Posts by Doug Smith
Secular Practice with Images and Rituals
Many of us have questions about including images or rituals in secular Buddhist practice. We may find the idea congenial, on the other hand we may have an aversion to traditional forms of practice, or indeed we may come from a different religious background altogether. In this video we will consider adding chants, bells, incense,…
Read MoreBreaking Our Sense Sphere Attachments
What are the “sense spheres” and how do they get us attached in unskillful ways? How do we go about breaking these attachments? We’ll discuss all that in this video. Suttas referred to: Koṭṭhita (SN 35.232) Six Sets of Six (MN 148.28) Is There a Method? (SN 35.153) Check out my Patreon page!
Read MoreKindness Towards Everyone?
When we practice loving kindness, are we really supposed to direct kindness towards everyone? Does everyone really deserve kindness? We will look at the early texts as well as a recent article in Tricycle Magazine by scholar Andrew Olendzki. We will also consider some of the teachings of Socrates and the ancient Greeks. The Sutta…
Read MorePerfectionism Social and Personal
Many of us are perfectionists of one kind or another, and perfectionism has its benefits. It also has its darker side, which we will consider in today’s video: both in a sociopolitical sense and in a personal sense. We will finish up by considering a few ways that the Buddha appears not to have been…
Read MoreMindfulness of Dharmas, Part 2
Fourth and last of the foundations of mindfulness is Mindfulness of Dharmas. In this second half of our introduction, we will continue going through the practices involved in this foundation. In particular we will go through mindfulness of the factors of awakening, and of the Four Noble Truths in this video. Sutta mentioned: Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta…
Read MoreMindfulness of Dharmas, Part 1
Fourth and last of the foundations of mindfulness is Mindfulness of Dharmas. In this first part of two, we will discuss what dharmas mean in this context, and begin going through the practices involved in this foundation. In particular we will go through mindfulness of the hindrances, of the aggregates, and of the sense-spheres. Suttas…
Read MoreBuddhist Practice or Psychotherapy?
Buddhist practice shares many similarities to psychotherapy, and many contemporary psychologists are learning about Buddhist practice in order to deepen their own. However they also have some important differences that must be kept in mind. What are they, and when should we seek one or the other? Recent Tricycle article Another interesting article from a…
Read MoreWhat Is Protestant Buddhism?
“Protestant Buddhism” is one phrase scholars have used to describe changes that Buddhism has undergone in its encounter with modernity. We will look at that phrase, these changes, and their ongoing impact on belief and practice. Check out my Patreon page! Book mentioned: Buddhism Transformed by Richard Gombrich and Gananath Obeyesekere Articles: Vijitha Rajapakse’s review…
Read MoreBuddhist & Stoic Wisdom for a Skeptical Age
Today we will look at Antonia Macaro’s great new book “More Than Happiness: Buddhist and Stoic Wisdom for a Sceptical Age”. We’ll consider what it says about the projects early Buddhism and Stoicism have in common, as well as mention some interesting questions she raises. Check out my Patreon page!
Read MoreThe Five Aggregates
What are the five aggregates of Buddhism? The Buddha analyzed the person into these parts. We will look at each of them and how they can in turn be analyzed into further parts. We will also consider how understanding this analysis can help us in our practice. Check out my Patreon page! Suttas: The Seven…
Read More