by Peter Carlson | Jan 22, 2015 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this dhamma dialogue, Peter fostered discussion of the preceding guided “acquiring breath awareness” meditition practice, posted just prior to this posting. He explained the importance of the practice of vitakka and vicara, that is intentionally bring focus to the sensations of breathing, then to sustain that awareness. Peter described the maturing of the practice of “aiming and sustaining” into one of the seven factors of awakening, dhamma vicaya, the investigation of mental phenomena. The experience of those present for the preceding guided meditation was explored, particularly any benefits from the application of Mentholatum, a mentholated salve, at the rim of the nostrils. The practice was intended to enhance sensations at the rim of the nostrils to create a more vivid target for the practice of vitakka and vicara.
This was followed by suggestions from Peter about ways to integrate mindful awareness of the breath into daily routines in order to provide a stable routine for interrupting unnecessary inner chatter.
Next weeks dhamma dialogue will explore the stanzas in the Anapanasati Sutta that encourage training the mind to experience a buoyant interest in breath awareness.
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by Peter Carlson | Jan 13, 2014 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, the first night of the annual one week retreat, Peter revisited the meaning of “retreat”, “the three refuges” and the concept of the precepts from a contemporary perspective. The importance of silence was emphasized, both external and internal. He then explained the value of persistent, but relaxed investigation of the sensation of breathing, to support increasing tranquility and insight. The meditation students were encouraged to make persistent monitoring of the breath a priority during the course of the ensuing days.
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by Peter Carlson | Jul 17, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This guided meditation is intended to support the talk entitled “Understanding The Concentration Awakening Factor”, posted July 17, 2020. Even though the focus of attention is primarily on the breath, meditators are invited to also investigate the quality of attention associated with the physical sensations of breathing, noticing the relative calmness and stability of attention when the mind is solely focused on the breath compared to when the mind is adversely affected by the five hindrances.
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by Peter Carlson | Aug 13, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This training meditation reviews the fundamental application of attention called vitakka and its accompanying mind conditioning factor vicara, which maintains focused attention. The practice involves intentionally aiming attention at the beginning of the in-breath and then sustaining that attention for the duration of the in-breath, then repeating this routine for the out-breath. The persistence of a determined intention to maintain this routine is encouraged periodically during the meditation. When attention is inevitably drawn away, the practice involves repeating the vitakka/vicara in order to interrupt the potential for the distraction to become a hindrance, returning attention to the breathing process again. As practice matures, vitakka/vicara become “blended”, manifesting as one of the 7 Awakening Factors, Investigation of Mental Phenomena.
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by Peter Carlson | Sep 11, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This guided meditation focuses on cultivating alertness in the mind to counter the hindrance of sloth/torpor, a persistent state of dullness and disengaged attention in the mind. During the meditation, various suggestions are provided to foster persistent curiosity about the changing sensations in the breathing cycle. When this process is stabilized, expanding focus to areas of the nose and face nearby can add to the levels of alertness. This meditation is intended to accompany the Dharma talk focusing on setting aside the hindrances of sloth/torpor and skeptical doubt.
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