by Peter Carlson | Jul 23, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This guided meditation focuses on identifying the subjective characteristics of anatta (ah-nah-tah), the absence of an enduring, autonomous self. Anatta is the third of the Three Characteristics: Anicca, Dukkha and Anatta. During the meditation attention is first stabilized with mindfulness of breathing meditation and this quiets the mind such that one can contemplate the interdependence of the human body with the environment on increasingly more subtle levels and then contemplate further on the “accumulation of a self” through language and other socially stimulating encounters over the course of a lifetime. Deep contemplation of these issues can illuminate the absence of an autonomous self that doesn’t require interactions with the physical or social environments. Another focus of contemplation is to deepen awareness of whole-body sensations along with the breath, including environmental sounds, in an undifferentiated way, relinquishing the “observer” belief. The more fully one releases the mind from “observing” these phenomena to “being” the phenomena, the less interest there is in a subject-object dualistic perception, thereby experiencing reality in a more fundamental, non-self way.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:58 — 82.3MB)
by Peter Carlson | Jul 17, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk focuses on the sixth of the seven Awakening Factors, the Concentration Awakening Factor. Peter reviews the cultivation of several stages of concentration ascending from the momentary unification of factors in the mind to the extraordinary levels of concentration associated with jhana practice. The optimal level of concentration for cultivating vipassana is called “access concentration” and involves the absence of the disturbances that are the result of craving and clinging to the five hindrances. The contemporary practice of “dry vipassana”, that is, the cultivation of the seven Awakening Factors without the inclusion of mastering jhana, was reviewed. This was followed by discussion among the participants regarding the topic.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: SAMADHI AWAKENING FACTOR
Next week’s topic will be the Awakening Factor of Equanimity
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:04:58 — 119.0MB)
by Peter Carlson | Jul 17, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This guided meditation is intended to support the talk entitled “Understanding The Concentration Awakening Factor”, posted July 17, 2020. Even though the focus of attention is primarily on the breath, meditators are invited to also investigate the quality of attention associated with the physical sensations of breathing, noticing the relative calmness and stability of attention when the mind is solely focused on the breath compared to when the mind is adversely affected by the five hindrances.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:58 — 82.3MB)
by Peter Carlson | Jul 17, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This is an introductory training for using this lovingkindness mantra as a foundation for cultivating kindness in one’s heart and projecting this characteristic out to the world:
May I be safe, May I be happy, may I be healthy, may I be content. May I love myself sincerely and with gently patient kindness, just as I am now, no matter what happens.
Here Is the document explaining the concepts and practices associated with cultivating lovingkindness for self and others: LOVINGKINDNESS course packet
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:04 — 84.4MB)
by Peter Carlson | Jul 17, 2020 | Intro to Buddhism & Meditation, Listen to Dharma Talks
This 30 minute meditation provides basic training for practicing mindfulness of breathing meditation.
Here are the notes that explain the practice of mindfulness of breathing meditation: MINDFULNESS OF BREATHING MEDITATION
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:26 — 27.0MB)