by Peter Carlson | Feb 25, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk reviews a mindfulness meditation practice protocol developed by a Burmese teacher named Mahasi Sayadaw, who had a great influence on the important contemporary American Buddhist teachers Joseph Goldstein and Sharon Salsberg of the Insight Meditation Society. Elements of the practice that are reviewed include the importance of intention for cultivating a persistent “noting” of what is immediately occurring in awareness, with a primary focus of attention on the expanding and contracting of the abdomen while practicing mindfulness of breathing meditation. The goal of this practice is to create and sustain a “stream” of noting moments, directly knowing the characteristics of self-organization in order to reveal the nature of anicca, impermanence, one of the three basic characteristics of Buddhism. This streaming process is termed momentary concentration and is expected to produce calmness and clarity in the mind without having to previously cultivate very high levels of fixed concentration. The review is followed by a question and comment period among those attending.
A guided meditation entitled “Guided vipassana With Noting Meditation” was posted for February 24, 2021 in the Guided Meditation Archive and is intended to supplement this talk.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: The Mahasi Sayadaw Method
The focus for the next meeting will be a guided body scan meditation modeled on the teachings of S. N. Goenka followed by a talk that will review the concepts and practices for this form of mindfulness meditation.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:08:06 — 124.7MB)
by Peter Carlson | Apr 1, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk is meant to complement the talk on March 24, 2021 that focused on how the stress in 2020 from the pandemic created anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress or addiction problems for many people. The focus for this talk is on how mindfulness of breathing meditation can be helpful in coping with the above mentioned conditions. The presenter, Peter, has integrated mindfulness principles and practices into a 35-year career as a psychotherapist and addictions counselor.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Mindful Coping With Pandemic Distress
Here are notes to accompany the discussion of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, an effective way to address depression: FIVE SCHEMA DOMAINS
Peter will be on a self-retreat from April 2-16; the next talk will be on April 21 and will involve a review of his retreat experience with the hope it will be informative for others who consider attending a residential retreat. The Orlando Insight Meditation Group will produce a residential retreat at the Deerhaven Retreat Center in Lake County, at the southern border of the Ocala National Forest October 16-23, 2021, which will be led by Peter.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:01 — 89.7MB)
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 22, 2023 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Continuing a review of the Noble Eightfold Path, this talk focuses on Right Effort, emphasizing the importance of avoiding or letting go of unwholesome mind states and supporting the arising and fulfillment of wholesome mind states. The teacher for this talk is Lezlie Laws. The next talk will begin an extensive review of Right Mindfulness, focusing on the first element of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, Mindfulness of Breathing Meditation.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:07:15 — 61.6MB)
by Peter Carlson | Mar 16, 2023 | Listen to Dharma Talks
It is our custom to provide an opportunity for anyone who recently completed a significant retreat to reflect upon their experience, because “thinking out loud” about it helps integrate their insights. Lezlie has practiced Ashtanga Yoga for decades and is certified to teach yoga. She recently completed a one-week retreat that integrated yoga, longevity practices, and mindfulness meditation. She reviewed the characteristics of the site and organization of the retreat, which emphasized the importance of using breath awareness while practicing hatha yoga, as well as during other daily activities. She also reviewed Ashtanga Yoga, which uses “The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali” as a primary resource for study, and this discourse has significant parallels to the conceptual structures associated with Buddhism, Her review was followed by questions from those participating in the meeting.
The topic for next week’s talk will review the association between what is called “emotional intelligence”, (The ability to cultivate self-awareness and self-discipline to more fully realize one’s social, professional and spiritual development) and the application of mindfulness and Right Effort.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:08:19 — 62.5MB)
