With some recent talk about how to attract the younger generation to Buddhism, this article popped up with a great, new, innovative approach. Actually advertise what Buddhist practice does and what results one can expect to find from intense meditative practice. Then present it to that age group in an easy-to-access manner (example - Read The Zennist and then do the exact opposite). No dramatic alteration of the Buddhist canon needed, no comments on how "Hardcore" it is - just simple, direct meditation and results. A few examples from the article:
- the Insight Meditation Society, a Buddhist nonprofit, introduced the retreat specifically for 18- to 32-year-olds in 2004, the number of young adults attending to practice vipassana has steadily risen, said Bob Agoglia, the organization’s executive director.
- The Cambridge Insight Meditation Center, a nonresidential nonprofit, has also seen a stream of curious young adults at its weekly vipassana, or “mindfulness,’’ meditation sessions for beginners, said Peggy Barnes Lenart, the center’s operations coordinator.
- Harvard’s Humanist Chaplaincy, a community for agnostics, atheists, and the nonreligious, started a free, open-to-all group this year that practices different forms of meditation, including Buddhist and Quaker.
In all of these examples, Buddhist practice is presented as a process-based, inclusive and/or secular in nature. And it should be presented as such to those who are unfamiliar with the basic practice of Buddhism. If anything, most of the presentation of Buddhism is far too complex and steeped in ritual, philosophy and dogma for most of those completely new to it.
Nothing turns off a person from something new more than the feeling that they don't belong [disclaimer: this is not targeted at Asian congregations or temples. Rather, I am talking about any congregations that have a regular and sometimes intricate liturgy that can make a neophyte feel uncomfortable. That is all]. So rather than bemoan the state of youth or insist that the young are not spiritually ready for the Path that Buddhism sets in front of us, we should be adjusting the presentation so that it is actually useful to that demographic.
In the words of one retreat goer:
“No one’s asking me to profess anything or asking me to call myself Buddhist,’’ said Beckmann, a public health researcher at Boston University who was raised Catholic. “I really appreciate the opportunity to explore.’’
An opportunity to explore the benefits is what needs to be provided. A chance to delve briefly into a practice that while strange or unfamiliar may be able to provide a positive outcome . How do we do this? By providing a secular and inclusive environment for which people of any age can "open up this new way of being". The secular aspect is not meant to take away from Buddhism but rather to provide a more comfortable atmosphere to those of different faiths or no faith what-so-ever. From there one can walk away with a better understanding of Buddhism and a healthier outlook.
Secular meditation - The gateway drug of Buddhism. I started out this way as I am sure many of you out there did as well. The biggest mistake I ever made in my practice was to actually take a class in Buddhism in college. All the heady philosophy and rules thrown at a beginner turned me off from organized practice for almost 5 years.
Cheers,
Best things for anyone starting to explore Buddhism, is there is no reason to be anything, just hear dhamma until something makes sense, and apply it ...or don't. Be a conscious member in your own maturation process. The biggest regret I have is not starting earlier. I guess I needed to find out first hand that my usual methods were not working well, yet knew all along this is where I would end up. Better late than never, and still learning about who I really am.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post. I'm going to write more on this issue as soon as my suddenly busy schedule calms a bit. I do think secular approaches are part of the answer. However, I also feel others actually would be attracted to the ritual and particularly Buddhist approach to speaking about life. I know I was - it was surprising to me how quickly I came to love bowing and chanting, for example.
ReplyDeleteI also wonder about eliminating all levels of discomfort, and making an environment that doesn't challenge people at all. My guess is that the work being done at Insight and Cambridge, for example, are doing a good job of balancing openness and keeping people on their toes a bit.
I definitely agree. It can also be hard in some more rural or suburban areas to find any kind of sangha. With no community or actual people to speak with, I think a lot of youth get turned off before they've really had a chance to explore. I bet they could find 50 churches within 50 miles, but be lucky if they could find even one meditation center.
ReplyDelete@ Was Once - Insightful comment. I agree that indidividuals just starting out in their practice need to explore some of the simpler aspect of Buddhism first. And making those aspect secular only eases the process. Sometimes I wish that I started younger but I am beginning to realize that those first stumbling steps into self-exploration were necessary ones.
ReplyDelete@ Nathan - I am actually a larger fan of having some ritual rather than having none. It adds a deeper history to my practice. However, with a growing secular movement that largely wants to explore w/o rigid rituals or dogma, providing some aspect of "just" meditation would be needed. Even thosethat are interested in the ritual are uncomfortable with the HUGE mound of steeming ritual that gets dumped on them when they walk into a zendo.
That is why I love that most places offer a beginner's class. I would take it even with my feet already grounded in ritual.
Thanks for the comment, Nathan, and I look forward to your post.
@ Adam - 150 Churches in Rapid City and 3 underground (unadvertised) sanghas. It took me a year to find them and contact all of them to determine where I wanted to practice.
@ Adam - I plan on brewing my "Blue Buddha Chai Beer" this weekend as well as a "sweet" sake. I will post results, recipes and pictures next week.
ReplyDeletePlease do. I've wondered about brewing with chai. I think I will attempt it for my holiday ale. I'll post the recipie for my Amber Ale after I've tasted it. No use in suggesting a batch o' crap. :)
ReplyDeleteAs one of those Buddhist youth, I find this post interesting, but completely opposite from how I found Buddhism. I actually came to Buddhism through a very interesting spiritual quest. I'm mostly attracted to the more "religious" side of Buddhism.
ReplyDeleteI can understand presenting it more striped down though. My sister enjoys a bit of Buddhism, but mostly as a philosophy and an accompanyment to Christianity.
@ producestand - I think categorizing youth as one big group to be a difficult task when obviously there is an INSANE amount of variety. I was initially interested in the religious aspects (and still am) of Buddhism but had no real outlet for them until I was older. It was, ironically, the deep philosophical aspects that turned me away from active practice in a sangha in my youth.
ReplyDeleteI do appreciate the fact that you can see the positives in both a secular and religious presentation of Buddhism and Buddhist practice. Many do not and insist that it needs to be one or the other. Thanks for you comments! BTW, I am still running on my own "spiritual quest" I don't think that it ever ends. Cheers!
@ Adam - Chai is tough b/c it is so damned taninny (sp?). I usually steep first in chai, it give a bite and a flavor without it sucking the spit right outta your mouth (I use real chai, BTW, and not a mix or powder. Cheers!