by Peter Carlson | Mar 7, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Our community has a tradition allowing folks who attended a significant retreat to “think out loud” about the experience among others who have some idea of the issues discussed, in order to consolidate and clarify the benefits gained and to share their insights with others who have not been on retreat, perhaps inspiring them to consider a retreat. Eight of the thirty-five who attended the retreat were at this meeting and reported their insights and how this has affected their daily life since the retreat.
The retreat was organized thematically around two suttas of the Pali Canon. Here are the copies the retreatants worked with: Two Sorts of Thinking MN 19 The Relaxation of Thoughts Vitakkasaṇṭhāna Sutta
The retreat experience was very much appreciated by all who attended. Shaila commented during the retreat on the sincere and well-informed commitments of those participating in the retreat. Additionally, Peter reported arrangements have been made for the next retreat at the Franciscan Center in Tampa to be led by Shaila Catherine from December 7-13, 2020. The theme of the retreat is yet to be determined.
Next week’s discussion will resume investigation of the Anapanasati Sutta, the Mindfulness of Breathing Discourse. The focus will be on the section of the Sutta that regards “calming the mind conditioners”, and will specifically explore the Universal Wholesome Cetasikas, those conditioners that coordinate to form every moment of consciousness that is liberated from dukkha, that is, distress and confusion.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:03:40 — 116.6MB)
by Peter Carlson | Nov 15, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk elaborates a concept proposed by Pema Chodron, the well respected Tibetan teacher and author. Shenpa is a Tibetan term which literally means attachment. Pema Chodron has found a useful adaptation of this term, the hook–the impulsive identification with and reaction to an initial stimulus. Peter provides a useful explanation of this term in Theravadin terms as the process of craving and clinging; he finds the hook term to be a convenient and effective way to quickly note and reject the initial thoughts and emotional reactions to a situation, relating this to the term papanca (pah-pahn-chah), the impulsive proliferation of identification and thoughts initiated by a stimulating event. This discussion included suggestions to foster quicker and more precise identification of the hook through a variation of fundamental mindfulness of breathing practice. This was followed by group discussion of how the meditation practice brings benefit to overcoming the hook.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: DISSOLVING THE HOOK
The post immediately before this post is a recording of a guided meditation entitled “Dissolving The Hook Meditation”.
Next week’s meeting will include a guided gratitude meditation followed by a general discussion of how Buddhism integrates with a daily practice of gratitude.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:00 — 82.4MB)
by Peter Carlson | Jan 18, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During the discussion of January 10, 2018 “Understanding Karma”, the importance of cetana, intention, was mentioned. This talk elaborates on cetana, which is one of the “universal mind conditioners” that function in every moment of consciousness. Peter quoted excerpts from Van Gorkam’s book “Cetasikas” describing the coordinating and motivating function of intention in the formation of each moment of selfing. The relationship between intention and the Buddhist doctrine of dependent origination was also described. These understandings were aligned with an excerpt from Siegel’s “The Mindful Brain” regarding the neuroscientific research on intention that supports the traditional Buddhist view. Ways to cultivate mindful intention were discussed associated with the practice of mindfulness of breathing.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: UNDERSTANDING INTENTION
Next week’s topic will be understanding the practical benefits of cultivating virtue, a core aspect of the Noble Eightfold Path, from a psychological as well as spiritual perspective.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:59 — 111.7MB)
by Peter Carlson | Nov 2, 2017 | Listen to Dharma Talks
In the Upaddha Sutta, the Buddha explains to his attendant Ananda the crucial importance of relationship for realizing the Four Noble Truths (the quote is found in the notes attached to this posting). Modern psychological research validates this belief–we are inherently social animals and co-create each other through our interpersonal exchanges. the concepts are described during the discussion, connecting the Buddhist principles of virtuous relationship and the discipline of mindfulness of breathing meditation in the process of awakening–this could be called “Right Relationship”. The explanation was followed by discussion on how different applications of “kalyana mitta” (spiritual friendship) can become part of daily relationship experiences.
Here are the notes prepared for this discussion: BUDDHISM AND RELATIONSHIP NOTES
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:02:37 — 114.6MB)
by Peter Carlson | Aug 21, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This training meditation is intended to support the posted talk entitled “The Universal Unwholesome Cetasikas”, and is meant to enhance the ability to investigate conditions in the mind that represent the presence and operation of the first four of the Unwholesome Cetasikas: Delusion/Ignorance, Shamelessness (The absence of Right Speech in one’s internal narrative), Recklessness (Because of Ignorance one is likely to repeatedly think and act in ways that are distressful and shaped by Delusion) and Restlessness (Agitation and instability in the mind). During the meditation you are invited to identify the presence of these unwholesome mind conditioning factors, contrasting them with the stability and tranquility that is experienced while maintaining mindfulness of breathing meditation.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:58 — 82.3MB)
