by Peter Carlson | Jan 30, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk focuses on the third topic of a series on the Three Characteristics: Anicca, Dukkha and Anatta. Dukkha is the manifestation of craving and clinging to the misconception that there is an enduring and autonomous self. This topical focus is represented by the first of the Four Noble Truths and reflects the fundamental characteristics of Dukkha: the distress that comes with inhabiting a body, the transient nature of reality and the confusion that is manifested by sankhara, (Those factors which condition one’s subjective experience, producing the illusion of an enduring and autonomous self). Peter then emphasized the importance of direct experiential awareness of Dukkha from a perspective of dispassionate investigation to reveal the actions of sankhara and deconstruct the self. This was followed by interested discussion regarding how to use vipassana practice to investigate and awaken from the influence of craving and clinging, thereby reducing Dukkha.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Working With Dukkha
The focus of next week’s talk will be an in-depth exploration of tanha, translated as craving for pleasant experience or for unpleasant experience to be avoided or eliminated.
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by Peter Carlson | Jan 16, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This is the first of three talks exploring tilakkhana, the three basic characteristics of our subjective world, Anicca, Dukkha and Anatta. Tonight’s focus is on Anicca, the impermanent and transitory nature of reality. Impermanence occurs in two ways: externally, through the naturally transitory functions of organic and inorganic processes and internally, through one’s ongoing subjective […]
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by Peter Carlson | Jan 9, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
It is customary for retreatants in this Sangha to have the opportunity to report on their retreat experience as this helps integrate the insights realized during the retreat more clearly in awareness. Peter described the structure of his recent two-week self-retreat. During the retreat he hoped to cultivate deep samadhi to cultivate the potential for […]
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by Peter Carlson | Jan 7, 2020 | Compassionate Action, News
I have known Andy Quinn for 25 years or more; I introduced him to mindfulness of breathing meditation and he is now the founding teacher for the Lakeland Meditation Group. Andy has registered for a one month retreat later this year at the Forest Refuge, an important meditation center where I have practiced long retreats within before. He and his wife are putting a daughter through college and it is stretching their budget for him to go to this retreat. He created a GoFundMe page to support this spiritual practice and my wife Paula and I have contributed $100 to support his efforts–May the merits of his practice benefit everyone he meets! If you know Andy and want to contribute to his spiritual development and the advancement of the Lakeland Sangha, please consider a contribution. Here is the URL to the GoFundMe website: https://www.gofundme.com/f/andy-quinn-long-meditation-retreat-2020
I wish you well. Peter
by Peter Carlson | Dec 12, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This is the last talk of 2019 as Peter begins his year-end two-week self retreat December 13. During the talk, Peter described the early context of Christmas and the season associated with the Winter Solstice, the shortest and often among the coldest days of the year in the northern hemisphere–a time of reflection, companionship and renewal. This intention has been significantly altered by American consumerism and this has inspired Peter to dedicate this period of time towards the gift of meditation in an attempt to create a contemporary effort towards renewal. Participants were invited to contemplate interactions with others and the festivities that occur through the lens of the Four Noble Truths as an effort to cultivate more clarity regarding the potential of the season for kindness, compassion, generosity and tolerance. This was followed by general discussion about the current status of the holiday season and what those at the meeting might do to integrate mindfulness into their experience.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Four Noble Truths And The Holidays
The next talk will be on Wednesday January 8, as the first Wednesday is New Year’s day; there is likely to be an opportunity to sit together on that evening, but there will not be a talk. The focus of the January 8th talk will be on the insights derived from the just finished retreat.
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