Day Retreat: Studies in Peace and Wisdom (blog)

Led by Chris Dornan, Saturday 16th February, 10am-5pm, Bodhi Garden

The civilized self-image of the West is based in the 18th century Enlightenment, itself based on the 17th century Scientific Revolution.  We are more liberal, egalitarian, independent and knowledgeable than any of our forbears or any of our contemporaries outside of the first world.  Yet we are also one of the most martial people in history, seemingly perpetually at war, and our collective spending on ‘defence’ today dwarfs that of the rest of the world.

Peace movements in the West have sought to reconcile this dichotomy by fingering a profiteering elite, so demonising the warmongers in our midst.  A common feature of many peace movements is a shared anger at the ‘other’.

Yet for religious/wisdom traditions in general, and Buddhism in particular (the philosophies of our ‘unenlightened’ forbears and contemporaries) tells us that war is derived from anger; that love is the antidote to anger; and that we should first remove the beam from our own eye.  We need to conduct a more searching analysis of our own philosophy if we are to have any hope of becoming more peaceful.

This day retreat will use Buddhist meditation techniques to establish stability and focus of mind before examining our own Enlightenment philosophy.  Such insights may help to establish the peace in our lives, that will act as the essential catalyst for making our own societies more peaceful.

Retreat Schedule