by Peter Carlson | Apr 18, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk begins a series of discussions exploring how increasingly skillful anapanasati (mindfulness of breathing) enhances the potency of the satta sambojjhanga (the seven Awakening factors). These capabilities for spiritual development begin being applied to setting aside the Five Hindrances; as this is accomplished, the Awakening factors are then applied to experientially realizing the Four Noble Truths through the mindful investigation of anicca (impermanence), dukkha (the distress and confusion caused by craving and clinging) and anatta (the absence of an enduring and autonomous self). The Awakening factors were briefly reviewed; future talks will address each of them in particular as they cooperate in furthering the process of Awakening.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Anapanasati And Satta Sambojjhanga
Next week’s talk will feature a guest speaker, Robert Lockridge, one of the founding teachers of the Orlando Zen Center, which practices in the Korean Zen tradition. The talk is entitled “The Practice of Clear Direction: Only Go Straight, Just Do It”. Robert’s talks have been well-received in the past as he emphasizes direct seeing and action through the Dharma. It will be recorded and posted.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 58:27 — 107.0MB)
by Peter Carlson | Mar 2, 2017 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, Peter reviewed the traditional “3 Refuges” and “Five Precepts” practices at the beginning of retreats, then suggested a more contemporary rendering of the Refuges, followed by a handout with the Precepts rendered as commitments. Participants were also given a “certificate” dedication: “May The Merits Of This Practice Benefit Everyone I Meet”. This was followed by discussion regarding how to make best use of the retreat experience to follow over the next 6 days.
Here are files for the certificate and commitment handouts: To Cultivate More Clear Awareness and Benevolent Intention scanned merits slogan
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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”.
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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)