Continuing Education
Professor Seton offers continuing education through Tarpa Inc, a 501(c)3 educational nonprofit which provides the public with a systematic, secular academic education in Buddhist Theory and Practice with reference to Western disciplines of history, cultural studies, translation studies, psychology, and neuroscience
Secular Education in Buddhist Philosophy
Historically, Buddhists did not regard the study of Buddhist philosophy as absolutely necessary for practice. But someone well-educated in Buddhist meditation theory and practice would have generally been considered more likely to succeed through meditation techniques aimed at complete awakening. Although many academic and popular books available in English provide basic explanations of Buddhist principles, they do not cover them in depth and do not contextualize them within evidence-based academic knowledge from the sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Tarpa Inc provides a systematic education in topics that Tibetan Buddhists would traditionally cover over years in monastic universities but from an entirely secular perspective, free of any religious, spiritual, or other beliefs or commitments, so that students can get a more complete sense of the logic of practice and evaluate for themselves whether to apply Buddhist ideals about wisdom and compassion in daily life.
COMING SOON
Secular Instruction in Buddhist Meditation
Historically, Buddhists did not regard meditation as something to try without a living, breathing teacher to guide them and ask questions about the practice. A meditation instructor has always been considered essential for learning how to meditate over a period of time, especially for knowing which instruction to focus on, how to do it properly, and when to move on to other instructions. Although meditation apps give basic and progressive meditation instructions, they often foster misconceptions because the guidance they offer is not personalized or is watered down. Tarpa Inc provides the type of instruction that Buddhists would traditionally receive in meditation techniques but from an entirely secular perspective, free of any religious, spiritual, or other beliefs or commitments.
COMING SOON
