by Peter Carlson | Jul 17, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This is an introductory training for using this lovingkindness mantra as a foundation for cultivating kindness in one’s heart and projecting this characteristic out to the world:
May I be safe, May I be happy, may I be healthy, may I be content. May I love myself sincerely and with gently patient kindness, just as I am now, no matter what happens.
Here Is the document explaining the concepts and practices associated with cultivating lovingkindness for self and others: LOVINGKINDNESS course packet
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:04 — 84.4MB)
by Peter Carlson | Jul 17, 2020 | Intro to Buddhism & Meditation, Listen to Dharma Talks
This 30 minute meditation provides basic training for practicing mindfulness of breathing meditation.
Here are the notes that explain the practice of mindfulness of breathing meditation: MINDFULNESS OF BREATHING MEDITATION
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:26 — 27.0MB)
by Peter Carlson | Jul 10, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk reviews passadhi bojjhanga (pah-sah-dee bow-jahn-gah), the Tranquility Awakening Factor. This factor is closely cooperative with the remaining two Awakening Factors, Concentration and Equanimity. Tranquility is an antidote for the hindrance of restlessness and worry, and can be experienced with practice as a quality of expansiveness in the mind that is less affected by craving and clinging. During the talk Peter described various meditation practices and lifestyle activities that support the quality of tranquility and further the process of liberation from dukkha, distress and confusion.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: THE TRANQUILITY AWAKENING FACTOR
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:03:23 — 116.1MB)
by Peter Carlson | Jul 10, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This meditation focuses attention on the second of the three characteristics of subjective reality, Dukkha, distress and confusion. You are invited to cultivate anicca, the transitory nature of self-experience through mindfulness of breathing meditation. This awareness is brought to the experience of dukkha to notice the changing nature of distress in the body along with emotional distress. The primary focus of attention in this practice is cultivating an active and investigative quality of attention regarding breath sensations. The goal of the practice is to become detached from the emerging narrative that seems self-defining, thereby draining the impact of distress and bringing clarity to the mind. As this practice matures, the fabricated nature of the selfing process becomes more realizable, supporting liberation from the misconception of an enduring, autonomous self.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:58 — 82.3MB)
by Peter Carlson | Jul 10, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This Meditation contemplates the Awakening Factor of passadhi, tranquility of mind and mental conditioners. During the contemplation, you are invited to investigate the “tight, disturbed” quality of attention that occurs when the mind is caught up in any of the five hindrances, contrasting this experience with the openness and clarity of attention that occurs when the mind is investigating mindfulness of breathing. Tranquility is the antidote for restlessness in the mind and can be noticed in close association with samadhi (concentration) and upekkha (equanimity), the sixth and seventh of the Awakening Factors.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:57 — 82.3MB)
by Peter Carlson | Jul 10, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This meditation trains attention to various areas of sensation ranging from the tip of the nostrils back through the nasal passages, then the passage down to the back of the roof of the mouth, sensitized to whatever might be noticed in those areas. Attention continues to scan forward on the roof of the mouth to the gum line and teeth, investigating sensations in those areas. The practice continues with moving investigating attention to the lower teeth and gums, then the lower jaw. Finally, attention is directed to include the lower and upper lip areas, with attention focused eventually on the areas just below the entries to the nostrils. The goal of this exercise is to cultivate investigative awareness and stabilize attention away from any internal mental narratives, to increase skills necessary for vipassana, insight into the basic characteristics of self-awareness.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 50:11 — 91.9MB)
