Dhamma Talks

The Occasional Mind Conditioners

Continuing the review of the 52 cetasikas, those factors that condition the formations of personality, the focus of this talk is on what are termed the Occasional or Particular Cetasikas.  These mind conditioning functions appear in most moments of self-organization,...

Guided Mind Conditioner Contemplation

This guided meditation reviews the Universal and Occasional mind conditioning functions that may be investigated while practicing mindfulness of breathing meditation.  It is intended to accompany the Dharma talk entitled "The Occasional Mind Conditioners" recorded the...

Overview of the 52 Mind Conditioners

This Dharma talk is a continuation of reviews regarding the Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, particularly focusing on the 4th of the 5 Aggregates, the Mind Conditioning Factors called Cetasikas.  The talk provides a generalized view of how Buddhism describes those...

Understanding The Five Aggregates

This talk continues a review of the contemplations found in the Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, namely the Five Aggregates.  An overview of the interactions between Form, Feeling, Perception, Mind Conditioning Factors and Consciousness is provided, relating the...

Guided Five Aggregates Contemplation

This guided meditation focuses on how to cultivate mindful awareness of each of the five aggregates mentioned in the Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness.  It is intended to accompany the Dharma talk recorded the same evening entitled "Understanding The Five Aggregates",...

Setting Aside Skeptical Doubt

This talk reviews the characteristics of the fifth of the Five Hindrances, Skeptical Doubt: doubt, uncertainty regarding action, along with hesitation and conflicted thoughts.  The talk also reviews the potential influence of skeptical doubt in reference to the other...

Guided Skeptical Doubt Contemplation

This guided meditation focuses on understanding the characteristics of the hindrance of skeptical doubt and various meditation tactics for setting it aside.  The meditation is intended to accompany the Dharma talk "Setting Aside Skeptical Doubt" presented the same...

Setting Aside Restlessness and Worry

This talk continues a review of the Five Hindrances, focusing on the way the instinctual nature of restlessness and agitation can be associated with an internal narrative that reinforces and amplifies this restlessness to the state clinically described as anxiety,...