by Peter Carlson | Nov 8, 2021 | 2021 Deerhaven
The 7 Awakening Factors are the functions of the mind that become powerful tools in the process of Awakening. During the talk, each of the Awakening Factors--Mindfulness, Investigation of Mental Phenomena, Energy/Effort, Joy/Engaged Interest, Tranquility, Concentration/Unification, and Equanimity/Balance–is reviewed. Additionally, the practices that enhance the development of these functions are described.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: 2021 Deerhaven 7 AWAKENING FACTORS
This talk can be accompanied by the guided meditation Contemplation of Intention, found in the audio archive.
by Peter Carlson | Nov 8, 2021 | 2021 Deerhaven
This talk reviews how Buddhist doctrine describes the functions that operate in an integrated fashion to create a personality: Form (sensory stimulation), Feeling (fundamental affective/emotional responses), Perception (initial identifications), Mind Conditioners (factors that are drawn from personal history to create a meaningful self-experience), all reflected in Consciousness. Detached, mindful investigation of these functions “deconstructs” the belief that each person’s experience is enduring and autonomous–this insight is fundamental for the process of Awakening to occur.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Reviewing the Five Aggregates of Clinging
This talk can be supplemented by listening to the guided meditation titled Contemplation of Intention, found in the audio archive.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:18:44 — 144.2MB)
by Peter Carlson | Nov 8, 2021 | 2021 Deerhaven
This talk provides support for identifying the characteristics of the 5 Hindrances and using mindfulness of breathing meditation practice to disregard the craving and clinging associated with their presence. Setting aside the hindrances is necessary in order to support insights into the conditioned nature of the mind. Three qualities of attention are described to support this process: atapi, sati sampajjana–diligent, mindful, clear comprehension– of what is emerging into awareness in order to be able to effectively set the hindrances aside.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: 2021 Setting Aside The Five Hindrances
The guided meditation titled Breath As An Anchor Contemplation, found in the audio archives, supports this practice
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:28:00 — 161.1MB)
by Peter Carlson | Nov 8, 2021 | 2021 Deerhaven
This talk reviews the commitments that support an effective retreat experience: The Three Refuges–Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha–and the Five Precepts–Noble Silence, Harmlessness, Avoiding Intoxicants, Avoiding Sexual Preoccupations and Respect for Another Person’s Property–in ways that are relevant for a secular participant in a week-long residential retreat. Other suggestions regarding the practice of mindfulness of breathing meditation are provided to increase the benefits of the retreat.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:05 — 102.7MB)
by Peter Carlson | Nov 4, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk is part of an extensive investigation of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourse, and provides a review of how undeveloped characteristics of the Seven Awakening Factors within the Fourth Foundation can be identified while meditating, accompanied by a more thorough description of the mature manifestations of the individual factors. Emphasis is placed on the role of the first four of the factors–Mindfulness, Investigation of Mental Phenomena, Energy/Right Effort and Joy/Enthusiastic Interest–in the manifestation and increasing power of the remaining three factors, Tranquility, Concentration and Equanimity. Ultimately, all seven factors are integrated, with high levels of functioning in the practice of vipassana, insight into the impermanent manifestation of self-states that are interdependent with one’s environment.
This talk is intended to be complemented by “Contemplating the Seven Awakening Factors”, found in the Audio archives of this website.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: THE SEVEN AWAKENING FACTORS
The focus of the next talk will be on the final stanzas of the Satipatthana Sutta, the realization of the Four Noble Truths.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:04:55 — 59.4MB)
