by Peter Carlson | Jul 26, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk focuses on “deconstructing” the misconception of an enduring and autonomous self, exploring the process through which the raw data of sensory stimulation is transformed by mind conditioners into what the Buddha called “The tyranny of I, Me and Mine”. A fetter is the action of craving and clinging related to the emerging internal narrative in the creation of the self. Peter then suggested how mindfulness meditation fosters the ability to see how the processes operate rather than attaching a self to the content of each moment of subjective experience. This explanation was followed by discussion among those present regarding how they might use this information to understand Buddhist practices more beneficially.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: THE SIX SENSE BASES AND THE FETTERS
Next week’s discussion will begin identifying the Seven Awakening Factors and how to cultivate them, key skills for advancing the process of Awakening.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:02:17 — 114.0MB)
by Peter Carlson | Jun 8, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
The talk explored the Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, with specific emphasis on being mindful of what triggers sense desire, how it operates in the brain and what can be done to overcome this hindrance to mental clarity and tranquility.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Overcoming Sense Desire
Next week’s talk will be given by Robert Lockridge from the Orlando Zen Center. Upon returning, Peter will continue exploring overcoming the hindrances, focusing on aversion and ill-will.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:03:18 — 115.9MB)
by Peter Carlson | Mar 20, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, the focus is on the Sambojjhanga, the Seven Awakening Factors: Mindfulness, Investigation of Mental Phenomena, Energy/Right Effort/Persistence, Joy, Tranquility, Concentration and Equanimity/Balance. These qualities are operating in every moment of wholesome self-state organization, and become more and more potent when the Five Hindrances have been set aside in the mind’s functioning. Emphasis was placed on the Investigation of Mental Phenomena, as this manifests as the maturation of the initial meditation instruction to aim attention at the breath sensation (vitakka in Pali) and sustain that awareness through the whole of the in-breath (vicara in Pali). The collaberative functioning of the seven factors is essential in the practice of vipassana, which is the primary tool fostering the awakening process. This explanation was followed by discussion of the day’s practice and the information received during this talk.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: BOJJHANGA-7 AWAKENING FACTORS
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:25:35 — 156.7MB)
by Peter Carlson | Mar 1, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
NamaRupa is an important concept in Buddhist psychology. Nama represents the conditioning functions of the mind as Rupa, the experiencing of sensations is transformed into meaningful self-state organizations. NamaRupa is another way to describe the Five Aggregates, that is, form (sensations, that is, Rupa), feelings, perceptions, mind conditioners and consciousness (These four represent the various categories of Nama). During the talk, the importance of being mindfully aware of these different functions in order to not mistakenly believe that mental phenomena are inherently accurate representations of the objective world. This awareness, when clearly established through the Seven Awakening Factors, (mindfulness, investigation of mental phenomena, energy/persistent Right Effort, joyful engagement, tranquility, stability of focus and equanimity/internal balance), leads to Awakening. Peter emphasized that on a mundane level, the ability to discern the difference between what is sensed and how the mind makes meaning regarding the sensation is a core skill for cognitive therapy, a frequent and reliable way to promote mental health.
Here are the notes prepared for this presentation: Understanding NamaRupa
Next week’s talk will involve a guest speaker, Andy Quinn, who will facilitate a discussion of the important place women occupy in contemporary Western Buddhism as practitioners, teachers and authors. During next week, Peter and other community members will be on the yearly one week retreat, which will be discussed during the following regular Wednesday night meeting.
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by Peter Carlson | Nov 9, 2017 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Two weeks ago, the posting focused on Addictions and the Dharma; last week’s focus was on Relationships and the Dharma. It seems reasonable to discuss how addictions affect relationships in the form of codependency. Peter, who is a Certified Addictions Professional, described the history and dynamics of codependency, followed by how Buddhist principles and practices, particularly craving and clinging can help to understand codependent roles, and how mindfulness practices can interrupt the codependent relationship patterns through increased self-awareness and self-discipline.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Codependency And The Dharma
Next week’s discussion will focus on the congruence of the 12 step concept from Alcoholics Anonymous and other self-help groups and Buddhist principles and practices.
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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:03:14 — 115.8MB)
