Welcome to our January 2025 newsletter.
This month we feature a new article by Jochen Weber and highlight the following: an update on the SBA-SBN merger, Ted Meissner's 2017 interview with Stephen Batchelor on the The Secular Buddhist podcast, upcoming SBN community meetings on our response to the election of Trump, and the passing of American Soto Zen priest and engaged Buddhist, Hozan Alan Senauke.
SBA-SBN Merger Process Moves Forward
On December 13, the Secular Buddhist Network (SBN) Planning Committee and representatives of the Secular Buddhist Association (SBA) met to discuss the ongoing process of merging the two organizations.
The UN World Meditation Day
Jochen Weber explains why the UN's World Meditation Day was established and how we can use that day to cultivate the path to reducing our own suffering and the suffering in the world.
Ted Meissner's The Secular Buddhist Podcast
Over fifteen years and 337 episodes, Ted Meissner's Secular Buddhist podcast provided those interested in the secular dharma with fascinating and insightful interviews with meditation teachers and writers. This month we feature Ted's interview with Stephen Batchelor on Secular Buddhism: Imagining the Dharma in an Uncertain World, originally aired on March 3, 2017.
What Should Secular Dharma Practitioners Do?
SBN community members participated in a second online meeting on December 5 to discuss the election of Donald Trump as president of the United States. The discussion will continue on January 7 and January 23. Click here to register for one or both of these meetings.
Hozan Alan Senauke on Engaged Buddhism
The American Soto Zen priest, Hozan Alan Senauke, who recently passed way, was a vocal advocate for an engaged Buddhism and social change.
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 morning 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.
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).Sunday. Silent meditation guided by a facilitator followed by a period of discussion.
SBN reading groups - SBN sponsors two reading groups. Book, article, video and podcast selections for both groups focus on topics related to secular Buddhism and the aim of the discussion is to explore the topics while seeking to apply them meaningfully to our daily lives.
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.
SBN Community Meetings on the Election (January 7 & 23) - SBN community members are meeting to discuss how we, as secular dharma practitioners, can best respond to the election of Trump and the MAGA movement. Click here to register for one or both of the meetings in January.
Secular Dharma Foundation's Lecture and Dialogue Series: Part 1 (January 20) - Stephen Batchelor and Dave Smith discuss: What is a secular approach to the dharma? How can this approach alter, expand, or challenge our practice in a meaningful way? Click here to register for this Zoom event..
A Discussion of Mindful Solidarity (January 30) - Join Mike Slott, Craig Murphy, Seth Segall, and Karsten Struhl for their discussion of Mike's book, Mindful Solidarity: A Secular Buddhist Democratic Socialist Dialogue. Click here to register for the Zoom event.
If you are on Facebook, we would be grateful if you would 'like' and 'share' any item in this newsletter that you think is valuable or the newsletter itself. Look out for Secular Buddhist Network on Facebook.
