Uploaded February 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
In this talk, introducing a series of Zoom meetings of the Middle Way Network on the 5 Principles of the Middle Way, Robert M Ellis sets the scene for the 5 Principles by discussing how the universal Middle Way is a provisional theory that tries to identify the general approach of which specific traditional 'Middle Ways' (such as the Buddhist Middle Way) are applications. He discusses absolutization as the problem that Middle Way practice tries to address, and the general criteria for any successful way of addressing them. There are also questions from the audience, and finally some practice focus questions.
0:00 Introduction to the universal Middle Way
16:00 Absolutization
41:25 Addressing absolutization: the Four Criteria
58:00 Question about beliefs that are generally held absolutely
1:02:00 Question about whether the Middle Way addresses existential pain
1:11:10 Practice focus
In this talk, introducing a series of Zoom meetings of the Middle Way Network on the 5 Principles of the Middle Way, Robert M Ellis sets the scene for the 5 Principles by discussing how the universal Middle Way is a provisional theory that tries to identify the general approach of which specific traditional 'Middle Ways' (such as the Buddhist Middle Way) are applications. He discusses absolutization as the problem that Middle Way practice tries to address, and the general criteria for any successful way of addressing them. There are also questions from the audience, and finally some practice focus questions.
0:00 Introduction to the universal Middle Way
16:00 Absolutization
41:25 Addressing absolutization: the Four Criteria
58:00 Question about beliefs that are generally held absolutely
1:02:00 Question about whether the Middle Way addresses existential pain
1:11:10 Practice focus
