by Peter Carlson | Sep 17, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This meditation focuses on the first two of the listed “Universal Wholesome Cetasikas”, Confidence and Mindfulness, in the complete list of 52 cetasikas found in Buddhist commentaries. The emphasis during this training exercise is on diligent and persistently mindful attention focused on the sensations noticed while practicing mindfulness of breathing meditation. The commentaries state that when mindfulness is present in each moment of self-formation, there will be no dukkha, that is, no distress and confusion. It is suggested that each time the attention becomes “enchanted” with a thought process through craving and clinging, intentionally becoming mindful of that process as impersonal and conditional will intervene in the craving and clinging. This intervention, combined with redirecting attention back to the breath sensations, will release the mind from dukkha. As this practice becomes more repeatable and routine over time, the wholesome cetasika of confidence will be strengthened, with great benefit. This meditation is intended to accompany studying the talk entitled “Mindfulness and Confidence”, recorded the same day, after this meditation.
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by Peter Carlson | Sep 11, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk reviews the last of the Unwholesome Cetasikas, those mind conditioners that are associated with dukkha, distress and confusion. The three reviewed here are sloth, torpor and doubt. Sloth and Torpor, among the five hindrances, conditions the mind towards dullness, drowsiness and inattention. Peter reviews the characteristics of these conditioners and how they can be investigated and set aside. Doubt is another of the five hindrances, typically rendered as skeptical doubt. This manifests as indecisiveness, mental immobility, and is the opposite of the first of the Universal Wholesome Conditioners, which will be one of the cetasikas reviewed during the next talk, along with mindfulness. The talk is followed by extensive discussion among those participating in the Zoom meeting regarding these cetasikas. A part of the conversation includes a overview about the potential for the upcoming retreat with Shaila Catherine, scheduled for December 5-12 at the Franciscan Center in Tampa; there is discussion regarding how the retreat might be conducted in a safe manner, provided that the pandemic conditions are not strongly impacting regional social conditions.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Overcoming Dullness And Doubt
Next week will begin reviews of the Universal Wholesome Cetasikas, those factors that participate in the conditioning of each moment of self-experience that is free from Dukkha, distress and confusion.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:15:36 — 138.4MB)
by Peter Carlson | Sep 11, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This guided meditation focuses on cultivating alertness in the mind to counter the hindrance of sloth/torpor, a persistent state of dullness and disengaged attention in the mind. During the meditation, various suggestions are provided to foster persistent curiosity about the changing sensations in the breathing cycle. When this process is stabilized, expanding focus to areas of the nose and face nearby can add to the levels of alertness. This meditation is intended to accompany the Dharma talk focusing on setting aside the hindrances of sloth/torpor and skeptical doubt.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:57 — 82.3MB)
by Peter Carlson | Sep 4, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk continues a reviewing of the 52 cetasikas, conditioning factors of the mind; the focus of this talk is on four of the occasional or particular cetasikas, which only appear when circumstances permit. They are: aversion/ill-will, envy/jealousy, stinginess/hoarding and regret/worry. The characteristics of each of these mind conditioning categories is reviewed along with suggestions for countering their impact. The descriptions of these cetasikas is followed by discussion among those attending.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Working With Aversion
Here is a chart listing all 52 cetasikas: CETASIKAS POSTER
Next week’s talk will finish the review of the Unwholesome Cetasikas, focusing on sloth, torpor and skeptical doubt.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:02:06 — 113.7MB)
by Peter Carlson | Sep 4, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this meditation you will be provided with suggestions for using the neutrality of breath awareness to notice the physical characteristics of aversion and relate to the unpleasantness with calmness and equanimity, disregarding whatever the mind creates to reject the experience. This trains the mind to be aware of aversion in its many forms without being overwhelmed and controlled. Another option for countering the effects of aversion is mentioned, the cultivation of metta, lovingkindness and karuna, compassion.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:08 — 82.6MB)
by Peter Carlson | Aug 27, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This is another in a series of reviews of the cetasikas, categories within which are found those factors that condition the mind. The topic for this talk focuses on three of the Unwholesome Particular Cetasikas: Desire, Wrong View and Conceit. Each of the cetasikas is reviewed regarding their characteristics described in classic Buddhist commentaries, along with how they associate with others of the unwholesome cetasikas to create distress and confusion in the mind–dukkha. Desire is described as the effect of Ignorance (The chief unwholesome cetasika) on pleasant feeling, which becomes craving. Wrong View, when combined with Delusion (synonymous with Ignorance), becomes clinging, and these two creates a false view–of an enduring, autonomous self. This manifests Conceit, which is the self-centeredness that is the result of craving and clinging, that is, dukkha. These conditions are described in the context of current social unrest and ecological irresponsibility, using contemporary psychological research and terminology. Antidotes for these mind conditioning functions are also suggested during the talk.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: The Unwholesomeness of Desire
The talk next week will focus on three more of the Unwholesome Particular Cetasikas, Aversion, Envy and Stinginess.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:03:38 — 116.5MB)