by Peter Carlson | May 27, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk begins an in-depth review of the Satipatthana Sutta, the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourse. Analayo’s book “Satipatthana–The Direct Path To Realization” will be a primary resource for the series, supplemented by observations drawn from contemporary neuroscientific and psychological research that validate what is in the sutta. This discussion focuses on the Definitions relating to what Analayo calls the satipatthana refrain—contemplation, diligence, clear awareness, mindfulness and freedom from distress and confusion regarding the world. These terms are repeated throughout the Sutta in each of the Four Foundations. There was discussion after the presentation regarding how to use the elements of the refrain to address sadness while meditating.
There is a guided meditation entitled “Guided Four Foundations Meditation” in the Archives that was presented previous to this talk.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: What Is Satipatthana
Next week’s topic will be the importance of mindfulness of breathing to cultivate the four foundations.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:02:02 — 113.6MB)
by Peter Carlson | May 27, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This meditation is intended to provide an overview of aspects of the Satipatthana Sutta, focusing on mindfulness of the body (breath awareness), of feelings, of the characteristics of consciousness and of the mind conditioning factors of the five hindrances and the seven awakening factors. It is also meant to accompany and support the topic for the evening’s talk, “Review of the Four Foundations”.
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by Peter Carlson | May 20, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Anatta is typically translated as Non-Self; during this talk, Peter provides an alternative meaning: The absence of an enduring and autonomous self. Another of the basic concepts of Buddhism, Anicca, the ever-changing nature of subjective experience, counters the illusion of an ongoing self (This topic is reviewed during the talk on May 5, 2021). Even though a superficial view of experience strongly suggests that there is a separate self, close analysis reveals that self-experience is deeply conditioned by largely unaware memories from earlier in one’s life. During the talk, Peter reviews contemporary psychological research, Attachment Theory, which strongly suggests that human personality dynamics emerge from the countless social exchanges we all experience from our earliest life experiences–this view suggests we are all “co-creating” each other throughout life, which counters the belief that we are autonomous beings. The talk further reviews various ways that mindfulness meditation can “deconstruct” the illusion of an enduring, autonomous self (For more support, go to the archived “Guided Anatta Meditation”, recorded and posted the same day as this talk). The presentation was followed by discussion among those participating in the Zoom meeting regarding this topic.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Buddhist Characteristics
Next week’s talk will begin a comprehensive review of the Satipatthana Sutta, using Analayo’s authoritative text “Satipatthana–The Direct Path To Realization” as a primary source. His research finds the translation of Satipatthana to be “attending with mindfulness” rather than “the four foundations of mindfulness”. The review will selectively emphasize those parts of the discourse that seem most relevant to contemporary practices, supplemented with current psychological and neurological research which is supportive of the discourse.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:07:43 — 124.0MB)
by Peter Carlson | May 20, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This meditation offers suggestions to realize that our subjective experience of “selfing” is an ever-changing process that emerges from the interaction of our sensory system with memories that go back over a lifetime and which fabricate a view of an enduring and autonomous self. This meditation is meant to accompany the talk “Review Of Anatta”, recorded after the talk and posted the same day.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:59 — 82.4MB)
by Peter Carlson | May 13, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
It has become a tradition for the Orlando Insight Meditation Group Sangha to provide an opportunity for a member to “think out loud” about their recent retreat experience. It is hoped that the review will provide the retreatant an opportunity to “connect the dots” regarding the retreat experience as well as providing insights and inspiration for others who contemplate a residential retreat. In this talk, Will Lindemann reviews a 7-day self-retreat he sat through at a local retreat center. He used the conceptual framework from the book “Satipatthana A Practice Guide”, by Analayo as the primary support for his practice. He describes his understanding and application of the “Seven Contemplations” model that Analayo describes that he studied and practiced with during the retreat. His review was followed by questions proposed by those attending the Zoom meeting.
Next week’s topic will be a review of Anatta, the Buddhist doctrine that deconstructs the view that there is an autonomous and enduring self; the review will include insights developed through current physical and psychological research that support the doctrine.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:05 — 99.0MB)
