by Peter Carlson | Oct 10, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
The theme of previous talks has been reviewing how Buddhist principles and practices can be beneficially applied to the extraordinary stresses of contemporary life. The current political conflict in the U.S. warrants a review of how mindfulness can bring clear awareness and equanimity to our social interactions which seem to be conflicted by the larger issues of partisanship as political propaganda influences us through negativity bias and confirmation bias. These biases create a divisiveness that is distorting and impeding our democratic process. Peter emphasized that we all live our lives in a relatively small “circle of influence” and how the contentiousness prevalent in Washington D.C., conveyed through the ever-present impact of mass media, intrudes on our more important social, workplace and familial relationships in distressing ways. He described recent research that proposes a focus on psychological liberalism and psychological conservatism and suggests that politically liberal people can be psychologically conservative as well as liberal, and that politically conservative people can be psychologically liberal as well as conservative. The regular practice of mindfulness and lovingkindness meditation can bring clarity and equanimity as we experience mindful investigation of mental processes and these practices can significantly reduce the distress and confusion that result from these circumstances. The clarity and equanimity supports a more creative process that can overcome the systemic disturbances that afflict current life and sets the conditions for Buddhist liberation. The explanations were followed by participant discussion regarding how mindfulness practice has benefited meditation practitioners in coping with political conflict.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: The Dharma And Political Conflict
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:56 — 111.6MB)
by Peter Carlson | Oct 3, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
The essence of social cohesion is manifested through interpersonal communication. The impact of the ever-present media of this era causes distress and confusion among individuals as cultural leaders and those who comment on them exaggerate and distort what is occurring–this is commonly termed “fake news”. This phenomenon is not just expressed by populist political leaders; it is also embedded in the oppositional commentary in the mass media. For the vast majority of us, divisiveness and interpersonal conflict intrude on our attempts to cultivate harmony in our relationships–in families, business relationships, among friends and with others whose differences in skin color, country of origin or religious conviction are different. Because of the stresses of increased world population, ecological crisis and the migration of war and terror refugees, we are confronted with the challenge of finding ways to relate to others with a sense of kindness, compassion and charity, even with those who have radically different perceptions and intentions. During the talk Buddhist principles and practices related to Right Speech were described and related to what modern psychological and sociological insights have to offer regarding skillful use of listening and respectful speech to negotiate the new social norms required in a diverse cultural setting. This review was followed by discussion of applications of Right Speech in the lives of those attending.
Here are the notes prepared for this evening’s talk: Wholesome Speech In Trying Times
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:03:01 — 115.4MB)
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)
