by Peter Carlson | May 11, 2023 | Listen to Dharma Talks
The Third Noble Truth describes the fundamental intention and goal of Buddhist principles and practices–the release from the bonds of craving and clinging–total and direct knowledge that there is no enduring, autonomous self. This talk reviews how concentration–samadhi– and investigation–vipassana–lead to a progression of insights that are recognizable on the path towards Awakening.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Reviewing the Third Noble Truth
The next talk will provide an overview of the Fourth Noble Truth–The Noble Eightfold Path–with an emphasis on the first of the eight concepts, Right Understanding.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:03:39 — 58.3MB)
by Peter Carlson | May 4, 2023 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This review of the Second Noble Truth is presented by Lili Fernandez, one of the teachers who are being introduced to the Orlando Insight Meditation Group. During this talk Lili describes the characteristics of craving and clinging, the two interactive elements that create the experience of dukkha, the First Noble Truth. She also describes how cultivating mindfulness of breathing meditation can provide relief from craving and clinging using examples from her experiences as the mother of two preschool boys.
The topic for the next talk will be a review of the Third Noble Truth, which is the process of Awakening from dukkha, and will be presented by Peter Carlson.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 50:49 — 46.5MB)
by Peter Carlson | Apr 28, 2023 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk reviews a just completed 12 day self-retreat that focused on cultivating strong and persistent levels of focused intention in order to realized the potential of experiencing nimitta, mental phenomena that emerge in consciousness when the mind is almost entirely free of distraction. Nimitta experience is preliminary to entering into jhana, highly purifying states of mind that are characteristic of the traditional Theravada Buddhist approach to Awakening. Peter provides a detailed description of the meditative procedures that produce these mental phenomena, which he was able to directly know during the retreat.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Peter’s April 2023 Retreat Report
A recording of the guided meditation that preceded this talk can be found in the Audio tab under the Guided Meditations tab, entitled “Guided Diligent Mindful Clear Comprehension Meditation”. The guided meditation is intended to provide additional support for understanding the practices described in this talk.
The focus for next week’s talk will be on the Second Noble Truth, the cause of dukkha, presented by Lili Fernandez.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:03:10 — 57.8MB)
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.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:01 — 41.2MB)
by April Koester | Apr 27, 2023 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Guided Meditation for Mindfulness of the Mind
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (35.6MB)
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.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (56.2MB)
