Stephen Batchelor – författare

This uniquely contemporary guide to understanding the timeless message of Buddhism, and in particular its relevance in actual human relations, was inspired by Shantideva's 'Guide To The Bodhisattva's Way Of Life', which the author translated into English, the oral instructions of living Buddhist masters, Heidegger's classic 'Being and Time', and the writings of the Christian theologians Paul Tillich and John MacQuarrie.

A renowned Buddhist teacher turns to two of the most influential figures in history for guidance on how to face the ethical challenges of our time“[Batchelor] draws on a different tradition of doubt—Socratic questioning—and explores the wisdom that Buddhist and Hellenistic philosophy might offer us today.”—Ezra Klein, The Ezra Klein Show The Buddha’s revolutionary teachings transformed Asia, and his contemporary Socrates laid the foundations of Western philosophy. Although they never met, Socrates and the Buddha each addressed in a radically new and surprisingly similar way the core questions of how to lead a good, just, and dignified life amid turbulence and violence. Common to their teachings was an ethics of uncertainty: both refused to make truth claims about the ultimate nature of reality, insisting on the primacy of critical self‑evaluation as the basis of an ethical life. In this illuminating book, best-selling author Stephen Batchelor explores the philosophical, social, and political worlds of the Buddha and Socrates, showing how their teachings continue to provide lessons in how to lead a flourishing and engaged life. Keenly aware of the fickle and conflicted nature of the human mind, Gotama and Socrates inspired their followers to act with humility and courage, risk and resolve, doubt and confidence. Drawing on their insights, and those of their followers, Batchelor uncovers a middle way between Buddhist dharma and Greek philosophy that can serve as a starting point for a “secular faith” that addresses the most pressing spiritual and planetary issues of our age.

In a time of social distancing and isolation, a meditation on the beauty of solitude from renowned Buddhist writer Stephen Batchelor  A Los Angeles Review of Books “Best of the Year” selection  “Whatever a soul is, the author goes a long way toward soothing it. A very welcome instance of philosophy that can help readers live a good life.”—Kirkus Reviews  “Elegant and formally ingenious.”—Geoff Wisner, Wall Street Journal  When world renowned Buddhist writer Stephen Batchelor turned sixty, he took a sabbatical from his teaching and turned his attention to solitude, a practice integral to the meditative traditions he has long studied and taught. He aimed to venture more deeply into solitude, discovering its full extent and depth.  This beautiful literary collage documents his multifaceted explorations. Spending time in remote places, appreciating and making art, practicing meditation and participating in retreats, drinking peyote and ayahuasca, and training himself to keep an open, questioning mind have all contributed to Batchelor’s ability to be simultaneously alone and at ease. Mixed in with his personal narrative are inspiring stories from solitude’s devoted practitioners, from the Buddha to Montaigne, from Vermeer to Agnes Martin.  In a hyperconnected world that is at the same time plagued by social isolation, this book shows how to enjoy the inescapable solitude that is at the heart of human life.

Demystifies Buddhism by explaining, without jargon or obscure terminology, what awakening is and how to practise it.

A renowned Buddhist teacher’s magnum opus, based on his fresh reading of the tradition’s earliest textsSome twenty-five centuries after the Buddha started teaching, his message continues to inspire people across the globe, including those living in predominantly secular societies. What does it mean to adapt religious practices to secular contexts?  Stephen Batchelor, an internationally known author and teacher, is committed to a secularized version of the Buddha’s teachings. The time has come, he feels, to articulate a coherent ethical, contemplative, and philosophical vision of Buddhism for our age. After Buddhism, the culmination of four decades of study and practice in the Tibetan, Zen, and Theravada traditions, is his attempt to set the record straight about who the Buddha was and what he was trying to teach. Combining critical readings of the earliest canonical texts with narrative accounts of five members of the Buddha’s inner circle, Batchelor depicts the Buddha as a pragmatic ethicist rather than a dogmatic metaphysician. He envisions Buddhism as a constantly evolving culture of awakening whose long survival is due to its capacity to reinvent itself and interact creatively with each society it encounters.  This original and provocative book presents a new framework for understanding the remarkable spread of Buddhism in today’s globalized world. It also reminds us of what was so startling about the Buddha’s vision of human flourishing.

An essential collection of Stephen Batchelor’s most probing and important work on secular Buddhism  As the practice of mindfulness permeates mainstream Western culture, more and more people are engaging in a traditional form of Buddhist meditation. However, many of these people have little interest in the religious aspects of Buddhism, and the practice occurs within secular contexts such as hospitals, schools, and the workplace. Is it possible to recover from the Buddhist teachings a vision of human flourishing that is secular rather than religious without compromising the integrity of the tradition? Is there an ethical framework that can underpin and contextualize these practices in a rapidly changing world?  In this collected volume of Stephen Batchelor’s writings on these themes, the author explores the complex implications of Buddhism’s secularization. Ranging widely—from reincarnation, religious belief, and agnosticism to the role of the arts in Buddhist practice—he offers a detailed picture of contemporary Buddhism and its attempt to find a voice in the modern world.

Mänskligheten står inför utmaningar på många plan, med det allt varmare klimatet, utarmningen av jordens resurser och förstörelsen av livsmiljöer för djur och människor. Hur kan vi tackla allt detta, så att både planetens och vår personliga hälsa värnas?

