Mindfulness-Based Ethical Living with Dave Smith
Channel: SF Dharma Collective
Date: 19/06/2023

Dave Smith discusses the overview and history Mindfulness-Based Ethical Living (MBEL), as well as offering periods of mindfulness practice and group discussion.

MBEL addresses the psychological, ethical and philosophical dimensions of the human experience. MBEL is an organized, contemplative system carefully designed for anyone who seeks to care for their own and others’ lives, here in this world. It was developed for those who seek a philosophical and ethical context for their practice of mindfulness.

MBEL is founded on early Buddhist formulas and lists such as: four foundations of mindfulness, four tasks, four efforts and the four immeasurables. In the same way that mindfulness-based therapies such as Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) are inspired by Buddhist contemplative practices, MBEL draws inspiration from the ethical values and philosophical frameworks of early Buddhist thought. Although Buddhist in inspiration and origin, MBEL shares neither the religious and metaphysical commitments of the Buddhist religion nor its authoritarian hierarchies of power.

This program was developed by Stephen Batchelor as the culmination of over four decades of practicing, studying and teaching Dharma. Stephen Batchelor sees himself as a facilitator rather than an authority in the development of MBEL. Dave has been in conversation with Stephen for over a decade. Having developed a rich dialog about early Buddhist thought and finding meaningful ways of bringing the core teachings to our lives here, in our secular age. 

Coming soon: January 1 – September 22: Mindfulness-Based Ethical Living (MBEL) with Dave Smith and Stephen Batchelor. 8-month intensive program with 2 residential retreats and online programming. Registration is open: https://email.seculardharmafoundation.com/t/d-e-zuiklht-l-r/

MBEL has been conceived as a collaborative project, which leaves behind the patriarchal and hierarchical power structures often found in Buddhism. Authority is distributed throughout the community of practitioners rather than concentrated in an expert. This program can be freely shared with anyone who is interested in doing this work. In January 2024, Dave will be teaching an 8-month program that includes two residential retreats, online programming and more. The course has been developed by Dave and Stephen. Stephen will only be teaching the online aspects of the program. For more information sign up for the davesmithdharma.com email list. The program will be offered through the Secular Dharma Foundation. 
 
This program is appropriate for anyone interested in the topic, regardless of any previous experience.

Dave Smith is an internationally recognized Buddhist meditation teacher, addiction treatment specialist, and published author. 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 training 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.

You can donate to the dharma collective here (leave us a note to tell us that it's for Dave!):  https://sfdharmacollective.org/donate

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#meditation #mindfulness #secular #ethics