Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Ken Wilbur & Buddhism with Vann McCoy (2-part series) Subtitle: Aha! Making sense of all the puzzle pieces of life, society, human development, and consciousness This week and next, sangha member Vann McCoy, who was a contemplative monk for 25 years in Europe and the United States, and has been a student and practitioner of Western & Eastern mystical traditions and meditation for over 40 years, will offer an introduction to the Integral Theory of Ken Wilber and explore its connections to Buddhist teachings and practices. This profound modern thinker invites us to expand our horizons toward progressive enlightenment with a Comprehensive and Cohesive Framework for Understanding Everything. In the first talk (Aug. 26), Vann will introduce and explore Wilber’s Integral Theory, particularly as it relates to human development and consciousness. And in Part II (Sept. 2), Vann will apply Wilbur’s insights to Buddhist understanding and practice. Come discover where we have come from, where we are now, and where we are heading.

Schedule (Tues., Aug. 26) 6:30-6:35: Announcements 6:35-7:05: Sitting Meditation 7:05-8:00: Ken Wilbur and Buddhism–Park I (Vann McCoy)

Upcoming Schedule
September 2: Ken Wilbur & Buddhism–Part II (Vann McCoy)
September 9: On the Parami of Patience (Joan Wilkins)–This will be the first in a series on the paramis or perfections (noble virtues of character) scattered over the comeing weeks.
September 16: Contemplating Impermanence (Tess Wise)
September 23: On the Parami of Sila/Morality (Joan Wilkins)
September 30: On the Parami of Equanimity (Bosco Farr)
October 7: Metta Chanting (Joan Wilkins)
October 14: Mindfulness in Nature (Marc Farrow)

ANNOUNCEMENTS
(1) NEW!!  Monthly Practice Discussion Group (Aug. 26, 5:30pm)
Tuesday, August 26th at 530pm, WSDC will begin hosting a monthly peer-lead Practice Discussion Group where members can share their experiences with Practice. We’ll share joys, frustrations, and questions about our practice as a way of checking in and supporting each other in Practice. All are welcome, whether they have a dedicated home practice, an occasional home practice, or no home practice at all. 

(2) WSDC March 2026 Retreat with Vance Pryor–WAITING LIST
The Winston-Salem Dharma Community invites you to join us for another retreat at St. Francis Springs Prayer Center. The retreat, from March 26-30, 2026, is entitled Seeing Clearly: The Four Noble Truths, with Vance Pryor returning as our teacher. Vance first taught us in 2024, to rave reviews. We are thrilled to have him back! You can listen to his talk, The Paramis — Ethics/Virtue, at this link. THE RETREAT IS NOW FULL, BUT YOU CAN ADD YOUR NAME TO THE WAITING LIST IN CASE SOME HAVE TO CANCEL THEIR REGISTRATION. YOU MAY ADD YOUR NAME TO THE WAITING LIST AT THIS LINK.

(3) Volunteer Opportunity
If you’re interested in serving as a “greeter” or helping set up the room before our weekly meetings, please contact  Bosco at devonmfarr@gmail.com. You can be regular or intermittent, and no special skills or knowledge are needed.