Existential Buddhism

Existential Buddhism

Manuel Manga

Nov 23, 2014

 

Manuel Manga
Manuel Manga

Existential or Secular Buddhism is a philosophical approach based on the teachings of Buddha, without the cultural and religious narratives that historically have been added as layers to what the Buddha originally taught.

This talk, based on the books by Stephen Batchelor, aims to share the core teachings that can support the development of our consciousness, well-being,
empathetic relationships and community.

Manuel Manga is an organizational consultant, facilitator, and leadership coach.

Humanist Community Forum (2014-11-23): Existential Buddhism (Manuel Manga) from Humanist Community-SiliconValley on Vimeo.

What I’ve Learned by Building Our Taboo Museum

What I’ve Learned by Building Our Taboo Museum

Laura Mappin

Nov 16, 2014

 

Laura MappinLaura Mappin founded Our Taboo Museum, an online museum which addresses every possible taboo subject using any artistic means possible – writing, crochet, performance art, etc.

Her motivation was to have conversations with the willing and to make these topics less taboo, more understood, less feared over time in the hopes that we would learn to address them in a healthier way with our eyes open instead of dealing with them from fear.

This process has been full of surprises.

Join us as she describes her sometimes funny, sometimes frustrating, confusing, embarrassing experiences juxtaposing her museum idea with the rest of the world.

Mappin holds BS degrees in math and computer science from the University of Pittsburgh, which merited her the opportunity to spend twenty years fermenting in corporate America providing fuel for creating Our Taboo Museum.

 

Finding Life Beyond Earth – Carl Sagan Day 2014

Finding Life Beyond Earth – Carl Sagan Day 2014

Dr. David Morrison

Nov 9, 2014

 

Morrison, David 2010 smallThe search for life in the universe is one of the grand quests of current science, and there are multiple approaches that are likely to yield results within the next few decades. Depending on the nature of these discoveries, there may be a variety of impacts on society.

Morrison was one of Carl Sagan’s first graduate students, and he will also share some thoughts about Carl and his influence on science and science literacy. We can speculate on how Carl would respond were he alive today, when there are so many who are not simply uninformed, but who are actively anti-science.

Dr. David Morrison is the Director of the Carl Sagan Center for the Study of Life in the Universe, at the SETI Institute in Mountain View, California. He was also the founding Director of the NASA Lunar Science Institute (NLSI) and a senior scientist in Astrobiology at NASA Ames Research Center. He received his Ph.D. in Astronomy from Harvard University in 1969 and has published more than 170 technical papers and a dozen books. Morrison is a passionate advocate for science education, and he has written extensively about the struggle against pseudoscience, such as the denial of evolution and global warming. He is a Fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and a member of the advisory council of the National Center for Science Education.

 

Humanist Community Forum (2014-11-09): Finding Life Beyond Earth (Dr. David Morrison) from Humanist Community-SiliconValley on Vimeo.

 

Books, Toys, and Gifts for A More Peaceful and Sustainable World

Books, Toys, and Gifts for A More Peaceful and Sustainable World

Derrick Kikuchi and Craig Wiesner

Nov 2, 2014

 

craigderrick2Reach and Teach is an independent bookstore in San Mateo which focuses on gender equality, sustainable living, and peacemaking.

Reach and Teach is run by Derrick Kikuchi and Craig Wiesner, who are business partners and life partners, married since 1990, with the state finally recognizing their marriage when they received the first same-gender marriage license issued in San Mateo County in 2008.

They will share their journey from Silicon Valley education consultants, through El Salvador and Afghanistan, to owning a shop in San Mateo that seeks to transform the world through teachable moments.

 

Humanist Community Forum (2014-11-02): Books, Toys, and Gifts for A More Peaceful and Sustainable World from Humanist Community-SiliconValley on Vimeo.

 

The November 2014 California State Ballot Propositions

The November 2014 California State Ballot Propositions

Alex Havasy

Oct 26, 2014

 

Alex Havasy
Alex Havasy

Humanist Community member Alex Havasy will present summaries of the California state ballot propositions that will be on the November 2014 ballot.

The summary will include the main arguments in favor of and against each proposition, who is financing it, and how various organizations recommend you vote.

Attendees will be encouraged to add their input.