. The readings are chosen by the participants and focus on issues related to a secular Buddhism, including basic concepts of a secular approach, meditation, mindfulness, and the relationship between secular Buddhism and traditional Buddhist lineages and practices.
Exploring aging from a secular Buddhist perspective - Meets the second and last Monday of each month on Zoom. The group shares experiences of aging and how we can use our practice to respond skillfully to the process of aging.
Secular Dharma and Political Activism - Meets the first Friday of every month on Zoom. This discussion group is for those who wish to share their experiences of and discuss new possibilities for bringing secular Buddhist ideas, ethics, and practices to community groups and political movements.
Secular Buddhist Zen Pub - Meets every Saturday, 11 am US Eastern Time on Zoom. A weekly drop-in which will reward participants with dharma insights and practical applications (including friendships).
SBN online course on Exploring a secular dharma - Learn about the basic ideas and concepts of secular Buddhism through a free online course.
Upcoming Events, Workshops, and Retreats
SBN's Calendar of Meetings and Courses - A calendar of SBN sponsored discussion and meditation groups, as well as SBN's courses on secular Buddhism.
Upcoming courses and retreats - Click here for a listing of upcoming courses, programs, and retreats of interest for secular Buddhists and socially engaged Buddhists.
Self-Retreat with Others: a Reflective Meditation Retreat - 26 April to 29 April (online)
Linda Modaro and Nelly Kaufer are leading this online meditation retreat. Usually on retreat the parameters of what is conducive and acceptable are orchestrated by the teacher and tradition. On this retreat you will discern what is best for you– how much effort, how much discipline, how much to sequester yourself from your usual activities, and connections with other people on-line and in-person? How much meditation, how much exercise, how to best reflect? If you are new to Reflective Meditation we offer a warm welcome to this retreat. People come to Buddhist teachings through many different doors. Reflective Meditation supports you to find your own path, along with others who travel beside you. For more information, click here.
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