Some foundational texts for Secular Buddhism; the Buddha's parable of the city and its implications; creativity and aesthetics in the practice of the path; a democracy of the imagination.
Further thoughts on secular Buddhism; ELSA = Embrace, Let Go, Stop, Act; ELSA is a continuous stream; Mara as Namuci, the drought demon; the stream as the 8-fold path; stream-entry as confidence in the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha; abandoning the three fetters; an inclusive conception of Sangha; Sarakani the Sakiyan
The Buddha and the sick monk; the awakening as described in M.26 (The Noble Quest); awakening as a shift from place to ground, Not as a breakthrough to an ultimate Truth; "going against the stream"; the appearance of Brahma Sahampati who encourages the Buddha to teach as the arising of love and compassion and creativity.
Further reflections on Secular Dharma; what was distinctive in the Buddha's teaching at his time; "Whatever arises ceases": the ocean, the breath, the heartbeat; the Kaccanagotta Sutta (S.12:15); quotes from Montaigne & Nagarjuna re: neither being nor non-being; the questions of Vacchagotta concerning self (S.44:10)
Reflections on the conversational and dialogical nature of a living tradition; the tension between the deeply human religious impulse (questioning) and religious institutions and dogmas; the twofold meaning of the word "secular."
Reflection on passages from the suttas of the Pali Canon where the Buddha addresses what he means by "namarupa" (name-form) and Viññana (consciousness).
