Book: ‘Advanced Buddhist Metaphysics: Exercises in Sceptical Spirituality’

A ‘new’ Buddhism for the 21st century?

For an educated, sceptical and secularised world? Why not.

(Satirical) artwork by the author: an updated Buddhistic approach to spirituality can surely be integrated with prize-winning boys and modern methods of farming.

Is it possible to outline a new version of Buddhism convincing enough for an educated, sceptical, secularised culture in the 21st century? Why not. After all, the principles of Buddhism —as contained in a Buddhistic approach — are absurdly simple and straightforward. If they seem complicated and unreasonable, it’s because Buddhists have buried the principles of Buddhism under layers of religion and mysticism and useless doctrine. It doesn’t have to be like that.

We make this assumption on the basis of a certain relatively new approach to all things spiritual, which has arisen as a result of the way the various forces in secular societies have evolved over the last hundred years or so. On the one hand we’ve got ‘New Age’ spirituality, which sees everything spiritual as having been ‘hacked’, and therefore easy-peasy — a bit of mindfulness; a thoughtful diet, a few quiet moments, a bit of this and that — and you’re ‘there’! And on the other hand we’ve got a highly educated, sceptical, secular and scientifically-inclined population on the lookout for the next big thing, but still not quite sure what life is all…