Buddhism Panel at FC
Jan. 13th, 2009 02:05 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jakebe
I was invited to host a Buddhism panel at Further Confusion this year; it'll be taking place on Saturday at 5 pm, if you're interested. I'm kind of excited about the opportunity, but mostly nervous. It's been a while since I've done any kind of public speaking (in fact, I think my stand-up show at Oklacon 2004 was the last time) and this is the first time ever I've really talked about Buddhism or spirituality in front of people.
It's hard not to feel inadequate about the whole endeavor. When you get up to speak about a subject, it's not unreasonable to be expected to know what you're talking about. Do I really know enough about Buddhism to teach even the basics to a room full of people? Who am I to be speaking about this with any kind of authority? It's difficult to just see this panel for what it is: the chance to maybe help some people find a system of dealing with life that works for them. Nothing more, nothing less. I'm trying to get out of my own way about this.
The panel will be divided into three parts, or at least that's the plan. The first part will be a brief introduction to Buddhism and Zen -- where it came from, how it developed, the basic tenets and how practice works. The second part will deal with practicing Zen online -- how to be mindful when you're dealing with other people, how to be balanced with online habits, and a small spaz about Zen Master Raven, this great book by Robert Aitken. The last third will be question and answer, and, if time permits, a small five-minute zazen session for people to get a taste of meditation.
The second part is the one I'm having the most trouble with. I'm having a difficult time anticipating what sort of issues people might need to have discussed. This is where I could really use some help from you guys out there. :) What sort of questions would you want to ask about Buddhism and how it applies to online behavior? What sort of questions would you want to ask during the final section? Anything would be helpful.
Despite my shaky nerves, I'm really looking forward to seeing a bunch of you guys at the con later this month!
It's hard not to feel inadequate about the whole endeavor. When you get up to speak about a subject, it's not unreasonable to be expected to know what you're talking about. Do I really know enough about Buddhism to teach even the basics to a room full of people? Who am I to be speaking about this with any kind of authority? It's difficult to just see this panel for what it is: the chance to maybe help some people find a system of dealing with life that works for them. Nothing more, nothing less. I'm trying to get out of my own way about this.
The panel will be divided into three parts, or at least that's the plan. The first part will be a brief introduction to Buddhism and Zen -- where it came from, how it developed, the basic tenets and how practice works. The second part will deal with practicing Zen online -- how to be mindful when you're dealing with other people, how to be balanced with online habits, and a small spaz about Zen Master Raven, this great book by Robert Aitken. The last third will be question and answer, and, if time permits, a small five-minute zazen session for people to get a taste of meditation.
The second part is the one I'm having the most trouble with. I'm having a difficult time anticipating what sort of issues people might need to have discussed. This is where I could really use some help from you guys out there. :) What sort of questions would you want to ask about Buddhism and how it applies to online behavior? What sort of questions would you want to ask during the final section? Anything would be helpful.
Despite my shaky nerves, I'm really looking forward to seeing a bunch of you guys at the con later this month!
