by Peter Carlson | Mar 27, 2015 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This meeting involved a review by some of the participants in the nine day retreat from March 13 to the 22nd. First Peter reviewed the structure of the course, which blended practices found in the Anapanasati Sutta (mindfulness of breathing discourse) and the vedanupassana (body sweep) practice that Peter was trained in by his first teacher Ruth Denison and several retreats during which he was trained in the tradition taught by S. N. Goenka. The benefit of the body sweep was explained as a way to cultivate the seven awakening factors, especially mindfulness, investigation of mental phenomena, effort/persistence and concentration. the remaining three factors, joy, tranquility and equanimity, emerge more effectively as practice deepens.
Following this post, the dhamma talks recorded during the retreat will be posted as .mp3 files, along with some of the notes Peter referred to.
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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.
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by Peter Carlson | Nov 5, 2011 | Intro to Buddhism & Meditation, Listen to Dharma Talks
During the 2011 one week retreat, Peter provided a guided meditation providing support for integrating mindfulness of breathing meditation with mindfulness flavor, sound and other sense modes, then noting feelings as urgencies, either pleasant, unpleasant or neutral. Then there was instruction on how to note different mind states, and finally, the arising and passing away of thoughts and images.
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by Peter Carlson | Feb 14, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk concludes two focused on the elements of Dukkha, craving and clinging; the talk on tanha, craving,was posted on February 6. Peter described the term Upadana as basically meaning fuel or nutriment, that which feeds the selfing process. Upadana is the “maturing” of craving when the mind is insufficiently alert and balanced. Contemporary research into how the brain transforms stimulation into a sense of self through what is termed the binding process. Peter described how mindfulness of breathing meditation can provide the stability of attention and the level of insight into the process of becoming as described in the concept of dependent origination. These explanations were followed by general group discussion regarding the applications of mindfulness to reveal and overcome the various manifestations of clinging.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: WORKING WITH CLINGING
Next week’s talk will focus on working with karma.
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by Peter Carlson | Apr 3, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
We are living through what is likely the most trying time of our lives with the Covid-19 pandemic. This is not the only trial we are confronted with, as the upheaval caused by global warming is becoming even more evident. Both of these conditions require a degree of equanimity and creative adaptation to successfully live through. During this talk Peter described how meditation practices such as mindfulness of breathing, lovingkindness and the just posted Four Elements Contemplation can provide support for effective coping, using the Four Noble Truths as the conceptual structure for discussing the significant changes we must make in redefining what constitutes a good life, differing in several ways from the consumerism that is the characteristic conditioning in this culture. During the talk Peter described the importance of a book entitled “Voluntary Simplicity: Toward a Way of Life That Is Outwardly Simple, Inwardly Rich” by Duane Elgin in shaping his understanding and growth towards a good life. It can be found on Amazon as a revised edition. It is also useful to go to a site like http://simplicitycollective.com/start-here/what-is-voluntary-simplicity-2 to get more information.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: MINDFUL COPING AND CULTIVATING AN ADAPTIVE LIFESTYLE
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