by Peter Carlson | Jun 18, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Dhamma Vicaya (dah-mah vih-chah-yah) is the second of the Seven Awakening Factors, and I prefer to interpret the Pali to mean Investigation of Mental Phenomena. It functions closely with the Mindfulness and Energy Awakening Factors. During the training meditation, I suggest that intentionally aiming attention to evident sensations at the beginning of the in-breath and sustaining attention for the duration of the in-breath, then repeating this for the out-breath begins the process of maturing attention towards dhamma vicaya. Once attention to the breathing cycle becomes more routine, it is suggested that one “look closer” at an aspect of breath sensation that was more evident to increase the power of insight. It is also emphasized that dhamma vicaya isn’t really about the breath sensations specifically, but rather noticing with clarity and detachment how the mind creates a meaningful self in relationship to the sensations.
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by Peter Carlson | Mar 10, 2017 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This evening’s talk focused on the core teaching of Buddhism called “paticca samuppada” (pah-tee-chah sah-moo-pah-dah), traditionally interpreted as “dependent origination”. Peter offered an alternative translation, “contingent provisional emergence” with explanation regarding the increased usefulness of this understanding. It points out that the opportunity to “change your mind” occurs when the awakening factor of investigation of mental phenomena, combined with Right Effort, allows previously conditioned, reactive responses to be altered by inner awareness of feeling, that is, impulsive emotional or habitual reactions to not mature into internally conflicted self-state organizations. This was accompanied by a graphic illustrating the self-reinforcing links of mental conditioning functions, with mindfulness of feelings as a key point of focus.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Contingent Provisional Emergence
Also posted here is a recorded guided meditation to foster increased capacity to investigate the sensations of breathing more persistently in greater detail. It is entitled “Swimming In The Stream Of Dharma”.
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by Peter Carlson | Jan 15, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This guided meditation provides training in noticing three essential qualities of attention described in the Satipatthana Sutta and the Anapanasati Suttta: Diligence (Persistent, dedicated application of attention), Clear Comprehension (Attention to the details of sensations while breathing along with attention to the emergence of mental phenomena), monitored by Mindfulness (Undistracted, alert awareness). During the meditation there are occasional reminders provided of those characteristics and ways to recognize and make best use of their functions, as they are key for developing insight in an ongoing way.
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by Peter Carlson | May 8, 2014 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This is the third of five talks about the hindrances. In this week’s dialogue, Peter talked of sloth and torpor as a dysregulation of energy in the mind and body. If the system is too tranquil, dullness, drowsiness and lethargy arise; if the system is too activated, the hindrance of restlessness and worry arise.
At this point, he described 3 strategies for setting aside sloth and torpor: mindful noting of the first signs of dullness, ways to intervene in the development of sloth and torpor, and ways to minimize the likelihood that sloth and torpor will recur. After explaining the concepts, Peter talked of his own recent experience of lethargy related to being ill with shingles. Following this there was more dialogue involving others who were present. Peter will be in a two week self-retreat from May 9 to May 23. There will be no more dhamma dialogue postings until May 28, when he will report on his retreat experience.
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by Peter Carlson | Dec 13, 2013 | Listen to Dharma Talks
It is our custom to dedicate the meeting after sangha members have participated in a significant retreat experience to talking about each person’s insights and experience. Peter briefly described the format of the retreat, which was progressively more intimate investigation of the breath process. After this, a lively discussion ensued, with opportunities to explore further the experiences and implications for ongoing practice. Since Peter will be on a 2 week self-retreat until the end of the month, there will be no further dhamma talk recordings until the first weekend of January, and that will focus on Peter’s experience during his retreat. We hope that all who listen to these talks will enjoy a safe and happy holiday season.
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