by Peter Carlson | Aug 13, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk continues a review of the contemplations found in the Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, namely the Five Aggregates. An overview of the interactions between Form, Feeling, Perception, Mind Conditioning Factors and Consciousness is provided, relating the aggregates to the other Foundations of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourse, using several quotes from Analayo’s “Satipatthana–The Direct Path To Realization”. Also included is a brief review of the next contemplation, the Six Sense Bases, as these are represented by the Form aggregate. Because this contemplation provides a key insight into the concept of Dependent Origination, several subsequent Dharma talks will provide a review of the Mind Conditioning Factors, numbering 52 in the commentaries, and called Cetasikas, because of the key function these factors provide in Dependent Origination. After reviewing the cetaskikas the Dependent Origination concept will then be considered. The Cetasikas and Dependent Origination are not described in the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourse, but understanding how they operate is a key component in the process of Awakening.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Understanding The Five Aggregates
An important book that analyses the Five Aggregates entitled “The Five Aggregates–Understanding Theravada Psychology and Soteriology” by Matthieu Boisvert can be downloaded in .pdf format here: The-Five-Aggregates-Understanding-Theravada-Psychology-Soteriology (Soterilogy is the study of salvation).
Next week’s talk will focus on beginning a review of the Cetasikas with the “Universal Mind Conditioners”, which function in every moment of consciousness.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:14 — 110.3MB)
by Peter Carlson | Mar 24, 2022 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk continues the series entitled “How Do You Want to Live?”, which began February 17, 2022. “Right Relationship” is not a true Buddhist conceptual category, but is applicable to our lived experience. At the beginning of the talk, a quote from the Suttas states that Sangha, meaning spiritual relationship, “is the whole of the of the holy life”, in the context of the Noble Eightfold Path’s conceptual understanding of how to live. A similar concept from contemporary psychological research called Attachment Theory, is described as supportive of the Buddhist concept of Interdependence. Peter describes some of the exercises he provided for clients as a psychotherapist regarding effective interpersonal communications that includes references to Mindfulness and emotional self-regulation to negotiate relationships successfully.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: MINDFULNESS AND RIGHT RELATIONSHIP
The topic for next week’s talk will be the benefits of mindfulness regarding good physical health. We must be more proactive in regards to our physical health–otherwise, our health care system, already stressed, will be overwhelmed with patients whose conditions could be addressed to reduce the likelihood of illness.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:45 — 52.0MB)
by Peter Carlson | Jul 11, 2024 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, April provides her research and insights regarding the Seven Awakening Factors, emphasizing the importance of the factors of Mindfulness, Investigation of Dhammas, Energy and Joy. Investigation, Energy and Joy activate the Wholesome Mind Conditioning Factors, monitored by Mindfulness. Next week’s talk will provide Part 2 of the review, focusing on the moderating Awakening Factors, Tranquility, Concentration, and Equanimity, once again monitored by mindfulness.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Orlando Insight The Seven Factors of Awakening
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:05:26 — 59.9MB)
by Peter Carlson | Apr 30, 2026 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, Peter reviews another way mindfulness practice supports Awakening, contemplating the Five Aggregates of Clinging, part of the Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness. The Five Aggregates represent a conceptual structure that helps understanding of Anatta, the absence of an enduring, autonomous self. Concrete, a crucial structural component in almost any building or road, is composed of cement, gravel, sand and water, which aggregate and solidify into a form–the human personality is also aggregated from file elements, and they can be investigated with sufficient training in mindfulness. When we are mindful of these elements as aggregates, the ability to “deconstruct” the self is nurtured.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: REVIEWING THE FIVE AGGREGATES OF CLINGING
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:56 — 52.1MB)
by Peter Carlson | Jul 19, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
As exploring the Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness continues, the importance of understanding how the Five Aggregates functions in organizing an experience of “selfing” conceptually integrates with the ability to mindfully investigate the experience of form, feelings, perceptions, mind conditioners and consciousness as mental phenomena without identifying with their interactive functioning as a self that is autonomous and enduring. During the talk, the 52 mental conditioners called cetasikas were described categorically as Universal, Occasional, Unwholesome and Wholesome (with the addition of feelings and perceptions on the list). Peter used the example of jealousy (listed as envy among the cetasikas) as a category that all people experience, then talking about the jealousy experienced as a memory of a favored sibling getting the “best” piece of cake as an explicit and personalized manifestation of craving and clinging to clarify how to investigate mind conditioners through vipassana practice.
This was followed by discussion of how mindful and non-attached investigation of the presence or absence of awareness of one of the five aggregates affects one’s lived experience in the process of Awakening.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: UNDERSTANDING THE FIVE AGGREGATES
Here is the cetasikas poster that is posted in the meditation room that was referred to in the talk: CETASIKAS POSTER
Next week’s talk will explore how mindfulness of the “six sense bases” furthers the process of Awakening.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:40 — 111.1MB)
