Posts by Ted Meissner

Kenneth Folk Teacher Kenneth Folk joins us to speak about how we might approach enlightenment from a contemporary standpoint. One of the frequent topics of discussion on the Secular Buddhist Association forums is that of enlightenment. After all, don’t secular Buddhists simply dismiss enlightenment as a fantasy? Of course, opinions vary within our community, and…

Adam Eurich Adam Eurich returns to speak with us about the progress of his documentary film exploring American Buddhism, Seeking Heartwood. Hi, everyone. Before we get started with today’s episode, I want to remind the listeners that we’ve started a new podcast which may also interest you. It’s called Present Moment: Mindfulness Practice and Science,…

Candace Gorham Candace Gorham joins us to speak about her new book, The Ebony Exodus Project: Why Some Black Women Are Walking out on Religion — and Others Should Too. There’s something I’m concerned about in our contemporary Western sanghas, and that’s a lack of diversity, particularly ethnic diversity. Why is that? Isn’t the practice…

Sir Lloyd Geering Sir Lloyd Geering joins us to speak about trailblazing the secular path with secular Christianity in 1967. Hi, everyone. Before we get started with today’s episode, I want to remind the listeners that we’ve started a new podcast which may also interest you. It’s called Present Moment: Mindfulness Practice and Science, and…

Sarah Barker joins us again, this time with her husband the intrepid Bruce Barker, to speak about their latest project about secularism in Los Angeles, You Are Here TV. Secularism is still in its infancy here in the U.S., at least as far as mainstream culture is concerned with using that name. Of course we’re…

Terry Bean Terry Bean joins us to speak about Little Rock Secular Buddhists, an in-person group in the heart of Arkansas. The term “Secular Buddhism” was virtually unknown a few years ago. But things are changing, as those of us who do identify as Buddhist, but not quite in the traditional sense, find one another.…

Toni Bernhard Today we speak with Toni Bernhard about her new book How to Wake Up: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide to Navigating Joy and Sorrow. Life is made of a wide variety of experiences. Some encourage and inspire, energize and lighten us, while we may find other experiences discouraging, or depressing. Our practice is getting to…

Adam Tebbe Sweeping Zen founder Adam Tebbe joins us to speak about his new documentary film project, “Zen in America”. The Zen tradition has been in the United States for quite a while now on the scale of… well, Buddhism in America, at least, and as such has well established roots. Founders have recognized dharma…

Myoan Grace Schireson Myoan Grace Schireson joins us to speak about the distinguishing characteristics of providing guidance in meditation, and how to avoid becoming a student’s therapist. One of the many challenges a meditation teacher can face, is that sometimes our role as teachers becomes tangled with providing therapy. It’s a very common occurrence, but…