by Peter Carlson | Dec 1, 2016 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk focused on the mind conditioners associated with virtue, that is, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Compassion and Sympathetic Joy. The maturing of the wholesome cetasikas presents the virtues of the Noble Eightfold Path as being organized through the shift from being virtuous “because I’m supposed to” towards virtue manifesting “effortlessly” and authentically. As the wholesome functions of the mind become more effective, the natural expression of compassion and sympathetic joy/generosity emerges, associated with Right Speech, Action and Livelihood. The explanation was followed by interested participation by those at the meeting in reflecting on how these manifestations are realized through regular, diligent mindfulness meditation practice.
Next week’s talk will finalize the discussion of the cetasikas with a review of Right Understanding. The approach will be similar in describing the association between increasing the functionality of the wholesome cetasikas to make Right Understanding realized, that is, to be understood experientially as well as conceptually–an important realization on the path towards Awakening.
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by Peter Carlson | Nov 26, 2016 | Listen to Dharma Talks
It is customary for the Orlando Insight Meditation Group participants to reflect on the benefits of life revealed by practicing the Noble Eightfold Path, as our weekly meetings occur on Thanksgiving Eve. This discussion has periods of reflective quiet time interspersed with comments about the practice of mindfulness and lovingkindness.
Next week’s talk will explore the benefits of Right Speech, Right Action, Compassion and the manifestation of Right Understanding.
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by Peter Carlson | Sep 15, 2016 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk continues the exploration of the Abhidhamma, Buddhist psychology, focused on the first two of the 52 cetasikas (categories of mental function), vedana (feelings) and sanna (perceptions). These factors provide a bridge between sensory stimulation and the way the mind interprets and creates meaningful self-states. The purpose of Abhidhamma study is to provide conceptual support for the application of mindfulness in the process of awakening. The initial explanation is followed by lively discussion among those present regarding how to make best use of this information.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: feelings-and-perceptions-bridging-sensations-and-the-mind
Next week’s discussion will describe the “Universal Cetasikas”, whose function, like feeling and perception, operates in every moment of consciousness.
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by Peter Carlson | Aug 19, 2016 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk provides a review of pancasammupada, the Five Aggregates With Clinging, an important Buddhist concept describing how personality is organized. When Peter was in Graduate School, part of the required curriculum was a course on personality theory, citing such authorities as Freud and Jung, among others. One of the chapters, written by Daniel Goleman, focused on Buddhism as a theory of personality, with the five aggregates as the topic of interest. The aggregates represent the dynamic interaction between external reality and various functions operating within the mind to impose meaning and a sense of self.
These aggregates were reviewed to clarify how mindfulness practices provide opportunities to “deconstruct” the aggregates, fostering the process of awakening from distress and confusion.
Here are the notes prepared for the talk, including a graphic presentation to clarify the interactions of the aggregates: THE FIVE AGGREGATES OF CLINGING
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by Peter Carlson | Aug 4, 2016 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This discussion continues to explore the application of mindfulness and compassion to interpersonal conflict resolution. Peter introduced some points from the website metta.org focused on procedures developed in Gregory Kramer’s book “Insight Dialogue-The Interpersonal Path to Freedom”. Kramer’s work closely parallels what has been explored in previous discussions on this topic, in this case specifically related to fostering close relationships in the context of current political conflicts. These approaches were also related to discussions in previous meetings of the Tibetan Buddhist lojong mind training and conflict resolution.
Here is the handout downloaded from the metta.org website that Peter distributed to those who attended the meeting: GREGORY KRAMER INSIGHT DIALOGUE GUIDELINES
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