by Peter Carlson | Sep 28, 2013 | Listen to Dharma Talks
It’s our custom, after anyone has participated in a retreat, for the next meeting to be devoted to hearing a report about his or her retreat experience. This process of “thinking out loud” about the retreat supports a further integration of the experience, during and after, into their memories, so the insights and skills acquired are more accessible. It also provides insight and inspiration for those of us who were not on the retreat. Brian completed a Korean Zen retreat in the Kwan Um tradition, from last Thursday night to Sunday. His report stimulated some interesting questions and comments among the other sangha members.
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by Peter Carlson | Sep 19, 2013 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Using U Silananda’s commentary on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, Peter described satisampajanna, the Four Clear Comprehensions. This quality of consciousness sets a worthy goal, suitable means for realizing it, monitors the four foundations of mindfulness and cultivates awareness that is free from delusion. During the discussion, several members of the Sangha were able to apply this practice to concrete decisions involving values conflicts.
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by Peter Carlson | Sep 12, 2013 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This is the first of two talks focused on this topic. In this era, money and material possessions seem to have overridden the value of personal relationships and self-care. Peter facilitated a lively discussion of the confusion and distress surrounding the issues involving money. He emphasized the importance of focusing attention on the immediate experience of confusion and inner conflict that results as we make values choices that may or may not involve money. Next week’s meeting will focus on how the application of the concepts and practices of the eightfold path provide support for relieving the confusion and distress.
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by Peter Carlson | Sep 5, 2013 | Listen to Dharma Talks
In this second of two talks focusing on how Buddhist principles and practices can support a balance in the energy required at work and the energy we all want to have at home, Peter emphasized the importance of integrating various strategies into daily work routines in order to avoid the “energy dumps” of resentment, overwork, relationship conflicts and commuting time so that there’s energy available to enj0y home life and find time and energy for spiritual development. Next week’s topic will be how a benevolent lifestyle is manifested around issues of money management and material values.
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by Peter Carlson | Aug 29, 2013 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this first of two talks, Peter and the assembled sangha members discussed the complications that arise in trying to balance work requirements and home life. Peter described two boundary issues: internal boundaries and external boundaries, suggesting that much stress results from the conflicts between the “ideal self”, who’s expected to be able to please all people all the time, both at work and at home. Next week’s discussions will explore how the concepts and practices of the eightfold path can be usefully applied in the dynamic balancing process.
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by Peter Carlson | Aug 23, 2013 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this second talk on a Buddhist way to cultivated benevolent relationship, Peter related the eightfold path to developing the quality of relationships, which he terms “practicing relationship”, from the most simple, as with a checkout clerk at a store, to the most enduring and intimate, as within families. Next week’s topic will be balancing energies between work and home life, as a continuation of Benevolent Lifestyle.
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