by Peter Carlson | Dec 15, 2016 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk summarizes the series of of explorations of Buddhist psychology with discussion about what are called “The Progressions of Insight”, which describe observable mental experiences that show progress in the the process of liberation from distress and confusion, known as dukkha. The process culminates with the experience of nirvana, the unconditioned flow of experience. This talk was followed by discussion about how these progressive insights can be realized through meditation practice integrated into daily life routines.
Here are the notes prepared for this discussion: THE AWAKENING PROCESS
Peter will be on retreat for the rest of December, so the next meeting will be January 4, 2017, at which time he will review what was beneficial for the awakening process. During the time he on retreat, the recorded Dharma talks from the weeklong retreat in February of 2016 will be posted in sequential order.
May everyone enjoy a safe and peaceful holiday season.
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by Peter Carlson | Dec 8, 2016 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This is the last talk that focuses on the mind conditioners called the cetasikas. The Topic is the last of the cetasikas, Right Understanding, frequently termed Wisdom. The previous wholesome cetasikas were briefly reviewed to provide a conceptual context for understanding how wisdom matures as the wholesome mind conditioners are diligently practiced. During the talk, Peter described a commentarial consideration, that the Noble Eightfold Path begins with conceptual understanding, then, through diligent meditation practice and integration into daily life routines, matures into what is termed the Noble Tenfold Path, adding Right Insight and Right Liberation. This increased ability to cultivate wholesome self-state organizations makes the concepts real, that is, there is direct experiential awareness of the validity of the concepts. This is the process of Awakening. The explanation was followed by discussion during which the ways the people in the meeting realized “small “a” awakening, a gradual liberation from dukkha, that is, distress and confusion.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: the-realization-of-the-wisdom-cetasika
Next week’s discussion will explore the process of Awakening, referring to what are called “The contemplations of insight”. That meeting will be the last of the calendar year, as Peter will begin his annual year-end 2 week self-retreat on December 16.
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by Peter Carlson | Dec 1, 2016 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk focused on the mind conditioners associated with virtue, that is, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Compassion and Sympathetic Joy. The maturing of the wholesome cetasikas presents the virtues of the Noble Eightfold Path as being organized through the shift from being virtuous “because I’m supposed to” towards virtue manifesting “effortlessly” and authentically. As the wholesome functions of the mind become more effective, the natural expression of compassion and sympathetic joy/generosity emerges, associated with Right Speech, Action and Livelihood. The explanation was followed by interested participation by those at the meeting in reflecting on how these manifestations are realized through regular, diligent mindfulness meditation practice.
Next week’s talk will finalize the discussion of the cetasikas with a review of Right Understanding. The approach will be similar in describing the association between increasing the functionality of the wholesome cetasikas to make Right Understanding realized, that is, to be understood experientially as well as conceptually–an important realization on the path towards Awakening.
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by Peter Carlson | Nov 26, 2016 | Listen to Dharma Talks
It is customary for the Orlando Insight Meditation Group participants to reflect on the benefits of life revealed by practicing the Noble Eightfold Path, as our weekly meetings occur on Thanksgiving Eve. This discussion has periods of reflective quiet time interspersed with comments about the practice of mindfulness and lovingkindness.
Next week’s talk will explore the benefits of Right Speech, Right Action, Compassion and the manifestation of Right Understanding.
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by Peter Carlson | Nov 17, 2016 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, Peter described overcoming the five hindrances as “warding off the demons”; cultivating the Seven Factors For Awakening represents “feeding the angels” of liberating awareness. Each of the seven was described and explained as to their function in the process of awakening, related to the recently discussed Wholesome Cetasikas. This was a very difficult topic to discuss with the thoroughness warranted to understand and apply these factors; these accompanying notes provide a more thorough exploration of their function and the ways and means to cultivate them: bojjhanga-7-awakening-factors
Next week’s meeting will provide opportunities to reflect on how Buddhist practice fosters gratitude on the eve of Thanksgiving.
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by Peter Carlson | Nov 10, 2016 | Listen to Dharma Talks
The conclusion of the long and arduous 2016 election cycle was surprising, perhaps even alarming for many people. During the course of spiritual development, it is often the abrupt, unexpected event that can provide the greatest insights beneficial for maturing one’s practice. Despite any differences regarding political policies, the attitudes and behaviors of the future President Trump restimulated some of the emotionally charged karmic issues for many, whether male or female. The Dharma isn’t realized just while meditating–the real benefits of the practice come from practicing “Turning poison into medicine”.
Using the Four Noble Truths as a structure for consideration of one’s immediate experience is key to the Buddhist Path towards Awakening. Peter emphasized the value of mindful investigation of the distress and confusion many experienced to discover the causes and conditions conducive of dukkha; this awareness forms the First Noble Truth. He commented on many social factors that we’ve all been affected by in the course of living in this culture in this era as examples of what “fills out” craving and clinging, the essential condition described as the Second Noble Truth. He then suggested how the cultivation of the Fourth Noble Truth provides liberation from dukkha, and this liberation is the Third Noble Truth.
This was followed by a lively and emotionally authentic discussion among those who participated in the meeting. Here are the notes Peter used in preparation for the meeting: the-four-noble-truths-and-current-politics
Next week’s topic will be explaining and discussing the Seven Factors For Awakening.
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