by Peter Carlson | Jul 11, 2024 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, April provides her research and insights regarding the Seven Awakening Factors, emphasizing the importance of the factors of Mindfulness, Investigation of Dhammas, Energy and Joy. Investigation, Energy and Joy activate the Wholesome Mind Conditioning Factors, monitored by Mindfulness. Next week’s talk will provide Part 2 of the review, focusing on the moderating Awakening Factors, Tranquility, Concentration, and Equanimity, once again monitored by mindfulness.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Orlando Insight The Seven Factors of Awakening
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:05:26 — 59.9MB)
by Peter Carlson | Dec 6, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This is the first of a two-part exploration of how cultural stress might have been a contributing instigation for the spiritual masters Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, and Martin Luther, followed next week with the potential for a rebirth of spirituality as a result of the stressful times we live in. Peter described the cultural stresses of ancient India, Palestine, Arabia and Europe as motivation for the deep introspection and creative redefining of spiritual development. Each of these profoundly transforming insights came about as the result of introspective efforts by the above mentioned individuals, who were trying to come to terms with the internal contradictions of the prevalent cultural and religious norms, along with the accompanying wars and other societal upheavals. The radical changes that followed could be conceptualized as a form of rebirth, not of the body but of the culture. These innovations then were codified by the development of the religions that came afterwards, which provided another set of internal bureaucratic contradictions. The current cultural situation is perhaps the most radically stressful period in human history. Peter suggested that this period of time might also produce a revitalization of spiritual/evolutionary development, prompted by the almost total sharing of insights regarding the human condition provided by contemporary scientific research and the direct introspection that mindfulness meditation provides. What is unique about this era is the almost universal research into the history of the various world religions through the medium of the internet, along with neuroscientific research that shows how dedicated meditation practice changes the structures and functions of mind/body processes.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: A Different View Of Rebirth
Next week’s talk will be “A Different View of Rebirth, Part 2”. The focus will be on how important the cultivation of mindfulness will be for the adaptive creativity that will be necessary for human culture to successfully resolve the radical changes prompted by environmental stress, accompanied by economic and societal pressures.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:28 — 108.9MB)
by Peter Carlson | Dec 14, 2017 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, Peter described his intentions for his upcoming annual two-week self-retreat, organized around applying the concept and practices derived from reading (multiple times) “Stepping Out Of Self Deception-The Buddha’s Liberating Teaching Of No-Self” and “Awakening-A Paradigm Shift Of The Heart”, by Rodney Smith. The books develop a concept of two relationships to the universe, the horizontal (time-bound, afflicted by craving and clinging) and the vertical (timeless, limitless, unbound by craving and clinging). The vertical dimension is the eternal Now, the only moment of reality that is not inherently affected by craving and clinging, and can be realized through awareness of “stillness”, a quality of attention undisturbed by narrative, experienced holistically as “suchness”, an awareness described by and manifested by the Buddha. Peter’s intention is to cultivate samadhi/passadhi (stable attention/tranquility) including full sensational awareness of body sensations, sound, light, etc. and abide in that flow to investigate and understand the experience of stillness. This was followed by comments from those attending the meeting.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk:OPENING TO STILLNESS
Here is the handout provided for those attending, illustrating an excerpt from the Numerical Discourses, Udana 8.1, and an adapted graphic illustrating the horizontal and vertical concepts from the book “Stepping Out Of Self Deception-The Buddha’s Liberating Teaching Of No-Self”: Opening To Stillness handout
The next posted talk will not be available until early January as a result of Peter’s retreat, during which there will be no dharma talks. It is hoped that all reading this posting will enjoy a safe and happy holiday season!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:04:21 — 117.8MB)
by Peter Carlson | Nov 26, 2016 | Listen to Dharma Talks
It is customary for the Orlando Insight Meditation Group participants to reflect on the benefits of life revealed by practicing the Noble Eightfold Path, as our weekly meetings occur on Thanksgiving Eve. This discussion has periods of reflective quiet time interspersed with comments about the practice of mindfulness and lovingkindness.
Next week’s talk will explore the benefits of Right Speech, Right Action, Compassion and the manifestation of Right Understanding.
by Peter Carlson | May 12, 2016 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, the topic of “process addiction” was reviewed, qualifying addiction with 5 criteria: 1) often activated or contemplated, 2) increases in frequency and intensity over time, 3) becomes a lifestyle organizing function, 4) acted upon and defended despite the negative consequences, and 5) discomfort and confusion occurs when access is denied or prevented. This process can apply to many actions that could also be benign or even healthy, with criteria 4 being the determining factor.
This was related to the first and second Noble Truths, that is distress and the craving and clinging that causes distress. Addictive behaviors were characterized as maladaptive ways to cope with distress that don’t address the underlying patterns of feeling, thinking and behavior that Buddhist practices and principles address. The serenity and clarity that emerges from dedicated mindfulness of breathing and lovingkindness practices was compared to the 11th step of the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, which is daily meditation and prayer for conscious contact with a higher power.
Peter referred to an article in The Lion’s Roar magazine (formerly Shambala Sun), written by Noah Levine, about attempts to create a parallel system to the 12 steps for those folks inclined towards Buddhist practice. The article is entitled “A Refuge From Addiction”. Here is the article posted on this site: A Refuge from Addiction
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: MINDFULNESS AND ADDICTIONS
Next week’s topic will be Mindfulness And Relationships
