by Peter Carlson | Sep 26, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
The real benefits of mindfulness meditation are only realized through commitment; first to daily, diligent mindfulness of breathing (or lovingkindness) meditation, and then to the commitment to integrate the training results of such disciplined practice into daily life routines. During this talk Peter recalled the development of his “Right Livelihood” practice during his 37 years of Buddhist mindfulness and lovingkindness practice supplemented by a repeated commitment: “I’m not going to stop until I have my life set up just the way I want it, no matter what happens…and this means _______” This commitment is aligned with the topic of the recent talk of September 5th, focused on Clear Comprehension as a decision-making process and emphasizes the importance of setting a commitment for “Right Livelihood” through the actions suggested with “…and this means_____”. This description was followed by a lively discussion among those present regarding the potential benefits of applying the suggested commitment.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: The Dharma Of Commitment
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:02:38 — 114.7MB)
by Peter Carlson | Sep 19, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, Peter described how his 1970’s “flower child” interests in environmental health matured through the practice of Buddhist mindfulness meditation. A central focus of attention for the talk was “Voluntary Simplicity”, a book he read by Duane Elgin in the early ’80’s that was a strong inspiration for his current “low carbon footprint” lifestyle and commitment to bringing Buddhist principles and practices to Central Florida. Elgin’s work grew from a powerful meditation experience during a Tibetan Buddhist retreat; his work since then has been an expansion of those insights into the intricate interdependence of the universe and the role of Right Livelihood in realizing that interdependence through a lifestyle informed by an intentional simplification of contemporary life in this consumer culture. The review of voluntary simplicity was followed by a vigorous discussion among those present about how this approach to life is beneficial.
The notes prepared for this discussion have important information related to the talk including a URL of a YouTube interview of Duane Elgin that might be of interest. Here are the notes: Buddhism And Voluntary Simplicity
Here is a copy of the article on voluntary simplicity referred to during the talk: voluntary_simplicity
The focus on various aspects of using mindfulness practices to cope with contemporary societal distress and confusion will continue–the topic for next week’s discussion is not yet determined.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:05:40 — 120.2MB)
by Peter Carlson | Sep 12, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk continues the ongoing exploration of the distress and confusion prevalent in current American society, with a focus on consumerism. Peter described how exposure to commercial advertising even before we learn to read negatively influences our self-identity and values in life. Contemporary research conducted by commercial and political interests is very sophisticated in cultivating craving and clinging regarding material possessions and social status and this creates much distress and confusion for us all, whether we are aware of the conditioning or not. The understanding and application of the Four Noble Truths can be very beneficial in recognizing the manipulation of advertising and cultivating a more stress-resilient lifestyle and provide a secure basis for Buddhist Awakening processes. Consumerism has had significant negative influence on contemporary culture (See previous talks on depression, anxiety and addiction, which are epidemic in our society), as well as a serious and increasingly destructive impact on the earth’s environment through global warming, massive pollution, etc., which creates enormous personal and societal stress. There are ways to personally and socially affect these conditions; the application of them requires the sort of self-inquiry and discipline that mindfulness meditation practice provides.
Peter referred to last week’s talk, posted September 4, that referred to the Four Clear Comprehensions as a useful “decision tree” for setting goals in life that counter the adverse conditioning of consumerism and provide the ways and means for cultivating Right Livelihood. You are invited to contemplate your direct daily experience of dukkha (First Noble Truth) when exposed to commercial advertising and then practice recognizing the craving and clinging embedded within advertising (Second Noble Truth) and train yourself to use Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration to cultivate Right Livelihood (Fourth Noble Truth) and realize liberation from consumerism (Third Noble Truth).
There was discussion among those attending about how daily mindfulness of breathing meditation has been beneficial in overcoming the temptations of consumer culture.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Dukkha And Consumerism
There will be an ongoing series of discussions focusing on various aspects of consumer acculturation such a managing finances, maintaining physical health, cultivating ways to counter social polarization, etc., along with ways that the Four Noble Truths can effectively impact these important lifestyle issues.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:02:19 — 114.1MB)
by Peter Carlson | Sep 5, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Sati Sampajanna (Mindful Clear Comprehension) is a core concept and practice regarding mindfulness of the body in the Satipatthana Sutta, the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourse. It may not be clearly understood that in the Buddhist commentaries on Sati Sampajanna describe the “four clear comprehensions” as a way of living using this formula for setting goals and reaching them, determining: 1-a worthy goal; 2-suitable means for attaining this goal; 3-mindful awareness of the application of suitable means while making appropriate adaptations when circumstances change, and 4- weaving these comprehensive practices into the process of Awakening. During this talk Peter described these four practices in detail and the discussion that followed clarified how these practices and be beneficially applied to the complexities and stresses of contemporary life–a new sort of “decision tree” that is self-aware and capable of assessing and adapting to the changing circumstances and uncertainties we all are confronted with.
This talk is meant to provide a framework for upcoming discussions of the various stressful aspects of contemporary life experiences such as managing strong consumerist conditioning, adapting to global warming, being able to have working relationships with others whose beliefs may counter one’s own, etc. The disciplined application of the Four Clear Comprehensions can be a useful strategy for a less stressful life, providing a foundation for deeper liberation from dukkha.
Apologies for the quality of the recording–technical difficulties necessitated the use of a backup recording that is not of the same clarity.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Understanding Clear Comprehension
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:02:54 — 115.2MB)
by Peter Carlson | Aug 29, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This discussion combines Peter’s 33 year history as a mental health professional, certified as an addictions counselor, combined with 37 years practicing mindfulness meditation. Addiction is described as a behavioral disorder that may or may not include substance dependency, laying out five criteria for a behavior to qualify as addictive, referring to the work of Anne Wilson Schaef that suggests American culture experiences addiction at an epidemic level. Peter also described addiction as a full rendition of Buddhist craving and clinging and as a maladaptive attempt to avoid or dull aversion, with desire as the enticement. The Four Noble Truths concept of Buddhism was reviewed to suggest effective intervention into the addictive process. The practice of mindfulness of breathing meditation is suggested as allowing a person to be aware of and tolerant regarding the urgency of craving and investigating the distorted beliefs that are always associated with an addictive process and then using detachment and renunciation to avoid acting out the addictive routine and instead understanding and modifying the distorted selfing story to address the root causes of the addictive process. Meditation is not the sole resolution of the problems of addiction; the practice is a foundational companion for practices such as the 12 step systems of various recovery groups (Meditation and prayer are step 11 of the 12 steps). The explanation of addiction was followed by discussion among those attending regarding the issues of addiction in the U.S.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Dukkha And Addiction Notes
The next talk will focus on sampajjana, the four clear comprehensions of Buddhist commentary as a valuable tool for understanding and adapting effectively to the complexity of current American culture. Please note that a major hurricane is predicted to pass over the Florida peninsula over the Labor Day weekend and this may postpone the usual meeting and posting for a week or so.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:00 — 109.9MB)
by Peter Carlson | Aug 22, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk describes how craving and clinging generate and sustain depressive thought processes. Peter has used Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy as part of his psychotherapy practice for over 30 years and uses a combination of classical Buddhist concepts and contemporary research on cognition to explain how mindfulness of breathing and lovingkindness practices can be beneficial in overcoming this mental health disturbance, which is epidemic in current American life.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: BUDDHISM AND DEPRESSION
Next week’s talk will focus on Dukkha and Addiction. Peter regards addiction as extending beyond substance abuse to problematic behaviors, that is, maladaptive responses to stressful experience.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:05:18 — 119.6MB)
