Untangle

Forget Traditional Doctrines! A Skeptical Buddhist Shares his Practical Philosophy. With Stephen Batchelor

Jan 29, 2026
Stephen Batchelor, Scottish Buddhist teacher and author known for a secular, skeptical take on Buddhism. He talks about questioning doctrines and testing meditation through personal practice. He explains choosing styles and teachers, turning retreat insights into daily habits, and how mindfulness supports creativity, empathy, and deliberate responses in a complex world.
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INSIGHT

Question Before You Accept

  • Skepticism means investigating claims, not dismissing them outright.
  • Stephen Batchelor urges firsthand testing of meditation rather than repeating opinions.
ADVICE

Try Meditation As An Experiment

  • Try meditation yourself to see if it helps rather than relying on hearsay.
INSIGHT

Meditation Is A Spectrum

  • Meditation is not one thing but a spectrum of practices and goals.
  • Batchelor compares meditation styles to different sports with distinct skills and aims.
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