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Bookclub Introduction

DakiniDakini Veteran
edited May 2011 in General Banter
Dear Bookclub Members,

Thank you for your interest in this project. I thought we'd begin with an introduction and a couple of suggested guidelines or operating procedures. If anyone has ideas or suggestions, this is the place to post those. A bookclub has never been done here before, so we're going to be improvising in the beginning.

It might be helpful if during the discussions, and/or in the OP, posters could provide the chapter number, or page number as a reference to the point they're discussing, so we can all follow along.

Also, I'm suggesting that before cutting loose and letting everyone open threads on their topics of choice, we could post topics here first, then see if there's any duplication. This will help eliminate, obviously, duplicate threads, and clutter. If two threads have very similar topics, perhaps the members in question could collaborate on an OP together that combines their points. IDK, what do you think?

Disclaimer: this is a just-for-fun project. Undoubtedly there will be topics that "don't advance our practice". Visitors to the club (and members) please be respectful of thread topics; if some are not to your liking, leave them for others to enjoy, and move on to a topic that suits you. Please don't "diss" threads. Dissers will be flagged.

Now open to suggestions, and a preliminary list of topics. :) Welcome!

Comments

  • MountainsMountains Veteran
    Wow... I can barely remember when I had time to read for fun :)
  • BuckyGBuckyG
    Greetings Dakini & Mountains: I think the guidelines are great. My questions are: What time, time zone does it start? How long will we discuss? Will we close it before the next week? I imagined a Ch. a week, but it's just an imagination.

    I read the book some months ago but had to return it and haven't had time to get anothger copy. Is that okay with all until I do?
    good-will@Uall
    bucky
  • CloudCloud Veteran
    It would probably be best if one person was in charge, who held the list of topics that had been agreed upon and started X number of threads at a time to discuss (not too many, maybe 2-3 at a time), other than everyone going off creating threads of their own. Otherwise it's probably going to get very messy and stretched out very thin. That would be @Dakini I think. :)
  • DaltheJigsawDaltheJigsaw Mountain View Veteran
    I am here, checking in!:)
  • DakiniDakini Veteran
    Do we want to have a thread for suggestions for future books to discuss, or should we wait until we're done discussing this one?

    One week might not be enough for discussion, especially if there are a lot of threads. Anyone who's read the book can hang out and contribute, even if they read it a long time ago.

    I don't think we need to worry about time zones really--it'll work just like the regular threads, with people contributing when they can from whatever zone. Let's get a list of topic ideas going first, then when we see what we have, we can start creating threads.
  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    Yes, does anybody have an idea for a topic? I will have to finish the last 40 or so pages.
  • Bodha8Bodha8 Veteran
    Do we really need limitations? Wouldn't it be possible for threads to live and die on their own merit? Possibly it would be too much, I don't know. But too many restrictions may be limiting.

    I think people need to have the opportunity to express their feelings and opinions regarding these books as freely as they can. Others then will determine whether or not the thread is valid by the extent their participation.
  • BuckyGBuckyG
    Do we really need limitations?
    Not REALLY.
  • rachMielrachMiel
    edited May 2011
    i've read the first two chapters so far and have a couple of comments. not topics of discussion, necessarily. more observations that might or might not call for response.

    the first is a phrase from chapter 1, top of page 4: "Plunging into the treacherous sea of words ..." that's how i feel, that words/concepts/images are all potentially treacherous, like sirens calling (to our doom) those of us who take them too seriously/concretely. it makes reading, thinking about, and discussing a book like this a very tricky challenge indeed.

