by Peter Carlson | Mar 28, 2015 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This recording is associated with the previously posted .mp3 file, “Deerhaven Sixth Night Dhamma Talk”. It was recorded during a guided body sweep meditation, and included the parts of the body mentioned in the title. As mentioned previously, the purpose of this meditation is to support the cultivation of the seven awakening factors: mindfulness, investigation of mental phenomena, energy/ persistent Right Effort, joy, tranquility, concentration and equanimity.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download ()
by Peter Carlson | Mar 28, 2015 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This recording followed a guided body sweep meditation and provided an opportunity for the participants to discuss the experience and receive suggestions about their practice. Peter emphasized that the goal of this practice is to foster the maturing of vitakka and vicara (aiming and sustaining attention) into the awakening factor of investigation of mental phenomena. The practice also fosters the cultivation of mindfulness, persistent Right Effort, and concentration. These factors also foster the emergence of joy, tranquility and equanimity, the remaining factors of the seven awakening factors. This posting will be followed by the recorded body sweep meditation.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download ()
by Peter Carlson | Mar 28, 2015 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, Peter described the Five Hindrances, the primary afflictions that distort our perceptions about reality. They are sense desire, aversion and ill-will, sloth and torpor, restlessness and worry, and skeptical doubt. Peter described how, in the Satipatthana Sutta, the Four Foundations of Mindfulness discourse, there are instructions to notice the presence, absence, causes and solutions for the hindrances. He mentioned the Seven Awakening Factors as antidotes for the hindrances. He emphasized that experience is a process, and energy flow that can be free and adaptive, while the hindrances operate as “energy dumps”.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download ()
by Peter Carlson | Mar 28, 2015 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, Peter spoke of the Buddhist tradition of the three refuges, Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, from a contemporary setting. Taking refuge means to allow the structure of the retreat to support the cultivation of mindfulness from waking up until sleeping. The Buddha represents the capacity we all have for awakening to the reality of impermanence, the absence of an enduring self and the inevitability that dissatisfaction emerges from craving and clinging. The Dhamma represents the instructions and practices that support awakening, and the Sangha represents the communal effort shared during the course of the retreat.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download ()
by Peter Carlson | Nov 27, 2014 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Since we meet on Wednesday evenings, the night before Thanksgiving has been focused on a Buddhist perspective on gratitude and the increasing spirit of generosity that emerges from dedicated mindfulness and lovingkindness meditation practices. The participants in the group each talked of their experiences related to their practice and this time of year.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (0.0KB)
