by Peter Carlson | Mar 31, 2022 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk completes a series beginning February 16, 2022, which was titled “How Do You Want To Live?”, that encourages reevaluating lifestyle choices in response to the significant changes created by the pandemic, ecological disruption and other emerging disruptions in cultural norms. There is increasing concern about a lack of proactive individual approaches to physical health and well-being in the general population, creating an epidemic of obesity and other chronic health-related conditions. This is significantly stressing the health care system, including the medical, insurance and economic functions of society. Until individual Americans become more proactive regarding physical health through appropriate nutrition, exercise and other appropriate lifestyle changes, the negative effects will continue to become more culturally disruptive.
During this talk, the results of decades of neuroscientific results on the beneficial ways that regular mindfulness and lovingkindness meditation affects the body’s adaptation to chronic pain and illness are reviewed. Research also suggests that dedicated cultivation of mindfulness practices enhances immune responses and slows the degenerative affects of ageing. The creation of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), an 8-week training for patients with chronic pain or disabling medical conditioning has played a significant role in alleviating the suffering of those participating.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Mindfulness and a Healthy Body
The topic for the next discussion will be determined and posted prior to the meeting.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:38 — 50.0MB)
by Peter Carlson | Mar 24, 2022 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk continues the series entitled “How Do You Want to Live?”, which began February 17, 2022. “Right Relationship” is not a true Buddhist conceptual category, but is applicable to our lived experience. At the beginning of the talk, a quote from the Suttas states that Sangha, meaning spiritual relationship, “is the whole of the of the holy life”, in the context of the Noble Eightfold Path’s conceptual understanding of how to live. A similar concept from contemporary psychological research called Attachment Theory, is described as supportive of the Buddhist concept of Interdependence. Peter describes some of the exercises he provided for clients as a psychotherapist regarding effective interpersonal communications that includes references to Mindfulness and emotional self-regulation to negotiate relationships successfully.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: MINDFULNESS AND RIGHT RELATIONSHIP
The topic for next week’s talk will be the benefits of mindfulness regarding good physical health. We must be more proactive in regards to our physical health–otherwise, our health care system, already stressed, will be overwhelmed with patients whose conditions could be addressed to reduce the likelihood of illness.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:45 — 52.0MB)
by Peter Carlson | Mar 17, 2022 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This continues a series of Dharma talks focused on the theme “How Do You Want to Live?”, which began February 17, 2022. Using the concepts included in the Four Noble Truths, the discussion provides information describing the emerging world environmental crisis as an example of Dukkha that will afflict the biosphere, likely for centuries. The Noble Eightfold Path can provide ways and means to take individual responsibility and creating effective adaptations for future generations.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Practicing Environmental Right Action
The topic for next week’s Dharma talk will involve a Buddhist approach to relationships, including insights and suggestions derived from Peter’s 30+ years as a psychotherapist. The theme could be called Right Relationship.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:05:55 — 60.3MB)
by Peter Carlson | Mar 10, 2022 | Listen to Dharma Talks
With apologies to the quality of the recording, this talk is one of a series which continues to address the theme “How Do You Want to Live?”, which was introduced during the Dharma talk on February 16, 2022 and is found in the archives. There is a review of the sociocultural impact of consumerism, which began in the late 19th century and is now the dominant driver of our lives, whether we are mindful of this issue or not. During the discussion, consumerism is related to the Four Noble Truths: 1) The distress and confusion we currently experience and the effects on the biosphere as a result of indiscriminate consumption, 2) The delusional craving and clinging characteristic of commercial advertising, 3) The opportunity that Buddhist principles and practices offers to provide alternatives to thoughtless and undisciplined consumption, and 4) the practices of the Noble Eightfold Path that will facilitate liberation from the distress and confusion of consumerism.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Mindful Coping With Consumerism
The topic for the next talk will be on how Mindfulness practices can be effectively applied to promote environmental responsibility.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 58:17 — 53.4MB)
by Peter Carlson | Mar 3, 2022 | Listen to Dharma Talks
In this talk, part of the series “How Do You Want To Live?”, the focus is on how prevalent addiction is in American culture, especially if “behavioral addictions” involving the internet, gambling, overeating, etc., are included. During the talk, the correlation between the Buddhist craving and clinging concept and contemporary scientific understanding of how the brain operates “addictively” is emphasized, and how the effects that practicing mindfulness of breathing meditation can be of great benefit in overcoming addiction. The 11th step of the recovery oriented 12 steps, such as found in Alcoholics Anonymous, involving daily meditation and prayer, is correlated with basic mindfulness meditation practices.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: BUDDHISM AND ADDICTION NOTES
The focus for the next talk will focus on any broadly unbeneficial effects of consumerism as a follow-up to this talk, and how Buddhist principles and practices can contribute to building a more adaptive and spiritual lifestyle.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 51:24 — 47.1MB)
