by Peter Carlson | Nov 21, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk is the third in a series exploring the Brahma Viharas, the Divine Abidings: metta (lovingkindness), karuna (compassion), mudita (sympathetic joy) and upekkha (equanimity). Mudita is the empathetic attunement with the happiness of others, a celebration of the success of another person whether it is to your advantage or not. Peter reviewed the observation of humans as social beings and the survival advantage of promoting the happiness and success of others as a way to encourage interpersonal security and the survival of the species. The close association of mudita with katannu (gratitude) and dana (generosity) was described: Being the recipient of another person’s celebration of your happiness generates gratitude and gratitude leads to a willingness to “gift” someone through generosity, thereby enhancing their happiness. The “far enemy”, jealousy and envy and the “near enemy”, pretentious generosity, of mudita were described along with antidotes. Peter provided ways to contemplate mudita, beginning with reflection on being the recipient of another person’s generosity and then proceeding towards noticing and appreciating the spontaneous happiness of others (children playing for example) and then contemplating and enacting gratitude and appreciation for others through both physical and social generosity. This was followed by discussion among those attending regarding the benefits of mudita.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: CELEBRATING HAPPINESS FOR OTHERS
Next week’s meeting is on Thanksgiving Eve and it has been the custom of those attending to talk about how the principles and practices of Buddhism have cultivated gratitude on a daily basis.
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by Peter Carlson | Nov 14, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk focuses on karuna, the Pali and Sanskrit term for compassion. Peter described compassion as a “subset” of metta, lovingkindness, with a focus on empathizing with the dukkha one is aware of in oneself and others. Contemporary research on mirror neurons (neural pathways we all have that allow us to “read” each other through mimicry and empathic attunement) and attachment theory (psychological research that strongly suggests the innate interpersonal dynamics of us that extends from infancy throughout life) are easily associated with Buddhist compassion meditation practices. The Tibetan Buddhist tonglen, a compassion meditation practice, was described as an effective way to practice compassion, both formally while meditating and informally during daily life routines. This description was followed by general discussion about how karuna can be integrated into one’s life.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk; they include some suggestions regarding various contemplations in the practice: THE VALUE OF COMPASSION
Next week’s topic will be mudita, sympathetic joy.
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by Peter Carlson | Nov 7, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This is the first of a series of talks about the Brahma Viharas, the Divine Abidings: Metta (lovingkindness), Karuna (compassion), Mudita (sympathetic joy) and Upekkha (equanimity). During the talk, which focused primarily on Metta, Peter read an excerpt from research published in 2010 that described the emotional and interpersonal benefits from cultivating positive emotions for the vagus nerve, an important nerve complex that connects the brain with the function of the heart and the intestinal wall. This research suggests the benefits derived from Metta meditation. Peter then described the evolution of his Metta practice, beginning in 1983 with a one-week retreat led by Sharon Salzberg, an authoritative teacher of Metta. He talked of how important the words of the mantra are and the benefit of focusing attention on the “heart chakra” while practicing Metta, as this seems to involve the strengthening of “vagal tone”, the optimal balancing of energy transmission from the brain into the body and back again.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: The Value Of Metta Here is a rendering of the Metta Sutta ( a translation of which was read by Peter during the talk), accompanied by Peter’s version of various levels of Metta mantra practice: LOVINGKINDNESS MANTRA
The focus of next week’s talk will be the value of practicing Karuna, compassion.
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by Peter Carlson | Nov 6, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
The last night’s talk typically is intended to clarify the processes developed during the retreat and to suggest ways for participants to continue to foster their Awakening practice at home. Peter made various suggestions to foster daily meditation practice and ways to integrate mindfulness of breathing into daily routines. This was followed by questions and comments meant to enhance understanding of the process of Awakening and to motivate further development of one’s mindfulness through lived experience.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:14:48 — 137.0MB)
by Peter Carlson | Nov 6, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
The process of Awakening is dynamic and cumulative. Every time we mindfully note the emergence of a hindrance and return to the breath is a moment of Awakening, and every time we mindfully note the emergence of the Seven Awakening Factors (which include mindfulness in the form of breath awareness) the process of Awakening is matured. Peter described two levels of this process: Self-State Integration (which we can consider to be an ethical, balanced life fulfillment) and Self-State Liberation (which is the full development of Awakening, the experience of Nirvana). The more one creates a balanced life and commits to persistent development of mindfulness through daily meditation that is integrated into every aspect of daily routines, the more likely one is to experience Awakening fully. This is possible for a great many individuals, but requires training the mind in ways that are equivalent to world-class musicians, athletes, etc. This explanation was followed by discussion to foster integrating these practices more fully into an Awakening lifestyle.
Here are the two sets of notes prepared for this talk: SELF STATE INTEGRATION SELF STATE LIBERATION
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:29:09 — 163.2MB)
