by Peter Carlson | Feb 26, 2013 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this final night discussion, after Tommy talked about gratitude and generosity, Peter talked about how to continue to develop the practices of cultivation concentration and insight after leaving the retreat. He referred to several areas of lifestyle arrangements that are enhanced and clarified by continuing a daily practice. The cultivation of serenity was the most emphasized.
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by Peter Carlson | Feb 26, 2013 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk Tommy gave some background information about the Buddhist concept of dana, translated as generosity. He related this as an outgrowth of gratitude for the clarity and relief brought about through intensive meditation practice. He emphasized the application of gratitude and generosity as important applications of Buddhism, and that generosity depends more on the degree of awareness of the practitioner. He mentioned some of the possible applications of generosity in life. This was followed by the closing night Dhamma talk provided by Peter
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by Peter Carlson | Feb 26, 2013 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During another extensive Dhamma dialogue, Peter explained that the cultivation of concentration (samadhi) creates a platform of non-reactivity around the emergence of self-states that might otherwise cause strong craving and clinging tendencies. The unintegrated personality lacks cohesiveness, that is, one’s stated goals are not matched by their actual behaviors. As the various self-states are less conflicted, or overwhelmed by strong emotional urgency, raga, the mind is better prepared to see internally that all self-states are fabrications. As these fabrications are observed dispassionately (viraga), then their provisional nature is realized, leading up through what are called the progressions of insight, eventually leading to the experience of awakening, called Nirvana. This was again followed by a very lively discussion of the process of awakening.
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by Peter Carlson | Feb 26, 2013 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this second discussion of the seven awakening factors, more emphasis was placed on the integrative function of the factors and how this process transitions from personality integration to spiritual transcendence. As the “demons” of the hindrances are starved of attention, more free energy is channeled intentionally to nurturing the “angels” of loving-kindness, compassion, generosity, empathic joy and insights about the three characteristics of impermanence, non-self, and the inevitable results of craving and clinging, that is, distress. This talk also includes the enthusiastic question and answer session that followed.
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by Peter Carlson | Feb 26, 2013 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this extensive Dhamma talk, Peter described satibojjhanga, the seven awakening factors: mindfulness, investigation of phenomena, energy/effort, joy/enthusiastic engagement, tranquility, concentration and equanimity. Once the five hindrances have been set aside, the cultivation of vipassana is furthered through the perfection of these factors. Peter explained how the factors co-operate, that is the dynamic interaction between them. Mindfulness is the factor that monitors the process, assuring the activating factors, tranquilizing factors, faith/confidence and investigation are in balance. This balance is dynamic, constantly needing adjustment to accommodate fresh sensory input. Joy and equanimity are byproducts of this balancing. This was followed by another lively group discussion about how this works in experience.
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