Dhamma Talks
September 2024 Dharma Questions
During this talk, Peter responds to various questions from those participating regarding their understanding of Buddhist concepts and their meditation experiences. Examples of questions include clarification regarding how aiming and sustaining attention on breath...
Faith In Buddhism
During this talk, Lili describes the progressions of faith that can be cultivated within Buddhism: Bright Faith, Verified Faith, and Abiding or Unwavering Faith. Faith is also the antidote for doubt. Her comments are followed by comments provided by those...
Right Intention Review
During this talk, Allie Vaknin shares her research on a basic element of Buddhist doctrine, Right Intention. Part of the presentation involves questions and insights about this important part of the Noble Eightfold Path provided by those participating in the meeting.
Contemplating Mindfulness, Investigation, and Right Effort
This guided meditation provides opportunities to become more clearly aware of three important mind-conditioning functions and how to cultivate their functioning, which provides the basis for experiencing high degrees of mental clarity and stability, benefiting the...
Open Questions August 2024
Peter has decided to open one meeting each month to discussion in response to any questions or observations by the participants at that meeting, focusing on Dharma and practice oriented issues. Questions and comments focused on the importance that the practice of...
Cultivating Sympathetic Joy With Equanimity
Sympathetic Joy is listed as the third of the Four Divine Abidings, and Equanimity is the fourth. During this talk, Peter reviews the characteristics of Sympathetic Joy as a celebration of another's success and happiness in an unselfish way. It represents the...
Contemplating Sympathetic Joy With Equanimity
Sympathetic Joy is one of the Four Divine Abidings, and this guided meditation provides instructions on how to integrate Mindfulness, Investigation of Mental Phenomena, and Right Effort to cultivate Equanimity, another of the Divine Abidings, which functions to bring...
Contemplating Compassion With Equanimity
This talk reviews the characteristics of compassion from a Buddhist perspective, including the "near enemy" and "far enemy" of this manifestation of lovingkindness which is focused on relieving the mind from distress and confusion. Compassion is described as the...
Guided Compassion With Equanimity Contemplation
This guided meditation provides support for identifying the characteristics of compassion as well as the "near enemy" and "far enemy" of this wholesome state of mind. The training also suggests how to use mindfulness, investigation of mental phenomena, and Right...
Integrating Equanimity With Mindfulness
During this talk, Peter reviews the characteristics of lovingkindness, one of the Four Divine Abidings within Buddhist doctrine. When lovingkindness is not clearly understood, one's experience becomes contaminated by what are called either the "near enemy" or "far...
