by Peter Carlson | Jun 12, 2025 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Our community finds value in providing opportunities for those among us who have recently experienced a significant retreat to “think out loud” about the experience. The benefits of these reviews are associated with the support of informed listeners, along with information about retreat sites and teachers. The descriptions of the experience might inspire those listening to commit to a retreat. During this talk, Mike spoke about the teachers, Guy and Sally Armstrong and their suggestions and training to foster clear knowledge of awareness, a very subtle quality of the mind usefully developed on the path to Awakening.
the unfortunate humming sound during parts of the talk come from a neighbor mowing their yard.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Mike Maldonado 2025
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:09:03 — 63.2MB)
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)
by Peter Carlson | May 9, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Dhamma Vicaya, the Investigation of Mental Phenomena, is the second of the 7 Factors of Awakening. Peter described the progressive development of vitakka (aiming attention at the sensations of breathing) and vicara (sustaining focused attention on these sensations), combined with sati (mindfulness) and viriya (energy/persistent effort) into the capacity to maintain diligent awareness of the three characteristics of reality: anicca (impermanence), dukkha (the distress and confusion that is the consequence of craving and clinging) and anatta (the absence of an enduring and autonomous self). This alert and detached investigative process is vipassana, often translated as insight. Three meditation practices for cultivating dhamma vicaya were described: mindfulness of breathing, noting and body sweep. This description was followed by discussion by the attending group regarding the various practices.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Investigation of Mental Phenomena
There will be no posting of dharma talks for the next two weeks, as Peter will be on a self-retreat. He will report on the retreat experience on May 29.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:03 — 108.1MB)
by Peter Carlson | Dec 5, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This is the last in a series of meetings that explore the Divine Abidings, Metta (Lovingkindness), Karuna (Compassion), Mudita (Sympathetic Joy) and Upekkha (Equanimity). Equanimity is manifested when a well-trained mind applies mindfulness, investigation of mental phenomena and Right Effort. The accompanying notes contain a graphic representation of how equanimity is cultivated, bringing balance between energy & tranquility, and concentration & investigation. Peter then goes on to describe the application of equanimity to avoid what are called the “far enemy” and “near enemy” of the four Divine Abidings. This was followed by general discussion among those present on how to cultivate equanimity in one’s daily life routines.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: The Benefits Of Equanimity
Next week’s talk will focus on how to bring mindfulness, investigation of mental phenomena, Right Effort and equanimity to the hyperactive characteristics of the holiday season through careful attention to what is seen on the media and among other folks as well as oneself. The purpose of this observation is to realize the potential for bringing the Four Noble Truths into clearer focus.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:02:49 — 115.0MB)
by Peter Carlson | Nov 6, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
The term Bojjhanga literally means “those factors that foster Awakening”. They are called “The Seven Awakening Factors”: Mindfulness, Investigation, Energy/Right Effort, Joy, Tranquility, Concentration and Equanimity. Peter described the cultivation of these factors as present in undeveloped form from the beginning of practice, but maturing significantly once the Five Hindrances are set aside. They cooperate interactively, with mindfulness being the “Chief Minister” in their operation. Cultivation of them requires mindfulness of what triggers their emergence, what amplifies and coordinates their operation with other factors, and what brings them to their full potential. The explanation was followed by discussion to integrate these concepts with what was experienced during the day’s meditation practice.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: SEVEN AWAKENING FACTORS
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:16:06 — 139.4MB)
