This retreat was themed around mindfulness of breathing practice with the intention to cultivate “a peaceful abiding”, that is, a quality of awareness that is undisturbed by thoughts and unaffected by emotional urgency. Peter described the general format of the retreat and this was followed by reports and discussion from those who attended the retreat and were present for the talk.
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This talk reviews the training aphorism “Keep three points in mind”, which emphasizes the cultivation of virtue through the five precepts, the value of avoiding self defense or self gratification, and the importance of patience. This included some discussion about ways to integrate these awarenesses into daily life experience.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: The Commitments Of Mind Training
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Here is the information for the upcoming introductory meditation course, which begins Monday, October 19, ending November 9, at the Winter Park Women’s Club.
This course is suitable for beginning and more practiced persons interested in Buddhist mindfulness meditation. The teacher, Peter Carlson, has practice mindfulness meditation since 1982 and teaching these courses since 1993.
This talk covers four of the lojong mind training aphorisms, “All dharma has a single purpose”, “Of the two judges, rely on the principal one”, “Always have the support of a joyful mind”, and “You are proficient if you can practice even when distracted”. Peter changed some of the wording of the aphorisms, to be more accessible to current language. During the explanation, the links between previously discussed lojong mind training aphorisms and the ones being discussed were reviewed.
The intention of these aphorisms is to foster continuing to integrate the lojong training into regular life routines, providing ways to access and assess capabilities to be mindfully engaged in whatever emerges into awareness, prepared to shift attention away from unwholesome self-state organization, guided by clear awareness (Right Understanding) and benevolent intention (Right Intention).
The explanations were followed by discussion about the meaning of the terms and how the aphorisms can be applied in normal life routines.
Here are the notes prepared for this night’s discussion: Proficiency of Training
Next week’s discussion will focus on the commitments to compassionate thoughts and actions that the aphorisms represent.
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This week’s talk focuses on the value of building a lifestyle around daily meditation practice and integrating the lojong aphorisms into daily life routines. Peter talked of how his spiritual growth matured over the 33 years as a householder committed to realizing the Noble Eightfold Path. Peter mentioned the slogans from Alcoholics Anonymous, “One day at a time”, and “Progress, not perfection” as useful in the process of awakening.We live in a culture that does not foster monastic living, and must find a way to make use of the opportunities we have for spiritual development in a materialistic society.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Dedicate your life to the process of awakening
Next week’s talk will begin to explore the aphorisms of lojong that increase proficiency in the development of clear awareness and benevolent intention.
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