by Peter Carlson | May 14, 2026 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, Peter provides his perspective on the function of the Seven Awakening Factors, which culminate in the full realization potential of the Four Noble Truths. He describes three categories within the seven: Mindfulness, Investigation of Mental Phenomena, and Energy, the persistent ability to maintain a flow of attention and self-regulation that fosters Awakening, The remaining four factors develop as the result of how skillfully the first three are matured. Next week’s talk will further the review with a focus on the Awakening Factors of Joy and Tranquility, and the following week will review the final two factors, Concentration and Equanimity.
Here are the notes Peter used during the talk: mindfulness investigation and energy are drivers of awakening factors
Here are notes prepared prior to the talk: Reviewing The Seven Awakening Factor System
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:07:22 — 61.7MB)
by Peter Carlson | May 7, 2026 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, Peter reviews a section of the Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, focusing on how the brain takes in sensory stimulation and integrates the various areas where senses are processed with areas of the brain that formulate self identity and and behavior, transforming the initial stimuli into the experience of “selfing”. The fetters are what binds these processes, which is described during the talk. How this works is presented from both a classical Theravada Buddhist perspective and contemporary neuroscientific research that demonstrates how the brain “binds” the various neural processes in different areas into a coherent self-experience multiple times per second.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Understanding the Sense Doors and the Fetters
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:49 — 52.0MB)
by Peter Carlson | Apr 30, 2026 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, Peter reviews another way mindfulness practice supports Awakening, contemplating the Five Aggregates of Clinging, part of the Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness. The Five Aggregates represent a conceptual structure that helps understanding of Anatta, the absence of an enduring, autonomous self. Concrete, a crucial structural component in almost any building or road, is composed of cement, gravel, sand and water, which aggregate and solidify into a form–the human personality is also aggregated from file elements, and they can be investigated with sufficient training in mindfulness. When we are mindful of these elements as aggregates, the ability to “deconstruct” the self is nurtured.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: REVIEWING THE FIVE AGGREGATES OF CLINGING
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:56 — 52.1MB)
by Peter Carlson | Apr 23, 2026 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk continues reviewing the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourse, focusing on the hindrance of Skeptical Doubt. Peter describes the difference between beneficial introspective questioning and the “analysis paralysis” experienced when afflicted by Skeptical Doubt. He reviews the different categories of doubt that traditional Buddhist doctrine provides along with effective antidotes. The antidote for Skeptical Doubt involves using meditation practice to build confidence in the ability to contend with uncertainty and respond effectively to the changes that occur in life.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Understanding Skeptical Doubt
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:08:13 — 62.5MB)
by Peter Carlson | Apr 17, 2026 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, Peter describes how his recently completed 6 full days of self-retreat involved integrating Analayo’s excellent “Mindfulness of Breathing” book with the meditative training protocol called vedanupassana as taught by S. N. Goenka. Part of his preparation for this retreat involved using ChatGPT to support the integrative process, and these documents are also posted here to provide additional information for research. Peter doesn’t wholeheartedly agree with the descriptions provided by ChatGPT, but the documents below provide a useful reference resource. As the Buddha said, we must work out our own salvation diligently:
This supports integrating the two practices: Integrating Anapanasati with Body Scan on Retreat and at Home
This describes the whole-body experience developed by body scanning as body scanning practice matures: Bhanga
This describes what happens physiologically as body scanning practice matures: Physiology of Tingling with Body Scan
This describes the subjective experience of anicca, the transitory and impermanent characteristics that can be investigated during body scanning: Goenka subjective evidence of anicca
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:06:20 — 60.7MB)
