What is Realistic Dharma? | Secular Dharma Foundation (online)

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Western Buddhism exists amid a confusing array of cultural contexts.  In addition to whatever we know, or think we know, about the teachings of the Buddha, the dharma as understood today may also partake of Buddhist modernism, psychotherapy and mental health, wellness culture and ‘toxic positivity’, spiritual adventurism, optimizer culture, contemporary social justice movements, Western religion and atheism, and any number of currents of thought.  Along with these cultural influences come varying conceptions of what the Dharma is supposed to do, from full enlightenment and total extinguishment of desire to a little stress reduction while you go about your busy capitalist life.  Sometimes all at the same time!  In this evening workshop, Dave Smith and Jay Michaelson will talk about “realistic dharma,” which sets the ideals of liberation in historical and contemporary contexts, so that we can be more clear about what we want to get clear about.