Monday, November 10, 2014
Secular Buddhism Australia facebook page
Saturday, October 25, 2014
The recent mindfulness craze
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Your silly questions please
Some of you know that for the past few years I've been working on a book designed to be a secular introduction to the dharma for newbies. It'll be called 'Whatever Floats Your Boat: A Secular Introduction to the Teachings of the Buddha.'
I'm currently on day 9 of an 11 day solo retreat to try and finish the first draft. The first half is an FAQ with answers from a secular perspective. Does anyone have any more questions that they remember asking when first dating the dharma? Please add them as a comment if you do.
Who was the Buddha?
What is the dharma about?
Does the dharma state that all of life is suffering?
Is the dharma just meditation or mindfulness?
Does Buddhism have a sacred text?
Does the dharma teach passivity - accepting rather than acting?
Is yoga a part of the dharma?
Is the Dalai Lama a Buddha?
Why are some Buddhas fat?
Is there one ‘right’ way to meditate?
Do I have to believe in rebirth or reincarnation to practice the dharma?
What is karma?
Is Buddhism a religion?
Which ‘school’ of the dharma should I explore?
Do I need to go to an Asian country to learn Buddhism?
Do I need to find a ‘teacher’?
How do I float my own boat?
What are the basic tenets of the dharma?
What is awakening?
I'm currently on day 9 of an 11 day solo retreat to try and finish the first draft. The first half is an FAQ with answers from a secular perspective. Does anyone have any more questions that they remember asking when first dating the dharma? Please add them as a comment if you do.
Who was the Buddha?
What is the dharma about?
Does the dharma state that all of life is suffering?
Is the dharma just meditation or mindfulness?
Does Buddhism have a sacred text?
Does the dharma teach passivity - accepting rather than acting?
Is yoga a part of the dharma?
Is the Dalai Lama a Buddha?
Why are some Buddhas fat?
Is there one ‘right’ way to meditate?
Do I have to believe in rebirth or reincarnation to practice the dharma?
What is karma?
Is Buddhism a religion?
Which ‘school’ of the dharma should I explore?
Do I need to go to an Asian country to learn Buddhism?
Do I need to find a ‘teacher’?
How do I float my own boat?
What are the basic tenets of the dharma?
What is awakening?
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Four Frontiers of Secular Buddhism - workshop notes available
I recently attended a weekend workshop by Winton Higgins with the above title here in Sydney. It was a stimulating weekend of meditation, talks and discussion. The four talks that were given throughout the workshop are now available. In addition to an introduction, they are:
- Nuancing our view of religion
- Finitude
- The numinous, the transcendent and the sublime, and
- Intensity in practice
They are well worth a read and are available here (articles are listed in alphabetical order).
Coming soon: a 5 minute mini-podcast introduction to meditation.
Enjoy!
Warm regards
Lenore
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Some great new articles
Over the past weeks I've been adding some great new resources to this site. In particular, as part of 'Resources for the mind' I've added a whole bunch of really interesting articles.
Many of these are dharma talks given by Winton Higgins at my local sangha, along with one each from Stephen Batchelor, Glenn Wallis and Gregory Kramer. Some have brief introductions. Some don't yet. But they will do soon.
If any of these titles pique your interest, feel free to help yourself:
Many of these are dharma talks given by Winton Higgins at my local sangha, along with one each from Stephen Batchelor, Glenn Wallis and Gregory Kramer. Some have brief introductions. Some don't yet. But they will do soon.
If any of these titles pique your interest, feel free to help yourself:
- Narcissism and not-self
- Bumpy bits without quick fixes
- Kindness
- Adaptation and authenticity
- Enlightenment
- The big picture (a great overview of where the different 'Buddhisms' fit)
- The truth of interpersonal suffering
Narcissus fell in love with his own reflection |
Lenore
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Re-vamped web site
I'm pleased to say that after many months of being in the doldrums this web site is in the final stages of being transferred and fixed (again!). We were having no end of technical troubles but they are sorted now. Those who had subscribed to the site by email will soon receive requests to confirm their subscription to this updated site. Then we will be back in business.
There are lots of fabulous new resources that have been added in the meantime. I'll post a summary soon.
Warm regards
Lenore
There are lots of fabulous new resources that have been added in the meantime. I'll post a summary soon.
Warm regards
Lenore
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