About the Author

Since 1987 Winton Higgins has been a dharma practitioner and a teacher of insight meditation since 1995. He has contributed to the development of a secular Buddhism internationally and is a senior teacher for Sydney Insight Meditators. He taught and researched in the politics discipline at Macquarie University until 2000. Since then he has been an associate in international studies at the University of Technology Sydney, while also engaging in creative writing. He has written two historical novels: 'Rule of law' and 'Love death chariot of fire', both published by Brandl & Schlesinger in 2016 and 2020 respectively. Winton was a board member of the Australian Institute of Holocaust and Genocide Studies for 20 years from its inception in 2000, and teaches a course at the Aquinas Academy on various ethical, social and political topics each year. A member of the editorial board of The Tuwhiri Project, which has also published his 'After Buddhism, a workbook' (2018), he lives in Sydney with his partner, Lena.

Reviews

Written with great intelligence, care and wit, Revamp is the most comprehensive account of secular Buddhism currently available. Ranging from the transformative inner experience of mindfulness to the social and political challenges of dharmic citizenship, Winton Higgins weaves the many diverse threads of contemporary Buddhist practice into a compelling whole. Revamp is an inspiring example of critical and creative thinking about the most pressing issues facing humanity in our time.- Stephen Batchelor, author of After Buddhism
A welcome read for both secular Buddhist practitioners and the curious, the author elucidates the emergence, context and meeting of cultures that secular Buddhism builds on. He presents a fresh perspective on mindfulness meditation, offering us choices of how and what to practise, inviting us to take on 'the active responsibilities of dharmic citizenship', particularly now when we face the twin crises of global warming and globalised social injustice.- Lorna Edwards, Bodhi College participant, Cymru Wales
Winton Higgins has a crucial role in helping us understand the meaning and value of a secular dharma. Revamp reveals his unmatched ability to provide us with a lucid, nuanced account of the historical roots and key philosophical ideas of secular Buddhism. At the same time, he insightfully explores the practices which promote human flourishing in this world: a non-formulaic approach to insight meditation, the creation of democratic communities of practitioners, and progressive political activism to confront the challenges of climate change and economic injustice.- Mike Slott, Secular Buddhist Network, New York
It is a pleasure to go on a journey with Winton Higgins from the roots of secular Buddhism as a synthesis of western philosophical influences and Asian Buddhism, to the necessary pragmatic process of change in traditional Buddhism towards a useful, liveable, and valuable Buddhism for present-day people. Winton encourages us to become the person we want to be, to tackle the ills in our society, and to strengthen values that already exist.- Saskia Graf, meditation teacher, Buddha-Stiftung f�r s�kularen Buddhismus, Heidelberg
Winton Higgins offers a captivating discussion of the emergence of secular Buddhism, weaving together early Buddhist texts with contemporary influences by scholars, novelists, which he builds on in thoughtful and insightful ways. An experienced teacher and practitioner, he addresses critical issues of understandings and of practice, tackling the limiting effects of celibate monasticism and gender politics.- Suzanne Franzway, secular dharma practitioner and emeritus professor of gender studies, Adelaide, South Australia
Revamp is a short book of incredible depth and insight into secular Buddhism, one that not only tracks the movement's past along wider cultural and social currents, but also provides pointers to its exciting future. Finally, Revamp meets the challenge introducing people to secular Buddhism in a way that is accessible, understandable, and requires no knowledge of 'traditional' Buddhism.- Alex Carr, One Mindful Breath, Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand
Though making careful connections with western and eastern philosophy and psychology, Winton Higgins continually challenges dearly held views that have underpinned much of western Buddhism. If, like myself, you are not scholarly - hang in there! Reading this book takes effort, but it's well worth it. His words are nectar to my heart and mind: I will read them often.- Nelly Kaufer, lead teacher, Pine Street Sangha, Portland, Oregon