Dharmaecology is an interweaving of dharma themes from the Buddhist Naturalist tradition and ecology, which I define as natural systems theory. Dharmaecology indicates a strong focus on ecology and climate justice, dharma naturalism, and a systems ecology approach to dharma theory and practice. It’s about connectedness, networks and integration, social, biological and cosmic. What I seek … Continue reading What Is Dharmaecology?
Spinoza’s Ethics
Spinoza's revolutionary Ethics is succinctly presented in this 8 minute video. Spinoza's ethics is derived from his total deconstruction of religion, its gods and scriptures, its beliefs and practices, its role in society and meaning for individuals. Yet in the end, Spinoza affirms the importance of religion for the individual and society, however that is … Continue reading Spinoza’s Ethics
Well, whadaya know…
The virus has knocked out the class structure of Nalandabodhi (temporarily at least). Dzogchen Ponlop and the Naladabodhi crew started doing ONLINE retreats in June, 2020, continuing into February 2021. I personally asked Ponlop and his administrative team to do that five years ago when I was struggling to be a member. I could not … Continue reading Well, whadaya know…
Crosby: Esoteric Theravada
UPDATE on Tantric/Esoteric Theravada: January 1, 2021: Prof. Kate Crosby has published her groundbreaking work, Esoteric Theravada, (Dec. 2020, Shambhala Press, trade paper, $24) which is a detailed history of "tantric" or esoteric practices in the Theravada tradition. This is the culmination of her doctoral and post-doctoral work, field study, study of original documents of esoteric … Continue reading Crosby: Esoteric Theravada
Buddhafield Meditation: a Poetic Naturalist Practice
Buddhafield Meditation: a Poetic Naturalist Practice I’m working out a Buddhafield meditation, based on emergence, systems theory, quantum field theory and some Mahayana sutras; imagining one’s being as part of the primary wave function of the universe, the implicate and explicate order The basic theory is that the entire universe can be understood as a … Continue reading Buddhafield Meditation: a Poetic Naturalist Practice
Ditching the Raft Pt. ??
I’m ok with letting go of Buddhist cosmology as an explanation of the world, except in the broadest sense: everything is connected and interdependent. I find current cosmology—astrophysics, quantum phyiscis, systems theory and ecology—to be much more robust and relevant to our world. I’m ok with interpreting Buddhist cosmology as ‘myth’, or as ‘ancient cosmological … Continue reading Ditching the Raft Pt. ??
Poetic Naturalism
I've been a fan of physicist Sean Carroll for several years. I read his book, The Big Picture, and watched many of his videos on physics. Sean Carroll teaches a popular understanding of quantum physics on his websites. Sean is a theoretical physicist specializing in quantum mechanics and cosmology at CalTech and the Santa Fe … Continue reading Poetic Naturalism
Breaking the Chain of Rebirth
The Parable of the City: The Nagara Sutta SN 16.5 The 12 Links of Dependent Origination: Consciousness Then it occurred to me: ‘When what exists is there rebirth? … continued existence … grasping … craving … feeling … contact … the six sense fields … name and form … What is a condition for name and … Continue reading Breaking the Chain of Rebirth
Buddhist Ethics
The threshold ethical issue is to realize that we are in fact, responsible. Contemporary Buddhism has covered the gamut in terms of issues affecting human life: psychology, cosmology, philosophy, phenomenology, neuroscience, meditation and other practices of personal development, ritual, myth, mysticism, wisdom literature, and at least the rudiments (though inadequate) of community. The one area … Continue reading Buddhist Ethics
Buddhism as Myth Pt. 2
I continue to contemplate the concept of Buddhism as Myth. I'm trying to separate Buddhist literature and practice into two piles: mythical and pragmatic. Many Westerners claim to practice a 'pragmatic' Buddhism, often called 'secular' Buddhism. This is also what Evan Thompson has called (wrongly I believe) Buddhist Modernism. This is Buddhism supposedly stripped of … Continue reading Buddhism as Myth Pt. 2
How Buddhist Groups Groom You
The following post from Reddit refers specifically to the 'grooming' (indoctrination) process in Shambhala, but its very like the grooming process in most Buddhist organizations (so-called 'sanghas'). It's a very cult-like process, or let's call it "cult-lite." For sure, no one is forced to do any of these things against their will, but the organization … Continue reading How Buddhist Groups Groom You
