by Peter Carlson | Feb 14, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This is the first of a series of discussions describing the cetasikas, those factors that condition the selfing process. In the context of the Anapanasati Sutta, investigating and calming the mind conditioners are two of the sixteen stages in the process of Awakening and are preceded by breath awareness that relaxes the body and calms the mind, reviewed in previous discussions. This talk reviews the first 13 cetasikas. They are termed “Universal” and “Occasional” mind conditioners, which are considered as ethically neutral or malleable in their function, meaning that their self-manifestation depends upon whether they are accompanied by Wholesome or Unwholesome cetasikas. The Universal cetasikas participate in every moment of self-formation, and the Occasional cetasikas occur predominantly but not always, and are conditioned by internal mental processes. The cetasikas were described in detail and this was followed by general discussion regarding how they can be mindfully recognized and “calmed” through the practice of mindfulness of breathing.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Factors That Condition The Mind
Next week’s discussion will focus on the first of the Unwholesome Mind Conditioners which appear in every moment of distress and confusion (Buddhism terms this experience as dukkha).
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by Peter Carlson | Feb 7, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
The last several talks investigated how the cultivation of anapanasati, mindfulness of breathing, creates the mental and emotional circumstances allowing for the onset of vipassana practice, that is, the ongoing observation of the ever-changing mental processes that constitute what we call a “self”. The identification with this emergent “selfing” process creates distress and confusion, as the fabrication process cannot reliably reflect the most appropriate understanding of and response to ever-changing life circumstances. During this talk, Peter describe the cetasikas conceptual structure as a way to understand the selfing process as made up through the action of sankharas (mental conditioning factors), which are “stored” through the combined manifestation of multiple elements stored in various cetasikas. This explanation was followed by discussion among those attending to clarify the concepts, in preparation for more detailed discussions of the cetasikas in the following weeks.
Here are the notes prepared for this discussion: Calming The Mental Formations
Next week’s discussions will cover the beginning cetasikas categories of Universal Cetasikas and Occasional Cetasikas.
by Peter Carlson | Jan 31, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk focuses on how persistent investigation of the breath frees up “mental energy” from the hindrances, thereby releasing subjective awareness of piti (joy) and sukha (happiness). After describing the classical Buddhist definitions of these qualities of awareness, Peter discussed the characteristic of piti as an enthusiastic engagement of investigative awareness regarding what is emerging into consciousness and of sukha as a feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment. These qualities are supportive of vipassana, the investigation of the three characteristics of Buddhism; impermanence, the absence of an enduring and autonomous self and the distress and confusion that results from craving and clinging to a false view of self.
This was followed by discussion of how the experience of joy and happiness manifests among the participants in the meeting.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Mindfulness of Breathing and Joie de Vivre.doc
The topic for next week begins a series of discussions of how mindfulness of breathing cultivates more clear awareness of the practice of vipassana through analyzing the categories of the mind conditioners called cetasikas. The discussions elaborate on these stanzas from the Anapanasati Sutta (translation by Gil Fronsdal):
He trains himself, ‘I will breath in experiencing mental formation.’
He trains himself, ‘I will breath out experiencing mental formation.’
He trains himself, ‘I will breath in calming the mental formation.’
He trains himself, ‘I will breath out calming the mental formation.’
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by Peter Carlson | Jan 24, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk continues exploration of the Anapanasati Sutta, the Mindfulness of Breathing Discourse, with specific focus on the 3rd and 4th stanzas, describing how cultivating breath awareness integrated with full body awareness through a variety of methods, fosters tranquility in the body. Peter emphasized that a goal of these two of the sixteen steps in the sutta is to be able to cultivate alert physical relaxation in order to clearly discern the difference between sensory awareness and how the mind creates fundamental misperception, the fabrication of an enduring and autonomous self. In the process of Awakening, there is a stage called namarupa, with nama meaning what the mind creates and rupa meaning the unprocessed sensory data we all experience. As one’s practice matures through the remaining 12 steps of the 16 step anapanasati process, the focus of attention is increasingly on the three basic characteristics, as described by Buddhism: anicca (impermanence), dukkha (distress and confusion) and anatta (the absence of and enduring and autonomous self). Full awareness of this leads to full Awakening through deconstructing the view of an enduring and autonomous self.
The explanatory talk was followed by a lively discussion among the participants regarding the benefits of cultivating tranquility in the body.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Cultivating Breath Body Tranquility
Here is a copy of the Anapanasati Sutta, translated by Gil Fronsdal, that was posted earlier in the series of discussions: Anapanasati Sutta Fronsdal
Next week’s topic will be focused on how mindfulness of breathing cultivates piti (joy) and sukkha (satisfaction) in stanzas 5 and 6.
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by Peter Carlson | Jan 17, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This is the second of a series of talks reviewing the Anapanasati Sutta, the Mindfulness of Breathing Discourse. The first two of the 16 steps in the process of observing the breath involve the application of atapi, a Pali word translated as diligent, or often as ardent. This entails a persistent, committed application of vitakka and vicara, aiming attention at the beginning of the breath and sustaining attention for the duration of the breath. This basic function, when practiced diligently, matures into one of the Seven Awakening Factors, Dhamma Vicaya, Investigation of Mental Phenomena. During the talk Peter also made suggestions to support the level of practice called acquiring the breath, which is the ability to maintain consistent focus on the breath for extended undistracted periods of time while meditating and also integrating mindfulness of breathing into normal daily routines. These skills set the conditions that promote achieving the remaining 14 of the 16 stages of Awakening through the practice of anapanasati. This was followed by general discussion about the individual practices of mindfulness of breathing practiced by those at the meeting.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: NOTES FOR ACQUIRING THE BREATH
Next week’s discussion focuses on using acquired breath awareness to become increasingly mindful of sensations throughout the body, the third and fourth stanzas of the Anapanasati Sutta.
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by Peter Carlson | Jan 10, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This is the first of a series of talks about the Anapanasati Sutta, the Mindfulness of Breathing Discourse, MN118. Mindfulness of breathing is reportedly the meditation practice that Siddhattha Gotama used in achieving Awakening to become the Buddha over 25 centuries ago. It remains the most widely practiced meditation in the Buddhist traditions. During this talk, Peter described the setting and structure of the Sutta which contains 16 steps or stages leading to Awakening. Future talks will focus more deeply into each of the 16 steps, emphasizing ways of understanding and applying each of the steps while meditating.
The explanation was followed by discussion among various participants who had some retreat practice regarding mindfulness of breathing, noting what they were able to experience.
Here are the notes prepared for the talk: The Anapanasati Teachings
Here is a copy of the Anapanasati Sutta translated by Gil Fronsdal: Anapanasati Sutta Fronsdal
Next week’s talk will cover Steps 1-4 of the 16 mentioned in the Sutta.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:17 — 99.4MB)
