by Peter Carlson | Jun 29, 2023 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk provides an overview of the conceptual structure of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness–Right Mindfulness, within the Noble Eightfold Path. The overview is accompanied by a review of the practice of anapanasati, mindfulness of breathing meditation, focusing on the traditional concepts of this practice, then contemporary neuroscientific studies that validate how the meditation practice affects the brain beneficially.
Here are two sets of notes prepared for this talk which provide a more comprehensive review than the posted recording: Overview of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourse (Repaired) and Reviewing Mindfulness Of Breathing Meditation Practice.
A recorded guided meditation “Guided Satipatthana Contemplation”, dated June 28, 2023, is posted in the Guided Meditation page and is intended to complement the topics reviewed during this talk.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:05:36 — 60.1MB)
by Peter Carlson | Jun 27, 2024 | Listen to Dharma Talks
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 of “filters” in the mind that work to create each moment of consciousness. The first review will provide insight regarding those cetasikas that occur in every moment of consciousness, along with those that create suffering.
The next talk will continue the review, focusing again on the universal cetasikas and those that nurture the process of Awakening.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Buddhist Personality Theory–Part One
Here is one page document listing the cetasikas: CETASIKAS POSTER
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:08:34 — 62.8MB)
by Peter Carlson | Aug 15, 2024 | Listen to Dharma Talks
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 combined effects of cultivating the “hardwired” experience of empathy, supported by mindfulness, investigation of mental phenomena, and Right Effort, and associated with equanimity, which provides a balanced manifestation of this wholesome state of mind. Preceding this talk of August 14, 2024, Peter provides a guided meditation titled “Guided Compassion With Equanimity Contemplation”, the recording of which is posted within the Guided Meditations page of the website.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Integrating Compassion with Equanimity
The topic for the next meeting will provide a review regarding the integration of Sympathetic Joy with equanimity. Sympathetic Joy describes the empathetic enjoyment of the happiness and success of another, balanced by equanimity.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:04:28 — 59.0MB)
by Peter Carlson | Nov 15, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This is a recording of a guided meditation for overcoming impulsive identification with and acting out from a stimulating situation. It is derived from the teaching of Pema Chodron, a well respected teacher in the Tibetan tradition; she call this the hook. During the meditation, Peter invites students to persistently direct attention to the first sensation noted at the beginning of the in-breath and then the first sensation noted at the beginning of the out-breath. This practice is more beneficial when there is a diligent effort to stay with that formula. Later in the meditation, it is suggested that the quickened ability to go to and identify the initial stages of the hook can be more effective at not identifying with it, thereby creating a quieter and more stable internal experience.
The posting immediately after this describes the discussion that followed the meditation, along with the notes prepared for the talk.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download ()
by Peter Carlson | Dec 19, 2016 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk focused on recognizing and overcoming the Five Hindrances: sense desire, aversion/ill-will, sloth and torpor, restlessness and worry and skeptical doubt. The main strategy for this is persistently aiming attention at the onset of breathing in, sustaining attention to the sensations associated with that process, and repeating the same practice with exhalations. When the mind wanders, simply noting this and immediately returning attention to the breath sensations. This approach will, with enough practice, set aside the intrusive effects of the hindrances, setting the stage for the next level of practice, cultivating samadhi/passadhi, that is, stability of attention/internal serenity.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: FREEING THE MIND FROM HINDRANCES
