by Peter Carlson | Aug 27, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This training meditation cultivates clear awareness of the characteristics of desire: An initial pleasant feeling that, when not investigated wisely, quickly becomes craving and clinging–dukkha. During the recording there are intervals for cultivating mindfulness of breathing, then contemplating a state of mind that involves desire–a song melody, desired success in some project, etc., accompanied by investigation of how this experience changes the pattern of breathing, creates muscle tension and an insistent internal narrative that becomes enchanted with sustaining itself and the accompanying feeling. You are then invited to redirect attention back to the breath and investigate the changes in breathing patterns, muscle tension and the absence of a demanding narrative, along with the calmness and clarity that emerges with prolonged, alert attention to the sensation of breathing. This meditation is intended to accompany the talk entitled “The Unwholesomeness Of Desire, August 26, 2020”.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:57 — 82.3MB)
by Peter Carlson | Sep 17, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
The two reviews during this talk, focused on sati and saddha (mindfulness and confidence), represent the first two of the “Universal Wholesome Cetasikas”, within the full listing of 52 cetasikas found in the Buddhist commentaries. During the talk the fundamental benefits that are the consequence of cultivating anapanasati, mindfulness of breathing meditation, are reviewed. Peter described the relationship between sati and the remaining six of the Seven Awakening Factors, as the monitor of the coordinated actions of these factors in shaping the experience of “selfing”, the goal of which is to find liberation from dukkha, that is, relief from distress and confusion. As mindfulness becomes more workable in one’s life, confidence regarding the benefits of regular and diligent mindfulness meditation increases, providing what is contemporaneously termed “self efficacy”, confidence in one’s ability to manage the stresses we are confronted with in current life experience. There is an accompanying guided meditation recording, “Guided Mindfulness With Confidence Meditation” that is posted and found in the guided meditation archive. The review is followed by a brief question and comment opportunity.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Mindfulness and Confidence
Next week’s talk will review the next two of the Universal Wholesome Cetasikas, Hiri (clear conscience) and Ottappa (respect for consequences). These two mind conditioners support cultivating the virtue aggregate of the Noble Eightfold Path: Right Speech, Right Action and Right Livelihood.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 53:54 — 98.7MB)
by Peter Carlson | Sep 24, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk reviews the two Universal Wholesome Cetasikas that are always present in every moment of consciousness unaffected by dukkha/distress and confusion, hiri (moral shame) and ottappa (fear of consequences). Hiri functions as conscience and is associated with the Wisdom factor of Right Intention within the Noble Eightfold Path and manifests as Right Speech, Right Action and Right Livelihood. Ottappa represents clear awareness of the law of karma/cause and effect, in that one’s experiences are shaped by moral character and that there are immediate personal and social consequences as a result of actions taken. Each cetasika is reviewed in depth and the function of diligent mindfulness of breathing meditation practice to note the emergence of the moral characteristics of a moment of selfing and then practice either interrupting unwholesome self-states or facilitating wholesome self-states. This is followed by discussion among those participating in the Zoom meeting.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: The Virtue Cetasikas
Next week’s topic will review the next two cetasikas, non-attachment and non-aversion.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:32 — 109.0MB)
by Peter Carlson | Oct 30, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk reviews the Wholesome Cetasikas “Right Action” and “Right Livelihood” in their classical rendering and then conjoins them into “Right Lifestyle” to reflect ways to be resilient to current stresses in these trying times. Contemporary lifestyles are deeply conditioned by indoctrination regarding consumerism and identification with roles and entitlements that are significantly challenged by the pandemic conditions and the ensuing unemployment and social disruption. The Four Noble Truths conceptual structure is reviewed as an effective resource for coping with the distress and confusion created by the pandemic, storms and fires created by global warming, as well as the current divisiveness in U.S. politics (the 2020 election is next week). There is an additional review of “The Four Clear Comprehensions”, part of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness commentaries that can be beneficially applied to decision making within the complexity of current life circumstances. This talk is meant to be accompanied by the “Guided Mindful Intention Meditation” posted on 10/29/20, which is intended to provide support for identifying and successfully adapting to lifestyle choices that are more adaptive to the changes required by current cultural stresses.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Right Lifestyle In Trying Times
Next week’s talk will focus on the importance of compassion in trying times.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:06:19 — 121.4MB)
by Peter Carlson | Jan 15, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Most current non-scholarly reviews of the life of the Buddha repeat the mythological attributions that are contained in the Suttas and Commentaries, which has some value. This review is an attempt to describe the life of this remarkable person in a way that is de-mythologized, attempting to provide a cultural context for his life and the revolutionary concepts that were developed to create what we call Buddhism. The Intention is to make his life and teachings more understandable and applicable to current life circumstances, with the hope that this will inspire more commitment to train the mind to deal more effectively with the stresses of contemporary life. Future talks will review the development of the various schools of Buddhism over the centuries following his death, the discovery of Buddhism by Westerners and its introduction into 20th century cultures, and finally the more recent neuropsychological and sociological research of the last 25 years regarding the beneficial effects of mindfulness and lovingkindness meditation, with the implications for our lives going forward.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Early Buddhist Life
As mentioned above, next week’s talk will focus on the development of the various Buddhist schools over several centuries and on several continents.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:12:15 — 132.3MB)