Discussion Group Meetings – 2023
17 August 2023
26 participants from six countries participated: the UK, Canada, France, Croatia, Costa Rica, and the U.S.
At this meeting, all four subgroups discussed the notion of emptiness and the related idea of interconnectedness. The subgroups met separately and then we had a whole group discussion on this important topic. Here are the key ideas discussed in each subgroup:
Secular Buddhism Meets Western Psychology – The group focused on letting go of the illusion of separateness in everyday life, moving toward seeing the self as a process or flow embedded in the world.
The Evolution of Secular Buddhism – Recognizing that the sense of a permanent self is rooted in self-concern, the group discussed the importance of enlarging the concept of cultivation beyond the individual to society.
Political Action and Secular, Socially Engaged Buddhism – The group discussed how the sense of separation and a permanent self is not just the product of our existential situation but is deeply reinforced by structures of exploitation and oppression in society.
Exploring Key Concepts in Secular Buddhism – The group explored different metaphors for an embedded, relational view of the self; and highlighted the role of metta in overcoming a separate sense of self.
20 July 2023
29 participants from six countries participated: the UK, Canada, France, Croatia, Costa Rica, and the U.S.
Here are the key points of the discussions in the four breakout groups:
Secular Buddhism Meets Western Psychology – The group discussed the relationship between Western psychological therapies and a secular approach to the dharma. In particular, the group explored how each of these perspectives help us to respond to strong emotions.
The Evolution of Secular Buddhism – Several members of the group are currently participating in a Bodhi College/Tricycle course, Spiral to Freedom, which is co-taught by Akincano Weber and John Peacock. Within the context of the perspective of dependent origination, the course helps participants explores the ways in which we can develop our individual strengths and engage in the community to become more responsive and mindful.
Political Action and Secular, Socially Engaged Buddhism – The group continued to discuss Katya de Kadt’s recent article on the SBN website, The value of meditational awareness and Buddhist ethics for progressive groups. The focus for this month’s meeting was how Buddhist ethics can help facilitate productive, political activism, including skillful speech.
Exploring Key Concepts in Secular Buddhism – Like the Political Action subgroup, the group explored the role of skillful or right speech in our practice. How do we speak in a truthful, caring, and kind manner? When is it appropriate to be silent? How can right speech be applied to address our current challenges, including the climate crisis.
15 June 2023
27 participants from six countries participated: the UK, Canada, Germany, Croatia, Costa Rica, and the U.S.
Here are the key points of the discussions in the four breakout groups:
Secular Buddhism Meets Western Psychology – The group discussed the role of ritual in religion and whether a secular approach to the dharma needs to incorporate rituals in some form. The group members had a range of views on this topic
The Evolution of Secular Buddhism – The group discussed a quotation attributed to Clement F. Rogers – ‘It is easy to be tolerant when you do not care.’ This prompted some to point out its opposite – that sometimes it is because we do care that we are able to be tolerant. It very much depends on the circumstance, and this led the group to explore how key elements of the eightfold path – right speech, action, intention and view – help us to be appropriately tolerant in a variety of situations.
Political Action and Secular, Socially Engaged Buddhism – The topic of the group’s discussion was Katya de Kadt’s recent article on the SBN website, The value of meditational awareness and Buddhist ethics for progressive groups. Katya opened the discussion by highlighting the benefits of mindful awareness for our interactions with other people in progressive groups and our role in society. She and the group members discussed how mindful awareness helps us to listen better to others, to discern when we are ‘telling stories’ about ourselves and others, and to be less judgmental.
Exploring Key Concepts in Secular Buddhism – The group focused on equanimity, using a quote from Kaira Jewel Lingo as the icebreaker: ‘Through equanimity, we fortify ourselves with non-fear, with compassion, with acceptance. We cultivate the strength to face reality without being crushed by it.’ The group explored various aspects of equanimity, including the acceptance of uncertainty, and what helps support the development of this vital emotional attitude.
18 May 2023
27 participants from six countries participated: the UK, Canada, Germany, Croatia, Costa Rica, and the U.S.
Here are the key points of the discussions in the four breakout groups:
Secular Buddhism Meets Western Psychology – The group discussed how best to respond to strong emotions, how we face ‘inner demons’ such as the sense of loss and grief. While there are several helpful dharma concepts and practices which enable us respond skillfully, the group’s members agreed that honestly sharing our experiences with each other is extremely valuable.
The Evolution of Secular Buddhism – The group discussed a podcast by Arthur C. Brooks in which he identified our suffering and unhappiness as based on the trinity of ‘loving things, using people, and believing in ourselves’. The key to happiness is to reverse these relationships: to ‘love people, use things, and to believe in something beyond ourselves’, a formula consistent with a secular dharma approach.
Political Action and Secular, Socially Engaged Buddhism – The group continued to discuss the relationship of anger and resistance to social injustice. A key focus was how we can ‘metabolize’ anger and transform it into a skillful energy oriented toward addressing systemic injustices. We need humility and discernment to do this.
