Mahabodhi
Activities
ideology mindfulness psychology: buddhism
Activities, conferences attended and publications
In reverse chronological order, I have outlined my significant activities and developments in thinking - including articles I have published - since 2003.
April 2011
Attend first day of 'Mindfulness Now: Building on the last decade' conference.
Centre for Mindfulness Research and Pracrtice, Bangor University, UK.
April 2011
Publish 'Universal Loving Kindness (Metta) as ‘Constructive Imagination’ '
This short article explains how we develop positive emotion through the transformation of sanna or apperception. Published in April 2011 issue of Triratna Buddhist Order journal, Shabda.
February 2011
Publish 'A Schema for Imagination and Ritual based on the Five Buddha Mandala'
This short article explains the mechanics of imagination and ritual with emphasis on five pitfalls to avoid: literalism, philistinism, skepticism, superstition and delusion. Published in February 2011 issue of Triratna Buddhist Order journal, Shabda.
November 2010
Publish 'Twelve step bowing programme'
Short practical article on bowing. Published in November 2010 issue of Triratna Buddhist Order journal, Shabda.
Publish 'The Three Great Phases of the FWBO / Triratna Buddhist Community'
An analysis of evidence for Reginald Ray's Threefold Model in the historical phases that the FWBO / TBC have gone through since 1973. Published in November 2010 issue of Triratna Buddhist Order journal, Shabda.
Stream Entry and the ‘Five Paths’
The path to awakening is expressed in the Jewel Ornament of Liberation as the ‘Five Paths.’ This article explores how they fit in with stream entry. November 2010.
September 2010
Talk at Manchester Buddhist Centre
'Work as Spiritual Practice: Introducing Reginald Ray's Threefold Model
listen - free Buddhist audio
listen - MBC website
July 2010
Help with rituals at Buddhafield festival
June 2010
Teach meditation at Glastonbury festival
March 2010
Attend 'Buddhism and Science' colloquium at Oxford University
Contribute to discussion on second day.
June - August 2009
Retreat and Buddhist Convention
On retreat for four weeks in Devon, England, working on Buddhafield Festival rituals team, and attending biannual Western Buddhist Order convention.
May - June 2009
Studying Phenomenology
Trying to get a better understanding of phenomenology, in particular to understand the difference between Husserl and Heidegger.
May 2009
Join Mind and Life Institute Discussion List
On connecting to the website of the Mind and Life Institute conference held in Dharamsala, joined academic discussion list and input ideas.
May 2009
I saw interviews from Mind and Life XVIII conference in Dharamsala on You Tube (Dialogues between Buddhist and scientists, and the Dalai Lama)
Mind and Life website
Conference website
May 2009
I decided to attempt my own translation of the Satipatthana Sutta and published the translation in the in-house journal of Western Buddhist Order, Shabda.
April 2009
'Mindfulness and Beyond' Conference
I attended a conference of 120 delegates in London, many of whom were associated with the Buddhist-oriented Core Process Psychotherapy. Made a few contacts.
April 2009
I published an article on 'Zen and Views' covering the topics of views, Zen, Eternalism, and Daoism in the context of an Order discussion in Shabda.
March 2009
Developed new thinking on the Buddhist teaching of 'Wisdom and Skilful Means.' - On a solitary retreat I came up with an insight into the issues that are present when Buddhist ideas are taken into secular contexts.
February 2009
I developed my thinking around 'mental objects'. I turned my attention to trying to clarify the fourth foundation of mindfulness, in particular the creation of contexts
June 2008
I attended the 6th International Congress of Cognitive Psychotherapy in Rome, gave a poster presentation entitled 'Can Mindfulness Be Contained Within a Behaviourist Framework?' in which I outlined the 'Satipatthana Model.' I gave out 100 copies of a paper of the same name to delegates.
I met Jon Kabat-Zinn and Bob Leahy
February 2008
I developed my thinking on the third satipatthana ('emotional and mental states') and published an article entitled 'What is the Third Satipatthana? in Western Buddhist Order journal, Shabda
September 2007
I delivered a five week course on Mindfulness at Manchester Buddhist Centre
Recorded talks and handouts available from course
June 2007
I explored the idea of publishing the 'Satipatthana Model' in a psychology journal. I wrote to Mark Williams, Zindel Segal, Saki Santorelli and Stephen Hayes for advice.
June 2007
I studied psychology journals in a period of assimilation, trying to digest what had been happening in terms of mindfulness and the field of psychology. I read the psychology journals on mindfulness.
May 2007
Present 'Satipatthana Model' to audience of buddhist peers
I delivered a talk called 'Consciousness and the Embodied Mind' to 100 members of Western Buddhist Order at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, Norfolk UK, which presented the 'Satipatthana Model.'
February 2007
I found out that there had been some dialogue between Cognitive Therapy and Buddhism already. I learnt of the 'Meeting of the Minds' between Aaron Beck, the founder of CBT, and the Dalai Lama which had taken place at the 5th International Congress of Cognitive Psychotherapy held in Gottenborg in Sweden in 2005.
Aaron Beck website 'Reflections On My Public Dialog With The Dalai Lama'
Video of his meeting with Dalai Lama
Autumn 2006
I realised through that dialogue that I had created a Buddhist Model based on the same structure of the Cognitive Model of CBT but using framework of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. I decided to call the model the 'Satipatthana Model'
Autumn 2006
Had some dialogue with Christine Padesky the co-author of the main CBT workbook 'Mind Over Mood'
on the origin of the Cognitive Model
November 2005
Published article on 'Feeling and Acceptance' in the Western Buddhist Order Journal Shabda
Autumn 2005
Sought advice on phrases in Satipatthana Sutta (clarification of meaning of 'kaye kayanupassi') from Dr. Margaret Cohn of Cambridge University (currently working on a new version of the Pali-English Dictionary)
February 2005
Delivered Talk on Imagination at Buddhist Retreat Centre
Delivered a talk called 'Mindfulness of Reality Through Play and Poetry' to 100 members of the Western Buddhist Order, at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, Norfolk UK.
December 2004 - December 2005
Developed my book in the direction of mindfulness with a provisional title of 'On Safe Ground'
Autumn 2004
Published article on 'Play' in in-house journal of the Western Buddhist Order, Shabda.
December 2003 - December 2004
Began book - developing ideas on ritual