by Peter Carlson | Jul 11, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk is a final review of the series of discussions begun on January 10 of this year that focuses on the Anapanasati Sutta, the Mindfulness of Breathing Discourse. The discussion used quotes from the Sutta to clarify points regarding the concepts and practices of anapanasati. Peter emphasized the emphasis the Buddha placed on cultivating a wholesome lifestyle with a strong commitment to daily meditation practice, “ardent, alert and mindful”. The review is intended to relate the practice of breath awareness described as involving 16 stages to the development of a more integrated personality (the mundane or worldly goal) and then to the full realization of Awakening (the supramundane or liberation goal). As the 16 stages are brought to maturity, the meditation student realizes the full potential of the Satipatthana, the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, particularly the Seven Awakening Factors.
The review was followed by discussion among those attending regarding the application of anapanasati to their benefit.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Anapanasati Final Review and Commentary
Here is a copy of Thanissaro Bhikkhu’s translation of the Anapanasati Sutta, referred to during the talk: Mindfulness of Breathing (full) Thanissaro
Next week’s talk will be conducted by Daniel Logan and focused on this topic:
What’s the story of your spiritual practice? In this week’s dharma discussion we’ll engage in a participatory exercise known as currere. Currere is an autobiographical method of reflecting upon one’s experience through a subjective and narrative framework. Participants will be guided through the process of reflecting upon past, present, and future experiences related to their practice, and they will be encouraged to frame these experiences in a manner that serves to strengthen their practice. This method was pioneered by educational theorist William Pinar and has found broad application in professional, curricular, and spiritual education settings. So come prepared to share your story with a fellow meditator and perhaps with the group at large. (For inspiration, feel free to read these profiles of Sharon Salzberg and Jack Kornfield from Lion’s Roar.)
The following week’s discussion will begin a series of talks exploring how mindfulness and lovingkindness practices can be beneficially applied to coping with the complexity and stress of contemporary life.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:02:31 — 114.5MB)
by Peter Carlson | Sep 11, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk reviews the last of the Unwholesome Cetasikas, those mind conditioners that are associated with dukkha, distress and confusion. The three reviewed here are sloth, torpor and doubt. Sloth and Torpor, among the five hindrances, conditions the mind towards dullness, drowsiness and inattention. Peter reviews the characteristics of these conditioners and how they can be investigated and set aside. Doubt is another of the five hindrances, typically rendered as skeptical doubt. This manifests as indecisiveness, mental immobility, and is the opposite of the first of the Universal Wholesome Conditioners, which will be one of the cetasikas reviewed during the next talk, along with mindfulness. The talk is followed by extensive discussion among those participating in the Zoom meeting regarding these cetasikas. A part of the conversation includes a overview about the potential for the upcoming retreat with Shaila Catherine, scheduled for December 5-12 at the Franciscan Center in Tampa; there is discussion regarding how the retreat might be conducted in a safe manner, provided that the pandemic conditions are not strongly impacting regional social conditions.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Overcoming Dullness And Doubt
Next week will begin reviews of the Universal Wholesome Cetasikas, those factors that participate in the conditioning of each moment of self-experience that is free from Dukkha, distress and confusion.
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by Peter Carlson | Oct 1, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk reviews alobha (non-attachment) and adosa (non-aversion), two of the Universal Wholesome Cetasikas, categories of mind conditioning functions that participate in the shaping of each moment of self-experience that is free from dukkha–distress and confusion. During the talk Peter reviews each of these conditioning elements individually and then describes how they coordinate in their functioning. Non-Attachment is essential in the process of understanding anatta, the absence of an enduring, autonomous self, a concept that is a core element of Buddhist liberation philosophy. Non-Aversion is also recognizable as metta, lovingkindness, another key practice of Buddhist liberation philosophy. This description is followed by questions and comments by those participating in the Zoom meeting.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Reviewing NonAttachment and NonAversion
Next week’s talk will focus on reviewing Equanimity
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:05:53 — 120.6MB)
by Peter Carlson | Oct 15, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This training meditation is intended to suggest ways to cultivate awareness of what are called the “Six Beautiful Pairs” of cetasikas, categories of mind that promote self-states that are free from dukkha, distress and confusion. These qualities are manifested through thorough and persistent investigation of the cycles of breathing in and breathing out mindfully. The pairs represent beneficial pairings of sankhara, mind conditioning factors and the mind that reflects them in awareness. The pairs are: tranquility, lightness, pliancy, wieldiness, proficiency and uprightness. There is an accompanying posted recording entitled “The Six Beautiful Pairs of Cetasikas–October 14, 2020” that reviews and clarifies these cetasikas, which can be found in the archive.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:58 — 82.3MB)
by Peter Carlson | Sep 15, 2022 | Listen to Dharma Talks
There are 25 wholesome mind conditioners described in Buddhist psychology; this talk reviews the first 7 of these functions. They are present in each moment of consciousness, operating to free the mind from distress and confusion. The value in reviewing them comes from first being able to identify them conceptually, then to recognize their operation in consciousness. Ultimately, this awareness “deconstructs” the belief that there is an enduring, autonomous self–instead, there is direct realization that the self is fabricated through the interactions of various functions.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: WHOLESOME MIND CONDITIONERS, PART ONE
The focus of next week’s talk will be on the “Six Beautiful Pairs” of wholesome mind conditioners, which represent the beneficial effect of the conditioners reviewed during this talk.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:25 — 55.3MB)
