Giving Presence Over The Holidays

by Peter Carlson | Nov 30, 2023 | Listen to Dharma Talks

This talk provides a brief overview of traditional American holidays from Halloween through New Year’s Eve, from their origins centuries ago up to how current consumerism and social conflict has created a stressful and potentially damaging series of events during the Fall and early Winter periods.  The overview is followed by a review of a Buddhist “decision tree” process called “The Four Clear Comprehensions” that provides a way to integrate mindfulness and Right Effort to realize appropriate goals for gift giving that don’t disrupt the principles of Right Speech/Action/Livelihood.  The review is followed by a dialogue between Peter and a few of the participants to illustrate how this decision-making process works.

Here are the notes prepared for this talk, which includes a description of The Four Clear Comprehensions:  Giving Presence Over The Holidays

The talk for next week will provide a review of the basics of mindfulness practices.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:33 — 54.5MB)

2023 Deerhaven Fall Post-Retreat Review

by Peter Carlson | Nov 23, 2023 | Listen to Dharma Talks

Following a long-established custom, this meeting is focused on providing opportunities for those who attended the annual Deerhaven one-week residential retreat to review their experience.  Due to the occurrence of the meeting on Thanksgiving Eve, only 3 of the 14 who attended the retreat are present to talk of their experiences and insights.

Next week’s talk will focus on bring Buddhist principles and practices to the holiday season, between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:01 — 44.9MB)