by Peter Carlson | Nov 17, 2017 | Listen to Dharma Talks
An important factor in developing the process of awareness is to live a balanced and serene life. During recent posts, Peter emphasized various psychological dysfunctions that hinder this development, and recent posts described how the Dharma can address addictions and relationships. This week’s talk describes a system originating in Alcoholics Anonymous called the 12 steps, which has been used extensively by other “anonymous” organizations over the years. A core aspect of the 12 steps is the acknowledgement of a “Higher Power” for recovery, which may or may not involve an acceptance of the traditional God. Peter disclosed his view of a Higher Power is the Four Noble Truths. Peter is a Certified Addictions Professional as well as a psychotherapist and has worked with many people struggling with the various manifestations of addiction. As a result, he has recognized the congruence between the 12 steps and Buddhist principles and practices. He and another Sangha member, Mitch Sullen, talked about their understanding of each of the 12 steps, compared with Buddhist principles and practices. Peter suggested that the addiction that brings someone to AA, for example, is the “ticket into cultivating serenity in one’s life”, as the absence of serenity (often due to an unaddressed psychological problem such as depression) is what supports addictive behaviors and the vulnerability to relapse. An emphasis was placed on the 11th step, which focuses on daily meditation and prayer to develop persistent self awareness and self discipline for a serene life and how the 12th step commitment to service has similarities to the Bodhisattva Vow. This commentary was followed by discussion among those attending the meeting regarding this topic.
Here are the notes Peter prepared for this talk: THE DHARMA AND THE 12 STEPS
Next week’s meeting is on Thanksgiving Eve. Following the established routine, the discussion will focus on the value of gratitude for well-being and spiritual development.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:09:05 — 126.5MB)
by Peter Carlson | Nov 9, 2017 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Two weeks ago, the posting focused on Addictions and the Dharma; last week’s focus was on Relationships and the Dharma. It seems reasonable to discuss how addictions affect relationships in the form of codependency. Peter, who is a Certified Addictions Professional, described the history and dynamics of codependency, followed by how Buddhist principles and practices, particularly craving and clinging can help to understand codependent roles, and how mindfulness practices can interrupt the codependent relationship patterns through increased self-awareness and self-discipline.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Codependency And The Dharma
Next week’s discussion will focus on the congruence of the 12 step concept from Alcoholics Anonymous and other self-help groups and Buddhist principles and practices.
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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:03:14 — 115.8MB)
by Peter Carlson | Nov 2, 2017 | Listen to Dharma Talks
In the Upaddha Sutta, the Buddha explains to his attendant Ananda the crucial importance of relationship for realizing the Four Noble Truths (the quote is found in the notes attached to this posting). Modern psychological research validates this belief–we are inherently social animals and co-create each other through our interpersonal exchanges. the concepts are described during the discussion, connecting the Buddhist principles of virtuous relationship and the discipline of mindfulness of breathing meditation in the process of awakening–this could be called “Right Relationship”. The explanation was followed by discussion on how different applications of “kalyana mitta” (spiritual friendship) can become part of daily relationship experiences.
Here are the notes prepared for this discussion: BUDDHISM AND RELATIONSHIP NOTES
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:02:37 — 114.6MB)
by Peter Carlson | Oct 26, 2017 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk continues the exploration of how Buddhist principles and practices can benefit mental health, in this case, addiction. Peter is a Certified Addictions Professional as well as a psychotherapist, therefore he presented a view of the nature of addiction that focuses, not on the clinical diagnostic criteria, but an analysis of how any behavior can become addictive according to five conditions (listed in the document posted below). This was related to the process of craving and clinging, a fundamental aspect of Buddhism. This description was followed by discussion regarding the nature of addiction and how the Noble Eightfold Path can be of benefit for preventing addictive relapse.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: BUDDHISM AND ADDICTION NOTES
Next week’s topic will address how Buddhist principles and practices enhance the functionality of interpersonal relationships.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:57 — 111.6MB)
by Peter Carlson | Oct 19, 2017 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This week’s discussion continues to explore the benefits of Buddhist psychology and mental health. Peter began the talk by reading an article on PTSD and the aftereffects of the war in Iraq to demonstrate the currency of this problem in our culture. He described the symptoms of PTSD and how the brain is changed in structure and function by unresolved trauma. This was followed by describing how regular practice of mindfulness meditation has been shown to beneficially change the structures and functions of the same brain areas adversely affected by trauma. Peter related the problems of PTSD and how the resolutions are associated with the Noble Eightfold Path. Clinically valid interventions for PTSD, such as Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy and mindfulness combined with Exposure Therapy were described.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: PTSD and the Dharma
Next weeks talk will focus on the relationship between addiction recovery and mindfulness meditation.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:03:24 — 116.1MB)
by Peter Carlson | Oct 12, 2017 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Mike Maldonado recently completed a one week retreat focused on the Brahma Viharas (Divine Abodes), that is, metta (lovingkindness), karuna, (compassion), mudita, (appreciative joy) and upekkha, (equanimity) at the Southern Dharma Center in North Carolina. The retreat was led by DaeJa Napier, a very well respected dharma practitioner. Mike talked about his experience during the retreat, including the facilities and schedule. He focused on how DaeJa described practical ways to realize the spiritual potential of the Brahma Viharas.
Next week’s discussion focuses on how Buddhist principles and practices can help in understanding the nature of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as an extreme example of craving and clinging, along with ways to benefit from regular mindfulness and lovingkindness meditation practices.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:01:10 — 112.0MB)
