by Peter Carlson | Mar 10, 2017 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This evening’s talk focused on the core teaching of Buddhism called “paticca samuppada” (pah-tee-chah sah-moo-pah-dah), traditionally interpreted as “dependent origination”. Peter offered an alternative translation, “contingent provisional emergence” with explanation regarding the increased usefulness of this understanding. It points out that the opportunity to “change your mind” occurs when the awakening factor of investigation of mental phenomena, combined with Right Effort, allows previously conditioned, reactive responses to be altered by inner awareness of feeling, that is, impulsive emotional or habitual reactions to not mature into internally conflicted self-state organizations. This was accompanied by a graphic illustrating the self-reinforcing links of mental conditioning functions, with mindfulness of feelings as a key point of focus.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Contingent Provisional Emergence
Also posted here is a recorded guided meditation to foster increased capacity to investigate the sensations of breathing more persistently in greater detail. It is entitled “Swimming In The Stream Of Dharma”.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:26:04 — 157.6MB)
by Peter Carlson | Mar 8, 2017 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk explored the ways to use the routine, repetitive practice of aiming attention at the beginning of the inbreath (vitakka [wee-tah-kah] in Pali), and maintaining investigative awareness of the sensations noted during the duration of the inbreath (vicara [wee-chah-rah] in Pali), then repeating this for the outbreath. This practice cultivates stability of focus (samadhi [sah-mah-dee] in Pali) and tranquility (passadhi [pah-sah-dee] in Pali). These qualities of stable, calm attention to the emergence of mental phenomena is core to the practice of insight into the nature of experience (vipassana [vee-pah-sah-nah] in Pali). This was followed by discussion of the night’s topic.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Cultivating Samadhi And Passadhi
During this talk, reference was made to a guided meditation recorded earlier that day entitled “Investigating The Breath”, which is also part of this post.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:20:54 — 148.1MB)
by Peter Carlson | Mar 5, 2017 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk was recorded at the end of the first full day of the retreat, and focuses on the Five Hindrances. Peter presented a graphic that presented the hindrances as dynamic polarities: too much conviction as opposed to too much skepticism, and too much energy as opposed to too much tranquility. The common antidote for these mental disturbances is stability of attention combined with active investigation, using mindfulness of breathing as a stabilizing and energizing point of reference. This was followed by discussion of the hindrances and overcoming them. The next night’s discussion focuses on “Cultivating A Focused And Tranquil Mind”.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: THE OUT OF BALANCE MIND
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:15:13 — 137.7MB)
by Peter Carlson | Mar 2, 2017 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, Peter reviewed the traditional “3 Refuges” and “Five Precepts” practices at the beginning of retreats, then suggested a more contemporary rendering of the Refuges, followed by a handout with the Precepts rendered as commitments. Participants were also given a “certificate” dedication: “May The Merits Of This Practice Benefit Everyone I Meet”. This was followed by discussion regarding how to make best use of the retreat experience to follow over the next 6 days.
Here are files for the certificate and commitment handouts: To Cultivate More Clear Awareness and Benevolent Intention scanned merits slogan
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:14:00 — 135.5MB)
by Peter Carlson | Feb 23, 2017 | Listen to Dharma Talks
It is customary for retreatants to have an opportunity to “think out loud” about a recent retreat experience, as this helps integrate the deep learning that can occur during such an event and provides insight and inspiration for listeners regarding the benefits of retreat experience. There were 24 folks attending the retreat at the Deerhaven Retreat Center; 6 spoke during the evening. During the month of March, the recorded evening talks and some guided meditations from the retreat will be posted periodically on the site to supplement what was discussed this evening.
Please note that Peter will be attending a one month samadhi cultivating retreat at the Forest Refuge with Shaila Catherine and Sayadaw U Jagara in March. Meetings will occur as usual, with various senior members of the Sangha and invited guest speakers attending, but they will not be recorded and posted. He will report on his intensive retreat experience during the meeting on Wednesday, April 5.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 58:43 — 107.5MB)
