by Peter Carlson | Apr 28, 2023 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This recording provides support for enhancing the ability to focus attention persistently with increasing clarity on the sensations noticeable practicing mindfulness of breathing meditation. This focused investigative awareness begins at the rim of the nostrils, moving attention systematically up through the interior of the nose to the tube extending down to the uvula, the fleshy appendage at the back of the roof of the mouth, then forward across the roof of the mouth to investigate the changing sensations noticeable at the gums and teeth as the air swirls around with every breath. Finally, you can cultivate clear awareness of the sensations in the flesh of the upper lip. This routine of investigative awareness keeps interest alive and penetrates into the depths of sensations available in these areas, thereby increasing concentration.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:01 — 41.2MB)
by Peter Carlson | Apr 6, 2023 | Listen to Dharma Talks, Study Resources
This talk focuses on reviewing some of my personal collection of Dharma books, divided into various categories. This recording provides my comments about the books, and the accompanying notes provide specific titles and suggestions for either purchasing copies or downloading free .pdf eBook copies from various sources. Progress on the path to Awakening requires both studying the books and diligently practicing the various meditative techniques, and i hope these offering are helpful for that integrative effort.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Buddhist Studies Resources
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:33 — 54.5MB)
by Peter Carlson | Mar 30, 2023 | Listen to Dharma Talks
A core concept within Buddhist psychology is sunnata, translated as emptiness; this talk reviews this often mystified and misunderstood aspect of Buddhist doctrine. Early Buddhist schools emphasized that sunnata is synonymous with anatta, the absence of an enduring/autonomous self. Later, the Mahayana teachers emphasized that sunnata applies to everything in the universe, building on the doctrine of interdependence. Contemporary psychological and sociological research has validated the concept of emptiness.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Understanding Buddhist Emptiness
The topic for next week’s talk will be focused on the general areas of research that suggest the benefits of Buddhist meditation practices in terms of mental health and other life skills, such as financial management, relationship enhancement, etc.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:01:05 — 55.9MB)
by Peter Carlson | Mar 23, 2023 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk reviews the Buddhist underpinnings of the book “Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ”, by Daniel Goleman, who has practiced mindfulness meditation for over 50 years. Emotional intelligence, often termed as EQ, has been considered a more important characteristic of a successful personality than IQ. The five characteristics of EQ mentioned in the book are reviewed: Self-Awareness, Self-Regulation, Social Skills, Empathy and Motivation, along with any correlations .associated with mindfulness of breathing meditation practice. The talk was followed by descriptions by some of the participants regarding how EQ applies to their lived experience.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence
The topic for next week’s talk will be sunnata (soon-yah-tah), translated as emptiness. This concept is typically misunderstood, and will be more thoroughly described and related to the effects of well-developed mindfulness meditation.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:06 — 54.1MB)
by Peter Carlson | Mar 16, 2023 | Listen to Dharma Talks
It is our custom to provide an opportunity for anyone who recently completed a significant retreat to reflect upon their experience, because “thinking out loud” about it helps integrate their insights. Lezlie has practiced Ashtanga Yoga for decades and is certified to teach yoga. She recently completed a one-week retreat that integrated yoga, longevity practices, and mindfulness meditation. She reviewed the characteristics of the site and organization of the retreat, which emphasized the importance of using breath awareness while practicing hatha yoga, as well as during other daily activities. She also reviewed Ashtanga Yoga, which uses “The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali” as a primary resource for study, and this discourse has significant parallels to the conceptual structures associated with Buddhism, Her review was followed by questions from those participating in the meeting.
The topic for next week’s talk will review the association between what is called “emotional intelligence”, (The ability to cultivate self-awareness and self-discipline to more fully realize one’s social, professional and spiritual development) and the application of mindfulness and Right Effort.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:08:19 — 62.5MB)