Exploring Key Concepts in Secular Buddhism – The group focused on the parami of generosity or dana: what are the obstacles to generosity; what meditation practices promote promote generosity; and how we can embody generosity in our lives.
20 April 2023
27 participants from six countries participated: the UK, Canada, Germany, Croatia, Costa Rica, and the U.S.
Here are the key points of the discussions in the four breakout groups:
Secular Buddhism Meets Western Psychology – The group explored the notion of not-self in our practice, with an emphasis on the value of not identifying with our emotions and thoughts. While there were different views of not-self expressed in the discussion, all agreed that recognizing the importance of not-self can be a helpful way of moving toward a less egoic way of being.
The Evolution of Secular Buddhism – Reflecting on the role of the Dalai Lama, the group discussed how, whatever his imperfections, his ability to personify compassion and interconnection between people creates a sense of awe and the sacred when one is in his presence. But does an experience of the sacred require belief in a traditional, religious way? And how do secular Buddhists relate to belief?
Political Action and Secular, Socially Engaged Buddhism – The group discussed the relationship of anger and resistance to social injustice. Anger has pros and cons: it is an emotional energy which can be transformed into positive, transformative actions to achieve social justice, but it can also turn into a hatred which is very harmful. The group also discussed the difference between anger directed at individuals and anger directed at institutions.
Exploring Key Concepts in Secular Buddhism – The group focused on two of the paramis or perfections in Buddhism: mindfulness and generosity. One key aspect of generosity is the need to be mindful and aware of what another person needs, not assume that we always need to relate to someone else as the ‘fixer’.
16 March 2023
31 participants from seven countries participated: the UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, Croatia, Costa Rica, and the U.S.
Here are the key points of the discussions in the four breakout sessions:
Secular Buddhism Meets Western Psychology – The group used the breakout session to decide on future topics of the groups. At the next meeting, the group will be exploring the relationship between our secular Buddhist practice and how we understand the meaning and value of our life.
The Evolution of Secular Buddhism – The group focused on the importance of developing our practice and perspectives in the context of a caring community.
Political Action and Secular, Socially Engaged Buddhism – Continuing the discussion of how to respond to various forms of institutional oppression, the group explored how a sense of despair over the systemic problems that we face can be lessened if we are less attached to the outcomes. In addition, the group highlighted the importance of mindful communication as as essential element of productive political engagement.
Exploring Key Concepts in Secular Buddhism – The group focused on the role of uncertainty and impermanence. We often have to make choices and take action without full knowledge of the changing causes and conditions, as well as the outcome. The basic uncertainty that we face requires us to develop a situational ethics based on mindfulness and compassion, rather than a set of rigid rules by which to make decisions.
16 February 2023
28 participants from six countries participated: the UK, Canada, Germany, Denmark, Costa Rica, and the U.S.
Here are the key points of the discussions in the four breakout sessions:
Secular Buddhism Meets Western Psychology – The group explored a Zen koan: ‘See how vast and wide the world is! Why do you put on your seven-piece robe at the sound of the bell?’ This led to a fascinating discussion regarding a variety of topics, including our relative lack of control and the mysteries of quantum physics. More questions than answers!
The Evolution of Secular Buddhism – The group looked at how we create narratives in our life – of ourselves, others, and the societies in which we live. They also discussed how we can use meditation and mindfulness to know ourselves better, to gain access to a more immediate experience less dominated by our narratives.
Political Action and Secular, Socially Engaged Buddhism – The group reflected on how Buddhist practices and ideas can help us respond to various forms of institutional oppression. The subgroup members shared a range of personal experiences; several common themes were the importance of non-attachment to results, deep listening, and understanding causes and conditions.
Exploring Key Concepts in Secular Buddhism – The group discussed the meaning and role of samadhi in our secular approach. There are many definitions of samadhi, but the key task is embodying samadhi in our practice.
19 January 2023
31 participants from seven countries participated: the UK, Canada, Germany, Denmark, Australia, Costa Rica, and the U.S.
Here are the key points of the discussions in the four breakout sessions:
Secular Buddhism Meets Western Psychology – The group focused on how our secular practice can help mitigate the dukkha or suffering that we experience – both the inevitable pains and distress of being human and the suffering caused by our own tendencies toward reactivity.
The Evolution of Secular Buddhism – The group looked at how life has changed after the worst phase of COVID ended. How do we use our practice to deal with the transitions and changes which have occurred?
Political Action and Secular, Socially Engaged Buddhism – The group reflected on the relationship of the value of a ‘no-self’ orientation and the reality of social and political identities. They explored our potential for ‘self-creation’ in engaging with each other and the world.
Exploring Key Concepts in Secular Buddhism – The group discussed the negative impact of emotional and conceptual patterns, how we tend to get stuck and identify with these patterns. They also explored how we can recognize these patterns and create “circuit breakers” which disrupt them, allowing us to live with more ease and freedom.
