by Peter Carlson | Dec 8, 2022 | News
Contemporary life is inescapably affected by sophisticated indoctrination to create a reliable population of consumers, and the Christmas season is the strongest manifestation of this conditioning. While we can’t avoid the presence of advertising, product placement and social media conditioning, the application of the Four Noble Truths can be effectively applied to foster Awakening from compulsive consumption. This talk reviews the varieties of dukkha we and the world at large experience as the First Noble Truth, not only as distress and confusion in terms of material goods and services, but also through social media, such as Q anon. Dukkha also manifests in terms of global warming and environmental degradation. The nature of craving and clinging, the Second Noble Truth, is described as lifelong exposure to unquestioned propaganda in our lifestyles through commercial marketing as well as the misinformation and propaganda embedded in entertainment and social media. The Third Noble Truth can be realized as effective adaptation to changing world circumstances–a diminished “carbon footprint” and wiser choices regarding sociocultural issues. The Fourth Noble Truth, the Noble Eightfold Path, is reviewed as a way to effectively adapt through the cultivation of Wisdom, Virtue and Training.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Mindful Consumerism
The topic for next week’s talk is how atapi sati sampajanna, diligent mindful clear comprehension, can be effectively and beneficially applied to the issues of consumerism described during this talk.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:07:51 — 62.1MB)
by Peter Carlson | Dec 2, 2022 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk introduces several new teachers who are either certified or entering certification training as Dharma teachers: Lezlie Laws, April Koester, Alli Vaknin and Lili Fernandez. Peter has been looking for additional teachers for our group for quite awhile and expresses gratitude for this opportunity to increase the benefits of Secular Buddhist concepts and practices in Central Florida. The expanded geographic and demographic advantages of additional teachers is described. Following this, each person is given the opportunity to describe her background and motivation for teaching the Dharma.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 51:53 — 47.5MB)
by Peter Carlson | Nov 24, 2022 | News
This talk was recorded on Thanksgiving Eve, as it is customary for our group to have the opportunity to reflect on gratitude regarding the benefits of studying Buddhist concepts and cultivating mindfulness of breathing meditation. Various excerpts were quoted that validate the health and mental well-being that is developed through daily gratitude reflections and how important cultivating these states of mind are for effectively maintaining a positive sense of life in these stressful times. The quotes and supportive comments are followed by comments by some of those present in person or via Zoom that reflect gratitude for how his or her life has benefited from regular meditation practice.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Mindfulness and Gratitude
This talk was preceded by a “Guided Gratitude Contemplation”, which was recorded and posted in the Guided Meditation page of this website.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:23 — 43.4MB)
by Peter Carlson | Nov 24, 2022 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This guided contemplation begins with integrating mindfulness of breathing meditation with the repetition of a “short form” lovingkindness meditation. After this practice is established, a series of gratitude contemplations are offered, for example, the benefits of meditation practice, the convenience of electricity and potable water, the joys of friendly companionship, etc. The goal is to cultivate a daily appreciation of the simple gifts of life that are often overlooked and taken for granted.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:55 — 41.1MB)
by Peter Carlson | Nov 24, 2022 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This guided lovingkindness contemplation uses this mantra: “May I be wise, happy and peaceful, with an ease of well-being”, and was recorded during the 2022 Deerhaven retreat.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:57 — 41.1MB)
