by Peter Carlson | Dec 15, 2016 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk summarizes the series of of explorations of Buddhist psychology with discussion about what are called “The Progressions of Insight”, which describe observable mental experiences that show progress in the the process of liberation from distress and confusion, known as dukkha. The process culminates with the experience of nirvana, the unconditioned flow of experience. This talk was followed by discussion about how these progressive insights can be realized through meditation practice integrated into daily life routines.
Here are the notes prepared for this discussion: THE AWAKENING PROCESS
Peter will be on retreat for the rest of December, so the next meeting will be January 4, 2017, at which time he will review what was beneficial for the awakening process. During the time he on retreat, the recorded Dharma talks from the weeklong retreat in February of 2016 will be posted in sequential order.
May everyone enjoy a safe and peaceful holiday season.
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by Peter Carlson | Mar 1, 2014 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this dialogue, Peter read the part of the Satipatthana Sutta called “the charnal ground contemplation”. He then commented on how our culture is shielded from the experience of death and what happens to the body as it disintegrates, which was a common occurrence during the time of the Buddha. The intention of that contemplation was to motivate diligent practice, as in those days, life was typically short and a lot less certain than during this era. How can we be motivated to be diligent in our practice since our culture is much more comfortable and secure than at that time? This question was discussed around the group for the rest of the evening, with each person who shared talking of what makes her or him motivated to practice.
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by Peter Carlson | Sep 17, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This meditation focuses on the first two of the listed “Universal Wholesome Cetasikas”, Confidence and Mindfulness, in the complete list of 52 cetasikas found in Buddhist commentaries. The emphasis during this training exercise is on diligent and persistently mindful attention focused on the sensations noticed while practicing mindfulness of breathing meditation. The commentaries state that when mindfulness is present in each moment of self-formation, there will be no dukkha, that is, no distress and confusion. It is suggested that each time the attention becomes “enchanted” with a thought process through craving and clinging, intentionally becoming mindful of that process as impersonal and conditional will intervene in the craving and clinging. This intervention, combined with redirecting attention back to the breath sensations, will release the mind from dukkha. As this practice becomes more repeatable and routine over time, the wholesome cetasika of confidence will be strengthened, with great benefit. This meditation is intended to accompany studying the talk entitled “Mindfulness and Confidence”, recorded the same day, after this meditation.
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by Peter Carlson | Mar 18, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, Peter explained the value of each generation’s sincere investigation of what are called the Three Refuges: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha in the context of current societal conditioning. We do not live in a culture that largely supports monastic life, which was the case in India during the time of the historical Buddha and for many generations afterwards. Retreatants were given two documents that offer updated references to the Five Precepts, and integral part of committing to the ethical values of Buddhist life. Here are the documents provided: A NEW APPROACH TO FOSTERING BUDDHIST PRINCIPLES To Cultivate More Clear Awareness and Benevolent Intention
Retreatants were encouraged to contemplate these concepts and put them into practice during the retreat and afterwards to integrate them into their lifestyles. APOLOGIES FOR THE DIMINISHED QUALITY OF THIS RECORDING AND THE NEXT ONE. I HAD DIFFICULTIES WITH THE PRIMARY RECORDING DEVICE AND USED THE SECONDARY RECORDING; THE PRIMARY RECORDINGS RESUME FROM THE THIRD TALK THROUGH THE LAST RECORDING.
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by Peter Carlson | Sep 3, 2015 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This week’s talk focuses on the value of building a lifestyle around daily meditation practice and integrating the lojong aphorisms into daily life routines. Peter talked of how his spiritual growth matured over the 33 years as a householder committed to realizing the Noble Eightfold Path. Peter mentioned the slogans from Alcoholics Anonymous, “One day at a time”, and “Progress, not perfection” as useful in the process of awakening.We live in a culture that does not foster monastic living, and must find a way to make use of the opportunities we have for spiritual development in a materialistic society.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Dedicate your life to the process of awakening
Next week’s talk will begin to explore the aphorisms of lojong that increase proficiency in the development of clear awareness and benevolent intention.
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