Dhamma Talks

The last night's talk typically is intended to clarify the processes developed during the retreat and to suggest ways for participants to continue to foster their Awakening practice at home.  Peter made various suggestions to foster daily meditation practice and ways...

The process of Awakening is dynamic and cumulative.  Every time we mindfully note the emergence of a hindrance and return to the breath is a moment of Awakening, and every time we mindfully note the emergence of the Seven Awakening Factors (which include mindfulness...

Dependent Origination is a key concept of Buddhism.  In Pali, it is paticca samuppada.  The Buddha's most senior teacher, Sariputta, said that understanding  paticca samuppada fully is required for Awakening.  Peter explained his preferred rendering of this concept,...

The term Bojjhanga literally means "those factors that foster Awakening".  They are called "The Seven Awakening Factors": Mindfulness, Investigation, Energy/Right Effort, Joy, Tranquility, Concentration and Equanimity.  Peter described the cultivation of these factors...

The Five Aggregates of Clinging are an important Buddhist concept that is useful in "deconstructing" the notion of an enduring autonomous self.  Peter reviewed a classic Buddhist simile, that of a chariot.  The term "chariot" is a useful concept in the construction...

This talk reviewed the nature of the Five Hindrances: How they are triggered, the characteristics of each, how they can be set aside and how the re-emergence of them can be limited.  Humans were described as "energy transforming organisms" and the hindrances represent...

This first night's talk focuses on a traditional introduction to Buddhist retreats: Taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.  Peter described the Buddha as being the potential for Awakening from dukkha, the distress and confusion caused by craving and...