This recording provides training in the practice of “body sweep” meditation, which Peter received training for during a retreat with S. N. Goenka’s assistant trainers. They call this practice vedanupassana, mindfulness of feelings, which is the second of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. This training, an hour of practice, provided prompts for aiming attention at a particular spot on the body and sustaining that attention to develop the Awakening Factors of Investigation of Phenomena, Energy, and, of course, Mindfulness. It requires a lot of preparation through developing concentration to the level of upacara samadhi, access concentration. It can be quite frustrating for a beginning meditator, as the power of investigation is initially quite weak; it’s important to recall that this is meant to cultivate investigation, and not a test of willpower.
meditation
Meditations on the Noble Eightfold Path
An Introductory Course on Buddhist Meditation taught by Peter Carlson
This course focuses on three elements necessary for reducing stress and increasing joy in life:
- Life affirming values
- Meditative awareness and discipline
- Wisdom in thought and deed
When: This course meets four Mondays, June 6 – 27, 2011 from 7 to 9 PM
Fee: The fee is $40, payable to The Orlando Insight Meditation Group. The fee pays for renting the class space and helps to sponsor meditation retreats.
Where: The Winter Park Women’s Club, 419 Interlachen, Winter Park FL 32789
At the intersection of Lyman, Interlachen and Fairbanks
The teacher takes no fee. Students may make a voluntary offering at the end of the course.
For more information, contact Peter by email or phone: 407 339-5444
A Peaceful Abiding
A Mindfulness of Breathing Meditation Retreat with Peter Carlson
Presented by the Orlando Insight Meditation Group
This retreat, offered at a beautiful site on the Hillsborough River in Tampa, is an excellent opportunity to deepen the practice of Buddhist mindfulness meditation, and is suitable for beginning and more advanced meditation students. The retreat begins Friday evening and ends Sunday at lunch. More specific information is provided after registration. [click to read more…]
Our Wednesday night meditation and study group just completed several weeks of exploring the Mahayana/Tibetan practice called Lojong, which is usually translated as “mind training.” Peter prepared the document posted below that noted this practice from the perspective of someone who has a lot of experience with Theravadin Buddhist practices. He sees Lojong as a way to implement the Wisdom aggregate of the Noble Eightfold Path, which combines clear awareness/vipassana practice with benevolent awareness/compassion practice. It is hoped that those who read this will be inspired to pursue this practice.
