Vincent Horn, part of the new generation of dharma teachers, discusses 'metadharma' and its implications. They explore the power of social practices and the role of psychology in metadharma. They also discuss the Big Mind Method and its psychological applications. The podcast touches on the Buddhist Geeks Farm, a contemplative community startup project, and the intersection of Buddhism and the Extinction Rebellion movement.
Social meditation can reveal and address social conditioning, leading to more compassionate relationships.
Focusing on the process level of experience deepens understanding of self and reality.
Deep dives
The Practice of Social Meditation and Its Importance in Metadharma
One key insight discussed in this podcast episode is the significance of social meditation or interpersonal relational practices within metadharma. The guest speaker, Vince Horn, emphasizes the value of practices that explicitly involve other people in our meditative experience, as they can reveal and address social conditioning that might not be apparent in solo practice. Horn cites social noting and social meta as examples of these practices. Through collaborative and vocalized practices, individuals can explore and transform social dynamics and build more compassionate and discerning relationships.
Exploring the Process Level of Experience in Metadharma
The conversation also delves into the distinction between the content and process levels of experience in metadharma. The content level refers to the narrative or story of one's life, while the process level involves recognizing the transient nature of thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This focus on the process level allows individuals to deepen their understanding of the nature of self and reality. The guest mentions practices like big mind and big heart as examples of techniques that bridge the content and process levels of experience, enabling practitioners to engage with the mind's content in a transformative way.
Creating Contemplative Communities and Post-Capitalist Farming in Metadharma
The podcast explores the concept of creating contemplative communities within metadharma that integrate principles of radical ecology and post-capitalism. These communities aim to reduce ecological footprints, grow food, host contemplative retreats, and live collectively. The guest envisions a combination of ongoing residents, temporary visitors, and practicing together in supportive environments. The goal is to foster open-source sharing of knowledge and resources, reducing living expenses, and dedicating more time to meaningful contributions beyond basic survival needs. The conversation also touches on engaged Buddhism and the importance of contemplative activism in addressing issues such as racism, income inequality, and social oppression.
Exploring New Organizational Structures and Governance Practices in Metadharma
In examining the structure and governance of metadharma communities, the conversation highlights the need for fluid and agile systems that distribute authority and decision-making. The guest suggests moving away from hierarchical structures and adopting more organismic approaches to community organization. These structures would involve self-governing collectives, governance processes, and open communication channels to create integrated and adaptable systems. The goal is to facilitate collaboration, transparency, and shared responsibility within metadharma communities, ultimately contributing to a more equitable, engaged, and interconnected society.
Why Metadharma? is an unusual episode of the Deconstructing Yourself podcast, in that it’s Part 2 of a joint interview between Vince and Michael Taft. Part 1 appeared on the Buddhist Geeks podcast recently, and they continue the conversation here.
The topic of these discussions is a subject that both speakers are actively developing, called “metadharma.” In brief, metadharma refers to the many different ways that the dharma is being adapted, remixed, and redefined to meet the unique challenges and opportunities of the current moment.
Vincent Horn is part of a new generation of teachers & translators exploring dharma in the age of the network. A computer engineering dropout turned full-time contemplative, he spent his 20s co-founding the ground-breaking Buddhist Geeks Podcast, while simultaneously doing a full year, in total, of silent retreat practice. Vincent began teaching in 2010 having been authorized in both the Pragmatic Dharma lineage of Kenneth Folk, and by Trudy Goodman, guiding teacher of InsightLA, in the Insight Meditation tradition. Vincent has been called a “power player of the mindfulness movement” by Wired magazine and was featured in Wired UK’s “Smart List: 50 people who will change the world.” He currently lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains outside of Asheville, North Carolina with his partner Emily Horn and their son Zander.
