by Peter Carlson | May 14, 2026 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, Peter provides his perspective on the function of the Seven Awakening Factors, which culminate in the full realization potential of the Four Noble Truths. He describes three categories within the seven: Mindfulness, Investigation of Mental Phenomena, and Energy, the persistent ability to maintain a flow of attention and self-regulation that fosters Awakening, The remaining four factors develop as the result of how skillfully the first three are matured. Next week’s talk will further the review with a focus on the Awakening Factors of Joy and Tranquility, and the following week will review the final two factors, Concentration and Equanimity.
Here are the notes Peter used during the talk: mindfulness investigation and energy are drivers of awakening factors
Here are notes prepared prior to the talk: Reviewing The Seven Awakening Factor System
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by Peter Carlson | Jun 28, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk is a continuation of several focused on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourse, in particular, the part of the Fourth Foundation describing how to identify and overcome the Five Hindrances. In this case, the hindrance is thina/middha, sloth and torpor. This quality of mind is overly sedated, drowsy and lacking in sufficient energy to investigate emerging self-state organizations. The antidote for sloth and torpor involves a more energetic application of the intention to bring focused attention to the breath sensations and maintain this focus persistently. When this strategy is insufficient, other useful remedies found in the traditional teachings were described. Peter emphasized that, when one participates in a retreat lasting at least a week, there comes a period of time when awareness “wakes up”, becoming more alert, manageable and sensitized to mental processes. This insight reveals how often our everyday consciousness is impaired by “subtle dullness”, such as when daydreaming. This was accompanied by discussion regarding how this hindrance affects various people attending the talk.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: OVERCOMING SLOTH AND TORPOR
The topic of next week’s talk will be overcoming restlessness and worry.
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by Peter Carlson | Jul 21, 2016 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This week’s talk continues to explore how Buddhist principles and practices can support developing wisdom in the current political environment. Racism, sexism, homophobia and ethnophobia were described as themes woven into the fabric of political divisiveness. The intention regarding this presentation is to support being able to stay presently aware and compassionate when confronted by political “true believers” and prejudicial beliefs in either political party. A model for this practice is found in the Tibetan practice called “Lojong Mind Training”, the core of which is the practice of compassion.
The cultivation of mental clarity and emotional non-reactivity through regular meditation practice was emphasized; this provides the foundation for compassion, transforming fear-based contentiousness into compassionate interpersonal dialogue.
Peter reviewed some of the pertinent lojong training aphorisms to foster discussion about how these practices can be applied during our social encounters.
Here are the notes prepared for this discussion: BUDDHISM POLITICS AND NONSELF
Here is the document prepared by Peter previously to provide a more modern rendering of lojong mind training: Peter’s Lojong Practice Notes
Next week’s discussion will focus on conflict resolution dialogue and strategies, supported by the training provided by routine mindfulness and lovingkindness practices.
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by Peter Carlson | Aug 27, 2015 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talks reviews the lojong mind training aphorism “In order to take unexpected conditions as the path, immediately join whatever you meet with meditation”. The emphasis of this practice is to train the mind to become quickly, mindfully aware of what is emerging in consciousness, and essential competency to cultivate in vipassana practice. Peter described recent research regarding which areas of the brain are associated with mindfulness, and how these neural pathways are enhanced to increase self awareness and the ability to regulate emotional reactivity. After these descriptions, ways that agile and accurate inner awareness can be cultivated, not only by regular meditation practice, but also through finding ways to remind oneself to be mindful during the day.
This talk followed a guided meditation just posted “Agile Mind Guided Meditation”.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: MAKING THE MIND AGILE AND ACCURATE
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by Peter Carlson | Mar 5, 2015 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This is the first of two discussions about the wholesome cetasikas, the mind conditioners that foster the process of awakening. The seven factors are confidence, mindfulness, wholesome conscience, fear of consequences (respect for karma), non-attachment, non-aversion (lovingkindness), and equanimity. Peter described the process of identifying and cultivating these factors as “feeding the angels”.
During the discussion, Peter encouraged participants to develop the ability to quickly identify each mind conditioner as another way to see the impersonality of life experience, that is, that there are moments of awareness of the associated mind conditioners, not a separate, enduring self.
These conditioners are essential elements in the practice of vipassana, developing the process of awakening. Next week’s discussion will investigate the remaining wholesome conditioners, especially those 12 called “the beautiful pairs”.
The notes for this discussion are found in the next posting.
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