by Peter Carlson | Jan 5, 2012 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk advances a developing theme for this year: How to cultivate a dhamma practice that is relevant to the core of the Buddha’s teachings that is adaptive to our 21st century culture. As Buddhism has evolved through the ages, each time it enters a culture, the terms and concepts have been affected by the culture it enters. For example, the changes induced as Buddhist teachings entered China, influenced by Confucianism and Taoism, becoming Chan, then being further modified into Zen in the Korean and Japanese cultures. We have an obligation to the liberating values of Buddhist principles and practices in mastering what has been given to us, then adapting it to our times, without losing the precious core of the teachings.
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by Peter Carlson | Dec 15, 2011 | Listen to Dharma Talks
In this talk, the neurological underpinnings of the Second Noble Truth, tanha (craving) and upadana (clinging) were explored to emphasize the importance of being clearly and immediately aware of the felt sense of urgency and the “enchantment” of internal narrative experience. This clarity is crucial for setting the conditions for the realization of the Third Noble Truth, through the action of the Noble Eightfold Path. In this as well as future discussions, the relevance to current cultural and economic crises is established, with an encouragement to find a “Middle Way” between consumerism and ideological purity and material denial and skeptical withdrawal from society. How can we as a spiritual community support each other in finding this Middle Way?
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by Peter Carlson | Dec 8, 2011 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk continues an integration of the Four Noble Truths and the cultural stresses that we face in the 21st century. Quotes from the Suttas were related to modern issues of consumerism and interpersonal alienation, with references to some of the comments of David Loy, a critic of modern culture from a Buddhist perspective. Participants were invited to comment about what community means in Central Florida relative to the current economic crisis and the pressures of the Christmas season.
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by Peter Carlson | Dec 1, 2011 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This is the first in a series of conversations organized with the intention to clarify how the core teachings of the Buddha must be redefined in each generation in order for the benefits to be realized. There was great cultural turmoil in the Buddha’s time; our era is experiencing even more upheaval. The teachings of the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path must be realized in ways that are culturally relevant. In future discussions, we will explore how we as a community can practice the core principles with mindfulness and benevolence in order to cope with the increasing complexity of modern life.
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by Peter Carlson | Nov 24, 2011 | Listen to Dharma Talks
One of the customs being cultivated by the Orlando Insight Meditation Group is to use the meeting on Thanksgiving Eve to reflect gratitude for the benefits of the liberating insights provided by Buddhist principles and practices. We hope this year’s recording inspires furthering your own commitment to liberation.
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