by Peter Carlson | Dec 10, 2015 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, the lojong mind training commitment “Don’t aim to win” was related to the Theravaden concept of “comparing mind”, that is, the tendency in this culture to emphasize competition and material acquisition, with the achievement of “Awakening” as the prize. Peter explored the Zen concept of the “Gateless Gate” as pointing to the experience of awakening as a process, not a thing that can be owned. The ongoing practice of mindfulness meditation is just that, practice, and not a test. During the ensuing discussion, several comments by the participants talked of how important it is to just practice being mindfully present, during formal meditation practice or otherwise. Setting up awakening as a measurable, substantial thing is a fundamental misperception of the process.
Here are the notes accompanying this talk: Overcoming Comparing Mind
Next week’s topic will combine three lojong training commitments: “Don’t revert to magic”, “Don’t reduce a god to a demon” and “Don’t seek pain as a component of happiness”.
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by Peter Carlson | Dec 6, 2015 | Compassionate Action
“These five are a person of integrity’s gifts. Which five? A person of integrity gives a gift with a sense of conviction. A person of integrity gives a gift attentively. A person of integrity gives a gift in season. A person of integrity gives a gift with an empathetic heart. A person of integrity gives a gift without adversely affecting himself or others.” AN 5.148
This quotation from the Buddha points to the value of dana, which is the Pali word for generosity.
Those of you who are reading this may not realize that the Orlando Insight Meditation Group was founded in the early 1990’s as a nonprofit corporation. It has been our intention all these years to provide instruction and training to those who are interested in exploring the path laid down 25 centuries ago by Siddhartha Gotama, who is commonly known as the Buddha, the Awakened One.
Nonprofit organizations such as ours rely on the generosity of the surrounding community for support. Since OIMG was founded, almost all the funding has been generated by the introductory courses we have provided. Donations from others is another source. All monies are dedicated to furthering the practice for people who want to attend retreats but don’t have the financial means to do so. As the number of retreats and need for scholarship has increased over the years, income from introductory courses and donations has not kept up.
Please consider helping us continue our tradition of providing scholarship on retreats. If you’ve been on retreat before, you know the benefit. OIMG welcomes donations from those who are reading this posting who would like to help others be able to go on retreat. Donations can be provided through the website as well as through checks payable to the Orlando Insight Meditation Group and sent to 245 Stevenage Dr., Longwood, Florida, 32779. OIMG is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and your donations are tax deductible.
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Thank you for your interest in the path of awakening. We wish you well.
–Peter Carlson and Tommy Harrison
by Peter Carlson | Dec 3, 2015 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, the lojong commitment “Don’t Put A Horse’s Load On A Donkey” was reviewed. The emphasis of the commitment is to avoid idealizing expectations of self or others, that is, to avoid perfectionism. One of the benefits of being relieved of the stress and confusion of the five hindrances is the release of energy into the process of awareness. This can manifest as overreaching one’s capabilities, or displacing responsibility on others, thereby expecting too much of their capabilities. This leads to contempt and a feeling of disconnection from self and others. A goal of this practice is to become clearly aware of how self-organization either leads to clarity or to confusion, and eventually understanding how to release the “hardened” expectations that result from craving and clinging.
Here are the notes for the discussion: MANAGING THE BURDEN OF RESPONSIBILITY
Here is the worksheet provided for those attending the meeting: Relationship Responsibility Worksheet
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by Peter Carlson | Nov 26, 2015 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Since our meetings are on Wednesday nights, each year on the eve of Thanksgiving, the discussion is organized around the Buddhist view of gratitude. Peter emphasized the interaction between generosity and gratitude, using examples from his own practice experience since 1982. This was followed by sharing among the assembled people of their own experience of gratitude and how the practice of mindfulness supports that awareness.
Here are the notes prepared for the discussion: THE BENEFITS OF GRATITUDE Included in the notes are downloads from the website Greater Good-Science For A Better Life relating the multiple benefits of the intentional practice of reflective gratitude.
Next week’s discussion will resume the exploration of the lojong commitments with “Don’t put a horse’s load on a pony”, focusing on not taking on more than is workable.
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by Peter Carlson | Nov 19, 2015 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This discussion began with a quote from the Upaddha Sutta: “…Admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie is actually the whole of the holy life…” because the emphasis for this week focuses on the lojong commitments regarding interpersonal responsibility. Three commitments were described: “Don’t indulge in malicious speech or sarcasm”, “Revenge is not sweet, but toxic”, and “Don’t throw your pain at others”. These commitments were modified by Peter to be more applicable to contemporary relationships from a Buddhist perspective on Right Speech, Right Action and Right Livelihood.
After the explanation, participants offered their observations regarding how these principles bring benefit to relationships. Here are the notes prepared for this talk: RESPONSIBILITY IN RELATIONSHIPS
Next week’s regular meeting will occur on Thanksgiving Eve, so following the routine for at number of years, the discussion will be organized around the benefits of gratitude for daily living.
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