Secular Buddhism

Imagining the Dharma in an Uncertain World

By: Stephen Batchelor

Narrated by: Ralph Lister

An essential collection of Stephen Batchelor's most probing and important work on secular Buddhism

As the practice of mindfulness permeates mainstream western culture, more and more people are engaging in a traditional form of Buddhist meditation. However, many of these people have little interest in the religious aspects of Buddhism, and the practice occurs within secular contexts such as hospitals, schools, and the workplace. Is it possible to recover from the Buddhist teachings a vision of human flourishing that is secular rather than religious without compromising the integrity of the tradition? Is there an ethical framework that can underpin and contextualize these practices in a rapidly changing world?

In this collected volume of Stephen Batchelor's writings on these themes, he explores the complex implications of Buddhism's secularization. Ranging widely - from reincarnation, religious belief, and agnosticism to the role of the arts in Buddhist practice - he offers a detailed description of contemporary Buddhism and its attempt to find a voice in the modern world.

©2017 Stephen Batchelor (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Interesting enough collection of Philosophical Musings

But, like in the case of most “Religions” it derives its value from its ability to offer its Wisdom to contemporary practitioners. Whether or not the Wisdom of the Buddha is congruent with the needs of 21st Century Reader is less dependent on how well it fits to his terminology than how it meets the challenges of his or her Life.

Some good points well stated. Three Stars. ***

Frontier of Western Buddhism

this book, taken as a nother panel in the collage of his writing, brings added texture to the direction of Western Buddhism. lead on.

Good, but repetition of old material

If you read the contents beforehand, you will of course be aware that this is a collection of older material. So, if you have read Batchelor's other books you will have heard half of the material here already. But it is all interesting nonetheless.

Poetry in prose form

Poetry in prose form. Read, hear, enjoy and live the Dharma through it. I know I did.

The narrator / narration was a TERRIBLE fit

The narrator / narration was a TERRIBLE fit.

Even in a semi biography, on a topic that even remotely touches on spiritualism and belief (or lack thereof), there needs to be some pause. The listener is trying to absorb the text.

The narrator is fast and clipped and has the exact same cadence over and over and over.

I will try to find another audio version or go old school and read Stephen's work. I am coming to this after listening to Stephen narrate Buddhism Without Belief and loved that one. Listening to Stephen and his calm, introspective, deliberate, thoughtful voice was a wonderful overlay to his text.

This was jarring and hurried and anxiety inducing.