jimjacksonlsn2014
| Forum role | Member since | Last activity | Topics created | Replies created |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Member | Jun 18, 2014 (12 years) |
- | 2 | 1 |
- Forum role
- Member
- Member since
Jun 18, 2014 (12 years)
- Last activity
- -
- Topics created
- 2
- Replies created
- 1
Bio
In short: Love hiking, cycling, world travel, bonsai, good conversation, and reading; caretaker of Open Lotus Sangha.org, a secular Buddhist learning center devoted to the study of the Four Truths of the Spiritually Noble and the practice of Being Peace.
My motivation in starting OLS is to learn of insights others have regarding the Buddha's Dhamma and experiences with developing the skillful means presented in the Eightfold Path of the Spiritually Noble.
I was first introduced to Zen in 1964 when I began my training in Shorinji Kempo and Bushido. I've continued since, sometimes alone, sometimes in Sanghas, depending upon availability where I lived.
The foundation of my practice is built on the Five Mindfulness Trainings, the Four Noble Truths and Vipassana. Support for my practice comes from the teaching and mindfulness techniques given in the Anapanasati, Satipatthana, and Bhaddekaratta Suttas. Mentors and practitioners who have influenced me the most over the years are: Thich Nhat Hanh and Joseph Goldstein, along with the translations, commentaries and writings of Ajahn Chah, Analayo, Bhikkhu Bodhi, Thanissaro Bhikkhu, Sharon Salzberg, and Stephen Batchelor.
I began a consistent study of Suttas and modern commentaries in 1995 - thanks to the Internet it's been remarkably easy to source them. As a secularist, my personal practice does not involve traditional Buddhist religious beliefs or associated rituals. I write about Buddha's teachings as I understand them through study, my experience, and practice. However, I am not an authorized teacher within any lineage and make no special claims to special knowledge or ordained authority. I'm a Lay Secular Buddhist and nothing more.