Three conversations
Winton Higgins in conversation with
Mindful Solidarity author Mike Slott
The first of three launch events, this one was timed to be suitable for people from Thailand around to Aotearoa New Zealand.
Secondly, Dave Smith interviewed Mike for his Secular Dharma Foundation podcast.
And thirdly, Mike was in conversation with the British Zen practitioner John Danvers for his Dharma Roads podcast.
Two additional book launch events are planned – one for people in the Americas, and the other for those in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Details to come. ⁂
Do you use a library?
If you do, please consider asking the librarians to put your favourite Tuwhiri books on the shelves.
SECULAR DHARMA TALK
What we forget about mindfulness
Mindfulness brings together past, present and future, says Bernat Font. To be fully present for our lives and for each other’s, let’s remember our vows and aspirations, what we currently do, and where we want to go. Let’s not forget this about mindfulness.
Bernat Font met the dharma at a very young age, and has practiced in Europe, India and Myanmar, gradually setting aside his artistic career. He completed his dharma teacher training with Bodhi College in 2022, mentored by Stephen Batchelor, and has a PhD in Buddhist Studies.
He is particularly interested in bringing together the worlds of study and practice, and understands tradition as an ongoing, evolving conversation. Bernat founded the dharma organisation Espai Sati in Barcelona, serves the LGBTQIA+ community, and teaches in English, Catalan and Spanish.
Download Bernat’s talk ‘What we forget about mindfulness’ as a PDF
How you can be helpful
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AN OPPORTUNITY TO CARE
New to Tuwhiri’s editorial board – Cathryn Jacob
Tuwhiri’s editorial board is pleased to welcome Dr Cathryn Jacob as our newest member. Before retiring as a medical doctor in the UK, Cathryn specialised in mental health and had obtained a Royal College of General Practitioners Diploma in Drug and Alcohol Addiction and Treatment.
A meditation instructor, in 2023 she completed a year-long Bodhi College face-to-face Secular Dharma course that was taught by Martine and Stephen Batchelor with Bernat Font Clos.
The founder of ELSA Recovery, Cathryn has been in recovery for a number of years. Initially she worked a 12-step programme, and became a sponsor and then teacher of the steps. Like many, though, she became uneasy with the concept of a higher power and, through exploration, moved towards a secular dharma-based recovery.
Alongside like-minded secular dharma practitioners, as a Tuwhiri editorial board member Cathryn hopes to share her knowledge and experience to help and mutually support others, as together they imagine a new path for those struggling in the samsara of addiction. ⁂
Tuwhiri’s other newsletter
Mindful Solidarity newsletter is sent out on the 10th and the 24th of each month with a brief to look at – and beyond – the content of Mike Slott’s new book.
Whether you’ve read the book or not, we’re keen to know what the concept of mindful solidarity means to you. Send us an email.
ONLINE BOOK READING GROUPS
Appreciating the dharma in the company of others
The next Revamp online reading group will run on Sundays from 9 March 2025 through 8 June 2025. One Sunday later, the group will have a Q+A session with author Winton Higgins. With no more than nine people, group meetings will start at:
8am · Hawaii
11am · US/Canada West Coast
1pm · US/Canada Central
2pm · US/Canada East Coast
6pm · London
7pm · Europe
To register your interest send us an email letting us know which reading group(s) you’re interested in. We’ll then send you a code to get 10% off the price of the book(s) – paper or digital – through Tuwhiri’s online store.
➡︎ Download an excerpt from Revamp ⁂
The next What is this? online reading group will run on Sundays from 16 February 2025 through 18 May 2025. On Saturday 24 May, the group will have a Q+A session with co-author Martine Batchelor. With no more than nine people, group meetings will start at:
7am · Western Australia (& Bali)
8am · Japan (& Korea)
9.30am · South Australia
10am · New South Wales & Queensland
12 noon · Aotearoa New Zealand
1pm · Hawaii
3pm · US/Canada West Coast
5pm · US/Canada Central
6pm · US/Canada East Coast
To register your interest send us an email letting us know which reading group(s) you’re interested in. We’ll then send you a code to get 10% off the price of the book(s) – paper or digital – through Tuwhiri’s online store.
➡︎ Download an excerpt from What is this?
US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
SBN members respond to Trump’s election win
Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash
Many participants in Secular Buddhist Network online groups, in the USA and beyond, were disappointed and devastated by the election of Donald Trump as the next president of the United States. His speech and actions are totally at odds with the secular Buddhist values of care, compassion, and interconnectedness.
On 14 November, SBN held a meeting to discuss this election. Participants explored their thoughts and immediate reactions, and discussed what could be done in the days and months ahead.
A follow-up meeting will be held on:
5 December from 7pm US EST (UTC-5 hours).The Zoom ID is 505 259 2148 and the link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5052592148.
Get more information on these meetings.
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We’re so, so grateful to you
When you read this newsletter, buy a book, let others know about Tuwhiri, or decide you’re going to pay for your newsletter, know that you’re part of the community which helps us to publish innovative secular dharma books. ⁂
Ngā manaakitanga,
Cathryn Jacob ❖ Warwickshire, UK
Mike Slott ❖ Montclair NJ, USA
Ramsey Margolis ❖ Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand
Winton Higgins ❖ Sydney, Australia
for Tuwhiri