This session will provide depth and context to the teaching of mindfulness in modern contexts by understanding the roots of mindfulness in ancient wisdoms.
Choden will explore the relationship between modern secular mindfulness and the ancient wisdom traditions that lie at its source. In particular, he will look at the 3 Yanas or Vehicles in Buddhism and how they have shaped secular approaches to mindfulness. These are: Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana.
Understanding these sources adds greater depth, clarity and context both to the practice and teaching of mindfulness.
This is the approach taken by ‘second-generation mindfulness’ which is an emerging phenomenon that encourages teachers to honour and own the wisdom traditions that provide the roots and context for their teaching, whilst at the same time not requiring students to become adherents of any spiritual tradition.
This is a development from ‘first generation mindfulness’ that tended to focus less on the historical roots of modern mindfulness and more on mindfulness as an intervention backed up by evidence and research.
During this session, participants will explore:
- Honouring the role of ancient wisdom traditions in providing the roots for modern secular mindfulness
- Explaining the link between these traditions and modern mindfulness
- Looking in particular at the 3 Yanas (vehicles) of Buddhism and how they have shaped modern mindfulness. These are: Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana
- Refining our alignment to teaching and practice based on the added depth and context provided by understanding these ancient traditions
Join Us
Whether you are new to mindfulness or an experienced practitioner or teacher, this session offers a valuable opportunity to explore the deeper roots of contemporary mindfulness practice. Join Choden for an engaging and thought-provoking exploration of how ancient wisdom traditions continue to shape and enrich modern secular mindfulness, providing greater depth, clarity and context for practice and teaching today.
Event details
🗓️ Date: Thursday 25 February 2027
⏰ Time: 12:30–13:30 (UK time)
💻 Location: Online via Zoom
🎟️ Tickets: £5-£20 or a donation
A recording will be available to ticket holders.
About the speaker
Sean Mc Govern (Choden) is a monk within the Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, Choden (aka Sean Mc Govern) completed a three-year, three-month retreat in 1997 and has been a practicing Buddhist since 1985. Originally from South Africa where he qualified as a lawyer, he learned meditation under the Tibetan master, Lama Yeshe Rinpoche.
He is now involved in developing secular mindfulness, compassion, insight and wisdom programmes drawing upon the wisdom and methods of the Buddhist tradition, as well as contemporary insights from psychology and neuroscience. He is an honorary fellow of the University of Aberdeen and teaches on their Postgraduate Study Programme in Mindfulness (MSc) that is the first of its kind to include compassion in its curriculum.
He co-wrote a book with Paul Gilbert in 2013, entitled Mindful Compassion that explores the interface between Buddhist and Evolutionary approaches to compassion training. He is also the co-author of three other books: Mindfulness Based Living Course (2018), From Mindfulness to Insight (2019) and Compassion Based Living Course (2025)