dedicated to a peaceful & just society
grounded in contemplative & spiritual practice
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Midwestern Dhamma dedicated to a peaceful & just society grounded in contemplative & spiritual practice |
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Our friends to the southeast enjoy coming to Liberation Park to visit and we enjoy visiting with them in Milwaukee.
Morning: Mindfulness with Breathing: Foundation of Body & Breathing Together
Mindfully learning to allow our bodies to breathe freely without interference from over-active minds & emotions is crucial for good health, a settled practice, and inner steadiness-calm. We'll review the Buddha's teaching on this application of mindfulness (satipatthana).
Afternoon: Mindfulness, Sangha, & Society
This will be an on-going exploration of questions concerning Sangha in our current worlds. We're asking how we can cooperate in supporting our practice, take care of each other, and take responsibility for society. Part of the inquiry involves re-evaluating the forms of Sangha received from Asian Buddhist cultures and inherited from American religious forms. A historical review is part of the process. See below for some of the questions we'll be exploring.
Morning: Practice & Talk
Buddhism & Social Change: Some History & Ideas for Today
Morning: Mindfulness with Breathing: Body, Breath, Samadhi, & Feelings
Afternoon: Mindfulness, Sangha, & Society -- ongoing explorations
Morning: Practice & Talk
Dhamma Inquiry
Morning: Mindfulness with Breathing: Contemplating Mind while Breathing In & Out
Afternoon: Mindfulness, Sangha, & Society - Naive optimism vs. Deep pessimism
Some individuals and institutions in our society offer optimism in light of the rather pessimistic warnings coming from climate experts, civil libertarians, and social justice advocates. While life without hope is difficult if not impossible to live, blocking out reality and living only in naive hope is more of a problem than a solution.
Is there a basis for deeper, truly compassionate hope that remains open-hearted to the pessimistic signs without capitulating? Is profound pessimism more honest and therefore compassionate? Do we need radically different (new/old) perspectives? Behaviorally, what can we change now?
Please come prepared to dwell in uncertainty as we collectively seek a sane, caring direction.
Morning: Dhamma & Politics
-- does Buddhism have anything useful to say about modern politics? can the Buddha's life & example provide helpful examples & guidances among our current political impasses, conflicts, ideologies, & apathies? is Dhamma sufficient for our human needs such that we can forget about politics if we are spiritually committed and mature?
Retreat, Dhamma dialogue, good works, & talks at Liberation Park.
Tents, tipi, stars, tress, bugs, and good friends.
Email: ordinarydharma
- How did Buddhism drift away from the Buddha's original radicalism?
- What were the impacts of later developments, and how did these come about:
-- conceiving the Buddha as a prince
-- clericalism (bhikkhus becoming brahmin priests)
-- accepting & cozying up to violent power structures
-- abandoning early tribal federations (as model and as partners)
-- apologizing for (and often mimicing) autocratic, centralized monarchies
-- hierarchy of practitioners (feudal in tone)
- How do alternative visions of Sangha affect our practice of Sangha today?
Not all of the questions can be answered conclusively. Instead, we are aiming for a healthy dialogue between Buddhism's original radicalism (which needs to be distinguished from later conformities) and our aspirations for healthy Sanghas contributing to healthy societies.
