by Peter Carlson | Jun 4, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk is the first of several reviews of Sattasambojjangha, (sah-tah-sahm-bow-jahn-gah), the Seven Awakening Factors. The factors are mindfulness, investigation of mental phenomena, energy/effort, joy, tranquility, concentration and equanimity. Each of these factors will be reviewed individually over the course of several weeks. During the talk, Peter emphasized the integrative characteristics of the factors, as the cultivation of each supports the unification and capabilities of all the factors in supporting, first, the setting aside of the Five Hindrances and second, realizing the direct experience of impermanence, dukkha and non-self aspects of subjective reality. After the review, there was discussion among the participants to clarify and expand on the concepts.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: SATTASAMBOJJHANGA
Next week will be a review of mindfulness as an Awakening factor.
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by Peter Carlson | Dec 6, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This is the first of a two-part exploration of how cultural stress might have been a contributing instigation for the spiritual masters Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, and Martin Luther, followed next week with the potential for a rebirth of spirituality as a result of the stressful times we live in. Peter described the cultural stresses of ancient India, Palestine, Arabia and Europe as motivation for the deep introspection and creative redefining of spiritual development. Each of these profoundly transforming insights came about as the result of introspective efforts by the above mentioned individuals, who were trying to come to terms with the internal contradictions of the prevalent cultural and religious norms, along with the accompanying wars and other societal upheavals. The radical changes that followed could be conceptualized as a form of rebirth, not of the body but of the culture. These innovations then were codified by the development of the religions that came afterwards, which provided another set of internal bureaucratic contradictions. The current cultural situation is perhaps the most radically stressful period in human history. Peter suggested that this period of time might also produce a revitalization of spiritual/evolutionary development, prompted by the almost total sharing of insights regarding the human condition provided by contemporary scientific research and the direct introspection that mindfulness meditation provides. What is unique about this era is the almost universal research into the history of the various world religions through the medium of the internet, along with neuroscientific research that shows how dedicated meditation practice changes the structures and functions of mind/body processes.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: A Different View Of Rebirth
Next week’s talk will be “A Different View of Rebirth, Part 2”. The focus will be on how important the cultivation of mindfulness will be for the adaptive creativity that will be necessary for human culture to successfully resolve the radical changes prompted by environmental stress, accompanied by economic and societal pressures.
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by Peter Carlson | Nov 5, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This meditation focuses on combining mindfulness meditation with compassion meditation, suggesting that the effective experiencing and expressing of compassion requires using Right Mindfulness and Right Effort to create the subjective clarity and serenity that supports the emergence of compassion. The ability of a person to empathize with the distress and confusion of others is emphasized, and the inter-relatedness of all beings is also included in the contemplation. This meditation is intended to accompany the posting entitled “Mindful Compassion In Trying Times”, recorded November 4, 2020.
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by Peter Carlson | Mar 4, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk reviews a practice Peter learned from attending several retreats that followed the teaching of S. N. Goenka that he called vedanupassana, mindfulness of feelings. During the talk the history of this form of “dry vipassana” is reviewed and Peter describes how he applies this sort of mindfulness meditation practice on a daily basis. The talk is followed by general discussion among those participating. There is an accompanying guided meditation recorded just prior to this talk entitled “Guided Body Scan Meditation”.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk, including URL coding for accessing other guided body scan meditations recorded by Peter and by Ayya Khema: S N Goenka Body Scan Notes
Next week’s topic for review will be the cultivation of jhana as taught by the Pa Auk Sayadaw, the teacher of Shaila Catherine, who has led previous retreats produced by the Orlando Insight Meditation Group.
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by Peter Carlson | Jun 10, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk continues a review of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourse, focusing on parts of the First Foundation, known as the Four Postures and the Contemplation of Daily Activities with Full Awareness. There is further reference to what are called the Four Comprehensions: Worthy Goal, Suitable Means, Domain (the Four Foundations) and Non-Delusions; these are considered to be a spiritual “decision tree” process to be integrated into one’s lifestyle to further liberation from dukkha. The primary reference for these reviews are from two of Analayo’s books, “Satipatthana–Direct Path To Realization” and “Satipatthana Meditation–A Practice Guide”.
Here are the notes for this talk: Clearly Knowing The Body
The Satipatthana Sutta review for next week will focus further on the First Foundation of Mindfulness, with some modern commentary and practices included.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 53:59 — 98.9MB)
