Secular perspectives on the Sila path factors: speech, action and livelihood with Dave Smith
The Buddha’s instructions for living an awakened and purposeful life are for each of us to cultivate the eight-fold path. This message lies at the heart of all schools of Buddhist thought. In our culture, the overwhelming focus has been on developing the mind through concentration, insight and mindfulness practices. While the teaching of wisdom has largely been reduced to conceptual understanding of “things as they are”, the path factors of speech, action and livelihood receive very little attention, nor do we find significant practical application. Why is this?
During this 3-week online series, Dave will outline the etymological and practical aspects of these teaching as they are outlined with the historical texts of the Pali canon. Together, we will uncover a Dharma path that has long been forgotten. Secular perspectives will be introduced as a means for a broader and more practical approach to the practices.
This event is appropriate for anyone interested in the topic. There will be lecture, guided practice and Q&A.
Dave Smith is an internationally recognized Buddhist meditation teacher, addiction treatment specialist, and published author. His background is rooted in the Insight Meditation tradition and he was empowered to teach through the Against the Stream Buddhist Meditation Society. He has extensive experience bringing meditative interventions into jails, prisons, youth detention centers and addiction treatment facilities. Dave teaches residential meditation retreats and classes, provides trainings and consulting in both secular and Buddhist contexts, and works with students through his meditation mentoring program. He recently founded the Secular Dharma Foundation and lives in Paonia, Colorado.
