by Peter Carlson | Mar 28, 2015 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, Peter explains the “fulfilling of the seven factors of awakening”, as described by the Anapanasati Sutta, quoting the translation by Gil Fronsdal. During the explanations, Peter used a graphic illustration of what are called the “panca bala”, the five powers, to describe the dynamic balancing of energy-tranquility, combined with the balancing of concentration-investigation. This process is ongoing due to the reality of impermanence, and the resulting dynamic equilibrium is equanimity.
by Peter Carlson | Mar 28, 2015 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This recording is associated with the previously posted .mp3 file, “Deerhaven Sixth Night Dhamma Talk”. It was recorded during a guided body sweep meditation, and included the parts of the body mentioned in the title. As mentioned previously, the purpose of this meditation is to support the cultivation of the seven awakening factors: mindfulness, investigation of mental phenomena, energy/ persistent Right Effort, joy, tranquility, concentration and equanimity.
by Peter Carlson | Dec 8, 2014 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this second evening of the weekend retreat at the Franciscan Center, Peter summarized the previous talks and instructions during the retreat, fostering increasing skill in the practice of anapanasati, mindfulness of breathing. He read an excerpt from the Anapanasati Sutta, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu, downloaded from the site “Access To Insight”, that illustrated what he had described previously. A progressive degree of the more subtle details of the sensation of breathing was used to explain how the process of awakening develops: first, complete identification with internal narrative as definitive of lived experience (that is, ignorance, from the Buddhist perspective), through a “half-and-half” awareness of narrative and breath awareness, to full breath awareness with no intrusive narrative. This is the cultivation of Samadhi, concentration. The practice of vipassana was described as a revisiting of the narratives, with enough “dispassion” (viraga in Pali) to see the narratives as mental fabrications, impermanent and non-self. These insights constitute the process of awakening.
This practice was related to the cultivation of the Seven Awakening Factors: Mindfulness, Investigation of Mental Phenomena, Energy/Right Effort, Joy, Tranquility, Concentration and Equanimity.
Hopefully, the next posting will include the recording of the Wednesday night dhamma dialogue, a review of the retreat experience by those present who participated in the weekend retreat.
by Peter Carlson | Sep 11, 2014 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This is the second in a series of discussions regarding the seven factors of awakening, focused on dhamma vicaya bojjhanga, the investigation of mental phenomena factor of awakening. This factor is a core element of the practice of vipassana, operating in tandem with mindfulness, Right Effort and concentration. Peter described the maturing of investigation from the rudimentary mindfulness of breathing practice of vitakka and vicara, that is, aiming attention at the beginning of the in-breath and sustaining that attention for the duration of the in-breath, then repeating that procedure for the out-breath. This basic practice develops the ability to cultivate concentration and tranquility, setting the stage for the practice of vipassana. This description was followed by a brief guided meditation focusing on investigating the breath and noting any variations of attention that might occur. There was some discussion following this meditation to associate the investigation factor with truly understanding the Four Noble Truths.
Here are the notes accompanying this evenings dialogue: The Awakening Factor of Investigation of Mental Phenonemena Next week’s dialogue will continue exploring the awakening factors with a focus on the awakening factor of energy, that is, Right Effort.
by Peter Carlson | Aug 28, 2014 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This is the first of several dialogues exploring the bojjhangas, the seven factors of awakening. During this talk, Peter describes the relationship between the awakening factors and the five powers. He also described the evolution of the factors through the process of setting aside the hindrances preparatory to the practice of vipassana. The awakening factors that comprise vipassana were described. Next week’s dialogue will explore the individual factors in detail, with guided meditations to facilitate recognizing their function.
Here are the notes prepared for this presentation and for the next few meetings: BOJJHANGA-7 AWAKENING FACTORS