Is dharma political?
Is democracy a spiritual practice?
How do we engage AFTER the election?
Join Ethan Nichtern and Reggie Hubbard for a lively conversation exploring what it means to bring civic engagement into the spiritual path.
We'll also share about A Mindful World's Yearlong Buddhist Studies program.
Meet the Panelists
Reggie Hubbard is the founder/Chief Serving Officer of Active Peace LLC. He has done many things, but is most proud of being a caring human, a stroke survivor, teacher/wisdom steward, strategist, organizer, spiritual advisor, minister of sound and devoted seeker of truth, compassion, health, well-being and justice for all. Through Active Peace, he teaches all walks of life through wisdom, movement, meditation and sound, ways to cultivate well-being as a foundation rather than an afterthought.
Reggie's life work sits at the intersection of building community, bringing more peace and balance to activists; guiding the wellness community toward being more engaged, concerned citizens; enhancing the well-being of all walks of life; and, shifting the world toward more justice for all. He offers a unique perspective rooted in authentic sharing of his lived experiences in politics/organizing/activism and deep spiritual practice through health and life adversity.
Reggie has taught political candidates, elected officials, staff, major labor unions, leading activist non-profits as well as at yoga festivals, yoga studios and wellness institutions. He is a featured speaker/thought leader on political strategy, new consciousness, wellbeing, social justice, and civic engagement for leading publications, podcasts and platforms including: Essence, Kripalu, Mind and Life Institute, Omega Institute, SoundsTrue, Upaya Zen Center, the Wellbeing Project, Yoga Journal and Yoga Magazine. Reggie has a BA in Philosophy from Yale University, an MBA in Strategy and Innovation from the Vlerick School of Management and is on the board of Netroots Nation and the Global Compassion Coalition.
Ethan Nichtern is a Buddhist teacher and the author of The Road Home: A Contemporary Exploration of the Buddhist Path (Farrar Straus and Giroux, North Point Press), recognized as one of Library Journal’s Best Books of 2015 and featured on Tech Insider’s “9 Books That Define 2015.” His most recent book, Confidence: Holding Your Seat Through Life’s Eight Worldly Winds (New World Library), was released in June 2024 to critical acclaim.
In addition to his writing, Ethan hosts The Road Home podcast, which has been exploring modern Buddhism and meditation since its launch in 2018. Since 2002, Ethan has taught meditation and Buddhist psychology classes and workshops around New York City and North America and Europe, along with working with students privately. Ethan’s insights on Buddhism and meditation have been featured by CNN, NPR, ABC/Yahoo News, The New York Times, Vogue.com, Ten Percent Happier, Business Insider, Nautilus, and Vice.
Ethan is the creator and lead teacher for A Mindful World’s Yearlong and Advanced Buddhist Studies programs.
FAQs for Yearlong
Buddhist Studies
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The topics in this course are primarily presented from the perspective of tantric or Vajrayana Buddhism, as well as Mahayana Buddhism.
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Live class sessions take place Wednesday evenings, 7-9pm ET (New York City time), starting January 27.
Each course module contains 6 live class sessions. There is a 2 week break in live class sessions between each module, and a longer summer break between modules 3 and 4.
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Each live class session includes guided meditation practice, lectures, small group discussions, and Q&A with the teachers.
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That’s perfectly fine! Recordings for each class session will be available the next day, and you can still interact with your classmates and teachers using the discussion board.
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There are 3-4 main books we will read over the course of the year. We suggest purchasing these, if possible.
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There are no tests or evaluations, but you will have the opportunity to submit optional reflections on your learning. Optional reflections are not graded; instead, they provide an opportunity to clarify your understanding with the support of your faculty advisor.
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Each week includes about 15-60 min. of suggested reading and/or audio/video content to review.
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Class sessions are 2 hours each week while class is in session. Readings can take about 15-60 min. a week or more, depending on how deeply you want to engage!
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There are several opportunities to interact with your classmates:
During live class sessions in small discussion groups
On the course discussion board
Via micro-sanghas, which are self-organized groups of 4-5 students who meet periodically or keep in touch via email over the course of the year
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Yes, each student will be assigned a faculty advisor who will serve as that student’s point-person for questions or support during the course of the year.
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Yes, you may request a scholarship by completing this form for Advanced Buddhist Studies or this form for Yearlong Buddhist Studies.
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Yes, individual modules will be available for purchase over the course of the year; signing up for the full year program provides the best value.
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We allow full refunds through the first class session on January 27, 2027. After that, we do not provide refunds. This helps us ensure we have enough funds to pay our teaching staff for the full year.
This includes full course access for all five course modules, running from January - December 2027. This includes access to live sessions, class recordings, and the community discussion board. You will also be assigned to a faculty member to help support your learning journey.
We offer several rates to help make this program financially accessible to as many people as possible:
Standard: This rate reflects the cost of offering the program, including support for teachers and staff, as well as overhead costs. This rate is suggested for those who are able to consistently meet their basic financial needs.
Sponsor: This rate is suggested for those who are able to comfortably meet their basic financial needs and have enough space in their budget to help make this program available to others.
Subsidized: This rate is suggested for those who struggle to meet their basic financial needs are or are experiencing financial hardship.
We are committed to making programs accessible to those with genuine interest in participating. If you are not able to afford the subsidized rate or installment plan, please submit a request for assistance here: https://forms.gle/GEa7aRmeVmuEdCAHA
PLEASE SELECT “Pay Deposit” BELOW TO ACTIVATE THE INSTALLMENT PLAN.
This 4-part installment plan includes full course access for all five course modules, running from January - December 2027. This includes access to live sessions, class recordings, and the community discussion board. You will also be assigned to a faculty member to help support your learning journey.
We offer several rates to help make this program financially accessible to as many people as possible:
Standard: This rate reflects the cost of offering the program, including support for teachers and staff, as well as overhead costs. This rate is suggested for those who are able to consistently meet their basic financial needs.
Sponsor: This rate is suggested for those who are able to comfortably meet their basic financial needs and have enough space in their budget to help make this program available to others.
Subsidized: This rate is suggested for those who struggle to meet their basic financial needs are or are experiencing financial hardship.
We are committed to making programs accessible to those with genuine interest in participating. If you are not able to afford the subsidized rate or installment plan, please submit a request for assistance here: https://forms.gle/GEa7aRmeVmuEdCAHA