The Middle Way Society

Integration may be thought of psychologically, but it applies just as much at the social and political level.

This understanding of the role of the ego can be supported by the work of Iain McGilchrist on the specialisations of the two brain hemispheres.

We are dependent on the ego, and cannot escape it, but we can gradually integrate conflicting egoistic desires.

Explains the argument (in Buddhism and Hume) that the self is a metaphysical belief beyond experience, but suggests the ego (the wish to be a self) as a much more helpful concept that we can relate to experience. The ego is a set of projections and identifications that are not necessarily limited to one individual.

Explains why the division between desire for enlightenment and ordinary desire in Buddhism is problematic, and offers an alternative model compatible with integration of desires.

How can we identify metaphysics? This discussion offers some initial key features.

Is it possible to separate the metaphysical elements of religion from the other useful elements? A detailed discussion that took place after the talk.

The implications of the Middle Way being justified by experience independently of Buddhist tradition. Why there is only one Middle Way and whether we should rely on that metaphor.

How the Middle Way provides moral objectivity and avoids relativism. Followed by discussion.

This section explains the relationship between the Middle Way and Pyrrhonian (agnostic) scepticism. This type of scepticism involves the avoidance of both positive and negative metaphysical beliefs, but does not threaten reasonable judgements, only certainty.

This introduces the idea of the Middle Way as a way of achieving (incremental) objectivity by addressing conditions. These ideas will be explored in more detail in the day 4 materials.

This looks at the traditional Buddhist understanding of the Middle Way, and argues that a more universal interpretation is needed, less stuck in the specific concerns of the Buddha’s time.

This discusses alternative principles that are used by many traditional Buddhists, such as the Four Noble Truths, Conditionality and the Three Jewels. It is argued that all of these require the Middle Way to be interpreted in a way relevant to our experience.

This discusses the Middle Way in the life story of the Buddha, and some of his parables and teachings. It also discusses how the Middle Way is required to succeed in Buddhist practices.

In this episode, Marina Cantacuzino, the founder of the Forgiveness Project talks about the project, how it came about, it’s rationale and how she would like to see it develop. She also talks about forgiveness and its complex nature.

In this latest member profile, Rich Flanagan talks to us about why he joined the society, what the Middle Way means to him and to what extent he applies it in his job as an operating department practitioner in the NHS and as a dad. We’ll discuss the importance for him of meditation, his interest in science. He’ll also talk about why he sees that for him there is no conflict in being an atheist and...

In this episode the broadcaster, writer and mindfulness trainer Vishvapani Blomfield talks to us about mindfulness and the Middle Way both in terms of how he sees them being approached from a more secular or a more religious perspective. He also talks about enlightenment, Jung and integration, the relationship of the Middle Way with the arts, incrementality and his agnostic position on karma and r...

In this episode, Professor Lesley Jeffries and Doctor Jim O’Driscoll talk to us about Language in Conflict, a project set up to look at the potential contribution of linguistics to conflict studies by examining the use of language in conflict situations and resolution at all levels. They talk about the roles they have in the organisation, what they have achieved so far and their hopes for the futu...

In this episode, the writer and journalist Mark Vernon talks about agnosticism, its relation to theism and why he feels it’s useful to adopt such an approach. He puts the case for why virtue ethics should play more of a role in how we live our lives. We also discuss influences such as Plato, Socrates, Jung and Iain McGilchrist and how he understands the Middle Way with regards to agnosticism.

In this member profile, the chair of the society Robert M. Ellis tells us about his background, the time he spent as a Buddhist, how he first became interested in philosophy and how he came to develop Middle Way Philosophy. He also talks about how the society came about and what vision he has for its future.

In this episode Paul Gilbert, a clinical psychologist and author of the Compassionate Mind talks to us about compassion and how he came to develop Compassion Focused Therapy. Among the topics discussed are its practical applications, Jungian archetypes, the role of values, the Middle Way, mindfulness and the complexity of forgiveness.

In this episode Monica Garvey talks to us about Family Mediation, an integrative, non-confrontational and progressive approach to family disputes that aims to be forward looking and solution focused. Monica talks to us about how the issue of children are tackled in mediation, the role of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, strategies for overcoming dogmatic positions and the power of an apology.

In this member profile Emilie Åberg gives us a bit of background about her life, why she’s studying psychology and her plan to be a horticultural therapist, her views on agnosticism, the Middle Way, integration, the Quakers and dogmatism. She also talks about awe and why she feels the cultivation of this emotion is an important factor in her life.

In this episode T’ai Chi instructor John Bolwell gives us an overview of this popular martial art: it’s origins, the benefits of doing it and how it relates to the Middle Way. For more information about the society, visit www.middlewaysociety.org

In this latest member profile, Peter Goble, talks about his career in nursing, his experience of living and working in Africa, his work as a Buddhist chaplain, both in prisons and hospices and why he joined the society. For more information about the society, visit www.middlewaysociety.org