Bland västerländska buddhister är dialogen kring de existentiella utmaningar vi nu står inför livlig och engagerad. Inte minst i USA blomstrar det digitala samtal som inspirerats av buddhistiska tankar och andliga praktiker. I Sverige har dock perspektiven från dessa samtal om de stora ödesfrågorna hittills inte fått bred spridning.

Boken presenterar ett urval tongivande texter från detta tankeutbyte. Utgångspunkten är att vi inte har någon tid att förlora. Innehållet spänner över allt från socialt engagerad buddhism och kritik av vår moderna civilisation till meditation, djup naturkontakt och kontemplation till hjälp för oss alla. Även metoder och projekt med lösningar för klimatet lyfts fram.

Som en röd tråd i boken löper tanken att den ekologiska krisen också är en andlig och psykologisk kris. En kris som samtidigt öppnar för att finna nya perspektiv, styrka och stöd - enskilt och tillsammans.

BOKENS FÖRFATTAREStephen Batchelor, Bikkhu Bodhi, Dekila Chungyalpa, Mark Coleman, Matthew Gindin, Paul Hawken, David Loy, Joanna Macy.

A renowned Buddhist teacher turns to two of the most influential figures in history for guidance on how to face the ethical challenges of our time“[Batchelor] draws on a different tradition of doubt—Socratic questioning—and explores the wisdom that Buddhist and Hellenistic philosophy might offer us today.”—Ezra Klein, The Ezra Klein Show The Buddha’s revolutionary teachings transformed Asia, and his contemporary Socrates laid the foundations of Western philosophy. Although they never met, Socrates and the Buddha each addressed in a radically new and surprisingly similar way the core questions of how to lead a good, just, and dignified life amid turbulence and violence. Common to their teachings was an ethics of uncertainty: both refused to make truth claims about the ultimate nature of reality, insisting on the primacy of critical self‑evaluation as the basis of an ethical life. In this illuminating book, best-selling author Stephen Batchelor explores the philosophical, social, and political worlds of the Buddha and Socrates, showing how their teachings continue to provide lessons in how to lead a flourishing and engaged life. Keenly aware of the fickle and conflicted nature of the human mind, Gotama and Socrates inspired their followers to act with humility and courage, risk and resolve, doubt and confidence. Drawing on their insights, and those of their followers, Batchelor uncovers a middle way between Buddhist dharma and Greek philosophy that can serve as a starting point for a “secular faith” that addresses the most pressing spiritual and planetary issues of our age.

Rattle through 1000 years of horrible history, from the fifth century to the sixteenth centuryFamine, plague and public execution – the medieval period wasn't the best time for some, but heroic rulers like Charlemagne, William the Conqueror and Henry V made sure that it was full of action. Brimming with facts, this book helps you get under the skin of the people who lived at the time, from impoverished peasants to opulent monarchs. From the Dark Ages to the Renaissance and all the upheavals in between, this book takes the pain out of medieval history. The Black Death – assess the deadly pandemic that swept through Britain and Europe killing millions of peopleThe Holy Roman Empire strikes back – understand how the empire fought to maintain its positionFalling apart – witness the arrival of powerful armies from the east and invaders from the north, and the dramatic effects of religious schismsHeading for the Holy Land – uncover the reasons why crusading became so popular, and ultimately so unsuccessful, between the eleventh and fourteenth centuriesLiving in the medieval world – understand the lives of monks and monarchs, peasants and popes, and travellers and traders of the periodWaging conflicts, battles and wars – a look through the troubles that shaped the medieval age; from the fall of the Roman Empire to the Wars of the RosesOpen the book and find: Why the peasants revoltedWhere Chaucer gained inspiration to write The Canterbury TalesWhich religious groups fought for powerHow the Magna Carta shaped our present-day legal systemWhy the Vikings may have got to America before ColumbusProfiles of the best and worst medieval monarchsHow Joan of Arc made her nameThe great and grisly histories of surviving medieval castlesGo to Dummies.com for videos, step-by-step examples, how-to articles or to shop!

The civilisation of the Ancient Greeks has been immensely influential on the language, politics, educational systems, philosophy, science and arts of Western culture. As well as instigating itself as the birthplace of the Olympics, Ancient Greece is famous for its literature, philosophy, mythology and the beautiful architecture- to which thousands of tourists flock every year. This entertaining guide introduces readers to the amazing world of the Ancient Greeks. It offers a complete rundown of Greek history alongside fascinating insights into daily life in Ancient Greece and a captivating overview of Greek mythology. Readers will discover how this ancient culture came to be the cornerstone of Western civilisation and the enormous influence it has had on our language, politics, education, philosophy, science, arts and sport. The history of Ancient Greece remains a wide topic of interest, particularly renowned for its influential and diverse cultureThis basic guide will allow greater access to this vibrant area of study, and provide a distinct and light-hearted approach to this vast area historyCovers dozens of topics, including; the early civilisations, war & fighting, home & family, day-to-day life and much, much more!About the authorSteve Batchelor is a lecturer in Classics at Richmond College and has been teaching ancient history for 10 years. He has written reviews for various publications, including History Today, and he has also been involved in running guided historical tours of Greece.