Dhamma Talks
Buddhist Personality Theory, Part 2
This talk continues a review of what are called the cetasikas, which operate like filters during the process of self-formation, producing either wholesome or unwholesome self-state organizations. The primary focus of attention and discussion during the talk are those...
Buddhist Personality Theory, Part One
The Five Aggregates can be considered as perhaps the first personality theory in human history. During this talk and one the following week, Peter reviews the Mind Conditioning Factors Aggregate with a focus on the cetasikas, a comprehensive listing of the multitude...
Reviewing The Six Sense Bases
A subtitle for this talk might be "How What Is Seen Becomes The Self". During the talk, Peter describes the functions of the mind that create a self out of what is seen, heard, smelled, tasted, touched and remembered through what are called "fetters"--the effect of...
Lezlie Laws’ Five Hindrances Review
Reviewing and setting aside the five aggregates is described as the first of the contemplations found within the Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness. Lezlie provides quotes and comments that explain the characteristics of these obstacles to a mind that is alert and...
Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness Overview
Considering the Third Foundation of Mindfulness as if it were a sheet of paper, and the First as a pen, then the Second as ink; the Fourth Foundation, mindfulness of mental phenomena, is what is written on the paper, creating our experience of being an...
Reviewing Mindfulness of the Mind
The Third Foundation of Mindfulness focuses attention on investigating the characteristics of a person's consciousness--alert or dull, filled with desire or free from desire, among other categories. During this talk, Peter reviews the various categories, supplemented...
Skillfully Managing Feelings
Mindfulness of Feelings is the Second Foundation of Mindfulness, and during this talk, Peter provides a review of the various categories of feelings, which are not emotions, but rather the impulsive reactivity we all experience that precedes craving and clinging....
Guided Contemplating Feelings Meditation
This recording provides supportive suggestions for recognizing the various manifestations of feelings--pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral, both worldly and unworldly. The goal of this meditation is to learn how to let go of unwholesome feeling tones--impulsive...
Emptiness or Fullness?
This talk focuses on cultivating a deeper and more useful understanding of two important Buddhist concepts: Non-self and Emptiness. The concepts don't translate well into English from the original Pali teachings, so Peter uses various contemporary scientific and...
Working With The Four Elements Contemplations
Mindfully contemplating the subjective experience of the Four Elements: Earth, Wind,Fire, and Water is mentioned in the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourse as part of the category "Mindfulness of the Body". During the talk, Peter describes the characteristics...
