Ethan discusses a classic Buddhist concept, sīla (or shila), through the lens of knowing where to place our attention and action, knowing "what to cultivate and what to reject." Choices shift energy and energy can build power, and that power can be the difference between awakening and confusion. Ethan also argues, using the five precepts (or five mindfulness trainings) as a guide, that this might be the key to building new powerful systems in the world. He also examines a rule for social change involving only 3.5% of us making different, more awakened choices. Imagine if only a few percent of us shifted our energy from harmful systems into something healthier.

Check out all the cool offerings at our sponsor Dharma Moon, including the Yearlong Buddhist Studies program (The first 6-Week module, Entering The Path, is open to all) and Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training, starting March 21. Free courses, such as The Three Marks of Existence, are also available for download. Also check out free upcoming events with Duncan Trussell and Robert Thurman.

Ethan is joined for an insightful discussion about Dharma Art with Academy Award-winning film editor and Buddhist meditator Andrew Buckland. They discuss the practice of filmmaking and creativity more generally, as well as Andrew's path, the film A Complete Unknown, the Bob Dylan biopic which was Andrew's latest editing project. Finally, they discuss why working in the film profession sometimes feels like "A Cesspool of Ego."

Check out all the cool offerings at our sponsor Dharma Moon, including the Yearlong Buddhist Studies program (The first 6-Week module, Entering The Path, is open to all and starts January 28, 2025) and Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training.

About Andrew Buckland ACE:

Andrew is an Academy Award winning film editor who won the Oscar for his work on FORD v FERRARI alongside Michael McCusker ACE.

He received his B.F.A. in Film from Purchase College and landed his first job on Alan Pakula’s THE DEVIL’s OWN as an apprentice editor. Since then Andrew has been a part of the editorial teams on many high-profile films including Mike Nichol’s CLOSER and CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR.

Andrew subsequently directed two documentary films THE LONG WALL HOME and SOMOS WICHI, which won the 2012 Documentary Expose Award at The Peace OnEarth Film Festival, Chicago USA.

Andrew began his collaboration with James Mangold on KNIGHT AND DAY and THE WOLVERINE, and later edited FORD v FERRARI, and INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY. Other credits include Co-Editing Tate Taylor’s THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN and Additional Editing GET ON UP.

His most recent collaboration with James Mangold is editing A COMPLETE UNKNOWN.

Ethan is joined for an insightful discussion about Entering the Study of Buddhism with the faculty of Dharma Moon's Yearlong Buddhist Studies program.

Check out all the cool offerings at our sponsor Dharma Moon, including the Yearlong Buddhist Studies program (The first 6-Week module, Entering The Path, is open to all and starts January 28, 2025) and Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training.

About the Faculty:

Lou Sharma has been part of the Buddhist Studies faculty for four years. She is interested in the ways mindfulness can empower more compassionate cultures of work, inspired by 10+ years of experience as a corporate researcher and brand strategist.

Jackie Stewart is a meditation teacher and mindfulness advisor based in NYC. She is currently a student of Mingyur Rinpoche, and serves as a practice leader in his international community, Tergar.

Maho Kawachi was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan, Maho first encountered meditation and Buddhism in downtown Manhattan in 2000. She became an avid practitioner in 2008 and has over a decade of experience, practice, training, and certification credentials including completion of the Interdependence Project Teachers Training, Mindful Meditation Teachers Certified Program, and Mindful Mentor Training.

Heather Shaw has been a student/teacher of yoga and meditation, steeped in the traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, as well as Western psychotherapy and neuroscience since 1998.

Eric Gerard is an actor from Chicago,and also serves as the Co-Owner and Artistic Director at Blackbox Acting, a school that aims to prepare artists for their careers through a holistic approach.