by Peter Carlson | Feb 18, 2016 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, Peter provided some background regarding the development of Buddhist precepts, in that in the Buddha’s time, ethical behavior involved following the dictates of one’s clan; the Buddha said that what makes a person “noble” involved an ethics supported by kindness, compassion, generosity and equanimity/tolerance. In current culture, the term “precept” doesn’t have the clarity or usefulness as an alternate term, “commitment”. Peter revised the “five precepts” into commitments that cover the same ethical concerns as the precepts, with additional focus on cultivating daily mindfulness practice and an increased sensitivity to how our behaviors impact the ecological balance of the biosphere.
Here are the notes prepared for this discussion: Revisiting Buddhist Precepts
Here is the handout presented that list the commitments suggested and a brief explanation of how each commitment is applied: COMMITMENTS FOR AWAKENING
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by Peter Carlson | Feb 11, 2016 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Peter participated in a one week retreat led by Steve Armstrong, a well-respected Buddhist teacher. During the retreat, he contracted a chest cold, having to spend most of the retreat and one week at home in bed recuperating. During this talk, he reviewed his experience of the three forms of Dukkha: that caused by physical circumstance, that caused by impermanence, and that caused by the conditioned response of the mind to the first two. The intention of the talk and ensuing dialogue was to foster concrete understanding of how Buddhist teachings and practice can be beneficially applied while ill, not with the intention to “fix” the illness, but to understand at a deeper level the body/mind experience of dukkha. Despite the physical misery, there was a quiet acceptance and equanimity about the disease process that consistent mindfulness of breathing provides us.
Here is the essay Peter prepared for this talk: MINDFUL MISERY
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by Peter Carlson | Jan 21, 2016 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Since Peter plans to attend a retreat led by Steve Armstrong, and values the retreat experience, he described the life circumstances that prompted beginning to practice mindfulness meditation in 1982. He then described the various meditation practices in other faith traditions around the world, citing Daniel Goleman’s book, “The Meditative Mind”. Peter’s subjective experience regarding regular meditation practice and the benefits that build from repeated retreat experience were reviewed.
This was followed by the accounts of others attending the meeting regarding the benefits they experience as a result of meditation practice.
Here are the autobiographical notes prepared for the talk: WHY I MEDITATE
Since Peter is on retreat next week, the talk will be given by Daniel Goleman, a member of the teacher’s mentoring group. Daniel has been meditating for many years, and is also actively practicing hatha yoga. His topic will be the integration of mindfulness and yoga, and he will be assisted by Mitch Sullen.
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by Peter Carlson | Jan 14, 2016 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this final review of the lojong mind training aphorisms, Peter described how the lojong tradition is a revisiting of the Four Noble Truths from a Mahayana perspective, with emphasis on tonglen, the practice of compassion. The last stage of the lojong listing is a reminder of the important things to integrate into meditation practice and daily lifestyle routines in order to further the process of awakening.
Here are the aphorisms referred to in the talk: GUIDELINES FOR APPLYING THE COMMITMENTS
Next week’s discussion will focus on the value of regular meditation practice and occasional retreat participation to maximize the benefits received from the Buddhist process of awakening.
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by Peter Carlson | Jan 7, 2016 | Listen to Dharma Talks
It is customary in this sangha to provide those members who have completed a significant retreat the opportunity to process the experience during a regular meeting. Peter annually experiences a two week self-retreat, this one lasting from December 18 until January 1, 2016. He described the retreat schedule he established and reviewed a book he used to further his insight practices: “The Mind Illuminated-A Complete Meditation Guide”. The book analyzes the Anapanasati Sutta, the discourse on Mindfulness of Breathing, a classic teaching from the Pali Canon, from the perspective of neuroscientific and systems theory research. It describes 10 stages of enhanced mental stability and introspective investigation, leading towards experiences of awakening from what are termed the “three poisons”: greed, aversion and ignorance/self-delusion. Peter described how passages from the book enhanced his vipassana practice. Even though this recording is longer than most, the information has the potential to significantly increase insights into the process of awakening.
Here are the notes Peter prepared for the talk: Peter’s 2015 year end retreat
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