by Peter Carlson | Apr 28, 2023 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This recording provides support for enhancing the ability to focus attention persistently with increasing clarity on the sensations noticeable practicing mindfulness of breathing meditation. This focused investigative awareness begins at the rim of the nostrils, moving attention systematically up through the interior of the nose to the tube extending down to the uvula, the fleshy appendage at the back of the roof of the mouth, then forward across the roof of the mouth to investigate the changing sensations noticeable at the gums and teeth as the air swirls around with every breath. Finally, you can cultivate clear awareness of the sensations in the flesh of the upper lip. This routine of investigative awareness keeps interest alive and penetrates into the depths of sensations available in these areas, thereby increasing concentration.
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by April Koester | Apr 27, 2023 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Guided Meditation for Mindfulness of the Mind
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by April Koester | Apr 27, 2023 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Allie Vaknin discusses the meaning and implications behind the First Noble Truth. Deepening one’s understanding of the first truth is essential for understanding the subsequent truths, which collectively represent the Buddha’s core teachings. As a Counselor Intern, Allie also draws from her experiences in counseling and weave in relevant concepts that resonate with the First Noble Truth. She loves dialogue, so she makes room for discussions throughout, in order to explore how these concepts relate to our sangha members’ own experiences.
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by April Koester | Apr 27, 2023 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Lezlie Laws gives us background on the historical period that shaped the Buddha’s early life up to the point of his Enlightenment in 528 BCE. She reviews the predominant characteristics of what is now called the “Axial Age” and show how this unique time in history created a context for the Buddha to shun the political life that was planned for him and to take up the life of a “renouncer,” a spiritual seeker. By examining his early life, we see how his core teachings were taking form in his mind long before he became one of the most influential spiritual teachers of his age.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Buddha’s Early Life
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by Peter Carlson | Apr 6, 2023 | Listen to Dharma Talks, Study Resources
This talk focuses on reviewing some of my personal collection of Dharma books, divided into various categories. This recording provides my comments about the books, and the accompanying notes provide specific titles and suggestions for either purchasing copies or downloading free .pdf eBook copies from various sources. Progress on the path to Awakening requires both studying the books and diligently practicing the various meditative techniques, and i hope these offering are helpful for that integrative effort.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Buddhist Studies Resources
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by Peter Carlson | Mar 30, 2023 | Listen to Dharma Talks
A core concept within Buddhist psychology is sunnata, translated as emptiness; this talk reviews this often mystified and misunderstood aspect of Buddhist doctrine. Early Buddhist schools emphasized that sunnata is synonymous with anatta, the absence of an enduring/autonomous self. Later, the Mahayana teachers emphasized that sunnata applies to everything in the universe, building on the doctrine of interdependence. Contemporary psychological and sociological research has validated the concept of emptiness.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Understanding Buddhist Emptiness
The topic for next week’s talk will be focused on the general areas of research that suggest the benefits of Buddhist meditation practices in terms of mental health and other life skills, such as financial management, relationship enhancement, etc.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:01:05 — 55.9MB)
