by Peter Carlson | Jan 23, 2025 | News
During this talk, Lili reviews contemporary psychological and neurological understandings about habit formation and how Buddhist concepts and practices support the ability to be mindful of, investigate, and alter unwholesome thoughts and actions that are habitual while reinforcing more wholesome habits. Her comments were followed by questions posed by those participating in the meeting.
Here are notes prepared for the talk: Habits and the Dharma- notes
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:05 — 54.1MB)
by Peter Carlson | Dec 5, 2024 | News
This talk provides a review of the Mindfulness of Breathing Discourse, the focus of a recently-completed course Peter participated in that used Analayo’s “Mindfulness of Breathing”. The Anapanasati Sutta is one of the core teachings of Theravada Buddhism and the meetings of the course helped validate some meditative insights emerging from his practice. The 16 steps of the sutta are reviewed and related to an .mp3 recording of the “Guided 16 Step Anapanasati Contemplation” that Peter provided prior to this meeting–it is posted within the “Guided Meditation” page of the website.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: OVERVIEW OF THE ANAPANASATI SUTTA
Here is Analayo’s translation of the Anapanasati Sutta: Anapanasati Sutta translated by Analayo
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:10 — 55.1MB)
by Peter Carlson | Oct 31, 2024 | News
The Second Noble Truth describes attachment to views as a primary cause of dukkha, the experience of distress and confusion. During this talk, Peter extends this understanding to review how the current circumstances of life–political divisiveness, the relentless demands of consumerism, and the increasing disruption of earth’s atmosphere–are challenging our views regarding what is considered to be a life well-lived. He suggests how skillful application of the Four Noble Truths concepts and practices that focus on identifying and managing craving and clinging, the primary cause of unwholesome views, can foster effective adaptation to the changing values and beliefs of human culture.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Attachment to Views
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 58:12 — 53.3MB)
by Peter Carlson | Oct 24, 2024 | News
During this talk, Peter responded to various questions about mindfulness of breathing meditation practice, understanding how to cultivate insights regarding the self-creating process, and the body scanning practice taught by S. N. Goenka.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:01:49 — 56.6MB)
by Peter Carlson | Oct 3, 2024 | News
During this talk, April reviews current neurological information associated with habituation, describing how our minds and bodies develop patterns that allow us to function more efficiently in regard to energy utilization, but can interfere with our ability to effectively adapt to changing circumstances. She then talks about how Buddhist concepts and practices such as the Four Noble Truths can interrupt dysfunctional habit patterns and provide relief from being “stuck” within a distorted self-image and provide support for more creative and beneficial responses during these difficult times.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Waking Up To Habituation
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:04:50 — 59.4MB)
by Peter Carlson | Sep 5, 2024 | News
This talk presented by Peter is intended to provide information regarding three very important mental “skill sets” that are necessary for developing effective mindfulness meditation practice. First, defining characteristics of each mind-conditioning function are reviewed, followed by suggestions for integrating their combined effects. There is a guided “Contemplating Mindfulness, Investigation, and Right Effort” meditation preceding this talk, which was recorded and posted in the Audio folder, under Guided Meditations. It is intended to provide a practice mode to accompany this conceptual presentation.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Mindfulness Investigation and Right Effort
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:05:02 — 59.5MB)
