by Peter Carlson | Oct 2, 2025 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk continues to review how contemporary neuroscientific research supports the validity of important Buddhist concepts and practices, focusing on the first three of the Four Noble Truths. Peter refers to a previous talk titled “Neuroplasticity and Non-Self”, posted September 4, 2025 as a precursor to this review. A future talk will focus on reviewing how neuroscientific research validates the fourth Noble Truth, the Noble Eightfold Path, which provides the ethical and functional training necessary for realizing the potential for liberating the mind from distress and confusion, the focus of the Third Noble Truth.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Neuroscience and the Four Noble Truths
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:04:32 — 59.1MB)
by Peter Carlson | Sep 25, 2025 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, Lezlie reviews the characteristics and effects of the five hindrances–desire, aversion, sloth and torpor, restlessness and doubt–and several approaches to setting them aside. She intends to devote future talks to these different meditative skills, as described in “Unhindered” by Gil Fronsdal and “Beyond Distraction” by Shaila Catherine, among others.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:03:07 — 57.8MB)
by Peter Carlson | Sep 18, 2025 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, April describes real life occurrences to emphasize the unwholesome consequences of actions shaped by what are called “the three poisons”, greed, hatred and delusion. She associates this with the uncertainties associated with the current actions being taken through the medium of Artificial Intelligence. She then reviews the relevant ethical values that shape Right Action, one of the virtues to be developed through practicing and applying the Four Noble Truths.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:11:50 — 65.8MB)
by Peter Carlson | Sep 11, 2025 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk, presented by Allie Vaknin, is the second of a series of reviews during which she focuses on the Perfection of what are called Paramis, qualities of consciousness that, when fulfilled in their potential, nurture the realization of Nirvana. Tonight’s talk focuses on the Parami of Sila, virtuous thoughts and deeds, reflected in what are called the Five Precepts.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 51:48 — 47.4MB)
by Peter Carlson | Sep 4, 2025 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, Peter describes his research and contemplation regarding how contemporary neuroscientific research can increase understanding of anatta, the principle that asserts the absence of an enduring and autonomous self. He explains the processes of neuroplasticity and long-term potentiation during the interactions between various networks of neuronal connection as supportive of insights regarding the insubstantiality of subjective experience–there is no “control center”, no self to defend or gratify. He reports that this presentation provides an overview of the impersonal interactions among the neuronal networks and anticipates future Dharma talks that correlate the neural networks with important Buddhist concepts and practices. These efforts are intended to further Western understanding of ancient Dharma teachings away from abstract philosophical underpinnings and towards a more scientific understanding of anatta and sunnata.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: NEUROPLASTICITY AND ANATTA
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 58:30 — 53.6MB)
