by Peter Carlson | Feb 12, 2026 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This is the first of several Dharma talks that review what many believe is the most important teaching of early Buddhism, the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourse. Peter reviews the general history and overall structure of the teaching, emphasizing various repetitive phrases and providing explanations of the archaic wording to make the teaching more accessible for a contemporary student. Next week, Susan Baxter will review the first Foundation, Mindfulness of the Body, including how the Sutta describes the practice of anapanasati, mindfulness of breathing meditation.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Overview of the Satipatthana Sutta
Here is a translation of the Sutta, as rendered by Bhikkhu Analayo, a preeminent Buddhist scholar and teacher: ANALAYO TRANSLATES THE SATIPATTHÃNA SUTTA
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 50:25 — 46.2MB)
by Peter Carlson | Feb 5, 2026 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Occasionally, Peter provides an opportunity for open questions or comments about Buddhist doctrine or practice experiences. During this talk there are comments about retreat experiences, specifically one organized through the teachings of S. N. Goenka. There are also questions about practices such as full body scans. Peter responds to a question regarding any similarities between Buddhist Madhyamaka concepts and Advaita Vedanta, a Hindu view on non-self.
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by Peter Carlson | Jan 29, 2026 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, Allie Vaknin continues reviewing the Paramis, a grouping of mind conditioning functions that, when developed to full potential, cooperatively liberate the mind from distress and confusion. Energy is described as the driver of Right Effort in the mind and body, and must be freed up from attachment to unwholesome views to be purified.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 53:28 — 49.0MB)
by Peter Carlson | Jan 22, 2026 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk is part of a series reviewing the Four Noble Truths by April Koester, specifically focused on Right Mindfulness. During the talk she reads sections of the Satipatthana Sutta, which translates as the Four Foundations of Mindfulness a key teaching within Buddhism. Her comments are followed up by questions and comments from those attending the meeting.
Here are the notes April prepared for the presentation, including access references regarding important articles and books that are organized around the Satipatthana Sutta: Talk Notes_ Right Mindfulness as Strategic Agency (1)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:10:50 — 64.8MB)
by Peter Carlson | Jan 15, 2026 | Listen to Dharma Talks
We provide an opportunity for those among us who have completed a significant retreat to “think out loud” about the experience, as this helps the person integrate the retreat more fully into their understanding of the Dharma. Additionally, the talk and questions from the other participants may inspire others to participate in the immersive experience that a retreat provides.
Here are the notes Peter prepared for this review, which includes a review of how the retreat supports deeper understanding of the Seven Awakening Factors: Peter December 2025 Self Retreat Review
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:05:55 — 60.3MB)
