In this examination of the key themes of his book, Living with the devil: a meditation on good and evil, Secular Buddhist author and teacher Stephen Batchelor looks at what it is to be blocked and limited in our lives by what Gotama, the Buddha, called ‘Mara’ – the ‘devil’ who obstructs our path and leads us into cycles of repeated suffering and frustration.
Drawing from the early Buddhist texts of the Pali Canon, Stephen presents Gotama’s understanding of the complex nature of the demonic and the ways to free ourselves from its influence.
Rather than presenting Mara as something evil to be destroyed, he argues that Buddha and Mara – freedom and bondage – are inseparable from one another.
With examples from his own life, Stephen shows how the idea of Mara is as relevant today as it was in the time of the Buddha.
The presentation concludes with an animated discussion arising from the questions and observations of the audience.
Stephen is introduced to the audience by Ramsey Margolis.
THIS TALK is intended for a mine that is quiet and attentive.
YOU ARE invited to sit quietly and listen wholeheartedly.
Tuwhiri offers thanks to
– Stephen Batchelor for coming half way around the globe to share your wisdom
– Everyone who came along to a gloriously summery Thursday evening in December
– Janice Hill and Vicki Carmichael for hosting Martine and Stephen Batchelor
– Those who have given their time, energy and money to make this happen
– All beings everywhere
This talk was given on 2 December 2004 at the National Library Auditorium, Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand. It was originally produced for Wellington Insight Meditation Community, and published with a Creative Commons Licence Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0
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Camera · Ken Munro ¶ Sound recording · Al Edwards
Post Production · John McKay ¶ Producer · Ramsey Margolis
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