Buddhist Geeks

Why Metadharma?, Pt. 1, with Michael W. Taft

Aug 1, 2019

01:00:18

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Michael W. Taft, expert on Metadharma and social crises, discusses the need for Metadharma, its relation to social crises like the ecological emergency and systemic oppression. They also explore the challenges of producing enlightenment, the changing landscape of knowledge, preparing for death, working with the shadow, temporary utopias, and the problems of modernity and capitalism.

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Quick takeaways

Metadharma aims to go beyond individual-focused approaches of traditional Dharma, addressing wider societal issues and integrating psychology, systems of oppression, and a deeper understanding of the human mind and body.

Metadharma emphasizes the importance of radical change, challenging static Dharma narratives, and advocating for fluidity in practices, creating communities that actively address ecological and social crises while embracing a more intense exploration of death individually and collectively.

Deep dives

The Need for Metadharma

Metadarma is seen as a necessary response to the limitations of consensus Buddhism and the changing world we face today. It aims to go beyond the individual-focused approach of traditional Dharma and address broader societal issues. Metadarma questions the relevance of current Buddhist frameworks and seeks to create a new outlook that integrates psychology, systems of oppression, and a deeper understanding of the human mind and body. It acknowledges the need to create temporary utopias and alternative ways of living that break from the dominant systems of society.

Navigating the post-fact world with trans-rational teachings

01:11

Challenges in Dharma practitioners' awareness

01:04

Narratives of Modernity and Post-Modernity

01:20

The Role of Stripped-down Buddhism in Attracting People to Deeper Practices

01:06

Introduction

2min

Reflections on the Integral Institute and its Influence on Metadharma

8min

Reflections on Producing and Enlightenment

5min

Metadharma and the Changing Landscape of Knowledge

20min

Preparing for Death and Working with the Shadow

18min

Exploring the Principle of Necessary Subtraction and Temporary Utopias

2min

The Problems of Modernity, Capitalism, and the Need for Transformation

6min

In this latest addition to the Metadharma series, Vince Horn is joined by Michael W. Taft to explore the (meta)reasoning around Metadharma. Why do we need another Dharma? What does Metadharma respond to that Modern and Postmodern forms of Dharma haven’t? What do we need to jettison in order for a genuine Metadharma to emerge? And how does Metadharma relate to the very real social crises we face, including the ecological emergency, runaway capitalism, an over-dependence on rationality, growing racial resentments, and systems of oppression?

This is part 1 of a 2-part podcast series. Continue listening to the 2nd half of this discussion on Michael’s podcast Deconstructing Yourself: 🎧 Why Metadharma?, Part 2, with Vincent Horn

Episode Links:

🎧 Why Metadharma?, Part 2, with Vincent Horn

🔗 Deconstructing Yourself

📅 Metadharma Daylong Retreat in San Francisco on 8/24/19 w/ Michael Taft & Vincent Horn

🔗 San Francisco Dharma Collective

🔗 Sounds True

🎧 Kosmic Consciousness by Ken Wilber

🎧 Bonnitta Roy - Six Ways to Go Meta

📖 "The Science of Enlightenment” by Shinzen Young

📄 The Crumbling Buddhist Consensus: Overview by David Chapman

🔗 Buddhist modernism

📖 “American Dharma” by Ann Gleig