Reviewing The Investigation of Mental Phenomena

During this talk, Peter Carlson reviews Dhamma Vicaya Bojjhanga, the Investigation of Mental Phenomena Awakening Factor.  This quality of investigative curiosity, in coordination with the Mindfulness and Energy Awakening Factors, provides a primary support for the development of the other four Awakening Factors.  Peter describes how investigation builds from the simple practice of aiming attention at the sensation of breathing and maintaining this focused attention during the cycles of breathing in an breathing out.

Here are the notes prepared for this talk:  INVESTIGATING MENTAL PHENOMENA

There is a supplemental “Guided Investigation of Mental Phenomena Meditation” posted in the archives, recorded just prior to this talk.

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Reviewing The Six Sense Bases

This post reviews the Six Sense Bases: the eyes and seeing, the ears and hearing, the nose and smelling, the tongue and tasting, the sensations elsewhere in the body, along with the mind and consciousness.  During the talk, Peter Carlson focuses on the fetters, those manifestations of craving and clinging that the mind fabricates into the misconception that there is an enduring and autonomous self.  Investigation of and detachment from the fetters fosters the process of Awakening.

Here are the notes prepared for this talk:  Working Through the Fetters

The next series of talks will provide reviews of the Seven Awakening Factors

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Guided Five Aggregates Contemplation

This guided meditation provides a review of the characteristics of the Five Aggregates of Clinging, which is described in the Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness.  It is intended to supplement the Dharma talk of the same evening that reviews this topic.

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