by Peter Carlson | Jun 25, 2015 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, Peter described the characteristics of addiction, emphasizing the similarities between the functions of addictive behavior beyond substance abuse and the Buddhist realization of the power of craving and clinging to produce suffering. A graphic illustration was provided to describe the onset of stress and the effects of stress, compared to the onset of an addictive behavior and the distracting or emotional effects of the behavior. This linking represents craving and clinging, and the application of the Four Noble Truths were described as a way to reduce and eventually eliminate the need for addictive behavior. The key factor in this process is to focus on the feeling of stress, disregarding the narrative that comes with it, prior to the activation of the addictive behavior.
The next posting will include the notes prepared for this talk, including the draft showing the link between the experience of stress and the experience of mood altering behaviors.
Next week’s talk will focus on how Buddhist practices can enhance the quality of relationships across the range of casual, momentary encounters to life-long relationships.
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by Peter Carlson | Jun 18, 2015 | Intro to Buddhism & Meditation
These notes were prepared for the previously posted recording of “Mindfulness And Depression”: BUDDHISM AND DEPRESSION
by Peter Carlson | Jun 18, 2015 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Continuing to explore how Buddhist mindfulness and lovingkindness practices can help address mental health issues that are epidemic in our culture, this week’s topic is about the nature of depression from both a modern and Buddhist perspective. Peter described the general symptoms of depression, and the Buddhist concept of the cause of distress being craving and clinging. It was suggested that a major element of depression is a preoccupation with distorted views of self and of life that are negative in their impact. This preoccupation is driven by the misperception that a sad or despairing feeling is a true and permanent rendering of someone’s personality. Mindfulness meditation enables a person to view their troubling emotions and distorted perceptions objectively and channel attention to accepting the emotion without negative self-talk, and substituting more beneficial thoughts and behaviors. The Buddhist concepts of impermanence and non-self emphasize that self organization is dynamically changing, and that clinging to a particular view is disabling.
Peter and other shared their depressive experiences in the past and how mindfulness and lovingkindness practices benefited their recoveries and resilience to current stressful events. Peter described various contemporary psychotherapies that combine mindfulness with standard clinical techniques.
The recording is longer than usual, due to the enthusiastic participation of those attending the meeting. Immediately after this post, the notes prepared for this talk will be posted, including several self-help books involving using mindfulness approaches for alleviating depression.
Next week’s topic will focus on Buddhist understanding of addictive processes, which go beyond the normal descriptions of addictions as being drug related, and how mindfulness practices can be of benefit for preventing addictive relapse
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by Peter Carlson | Jun 11, 2015 | Intro to Buddhism & Meditation
Here are the notes Peter prepared for the previously posted “Buddhism And Anxiety June 10 2015”: ANXIETY FROM A BUDDHIST PERSPECTIVE The document includes diagnostic criteria for the various significant anxiety disorders.
by Peter Carlson | Jun 11, 2015 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, Peter provided an overview of the diagnostic categories related to anxiety, describing the common characteristics and symptoms of modern psychological understanding regarding anxiety disorders, which are at an epidemic level in this culture. This was followed by descriptions of how the cultivation of mindfulness and lovingkindness provide ways to alleviate or at least reduce anxiety. After the descriptions, those attending asked questions or made comments about the topic.
Next week’s discussion will focus on depression and how Buddhist practices can provide a buffer against depressive episodes.
Following this post is a document containing the notes Peter prepared for this talk. Part of the document provides a more in-depth description of significant anxiety disorders from a contemporary psychological perspective.
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