Buddhism And Stress
Here is the .doc file of the notes prepared for the dhamma dialogue “Dukkha Is Stress June 3 2015” just posted: STRESS AND THE DHAMMA
Dukkha Is Stress
This recording introduces a new topic for ongoing discussion and application. The typical translation of dukkha has been “suffering”; many modern students of Buddhism prefer the term “stress” as being more appropriate for our culture. During the talk, Peter described the psychological and biological aspects of stress, the cultural values that produce stress and the prevalence of current stress and stress-related physical, interpersonal and psychological problems recently discovered by researchers.
Following this post the notes prepared for the presentation will be posted.
Over the next several meetings the various manifestations of stress will be explored from psychological and Buddhist perspectives. Next week’s discussion will describe anxiety in the culture, reviewing the characteristics of anxiety, what happens to a person suffering from anxiety, and what Buddhism has to offer as a factor for alleviating anxiety.
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Mindfulness and the Mainstream: Pro Athletes
Some of those who read this post may already be aware of how NBA championships often follow basketball coach Phil Jackson around the league. Here’s an article on the man who taught Jackson mindfulness meditation and how this came to be.
I hope you find this interesting. I wish you well. Peter
Awakening Factors During A Retreat
During this talk, Peter reviewed his self-retreat from May 9-22. The experience was related to the previous discussions about the Anapanasati Sutta (the discourse on mindfulness of breathing), and to the sorts of experiences that might arise during an intensive retreat. He specifically associated the cultivation of the the seven awakening factors–mindfulness, investigation of mental phenomena, energy/effort, joy/interest, tranquility, concentration and equanimity–to the experiences during the retreat. This was followed by discussion among those present to clarify some of what was described.
Next week, the topical theme will change significantly. Since Peter has been a psychotherapist nearly as long as he’s practiced and taught mindfulness, there will be discussions about stress in this culture, producing anxiety, depression, addictive behaviors, relationship discord from a Buddhist perspective, with suggestions about how Buddhism may be useful in providing relief from the stress.
Four Tetrads And Four Foundations Talk
This recording follows the Guided Four Tetrads And Four Foundations Meditation recording posted just prior to this posting. During the talk, Peter reviewed the 16 stanzas/four tetrads of the Anapanasati Sutta, explaining that the first three tetrads focus on the cultivation of samadhi/passadhi (concentration and tranquility), primarily through using the first and second foundations of mindfulness (mindfulness of the breath/body and mindfulness of feelings) to set aside the five hindrances to samadhi/passadhi. The fourth tetrad involves the cultivation of vipassana, that is, the direct knowledge of impermanence, which, along with samadhi/passadhi, develops dispassion, liberation from craving/clinging and letting go of the misperception of a secure, enduring self.
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