by Peter Carlson | Jan 6, 2022 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Peter has committed to two-week self-retreats for the last 15 years. This talk reviews that experience during the retreat last December, using excerpts from Analayo’s “Mindfulness of Breathing–a practice guide and translations” to complement what occurred during the retreat, as that book was the primary reference source during the retreat. The intention of this review is to provide ways to understand how a meditative progression through the Four Tetrads of the Anapanasati Sutta, the Mindfulness of Breathing Discourse, was useful for deepening his practice and insights regarding the process of Awakening during the retreat. This presentation also includes questions posed by those participating in the meeting regarding the information in the Sutta.
Here are the extensive excerpts from the book provided by Peter for reference during the talk and for further inquiry by those interested in the approach used by Analayo to improve understanding and practice issues regarding this important discourse: 2021 Year end retreat review Analayo can be considered as one of the preeminent authorities of our era regarding the doctrines and practices found in the Theravada Buddhist tradition.
The topic for next week’s discussion will be a review of Lovingkindness, the first of what are called the Four Divine Abidings.
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by Peter Carlson | Dec 16, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This last Dharma talk of 2021 builds on the previous week’s review, “Working With Intentions”, recorded on December 5th, 2021. That talk emphasizes the core importance of intention, which can be associated with wholesomeness or unwholesomeness, depending upon the other conditioning factors involved. This talk expands that view to include how we value what is important in life and whether the valued goals that we seek to realize are manifesting a life that is truly valuable from the Buddhist perspective of Virtue–Right Speech, Right Action and Right Livelihood. The Buddhist concept of Four Clear Comprehensions, combined with Right Mindfulness and Right Effort can be applied in various areas on one’s life: physical health and well-being, finances, relationships and the environment, the goal being a life that is healthy, financially secure, socially engaged and environmentally sound. The goal of cultivating a well-integrated personality with a wholesome lifestyle creates the conditions that promote the process of spiritual Awakening.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Cultivating An Intentional Life
There will not be another meeting or posting until January 5, 2022, as Peter will be on his annual 2-week self-retreat; the topic of the January 5th meeting will be a review of that retreat experience.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:01:48 — 56.6MB)
by Peter Carlson | Dec 9, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk reviews the function of intention, which coordinates and initiates each moment of self-experience, whether wholesome or unwholesome. The ability to monitor and effectively manage intention to promote liberation from greed, hatred and ignorance is considered to be one of the most important goals to master on the path to Awakening. The talk reviews the concepts associated with intention as well as various ways to mindfully cultivate intentional awareness and action, primarily through mindfulness of breathing meditation, but also including various opportunities that might arise during daily routines.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Working With Intentions
The end of the old year and onset of the new year can be a time of personal renewal as the solstice, occurring on December 21, signifies the transition from the past to the future, so the focus for next week’s talk will be on how intentions guide our daily life decisions, with emphasis on cultivating a wholesome lifestyle in the midst of contemporary consumerist and internet-oriented cultural conditions.
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by Peter Carlson | Dec 2, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Buddhism presents a perspective from other religions regarding faith as a characteristic of a spiritually wholesome mind, emphasizing validation through direct experience rather than faith in an externalized Higher Power. This view places value on developing mental discipline that is informed by kindness and clarity, which produces confidence regarding one’s growth towards Awakening. This talk describes various levels of faith and the different ways the suttas and commentaries provide understanding, both conceptual and through direct experience.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Understanding Faith
The topic for next week’s review is the importance of being mindful regarding intentions, which play a crucial role in the process of self-organization and action.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:53 — 43.8MB)
by Peter Carlson | Nov 26, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Since we meet Wednesday evenings, one meeting each year occurs on Thanksgiving Eve, so we dedicate that time to provide opportunities for those participating to reflect on how Buddhist concepts and practices support the cultivation of gratitude, which I believe is closely aligned with Lovingkindness and Sympathetic Joy, two of the four Divine Abidings in Buddhism. There are changes in volume during the talk, inevitable variations due to the challenges of recording both in-person and Zoom comments from participants.
Here are the notes prepared for the talk, including a questionnaire intended to prompt contemplation of the various ways gratitude might be focused: CONTEMPLATING GRATITUDE
The focus for next week’s meeting will be on the contemplation and nurturing of saddha (sah-dah), a Pali word translated as faith or confidence. Buddhist faith is enhanced through direct internal investigation of the concepts and practices put forth by Buddhist practitioners over the centuries.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:52 — 51.1MB)
