by Peter Carlson | Nov 18, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk provides conceptual understanding of an important aspect of Theravada Buddhism derived from the Visuddhimagga, an ancient and extensive treatise on vipassana and the process of Awakening. The Progressions of Insight are stages of insight awareness that can be noted by a meditation student and then validated during a review with an experienced teacher. Each of the stages are reviewed during the talk.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: STAGES OF AWAKENING
The focus of next week’s meeting, which can now be attended in the meditation hall while wearing a mask, as well as through Zoom online, occurs on Thanksgiving Eve, and the topic is gratitude–for the teachings, one’s meditation practice and uplifting reflections on the blessings of life.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:05:09 — 59.7MB)
by Peter Carlson | Nov 12, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks, News
This talk reviews the final stanzas of the Satipatthana Sutta, which focuses on how the development of the four foundations of mindfulness fulfills the potential of the Four Noble Truths for total liberation from distress and confusion. The commentaries describe how the Noble Eightfold Path, when fully realized, becomes the Noble Tenfold Path, as the Wisdom aggregate is directly known–Right Understanding becomes Right Knowledge and Right Intention becomes Right Release. This transforms the other elements of the Eightfold Path radically.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Fulfilling the Satipatthana Path
The focus of the next talk will be the Progressions of Insight, a Theravaden commentarial description of discernible stages of insight that are noted as one gets closer to the experience of Nirvana.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:02 — 42.2MB)
by Peter Carlson | Nov 8, 2021 | 2021 Deerhaven
The focus of this talk is intended to support the continuation of the sort of focused attention and depth of insight cultivated during the retreat after returning to normal everyday life functions. The important benefits of daily diligent practice of mindfulness of breathing meditation are emphasized as fundamental supports for cultivating a more peaceful and spiritual lifestyle at home. Several categorical topics are described that support effective interpersonal characteristics, financial wisdom, environmental supports and other aspects of a wholesome lifestyle.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: PRACTICING AWAKENING AT HOME
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:27:19 — 159.9MB)
by Peter Carlson | Nov 8, 2021 | 2021 Deerhaven
The process of Awakening involves a dynamic transition from what is termed self-state conflict to self-state liberation. This talk reviews this process, as the maturing of mindfulness of breathing meditation manifests the beneficial powers of the 7 Awakening Factors (the topic of the 4th night talk). These functions, applied through understanding of contingent provisional emergence (the focus of the talk during the 5th night), allows the elements of personality (the 5 aggregates, the topic for the 3rd night talk) to be transformed into more coherent self-state organizations. This stability and clarity supports the sophisticated investigations that lead to the liberation that occurs through Awakening.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Growing From Self Integration to Self Liberation
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:19:00 — 144.6MB)
by Peter Carlson | Nov 8, 2021 | 2021 Deerhaven
A core concept of Buddhism is paticca samuppada, traditionally translated as dependent origination. During this talk, an alternate translation is presented–contingent provisional emergence–using contemporary psychological and scientific concepts that can perhaps be useful in understanding the dynamic process through which self-creation occurs. Skillful investigation of this process supports the ability to change karmic influences in order to promote the process of Awakening.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Deerhaven 2021 Contingent Provisional Emergence Review
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:32:33 — 169.5MB)
