by Peter Carlson | Dec 6, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This is the first of a two-part exploration of how cultural stress might have been a contributing instigation for the spiritual masters Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, and Martin Luther, followed next week with the potential for a rebirth of spirituality as a result of the stressful times we live in. Peter described the cultural stresses of ancient India, Palestine, Arabia and Europe as motivation for the deep introspection and creative redefining of spiritual development. Each of these profoundly transforming insights came about as the result of introspective efforts by the above mentioned individuals, who were trying to come to terms with the internal contradictions of the prevalent cultural and religious norms, along with the accompanying wars and other societal upheavals. The radical changes that followed could be conceptualized as a form of rebirth, not of the body but of the culture. These innovations then were codified by the development of the religions that came afterwards, which provided another set of internal bureaucratic contradictions. The current cultural situation is perhaps the most radically stressful period in human history. Peter suggested that this period of time might also produce a revitalization of spiritual/evolutionary development, prompted by the almost total sharing of insights regarding the human condition provided by contemporary scientific research and the direct introspection that mindfulness meditation provides. What is unique about this era is the almost universal research into the history of the various world religions through the medium of the internet, along with neuroscientific research that shows how dedicated meditation practice changes the structures and functions of mind/body processes.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: A Different View Of Rebirth
Next week’s talk will be “A Different View of Rebirth, Part 2”. The focus will be on how important the cultivation of mindfulness will be for the adaptive creativity that will be necessary for human culture to successfully resolve the radical changes prompted by environmental stress, accompanied by economic and societal pressures.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:28 — 108.9MB)
by Peter Carlson | Nov 29, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, Peter described two applications of generosity: material and relational. Different ascending levels of generosity were also explored: miserly, giving-to-get and selfless, along with how the development of mindfulness and lovingkindness naturally advances the level of generosity. The following discussion used a worksheet to list valued possessions and then to investigate how contemplating giving them away would reveal the level of craving and clinging that could be discovered and released through the practice of generosity.
This was followed by a discussion of the worksheet with particular focus on how attached the self can be to objects that have little material value, but the memories associated with them become self-defining and therefore hard to relinquish. Please consider using the worksheet to explore how attachment inflates the sense of self and diminishes the ability to be generous.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: The Benefits Of Generosity Generosity Worksheet
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 58:33 — 107.2MB)
by Peter Carlson | Nov 22, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This guided meditation recording emphasizes the importance of cultivating an embodied experience of gratitude, using a variety of suggested topics for contemplation. It is intended to accompany the previously posted “Awakening With Gratitude November 21 2018” recording, which elaborates and clarifies the various spiritual and psychological benefits of contemplating gratitude on a daily basis, as well as through a formal meditation practice.
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by Peter Carlson | Nov 22, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
It is customary for the Orlando Insight Meditation Group meeting that occurs on Thanksgiving Eve to focus on gratitude. This talk follows the recorded “Awakening Through Gratitude Meditation”, which is posted after this one. During this discussion, Peter elaborated and clarified comments provided during the guided meditation, along with “Positive Psychology” research suggesting the benefits of routinely reflecting gratitude about one’s life experience. This was followed by discussion among those attending the meeting.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Awakening Gratitude
In keeping with the tone of this season, the next meeting’s focus will be on the practice of generosity beyond materialistic considerations.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 52:33 — 96.2MB)
by Peter Carlson | Nov 15, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This is a recording of a guided meditation for overcoming impulsive identification with and acting out from a stimulating situation. It is derived from the teaching of Pema Chodron, a well respected teacher in the Tibetan tradition; she call this the hook. During the meditation, Peter invites students to persistently direct attention to the first sensation noted at the beginning of the in-breath and then the first sensation noted at the beginning of the out-breath. This practice is more beneficial when there is a diligent effort to stay with that formula. Later in the meditation, it is suggested that the quickened ability to go to and identify the initial stages of the hook can be more effective at not identifying with it, thereby creating a quieter and more stable internal experience.
The posting immediately after this describes the discussion that followed the meditation, along with the notes prepared for the talk.
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by Peter Carlson | Nov 15, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk elaborates a concept proposed by Pema Chodron, the well respected Tibetan teacher and author. Shenpa is a Tibetan term which literally means attachment. Pema Chodron has found a useful adaptation of this term, the hook–the impulsive identification with and reaction to an initial stimulus. Peter provides a useful explanation of this term in Theravadin terms as the process of craving and clinging; he finds the hook term to be a convenient and effective way to quickly note and reject the initial thoughts and emotional reactions to a situation, relating this to the term papanca (pah-pahn-chah), the impulsive proliferation of identification and thoughts initiated by a stimulating event. This discussion included suggestions to foster quicker and more precise identification of the hook through a variation of fundamental mindfulness of breathing practice. This was followed by group discussion of how the meditation practice brings benefit to overcoming the hook.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: DISSOLVING THE HOOK
The post immediately before this post is a recording of a guided meditation entitled “Dissolving The Hook Meditation”.
Next week’s meeting will include a guided gratitude meditation followed by a general discussion of how Buddhism integrates with a daily practice of gratitude.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:00 — 82.4MB)
