During this dialogue, the classical five precepts of Buddhist practice are reviewed, with an intention to explore their relevance in this culture, which is much more complex than that of the eras during which Buddhism was developed initially. The core of the precepts is a commitment to manifest benevolent intention and promote clear awareness during daily life routines.
This is the first of two dialogues exploring the vital importance of relationship experience for developing an integrate sense of self, that is, ego. Peter combines Buddhist teachings with current psychological understanding of how necessary relationship is, from just out of the womb throughout the lifetime of a person. When interpersonal dynamics are distorted, the self-states of each person are confused and conflicted. Benevolent Intention (Right Intention), combined with Clear Awareness (Right Understanding), manifested through Right Speech and Right Action (Benevolent Narrative and Benevolent Behavior), provide more integration in the succession of “selfing moments”. This integrative process provides the foundation for spiritual growth; relationship is the field of play for this process. Next week, Peter will discuss various aspects of Buddhist meditative process that fosters skillful relationship experiences.
The real benefits of mindfulness meditation are only realized through commitment; first to daily, diligent mindfulness of breathing (or lovingkindness) meditation, and then to the commitment to integrate the training results of such disciplined practice into daily life routines. During this talk Peter recalled the development of his “Right Livelihood” practice during his 37 years of Buddhist mindfulness and lovingkindness practice supplemented by a repeated commitment: “I’m not going to stop until I have my life set up just the way I want it, no matter what happens…and this means _______” This commitment is aligned with the topic of the recent talk of September 5th, focused on Clear Comprehension as a decision-making process and emphasizes the importance of setting a commitment for “Right Livelihood” through the actions suggested with “…and this means_____”. This description was followed by a lively discussion among those present regarding the potential benefits of applying the suggested commitment.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: The Dharma Of Commitment
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:02:38 — 114.7MB)
This talk begins a series of discussions exploring how increasingly skillful anapanasati (mindfulness of breathing) enhances the potency of the satta sambojjhanga (the seven Awakening factors). These capabilities for spiritual development begin being applied to setting aside the Five Hindrances; as this is accomplished, the Awakening factors are then applied to experientially realizing the Four Noble Truths through the mindful investigation of anicca (impermanence), dukkha (the distress and confusion caused by craving and clinging) and anatta (the absence of an enduring and autonomous self). The Awakening factors were briefly reviewed; future talks will address each of them in particular as they cooperate in furthering the process of Awakening.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Anapanasati And Satta Sambojjhanga
Next week’s talk will feature a guest speaker, Robert Lockridge, one of the founding teachers of the Orlando Zen Center, which practices in the Korean Zen tradition. The talk is entitled “The Practice of Clear Direction: Only Go Straight, Just Do It”. Robert’s talks have been well-received in the past as he emphasizes direct seeing and action through the Dharma. It will be recorded and posted.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 58:27 — 107.0MB)
During this talk, Peter reviewed the traditional “3 Refuges” and “Five Precepts” practices at the beginning of retreats, then suggested a more contemporary rendering of the Refuges, followed by a handout with the Precepts rendered as commitments. Participants were also given a “certificate” dedication: “May The Merits Of This Practice Benefit Everyone I Meet”. This was followed by discussion regarding how to make best use of the retreat experience to follow over the next 6 days.
Here are files for the certificate and commitment handouts: To Cultivate More Clear Awareness and Benevolent Intention scanned merits slogan
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:14:00 — 135.5MB)