    the second is from chapter 2, top of page 19: "It [agnosticism] is founded on a passionate recognition that I do not know." for me, this is utterly key but easy to forget: our own un-knowingness. living in un-knowingness seems to open everything up; feeling like we know seems to close it off. and yet we constantly are drawn to (the feel of) knowing!
  • DakiniDakini Veteran
    My main concern with letting people just cut loose and post threads is that there may be duplication of topics, then we'd end up with a lot of thread "clutter", might have to ask the mods to weed out some, and bear in mind, this isn't our exclusive section, there are others posting topics on "Gen'l Banter". So I was also concerned about potentially displacing other forum members, if our club comes to dominate this section. So anyhoo, as a courtesy to others, I thought it best to review topics first. And Cloud seems to agree to the need for that.
  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    Topic: Do you find the ground for agnostic buddhism compelling? Do you find Batchelor's agnosticism to be evangelical as do I? How do you react?
  • bravehawkbravehawk Explorer
    maybe the first topic should be; "Would I recommend this to anyone?why?" or "Did you feel this book represented Buddhism well and why?". Gives everyone a little more wiggle room as far as what topic they want to discuss but also sticks to a general topic. Just my suggestion
  • BuckyGBuckyG
    Topic: Do you find the ground for agnostic buddhism compelling? Do you find Batchelor's agnosticism to be evangelical as do I? How do you react?
    I've read the book but am currently w/out a copy.

    Agnosticism proper is the baby of Aldous Huxley. I recall this being basically the same thing Batchelor means. I essentially ascribe to Huxleyan agnosticism and think it fits well with Buddhism, IN GENERAL.

    I also recall his translation of dukkha as anguish which I like a lot.

    Warm wishes,
    bucky
  • BuckyGBuckyG
    maybe the first topic should be; "Would I recommend this to anyone?why?" or "Did you feel this book represented Buddhism well and why?". Gives everyone a little more wiggle room as far as what topic they want to discuss but also sticks to a general topic. Just my suggestion
    Yes, I always recommend it to newbies. When I read it I remember thinking I wish I'd read it first--before I read all those OTHER "dharma" books! It cuts through so much crap! Whether you agree with the agnostic approach or not, it is a decent platform to begin testing the truths of awakening--even if you abandon it later.
    Warmly,
    bucky
  • bravehawkbravehawk Explorer
    maybe the first topic should be; "Would I recommend this to anyone?why?" or "Did you feel this book represented Buddhism well and why?". Gives everyone a little more wiggle room as far as what topic they want to discuss but also sticks to a general topic. Just my suggestion
    Yes, I always recommend it to newbies. When I read it I remember thinking I wish I'd read it first--before I read all those OTHER "dharma" books! It cuts through so much crap! Whether you agree with the agnostic approach or not, it is a decent platform to begin testing the truths of awakening--even if you abandon it later.
    Warmly,
    bucky
    Yea, I very much liked the chapter on death. I thought it was funny that he brought up how westeners seek reincarnation and most Eastern religions don't.

    Good book so far, Im glad I found this forum and bought it. It's a much easier read then my other books I got or been recommended. and as far as representing Buddhism, I think it's a very good start for anyone who doesnt want to be overwhelmed with strange new terms.

    .....I give it two thumbs up and a pinky toe!

  • BuckyGBuckyG
    It's a much easier read then my other books I got or been recommended. and as far as representing Buddhism, I think it's a very good start for anyone who doesnt want to be overwhelmed with strange new terms.
    yeah, who wants that? Plus, it's anti-dogma, so you can dismiss it all later if start developing your own insights into awakening truth.

  • DakiniDakini Veteran
    I also recall his translation of dukkha as anguish which I like a lot.
    I liked this, too. Generally, the lack of standard Buddhist jargon threw me, but I think this is what would make the book appealing to beginners.
    - - - - - - - - - - - -

    We have a couple of suggestions for topics, so I'm setting up threads for those. Cloud suggested a "host" for the club, like bookclubs that take place in people's homes, so I guess I'm "it". Cloud is our moderator.


  • BuckyGBuckyG
    Host forth Dakini. I just always assumed that's what you were. :zombie:
  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    Thanks Dakini for your hospitality ;)
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