by Peter Carlson | Nov 8, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk explores how our approaches to nutrition can have a negative impact on the environment, using the Bodhisattva Vow and the Four Noble Truths as ways to approach environmental responsibility. Regarding the Four Noble Truths, Dukkha awareness comes from contemplating the environmental and personal suffering that arises as a result of craving and clinging to consumer oriented advertising. Liberation from World Dukkha is realized through mindful and compassionate approaches to nutrition, supported by the principles and practices of the Noble Eightfold Path.
The explanation was followed by discussion among those attending about their observations of environmental and social Dukkha and what they can do as individuals to affect beneficial changes in their limited sphere of influence.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Be A Bodhisattva For The World
Next week’s discussion will explore the Tibetan concept of shenpa, designated by Pema Chodron as “the hook“, and ways to heighten awareness of being “hooked” and not identify with the enchantment that is involved.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:02:56 — 115.2MB)
by Peter Carlson | Nov 1, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk explored the addictive aspects of contemporary consumer culture and what the principles and practices of the Four Noble Truths has to offer in addressing these problems, personally and socially. As a Certified Addictions Professional, Peter discussed addictive processes as manifestations of craving and clinging, the essential characteristic of the First and Second Noble Truths. During the discussion, Peter described the strongly irritating nervous energy that permeated his body for much of the prior 45 minute meditation as an example of being directly aware of dukkha, the urgent aversion to the experience and the practice of mindful discarding of any clinging to ending the sitting practice as a way to overcome distress and confusion, creating serenity and minimizing the likelihood of any maladaptive addictive avoidance. He also related mindfulness meditation as supporting the intention of the 11th Step of AA and other recovery movements.
This was followed by discussion of the issues of an addictive culture and appropriate self care. One participant quoted an excerpt from Refuge Recovery (a contemporary Buddhist alternative to 12 step groups) views about addiction that is similar to what the current discussion addressed.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: BUDDHISM AND ADDICTION NOTES
Next week’s talk will focus on how contemporary eating habits affect one’s personal well-being as well as how the increasingly destructive agribusiness practices are harming the environment. The emphasis of the talk will be on how the Four Noble Truths principles and practices can be applied to “wise eating”, having compassion for oneself as well as the environment.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:07:26 — 123.5MB)
by Peter Carlson | Oct 25, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
The internet has had a revolutionary impact on contemporary culture, including the study and practice of Buddhism. During this talk, Peter described the benefits and deficits of the internet and all that is available through the system: social media, streaming from websites, emails, twitter, etc. We all benefit from the ready access available to new scholarly insights regarding Buddhist history and doctrine and a myriad of .mp3 recordings of Dharma talks. However, the nature of the way media is structured and presented fosters craving and clinging processes similar to addiction. Peter used the structure of the Four Noble Truths to invite investigation of the nature of dukkha prior to and during exposure to what the internet offers, then to further investigate the nature of craving and clinging, the Second Noble Truth that is fostered by deeply applying the Noble Eightfold Path to the experience; this provides opportunities to not feel compelled to engage in the internet beyond reasonability, thereby creating opportunities to realize the mundane aspects of the Third Noble Truth. The participants in the meeting engaged in dialogue following the presentation.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: MINDFULNESS AND THE MEDIA
Next week’s topic will follow upon the issues raised in this talk, that is, how the Four Noble Truths concepts and practices can bring relief from addiction.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:03:52 — 116.9MB)
by Peter Carlson | Oct 18, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk extends previous discussions regarding the application of the Four Noble Truths doctrine to the complex environmental degradation experienced by this and future generations. This talk considered both the “cultural karma” of the industrial and consumer eras and the individual responsibility we all are faced with in deciding how to live in the world. The Noble Eightfold Path provides practical suggestions for addressing these concerns; after descriptions were provided, participants talked about their concerns and possible lifestyle changes to address this problem. “As difficult as it seems to be, we can only change the world one person at a time”.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Interdependence With The Environment
Next week’s topic will focus on the Four Noble Truths and the media.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:01:53 — 113.3MB)
by Peter Carlson | Oct 11, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
A significant area of stress in contemporary civic life is political conflict. This is not an easy topic to deal with, and has no “solution” as political matters are complex and are continuously evolving. The intention of this discussion is to foster ways of transforming the conflicts of political differences into “grist for the mill” of spiritual development.
During this talk, Peter used the conceptual and practical structure of the Four Noble Truths outlined in the two previous week’s postings to discuss ways to manage interpersonal conflict regarding politics. Participants were encouraged to investigate the physical, emotional and mental symptoms of stress as dukkha. They were then invited to be mindful of how attached he or she might be to a particular view and how easy it is to become caught in a need to “convert” the other person to their view without compassion or deeper understanding. The appropriate applications of the Noble Eightfold Path were included in discussing strategies for overcoming rigid self-righteousness in dialogue.
During the accompanying group discussions, Peter pointed out examples of heightened agitation among the participants when talking about “the others” regarding political views of climate change denial, etc., and invited mindful investigation of craving and clinging in the room.
Here are the notes prepared for this discussion: Mindfulness and Political Conflict
Next week’s discussion will use the Four Noble Truths structure to explore how to manage ecological and global warming distress and confusion, not from a political perspective, but as a form of “Right Livelihood” practice.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:06:40 — 122.1MB)
by Peter Carlson | Oct 4, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This is the second of a series of talks that explore how to apply the principles and practices of the Four Noble Truths to the extraordinary cultural stresses we experience these days. The specific focus of this talk is a review of the Noble Eightfold Path.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: The Eightfold Path In The World Of Today
Next week’s talk will explore the how to contextualize the Four Noble Truths relative to the current political controversies with the intention to develop Wisdom, that is, Right Understanding and Right Intention, to manage the internal and interpersonal conflicts that confront contemporary civil society.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:26 — 99.7MB)
