by Peter Carlson | Feb 18, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk continues a series of reviews of the development of Buddhism from the time of the Buddha forward, as Buddhism was influenced by various historical eras. The focus for this review builds on the talk on February 3, 2021 that explored how Western colonialism, particularly Christian missionary activity, initiated a revitalization of the various Buddhist traditions around Asia. The presentation in this talk describes how, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries various teachers began to create more meditative practices that could influence the general population, and, during and after WWII, Americans in Asia began to be interested in and trained by Buddhist monks and lay teachers; these American teachers brought contemporary vipassana practices to the U.S., largely avoiding the traditional rites and rituals of Asian traditions. The talk was followed by a period for questions and general discussion.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: How Buddhism Encountered the West
Next week’s talk will review the various concepts and meditation practices Peter has been trained in.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:07:41 — 123.9MB)
by Peter Carlson | Nov 26, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Since we meet Wednesday evenings, one meeting each year occurs on Thanksgiving Eve, so we dedicate that time to provide opportunities for those participating to reflect on how Buddhist concepts and practices support the cultivation of gratitude, which I believe is closely aligned with Lovingkindness and Sympathetic Joy, two of the four Divine Abidings in Buddhism. There are changes in volume during the talk, inevitable variations due to the challenges of recording both in-person and Zoom comments from participants.
Here are the notes prepared for the talk, including a questionnaire intended to prompt contemplation of the various ways gratitude might be focused: CONTEMPLATING GRATITUDE
The focus for next week’s meeting will be on the contemplation and nurturing of saddha (sah-dah), a Pali word translated as faith or confidence. Buddhist faith is enhanced through direct internal investigation of the concepts and practices put forth by Buddhist practitioners over the centuries.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:52 — 51.1MB)
by Peter Carlson | Dec 9, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk reviews the function of intention, which coordinates and initiates each moment of self-experience, whether wholesome or unwholesome. The ability to monitor and effectively manage intention to promote liberation from greed, hatred and ignorance is considered to be one of the most important goals to master on the path to Awakening. The talk reviews the concepts associated with intention as well as various ways to mindfully cultivate intentional awareness and action, primarily through mindfulness of breathing meditation, but also including various opportunities that might arise during daily routines.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Working With Intentions
The end of the old year and onset of the new year can be a time of personal renewal as the solstice, occurring on December 21, signifies the transition from the past to the future, so the focus for next week’s talk will be on how intentions guide our daily life decisions, with emphasis on cultivating a wholesome lifestyle in the midst of contemporary consumerist and internet-oriented cultural conditions.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 58:38 — 53.7MB)
by Peter Carlson | Apr 21, 2022 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk is the first of several that reviews what is considered to the be the first teaching of the Buddha after his Awakening. The historical context of the teaching is reviewed as developing during a time of significant cultural transformation, on a much less impactful level than what is occurring in today’s world. Using quotes from the discourse as reference, the values established by this first development of what would become known as Buddhism are discussed. A key progression of the discourse describes how the Four Noble Truths are to first be conceptually understood, then developed through meditation and integration into one’s lifestyle, and then ultimately establishing liberation from dukkha. The Four Truths and their value for adapting to the significant personal and sociocultural changes that confront humanity on into the future will be reviewed in greater depth during the upcoming series of talks, with extended emphasis on the the Fourth Noble Truth, the Noble Eightfold Path.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS CONCEPT
The focus for the next talk will be on the First Noble Truth, Dukkha, the distress and confusion that permeates every person’s life.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:36 — 50.0MB)
by Peter Carlson | Jan 26, 2023 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Sympathetic Joy, Mudita in Pali, is the quality of consciousness that happily celebrates the success and happiness of others, regardless of any material or status benefit for oneself. The cultivation of mudita involves integrating lovingkindness with the in-born capacity we all have for empathy. This talk reviews the classical understanding of mudita and how contemporary psychological research supports how this awareness is formed in the brain through the practice of mindfulness, investigation of mental phenomena and Right Effort.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Working With Mudita
Next week’s talk will be provided by Lezlie Laws, one of the teachers who is being mentored by Peter. The topic she reviews will focus on how the core teaching of Buddhism about impermanence affects our contemporary issues of time management.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:15 — 54.2MB)
