great discussion guys. i appreciate you riffing with me on this one

let's keep it going...
i understand some reservations on secularizing the dharma. i agree that there's always a risk of getting lost in translation, as well as the problem of people's interpretations (based on what level they're at; e.g. mythic, pluralistic, integral).
however, that's precisely the reason we need to develop a common *secular* lexicon for the dharma.
the more ambigious the language the more it's culturally charged (e.g. God, jhanas, Buddha-nature, Nirvana, etc.) the more people would have varying interpretations/delusions/projections about it.
take note that secularizing the dharma doesn't mean "killing" off its various cultural forms. those who are inclined can still go deep in studying Tibetan, Theravadin, Zen, etc. like studying a different language.
however, i think that the bigger goal of secularizing the dharma is to create a common/universal lexicon specifically for the scientific community, similar to mathematics and the language of physics (e.g. atom, molecules, quanta, etc.). this is similar to what Wilber has done with AQAL (quadrants, levels, lines, states, stages).
Shinzen is doing the same thing with the "Science of Enlightenment". he has created a lexicon of user-friendly language to describe the essence of the Buddhist practice. for example, Shinzen condensed the five aggregates into B-I-T (body, image, talk). see: http://www.shinzen.org/QA/QA_Archive.htm#A18
also check out this excellent interview wherein he explained the language he's using.
http://www.shinzen.org/MeditationTraining/SHINZEN_INTERVIEW_11_09.mp3
the more i listen to Shinzen, the more i believe that secularizing the dharma is the best way to increase its appeal, make it user- and technology-friendly, and compatible with mainstream science.