Welcome to Redesigning the Dharma (RTD). This is a space where people can critically discuss meditation, awakening, and the teachings of The Dharma with neither attachment nor aversion towards any religious lineage, belief, or identity.
Redesigning the Dharma explores the necessity of adapting the teachings of Buddhism to meet the needs of a particular time and place. As an American expat who has lived in Thailand for over ten years, I’m interested in both how The Dharma is evolving in Western countries, as well as how Buddhist traditions and practices are evolving in more traditional contexts in Asia.
While RTD has a clear Buddhist bent, it’s also for those interested in conversations between other contemplative traditions and Buddhism, as well as the dialogue between various traditions and schools within Buddhism. I’ve personally found that negotiating these often contrasting approaches to contemplative practices and teachings offers rich insight and meaning, and I hope that this community can be an open space for all those who want to engage critically with the teachings and dive deeper into practice.
About Adrian
Adrian Baker is a writer, educator and teacher who has studied comparative religions, meditation, and yoga since moving to Thailand in 2010. He enjoys learning and teaching in interdisciplinary ways, integrating Eastern and Western points of view.
Adrian has been fortunate to practice and study with many exceptional teachers in Theravada, Zen and Vajrayana Buddhism, as well as Nondual Shaiva Shakta Tantra. He holds a Masters in Education from Stanford University, a MSc in Economic History from The London School of Economics, and a BA in Africana Studies from Brown University. He has completed 600 hours of yoga alliance approved teacher trainings, spent extensive time practicing on retreat and is a graduate of the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach.