by Peter Carlson | Mar 9, 2023 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk focuses on reviewing the 16 stanzas of the Anapanasati Sutta, one of the core teachings of Buddhism. The stanzas are typically organized into four tetrads, which mirror the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, another key Buddhist discourse. The talk of March 1, 2023 reviewed how the practice of anapanasati, mindfulness of breathing meditation, restructures important neural pathways in the brain, supporting the process of Awakening, and this presentation is intended to complement that talk. There are several references within this talk from an important book on the subject: “Mindfulness of Breathing–a practice guide and translations” by Bhikkhu Analayo, a contemporary authority on this topic.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Anapanasati 16 Steps Review
Here is a translation of the Anapanasati Sutta by Thanissaro Bhikkhu, another respected scholar/monk: Anapanasati-Thanissaru Bhikkhu
The talk planned for next week will provide an opportunity for another of our teachers, Lezlie Laws, to review a residential retreat she attended that integrated intensive hatha yoga practice with mindfulness of breathing meditation.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:05:29 — 59.9MB)
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 | Nov 7, 2024 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, April reviews how the cultivation of mindfulness can be understood as an art form that creates a more beautiful self-experience. This is supported by contemporary research regarding how the hemispheres of the brain interact and how meditation training benefits the art of living.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: The Art and Science of Meditation
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:02:49 — 57.5MB)
by Peter Carlson | May 8, 2025 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, Peter reviews the characteristics of intention, suggesting that this function of the mind emerges from the complex interactions between various neurological networks in the brain, not attributable to the existence of a self. This contemporary view of how intentions form and operate describes two functions of consciousness–cognitive intentions and behavioral intentions. We can train to be able to mindfully monitor the emerging intentions associated with thoughts and beliefs, accompanied by the ability to mindfully attend to the intention to either act or not act on the cognitive manifestations, depending upon their ethical attributes or suitability in a situation. This review includes quotes from Buddhist commentaries on the characteristics of cetana, the Pali word typically translated as intention or volition.
This talk was preceded by a supportive guided meditation: “Guided Contemplation of Intention”, which is posted in the Audio archive on this site.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Intention Creates the Self
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:06:14 — 60.6MB)
by Peter Carlson | Apr 25, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Robert Lockridge is the guest speaker for this evening. He is one of the guiding teachers of the Orlando Zen Center, which provides opportunities to practice Korean Zen as taught by Seung Sahn, who originated the Kwan Um School in the U. S. The title of the talk reflects basic principles and practices of Zen Buddhism, organized around questions such as “How do I determine what is the true direction of my life? Robert talked about Kong-An (Better known as Koan) practice, which is the presentation of a “question” to a student by a master in order to initiate an internal, often non-verbal investigation and response from the student to promote deeper understanding of the Dharma.
Next week’s talk will involve an in-depth exploration of Mindfulness as the premiere of the Seven Awakening Factors.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:05:52 — 120.6MB)
