This guided meditation focuses on using mindfulness of breathing meditation to cultivate the mind conditioning functions called hiri/moral shame, and ottappa/respect for karma. These concepts and the practices for cultivating them are more thoroughly reviewed in the posted Dharma talk entitled “Reviewing The Virtue Mind Conditioners September 23, 2020”
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:01 — 82.4MB)
The two reviews during this talk, focused on sati and saddha (mindfulness and confidence), represent the first two of the “Universal Wholesome Cetasikas”, within the full listing of 52 cetasikas found in the Buddhist commentaries. During the talk the fundamental benefits that are the consequence of cultivating anapanasati, mindfulness of breathing meditation, are reviewed. Peter described the relationship between sati and the remaining six of the Seven Awakening Factors, as the monitor of the coordinated actions of these factors in shaping the experience of “selfing”, the goal of which is to find liberation from dukkha, that is, relief from distress and confusion. As mindfulness becomes more workable in one’s life, confidence regarding the benefits of regular and diligent mindfulness meditation increases, providing what is contemporaneously termed “self efficacy”, confidence in one’s ability to manage the stresses we are confronted with in current life experience. There is an accompanying guided meditation recording, “Guided Mindfulness With Confidence Meditation” that is posted and found in the guided meditation archive. The review is followed by a brief question and comment opportunity.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Mindfulness and Confidence
Next week’s talk will review the next two of the Universal Wholesome Cetasikas, Hiri (clear conscience) and Ottappa (respect for consequences). These two mind conditioners support cultivating the virtue aggregate of the Noble Eightfold Path: Right Speech, Right Action and Right Livelihood.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 53:54 — 98.7MB)
This meditation focuses on the first two of the listed “Universal Wholesome Cetasikas”, Confidence and Mindfulness, in the complete list of 52 cetasikas found in Buddhist commentaries. The emphasis during this training exercise is on diligent and persistently mindful attention focused on the sensations noticed while practicing mindfulness of breathing meditation. The commentaries state that when mindfulness is present in each moment of self-formation, there will be no dukkha, that is, no distress and confusion. It is suggested that each time the attention becomes “enchanted” with a thought process through craving and clinging, intentionally becoming mindful of that process as impersonal and conditional will intervene in the craving and clinging. This intervention, combined with redirecting attention back to the breath sensations, will release the mind from dukkha. As this practice becomes more repeatable and routine over time, the wholesome cetasika of confidence will be strengthened, with great benefit. This meditation is intended to accompany studying the talk entitled “Mindfulness and Confidence”, recorded the same day, after this meditation.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:56 — 82.3MB)
This talk reviews the last of the Unwholesome Cetasikas, those mind conditioners that are associated with dukkha, distress and confusion. The three reviewed here are sloth, torpor and doubt. Sloth and Torpor, among the five hindrances, conditions the mind towards dullness, drowsiness and inattention. Peter reviews the characteristics of these conditioners and how they can be investigated and set aside. Doubt is another of the five hindrances, typically rendered as skeptical doubt. This manifests as indecisiveness, mental immobility, and is the opposite of the first of the Universal Wholesome Conditioners, which will be one of the cetasikas reviewed during the next talk, along with mindfulness. The talk is followed by extensive discussion among those participating in the Zoom meeting regarding these cetasikas. A part of the conversation includes a overview about the potential for the upcoming retreat with Shaila Catherine, scheduled for December 5-12 at the Franciscan Center in Tampa; there is discussion regarding how the retreat might be conducted in a safe manner, provided that the pandemic conditions are not strongly impacting regional social conditions.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Overcoming Dullness And Doubt
Next week will begin reviews of the Universal Wholesome Cetasikas, those factors that participate in the conditioning of each moment of self-experience that is free from Dukkha, distress and confusion.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:15:36 — 138.4MB)
This guided meditation focuses on cultivating alertness in the mind to counter the hindrance of sloth/torpor, a persistent state of dullness and disengaged attention in the mind. During the meditation, various suggestions are provided to foster persistent curiosity about the changing sensations in the breathing cycle. When this process is stabilized, expanding focus to areas of the nose and face nearby can add to the levels of alertness. This meditation is intended to accompany the Dharma talk focusing on setting aside the hindrances of sloth/torpor and skeptical doubt.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:57 — 82.3MB)