Archive for July 2011
A Letter to Traditional Buddhists
Over the past few months The Secular Buddhist podcast site and its blogs have received increased attention. We are grateful for that and welcome the many new secular Buddhists into the community. But surprisingly, at least to me, we’ve also gotten a lot of heat from traditional Buddhists. I’ve been both disappointed and surprised by…
Read MoreKnowing When to Speak Up or Shut Up!
Part 2 of a series on communicating controversial topics In the last month, I’ve had online conversations with a Muslim who tried to convince me Allah is the only and true god, a Christian who tried to persuade me that Jesus is my Savior, several traditional Buddhists who insist that by not believing in reincarnation…
Read MoreEpisode 75 :: Eugenie Scott :: National Center for Science Education
Dr. Eugenie Scott Dr. Eugenie Scott from the National Center for Science Education speaks with us about keeping faith traditions separate from science in our classrooms. Hi, everyone. There’s a topic I don’t get to talk about very much on this podcast, something I’m quite passionate about because it is paramount in the distinction between…
Read MoreHow to Engage Effectively in Controversial Discussions
Part 1 of a series on communicating about controversial topics At The Amazing Meeting (TAM) 2011 this year, a theme emerged in many of the talks and panel discussions. That theme was how to engage effectively in controversial discussions. I emphasize the word effectively. It got me thinking on…
Read MoreBasic Teachings of the Buddha
I’ve just finished reading Basic Teachings of the Buddha by Glenn Wallis for the second time, and I must say I really like this book. In fact, I wish I had had it years ago when I first started my exploration into Buddhism. I will be referring to this book in years to come. So…
Read MoreEpisode 74 :: Erik Storlie :: Psychedelics and Western Zen's Roots
Erik Storlie Dr. Erik Storlie joins us again, this time to speak about his book Nothing on My Mind: Berkeley, LSD, Two Zen Masters, and a Life on the Dharma Trail, about psychedelics and Western Zen’s roots. Many of us have some interest in the recent past in the Zen tradition’s start in the West.…
Read MoreBuddhism Without Buddha
by Mark Knickelbine One of the topics we get into with some frequency is what the relationship is or ought to be between Secular Buddhism and the Buddha. Is dharma practice inextricably linked to the smiling sage beneath the Bo tree? Is it possible for the core practices to be presented entirely outside the framework…
Read MorePutting Buddhist Practice Under a Microscope
Disclaimer: This method is how I approach my practice, and is not necessarily the views of other Secular Buddhist. That said, these methods fit well within the context of the secular Buddhist practices. Occasionally I am accused of being a reductionist. So I admit here and now, I do indeed take a reductionist approach to…
Read MoreEpisode 73 :: Dr. Cathy Kerr :: Modulating Somatosensory Attention
Dr. Cathy Kerr Dr. Cathy Kerr joins us to speak about her recent study on the effects of mindfulness meditation training on anticipatory alpha modulation in primary somatosensory cortex. Hi, everyone. Today, with this episode as with many others, I learned something. Only this time, it was very unexpected, and helped me assess my own…
Read MoreThe Four Foundations of Secular Buddhism
by Mark Knickelbine This is another in a series of posts in which I have been discussing ideas presented by Stephen Batchelor in a series of dharma talks in late 2010. I encourage you to check them out at dharmaseed.org. While Stephen Batchelor has often written and talked about his vision of a Buddhism that does…
Read More