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.
by Peter Carlson | Jan 26, 2012 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This dhamma dialogue continues an ongoing exploration of the importance of using mindfulness practice to examine the classic Buddhist teachings so they can be adapted to a world experience that is much more complex than the time of the Buddha. Virtue is examined as the manifestation of wisdom (clear awareness plus benevolent intention) in our daily routines. This talk is laying the foundation for exploring the meaning of Right Speech, Right Action and Right Livelihood in the 21st century, drawing on modern psychological research.
by Peter Carlson | Apr 19, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This is the second in an extensive series of talks investigating the Satipatthana Sutta, the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourse. Tonight’s focus is on the First Foundation, Mindfulness of the Body, specifically Mindfulness of Breathing meditation. Peter went through the stanzas focused on that core practice to illuminate the meaning and application of each part. The importance of the four applications of “diligence, clear awareness, mindfulness and setting aside covetousness and grief for the world” to realize the benefits of the practice was emphasized.
This was followed by discussion to clarify the terms and practice.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Understanding Mindfulness of Breathing
Next week’s talk will focus on the next two topics of the First Foundation regarding posture and of clear comprehension.
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