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.
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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)
by Peter Carlson | Jul 29, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk continues a review of the Five Hindrances, focusing on the way the instinctual nature of restlessness and agitation can be associated with an internal narrative that reinforces and amplifies this restlessness to the state clinically described as anxiety, which is often experienced during these trying times of pandemic and extreme global weather events. The characteristic of restlessness can also be investigated mindfully as a component of the other four hindrances. Various antidotes for restlessness and anxiety are described, with an emphasis on the benefits of simply dedicating attention persistently to investigating the neutral feeling tones while practicing mindfulness of breathing meditation, both formally and, during the day, informally. There is a guided meditation posted in the archives of this site entitled “Guided Restlessness and Worry Contemplation” that is intended to supplement the information heard during this talk.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Setting Aside Restlessness and Worry
The topic for next week’s talk is a review of the fifth hindrance, Skeptical Doubt.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:04:34 — 118.2MB)
