by Peter Carlson | Jan 9, 2025 | Listen to Dharma Talks
At the core of consumerism we find the “three poisons” that causes suffering–greed, hatred and delusion. During this talk, Peter provides some background information about the history and adverse sociocultural and ecological effects of contemporary consumerism, emphasizing that, although we have all benefited from modern production and distribution technologies, we are persistently conditioned to want things and status, and fear what seems to threaten our self-identity. The conditioning, beginning at a very early time in a person’s life, not only involves material objects, but also includes conditioning through TV shows, the internet, and other modalities that have established our self-image. After providing this information, a description of the Four Noble Truths, and particularly the Noble Eightfold Path, is suggested as a way to effectively identify the distress and confusion that occurs as a result of consumerism. The challenge of this era in human and planetary life is to find effective ways to cultivate a different lifestyle, and Buddhist principles and practices support this evolution. Peter recommends reading a book by Duane Elgin titled “Voluntary Simplicity–Toward a Way of Life That Is Outwardly Simply, Inwardly Rich”, particularly the revised addition published in 2010 as a resource that often refers to Buddhism as an effective way to live a simpler life.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Consumerism and the Dharma
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by Peter Carlson | Apr 17, 2025 | Listen to Dharma Talks
One time per month, Peter provides the opportunity for those participating in the meeting to ask questions about Buddhist concepts and meditation practice. He also provides a brief review of the relationship between each of the Four Noble Truths, emphasizing that different subjective experiences require different focusing on each of the Truths. During the meeting, Peter also provides comments about his understanding of emptiness, the absence of an enduring/autonomous self. He describes his experiences of awareness that is disinterested in defining bodily boundaries and is inclusive of the totality of sensory and cognitive “flow” without interest in differentiating objects within the flow experience. During the description, he recalls hearing Joseph Goldstein talk about the importance of “effortless effort”, and the benefits of just letting go of any resistance or attachment during the out-breath, when the mind is stable and tranquil. He also suggests that these qualities of awareness are not “created” by a meditator, that liberating states of mind are ever-present, and that cultivating the Seven Awakening Factors frees the mind from hindrances that obstruct direct awareness of emptiness.
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by Peter Carlson | Nov 6, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
The Five Aggregates of Clinging are an important Buddhist concept that is useful in “deconstructing” the notion of an enduring autonomous self. Peter reviewed a classic Buddhist simile, that of a chariot. The term “chariot” is a useful concept in the construction and use of the vehicle; when does it stop being a chariot–through eliminating the wheels, the yoke, etc.? Several times during the retreat Peter emphasized the importance of realizing what is called namarupa–nama referring to what is fabricated by the mind, rupa referring to the unprocessed sensory input that stimulates the mind’s fabrications. Progress along the Path to Awakening requires clear mindful awareness of namarupa in order to reveal the fabricated nature of the self, to deconstruct the process through investigation of the process of selfing, much the same way as one might understand the process of fabricating a chariot. This was followed by another question period to clarify understanding and the meditation practice of that day.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: THE FIVE AGGREGATES OF CLINGING
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by Peter Carlson | Oct 10, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
The theme of previous talks has been reviewing how Buddhist principles and practices can be beneficially applied to the extraordinary stresses of contemporary life. The current political conflict in the U.S. warrants a review of how mindfulness can bring clear awareness and equanimity to our social interactions which seem to be conflicted by the larger issues of partisanship as political propaganda influences us through negativity bias and confirmation bias. These biases create a divisiveness that is distorting and impeding our democratic process. Peter emphasized that we all live our lives in a relatively small “circle of influence” and how the contentiousness prevalent in Washington D.C., conveyed through the ever-present impact of mass media, intrudes on our more important social, workplace and familial relationships in distressing ways. He described recent research that proposes a focus on psychological liberalism and psychological conservatism and suggests that politically liberal people can be psychologically conservative as well as liberal, and that politically conservative people can be psychologically liberal as well as conservative. The regular practice of mindfulness and lovingkindness meditation can bring clarity and equanimity as we experience mindful investigation of mental processes and these practices can significantly reduce the distress and confusion that result from these circumstances. The clarity and equanimity supports a more creative process that can overcome the systemic disturbances that afflict current life and sets the conditions for Buddhist liberation. The explanations were followed by participant discussion regarding how mindfulness practice has benefited meditation practitioners in coping with political conflict.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: The Dharma And Political Conflict
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by Peter Carlson | Sep 12, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk continues the ongoing exploration of the distress and confusion prevalent in current American society, with a focus on consumerism. Peter described how exposure to commercial advertising even before we learn to read negatively influences our self-identity and values in life. Contemporary research conducted by commercial and political interests is very sophisticated in cultivating craving and clinging regarding material possessions and social status and this creates much distress and confusion for us all, whether we are aware of the conditioning or not. The understanding and application of the Four Noble Truths can be very beneficial in recognizing the manipulation of advertising and cultivating a more stress-resilient lifestyle and provide a secure basis for Buddhist Awakening processes. Consumerism has had significant negative influence on contemporary culture (See previous talks on depression, anxiety and addiction, which are epidemic in our society), as well as a serious and increasingly destructive impact on the earth’s environment through global warming, massive pollution, etc., which creates enormous personal and societal stress. There are ways to personally and socially affect these conditions; the application of them requires the sort of self-inquiry and discipline that mindfulness meditation practice provides.
Peter referred to last week’s talk, posted September 4, that referred to the Four Clear Comprehensions as a useful “decision tree” for setting goals in life that counter the adverse conditioning of consumerism and provide the ways and means for cultivating Right Livelihood. You are invited to contemplate your direct daily experience of dukkha (First Noble Truth) when exposed to commercial advertising and then practice recognizing the craving and clinging embedded within advertising (Second Noble Truth) and train yourself to use Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration to cultivate Right Livelihood (Fourth Noble Truth) and realize liberation from consumerism (Third Noble Truth).
There was discussion among those attending about how daily mindfulness of breathing meditation has been beneficial in overcoming the temptations of consumer culture.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Dukkha And Consumerism
There will be an ongoing series of discussions focusing on various aspects of consumer acculturation such a managing finances, maintaining physical health, cultivating ways to counter social polarization, etc., along with ways that the Four Noble Truths can effectively impact these important lifestyle issues.
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