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 | May 27, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk begins an in-depth review of the Satipatthana Sutta, the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourse. Analayo’s book “Satipatthana–The Direct Path To Realization” will be a primary resource for the series, supplemented by observations drawn from contemporary neuroscientific and psychological research that validate what is in the sutta. This discussion focuses on the Definitions relating to what Analayo calls the satipatthana refrain—contemplation, diligence, clear awareness, mindfulness and freedom from distress and confusion regarding the world. These terms are repeated throughout the Sutta in each of the Four Foundations. There was discussion after the presentation regarding how to use the elements of the refrain to address sadness while meditating.
There is a guided meditation entitled “Guided Four Foundations Meditation” in the Archives that was presented previous to this talk.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: What Is Satipatthana
Next week’s topic will be the importance of mindfulness of breathing to cultivate the four foundations.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:02:02 — 113.6MB)
by Peter Carlson | Jun 3, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk continues an extensive review of the Satipatthana Sutta, the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourse. The focus for this review is on how anapanasati, mindfulness of breathing meditation, can be developed in two ways to foster insight into the conditioned nature of the mind: Through exclusive focus on breath sensations leading to jhana (a highly developed state of awareness that is hard to achieve) followed by insight practices, and through what is called “dry vipassana”, which uses mindfulness of breathing for concentrating the mind for a more inclusive cultivation of insight. There is an accompanying guided meditation, “Guided Anapanasati Meditation” which was recorded the same evening, June 2, 2021, and which can be found in the Archives.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Breath Awareness for Quieting the Mind
Next week’s topic will focus on Mindfulness in the Four Postures and Clear Knowledge In Regards To Activities, sections of the First Foundation of Mindfulness.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:03:12 — 115.7MB)
