by Peter Carlson | Feb 10, 2022 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk reviews the concepts and practices associated with cultivating Mudita, translated as Sympathetic Joy, one of the four Divine Abidings. Mudita is the empathetic cognitive and emotional response shaped by lovingkindness which celebrates the success and happiness of others in an unselfish way. The description also clarifies the characteristics of the far enemy and near enemy of sympathetic joy, along with suggestions for reflecting on the value of gratitude and generosity in the cultivation of Mudita. There is a recorded meditation posted in the archives of this website entitled “Guided Contemplation Of Sympathetic Joy”, which is intended to supplement the concepts and practices reviewed in this recording.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: CELEBRATING HAPPINESS FOR OTHERS
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:30 — 54.5MB)
by Peter Carlson | Apr 7, 2022 | Listen to Dharma Talks
There is great benefit in providing opportunities for those recently completing a significant retreat to “think out loud” about the experience, as this “connects the dots” regarding the experience to support integrating the insights and skills acquired during the retreat. Andy has been meditating for decades and is the founding teacher of the Lakeland Insight Meditation Group. His talk was supplemented by the blog report found on the website: https://limg.org/2022/04/cotton-balls-on-my-heart-andys-retreat-experience-forest-refuge-march-2022/ Those participating in the Zoom meeting reported favorably on Andy’s description of his experience at the Forest Refuge, a major retreat center in Massachusetts.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:48 — 55.7MB)
by Peter Carlson | Apr 28, 2022 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk reviews the characteristics of dukkha, traditionally translated to mean suffering or dissatisfaction. The Buddha is understood to have described his mission to be understanding the nature of dukkha and the ways and means for overcoming it. The three varieties of dukkha are described as well as ways skillful application of mindfulness, investigation and Right Effort will interrupt self-state organizations afflicted by dukkha. The review also provides descriptions of three stages to be cultivated for providing relief from dukkha: conceptual understanding, skillful awareness & discipline, and finally direct realization of liberation.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Reviewing the First Noble Truth
Here is the URL for a guided contemplation of dukkha found in the archives of this website: https://orlandoinsightmeditation.org/2020/07/guided-contemplation-of-dukkha/
The topic for next week’s review is the Second Noble Truth, the cause of dukkha.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:01:17 — 56.1MB)
by Peter Carlson | May 5, 2022 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This guided meditation brings mindful investigation to the experience of craving and clinging. During the meditation you are invited to also mindfully investigate the absence of craving and clinging, as well as the transitory nature of all subjective experience. This contemplation is intended to complement the Dharma talk entitled “Reviewing the Second Noble Truth”, which was recorded the same evening, May 4, 2022 and is archived on this website.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:52 — 41.1MB)
by Peter Carlson | May 5, 2022 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk continues a review of the Four Noble Truths, perhaps the most fundamental and universally accepted Buddhist teaching. The characteristics of the Second Noble Truth, craving (tanha) and clinging (upadana) are reviewed regarding traditional understandings as well as more contemporary Buddhist scholarship and neuropsychological research which supports the traditional teaching.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Reviewing the Second Noble Truth
This talk is complemented with an .mp3 recording titled “Guided Second Noble Truth Contemplation”, that preceded this talk and is posted in the Guided Meditation page of this website’s archives.
The focus for the next talk will continue the review of the Four Noble Truths, addressing the Third Noble Truth, liberation from dukkha.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:03:33 — 58.2MB)
