by Peter Carlson | Aug 19, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This Dharma talk is a continuation of reviews regarding the Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, particularly focusing on the 4th of the 5 Aggregates, the Mind Conditioning Factors called Cetasikas. The talk provides a generalized view of how Buddhism describes those mental constituents that form a subjective experience of a self. The intention of this review is to create an understanding of the general characteristics of the several categories of cetasikas: Universal, Particular, Unwholesome and Wholesome. These categories will be reviewed in more detail over the course of several subsequent Dharma talks. During the talk, a chart of the cetasikas was provided during the Zoom meeting through screen sharing; here is that document for future reference: CETASIKAS POSTER
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Overview of the Mind Conditioning Factors
The focus for the next talk with be the Universal cetasikas.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:10 — 75.4MB)
by Peter Carlson | Aug 13, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk continues a review of the contemplations found in the Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, namely the Five Aggregates. An overview of the interactions between Form, Feeling, Perception, Mind Conditioning Factors and Consciousness is provided, relating the aggregates to the other Foundations of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourse, using several quotes from Analayo’s “Satipatthana–The Direct Path To Realization”. Also included is a brief review of the next contemplation, the Six Sense Bases, as these are represented by the Form aggregate. Because this contemplation provides a key insight into the concept of Dependent Origination, several subsequent Dharma talks will provide a review of the Mind Conditioning Factors, numbering 52 in the commentaries, and called Cetasikas, because of the key function these factors provide in Dependent Origination. After reviewing the cetaskikas the Dependent Origination concept will then be considered. The Cetasikas and Dependent Origination are not described in the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourse, but understanding how they operate is a key component in the process of Awakening.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Understanding The Five Aggregates
An important book that analyses the Five Aggregates entitled “The Five Aggregates–Understanding Theravada Psychology and Soteriology” by Matthieu Boisvert can be downloaded in .pdf format here: The-Five-Aggregates-Understanding-Theravada-Psychology-Soteriology (Soterilogy is the study of salvation).
Next week’s talk will focus on beginning a review of the Cetasikas with the “Universal Mind Conditioners”, which function in every moment of consciousness.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:14 — 110.3MB)
by Peter Carlson | Aug 13, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This guided meditation focuses on how to cultivate mindful awareness of each of the five aggregates mentioned in the Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness. It is intended to accompany the Dharma talk recorded the same evening entitled “Understanding The Five Aggregates”, which can be found in the archives of this site.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:09 — 82.7MB)
by Peter Carlson | Aug 5, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk reviews the characteristics of the fifth of the Five Hindrances, Skeptical Doubt: doubt, uncertainty regarding action, along with hesitation and conflicted thoughts. The talk also reviews the potential influence of skeptical doubt in reference to the other hindrances: doubt about the negative consequences of Sense Desire, about the harm of resistance and hostility that comes from Aversion and Ill-will, regarding the loss of mental clarity associated with Sloth and Torpor, or the disruption that results from Restlessness and Worry. The talk includes various suggestions for setting aside Skeptical Doubt. There is an accompanying recording posted: “Guided Skeptical Doubt Contemplation”, found in the archives.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Setting Aside Skeptical Doubt
The topic for next week is an overview of the next contemplation in the Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, the Five Aggregates of Clinging.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 53:56 — 98.8MB)
by Peter Carlson | Aug 5, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This guided meditation focuses on understanding the characteristics of the hindrance of skeptical doubt and various meditation tactics for setting it aside. The meditation is intended to accompany the Dharma talk “Setting Aside Skeptical Doubt” presented the same evening.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:58 — 82.3MB)
