by Peter Carlson | Jun 4, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This meditation is intended to provide ways to realize the potential of the satisampajanna (sah-tee-sahm-pah-jah-nyah) concept, translated as mindful clear comprehension. There are four contemplations involved: a worthy goal, suitable means for achieving the goal, monitoring the process of realizing the goal, and keeping the process aligned with Awakening. In the meditation, the worthy goal is to remain mindfully aware of what passes through one’s focus of attention; the suitable means is cultivating mindfulness of breathing, while continuing to investigate what is passing through one’s focus in order to maintain persistent clear comprehension mindfully, with the end goal being furthering the process of Awakening. This capability can be extended with training beyond formal meditation practice in order to integrate mindful clear comprehension into one’s daily life routines.
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by Peter Carlson | Apr 14, 2022 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk provides an opportunity for Will to review his most recent 10-day retreat experience, the third of three Zoom retreats organized and led by Analayo, a German Theravaden monk who is both a well respected contemporary scholar and accomplished meditator. Will reviews the theme of the three retreats, the first of which was themed around an important book by Analayo: “Satipatthana–The Direct Path to Realization”; the second involved “Mindfulness of Breathing”, and the third “Compassion and Emptiness in Early Buddhist Meditation”. Will’s talk was accompanied by several questions and appreciative comments provided by those attending, either in person or via Zoom.
Here is a .pdf copy of the first book: Analayo_Satipatthana-The-Direct-Path-to-Realization. The other two books are not currently available in a free .pdf format, but can be ordered through the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies (BCBS.org) or Amazon. There is an additional book by the same author of practical interest as a support for deepening practice as well: “Satipatthana Meditation–A Practice Guide” that can be acquired through the same sources.
The meeting next week will begin an extensive review of what is arguably the most basic conceptual discourse of Theravaden Buddhism, traditionally considered to be the first teaching of the Buddha after his Awakening: “The Turning of the Wheel of Truth”. The typical way it is described is as “The Four Noble Truths”. The talk will provide an historical and conceptual review of the discourse, with the intention to provide a view of the teaching that is relevant to contemporary life and liberation from distress and confusion. Subsequent talks will systematically review the four conceptual truths of the discourse.
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by Peter Carlson | Apr 27, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
The focus of this talk continues to explore the Satipatthana Sutta, the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourse, more specifically the First Foundation, Mindfulness of the Body. Sati Sampajanna (sah-tee sahm-pah-jahn-yah) is typically translated as Mindful Clear Comprehension, and is particularly focused on awareness of how we move through the day. This practice focuses on cultivating mindful awareness of the intentionality of everyday thoughts and behaviors. The relatively simple investigation of intentions associated with behavior trains the mind to be more alert and appropriately responsive the the intentionality accompanying each thought as regards Right Action, part of the Noble Eightfold Path.
The commentaries about sati sampajanna describe four considerations regarding this practice: suitability of purpose, suitability of means for achieving the intended purpose, mindfully monitoring the process of activating the suitable means and how this activity will be conducive to realizing the process of Awakening.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Understanding Clear Comprehension
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by Peter Carlson | Mar 5, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk is part of the review of part of the First Foundation of Mindfulness, Mindfulness of the Body, specifically sati sampajanna, mindful clear comprehension. Peter read quotes from the Satipatthana Sutta regarding how a meditator is to apply mindfulness in all postures and activities and then reviewed the Four Clear Comprehensions from the commentaries: (1) Worthy goal (2) Suitable means (3) Minding the domain (4) Inclining towards Awakening. This was presented as a useful protocol for mundane decision making as well as spiritual development (for more information on mundane decisions search “decision-making” on Wikipedia). This topic seems timely as we are confronted with several challenges currently such as the covid-19 (coronavirus) disease, the political choices of this year, as well as choices regarding lifestyle as current weather anomalies such as unusual heat, rain, or severe storms challenge our customary lifestyle routines. How can this decision making process be coordinated with mindfulness of breathing training to benefit how we live our daily life routines? This explanation was followed by discussion among those attending regarding how this might affect their lives.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Mindful Clear Comprehension
Next week Peter and a number of the members of our group will be on retreat, so there will be no dharma talk on Wednesday evening; folks are welcome to come to the site and meditate between 7-9 PM that day (please be sure to turn off the lights and close the fence gate upon leaving–we don’t want our puppy to roam about the neighborhood!). The dharma talks from the retreat will be recorded and posted through the Audio page on the website after the retreat. The topic for the next talk on March 18 will be a review of the retreat experience by those attending the retreat, a custom of our community.
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by Peter Carlson | Jun 6, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk reviews one of the most important of the Seven Awakening Factors, Viriya (veer-yah). It is also found in several of the many categories of Buddhist psychology: as Right Effort, as one of the Five Powers (overcoming the Hindrances) and of the Five Faculties (empowering the other Awakening Factors). Peter used the term Energy/Effort in describing this quality, suggesting it manifests as the effort to channel the energy flowing through the mind. It combines with the Awakening Factors of Mindfulness and Investigation of Mental Phenomena to direct the energy of attention; this coordination produces the other Awakening Factors of Joy, Tranquility, Concentration and Equanimity (topics to be covered in future talks). He also described different levels of effort, using his terminology: Initiating Effort, Sustaining Effort and Fulfilling Effort, relating these three to mindfulness of breathing practice. He also included adhitthana, strong determination, as another level of applied effort. This was followed by discussion among those attending regarding the application of Energy/Effort.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: ENERGY AWAKENING FACTOR
Next week’s talk will focus on the Awakening Factor of Piti, usually translated as Joy
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:33 — 109.1MB)
