Welcome to our November 2023 newsletter. This month we highlight new articles by Winton Higgins, Keith Jackson, and Mike Slott/Katya de Kadt. We also feature a practitioner's account of her journey to secular Buddhism and a statement on Israel/Palestine....
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SBN Editor
SBN Half-Day Meditation Retreat
The Secular Buddhist Network will be offering a half-day, online retreat on 4 February 2024, from 11:00 am to 3:30 pm US EST.
Rethinking the Dharma / Reimagining Community #51 December 2023
Welcome to our December 2023 newsletter. This month we highlight an interview with Seth Zuih? Segall about his new book, The House We Live In, and an article by John Danvers. We also feature a practitioner's account of her journey to secular Buddhism and Bodhi College's course offerings for 2024.
An interview with Seth Segall on his new book, The House We Live In
SBN interviewed Seth Zuih? Segall about his new book, The House We Live in: Virtue, Wisdom, and Pluralism. In this book Seth offers a theory of ethics and flourishing based on Aristotle, Buddha, and Confucius.
A practitioner’s journey to secular Buddhism: Sylwia
From a very early age, Sylwia Plich has always questioned religious orthodoxies. She has moved from her family's Catholicism to Protestantism to Tibetan Buddhism. In 2016, she came across Stephen Batchelor's writings and embraced a secular approach which focuses on ethical life on a daily basis.
Rethinking the Dharma / Reimagining Community #50 November 2023
Welcome to our November 2023 newsletter. This month we highlight new articles by Winton Higgins, Keith Jackson, and Mike Slott/Katya de Kadt. We also feature a practitioner's account of her journey to secular Buddhism and a statement on Israel/Palestine.
Statement on Israel/Palestine
As individuals who embrace a secular or naturalistic approach to the dharma, one that is based on the goal of reducing suffering and facilitating the flourishing of all beings in this world, we feel a responsibility to speak out about the horrific events in Israel and Palestine.
A practitioner’s journey to secular Buddhism: Carmel
Although deeply influenced and inspired by some aspects of Judaism, Carmel Shalev began to lose faith in God and his commandments because they treated women as somehow limited and second best to men. She eventually connected with Buddhist teachers and found that Stephen Batchelor's secular approach resonated deeply with her.
Rethinking the Dharma / Reimagining Community #49 October 2023
Welcome to our October 2023 newsletter. This month we highlight two educational programs: an online course on secular Buddhism and socially engaged Buddhism in October and a retreat in December led by Stephen Batchelor, Winton Higgins, and Lenorë Lambert on secular dharma and ethical living. We also feature a review by Mike Slott of David McMahan's new book on meditation, a practitioner's account of his journey to secular Buddhism, and a new article by Jochen Weber.
Exploring a secular dharma: SBN’s online course
SBN's free online course on explores key concepts a secular dharma. Participants in the course will go through the course modules, discuss the topics in each module with each other, and meet on Zoom every two weeks with the instructors for the course.
Bodhi College’s Secular Dharma Course
Bodhi College's self-study, online course, After Buddhism and Beyond, will offer a comprehensive series of Stephen Batchelor's lectures, reflections, and discussions on the theme of Secular Dharma. The course includes videos with talks and Q&As, Stephen’s notes, questions for self reflection, and a resources guide.