by Peter Carlson | Jan 17, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This is the second of a series of talks reviewing the Anapanasati Sutta, the Mindfulness of Breathing Discourse. The first two of the 16 steps in the process of observing the breath involve the application of atapi, a Pali word translated as diligent, or often as ardent. This entails a persistent, committed application of vitakka and vicara, aiming attention at the beginning of the breath and sustaining attention for the duration of the breath. This basic function, when practiced diligently, matures into one of the Seven Awakening Factors, Dhamma Vicaya, Investigation of Mental Phenomena. During the talk Peter also made suggestions to support the level of practice called acquiring the breath, which is the ability to maintain consistent focus on the breath for extended undistracted periods of time while meditating and also integrating mindfulness of breathing into normal daily routines. These skills set the conditions that promote achieving the remaining 14 of the 16 stages of Awakening through the practice of anapanasati. This was followed by general discussion about the individual practices of mindfulness of breathing practiced by those at the meeting.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: NOTES FOR ACQUIRING THE BREATH
Next week’s discussion focuses on using acquired breath awareness to become increasingly mindful of sensations throughout the body, the third and fourth stanzas of the Anapanasati Sutta.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:06:37 — 122.0MB)
by Peter Carlson | Oct 31, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
It is our custom to offer opportunities for Sangha members who have just completed a significant meditation retreat to “think out loud” about their experience as it is believed that this helps clarify and integrate what they gained from the retreat; it may also inspire those who listen to the talk to attend a retreat. This one-week retreat was themed around the “craft” of mindfulness meditation, using a sequence of talks during the seven nights to cultivate the skills for applying the concepts of Buddhism to their lives. There were 7 of the 17 folks who participated in the retreat who were able to show up for this talk and each shared what they learned and how they are applying the skills and insights at home. Here is the sequence presented during the retreat:
First night–Taking Refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha in contemporary terms.
Second night–Setting aside the Five Hindrances
Third night– Understanding the Five Aggregates
Fourth night–Developing the Seven Awakening Factors
Fifth night–Understanding Dependent Origination
Sixth night–The process of Awakening
Seventh night–Taking the practice home
Each night of the retreat was recorded and will be posted for review, with a few days between each posting to provide time for listening to the recording and reviewing the notes Peter prepared for most of the talks.
Next week’s Dharma talk will begin a series on the Four Noble Abidings: Lovingkindness, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy and Equanimity. The Emphasis for each talk will be on how the practices affect the mind and bring benefit to those who mindfully cultivate them.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:01:19 — 112.3MB)
by Peter Carlson | Oct 18, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk extends previous discussions regarding the application of the Four Noble Truths doctrine to the complex environmental degradation experienced by this and future generations. This talk considered both the “cultural karma” of the industrial and consumer eras and the individual responsibility we all are faced with in deciding how to live in the world. The Noble Eightfold Path provides practical suggestions for addressing these concerns; after descriptions were provided, participants talked about their concerns and possible lifestyle changes to address this problem. “As difficult as it seems to be, we can only change the world one person at a time”.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Interdependence With The Environment
Next week’s topic will focus on the Four Noble Truths and the media.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:01:53 — 113.3MB)
by Peter Carlson | Jan 5, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
The theme for this retreat was Adaptation And Surrender, continuing to explore the concepts presented by Rodney Smith. During the last posting of December, Peter referred to his book “Stepping Out Of Self-Deception”; the retreat addressed the concepts presented in his book “Awakening-A Paradigm Shift Of The Heart”. Peter described the format of the retreat, then reported on how the theme Adaptation And Surrender was explored during periods of sitting practice. Adaptation represents the “horizontal” concept put forth in the December talk, that is, adapting one’s internal narrative to changing circumstances; surrender represents total letting go of narrative or preferential regards to what is directly experienced (This state is described as choiceless awareness), and relates to the “vertical” concept of the December talk, that is, no consideration of time or separating experience into myself or other. Peter also referred to Smith’s cautionary note which focuses on not misrepresenting the choiceless awareness as anything more than another example of craving and clinging to the notion of a separate, enduring self, although much more subtle.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: ADAPTATION AND SURRENDER
Next week’s talk will focus on karma.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:04:43 — 118.5MB)
by Peter Carlson | Jan 21, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This is the second in a series of reviews of the history of the Buddhist religion. The focus of this talk is on the development of the various schools of Buddhism–Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana, Chan, and Zen–over the centuries after the time of the Buddha and before the intrusion of Western culture and commerce. It is not a deeply scholarly review; the intention is to foster an awareness of the course of this history freed from the mythological additions over the centuries and and as they were affected by different societal norms. Perhaps this can have some relevance to the societal issues we confront currently.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Buddhist Institutional History
Next week’s talk will focus on the impact of Western Culture on the development of various Buddhist schools up to the 20th century.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:03:37 — 116.5MB)
