Welcome to our May 2024 newsletter.
This month we feature new articles by Saskia Graf and Wibo Koole, as well as perspectives on Buddhism's five precepts by three secular Buddhists. We also highlight two study opportunities for secular Buddhists.
The egocentricity of meditation: a critical reflection on motives and practices
Following David McMahan, Wibo Koole argues that mindfulness meditation practice is strongly influenced by the dominant forms of individualism in our culture.
Secular Buddhist honored with an ‘Outstanding Women in Buddhism’ award
Saskia Graf, a meditation teacher and project manager for Buddha Stiftung, a secular Buddhist organization in Germany, was one of the honorees of the Outstanding Women in Buddhism Award.
Secular reflections on the five precepts
At SBN’s monthly discussion group meeting in April, several members of the Secular Buddhism Meets Western Psychology subgroup offered their perspectives on Buddhism’s five precepts, including their relevance to our daily practice.
Two study opportunities for secular Buddhists
Tuwhiri, a publishing imprint which publishes books on early Buddhism and secular dharma, is sponsoring reading groups this year for two of its publications: Revamp and What is this?.
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.
Feeling Your Way to Liberation - 7 May to 18 June (online, 6 consecutive Tuesdays)
In Buddhist psychology, 'vedanā' refers to the pleasure-pain aspect of anything we experience - physical or mental. This concept, often translated as 'feeling tone', is as simple as it is fascinating. Vedanā guides our attention and conditions our behaviour and automatic patterns, but it can also be used to free ourselves from such reactivity – helping us cultivate calm and insight.
Bernat Font is an experienced dharma teacher and has recently finished his doctoral thesis on this topic. During these six online sessions, he will take some of his findings and explore their relevance for practitioners, suggesting meditation exercises and daily life reflections. Thus, while drawing on theory, this is not primarily a study course, but one which bridges study and practice - with an emphasis on the latter according to the participants' interests and needs. For more information, click here.
Natural Awareness and Wisdom: Exploring Mindfulness in Nature - 10 June to 17 June (in person retreat)
Led by Dave Smith, retreat participants will explore the Four Foundations of Mindfulness with an emphasis on developing continuity of wise awareness as taught by Burmese master Sayadaw U Tejaniya. Instructions will emphasize the Buddha’s teachings on view, attitude and qualities of mind that support a relaxed and alert awareness throughout all activities.The retreat will be conducted in noble silence and will follow an open schedule that includes guided practice sessions, dharma talks and teacher meetings. Students will enjoy the opportunity to follow their own rhythm of practice, supported by the flow of nature, and learning to trust their own natural capacity for awareness and wisdom in every moment, whether in retreat or in daily life. This retreat is suitable for both beginning and experienced meditators. For more information, click here.
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