This recording introduces a new topic for ongoing discussion and application.  The typical translation of dukkha has been “suffering”; many modern students of Buddhism prefer the term “stress” as being more appropriate for our culture.  During the talk, Peter described the psychological and biological aspects of stress, the cultural values that produce stress and the prevalence of current stress and stress-related physical, interpersonal and psychological problems recently discovered by researchers.

Following this post the notes prepared for the presentation will be posted.

Over the next several meetings the various manifestations of stress will be explored from psychological and Buddhist perspectives.  Next week’s discussion will describe anxiety in the culture, reviewing the characteristics of anxiety, what happens to a person suffering from anxiety, and what Buddhism has to offer as a factor for alleviating anxiety.