by Peter Carlson | Apr 25, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Robert Lockridge is the guest speaker for this evening. He is one of the guiding teachers of the Orlando Zen Center, which provides opportunities to practice Korean Zen as taught by Seung Sahn, who originated the Kwan Um School in the U. S. The title of the talk reflects basic principles and practices of Zen Buddhism, organized around questions such as “How do I determine what is the true direction of my life? Robert talked about Kong-An (Better known as Koan) practice, which is the presentation of a “question” to a student by a master in order to initiate an internal, often non-verbal investigation and response from the student to promote deeper understanding of the Dharma.
Next week’s talk will involve an in-depth exploration of Mindfulness as the premiere of the Seven Awakening Factors.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:05:52 — 120.6MB)
by Peter Carlson | Oct 25, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
The internet has had a revolutionary impact on contemporary culture, including the study and practice of Buddhism. During this talk, Peter described the benefits and deficits of the internet and all that is available through the system: social media, streaming from websites, emails, twitter, etc. We all benefit from the ready access available to new scholarly insights regarding Buddhist history and doctrine and a myriad of .mp3 recordings of Dharma talks. However, the nature of the way media is structured and presented fosters craving and clinging processes similar to addiction. Peter used the structure of the Four Noble Truths to invite investigation of the nature of dukkha prior to and during exposure to what the internet offers, then to further investigate the nature of craving and clinging, the Second Noble Truth that is fostered by deeply applying the Noble Eightfold Path to the experience; this provides opportunities to not feel compelled to engage in the internet beyond reasonability, thereby creating opportunities to realize the mundane aspects of the Third Noble Truth. The participants in the meeting engaged in dialogue following the presentation.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: MINDFULNESS AND THE MEDIA
Next week’s topic will follow upon the issues raised in this talk, that is, how the Four Noble Truths concepts and practices can bring relief from addiction.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:03:52 — 116.9MB)
by Peter Carlson | Oct 11, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
A significant area of stress in contemporary civic life is political conflict. This is not an easy topic to deal with, and has no “solution” as political matters are complex and are continuously evolving. The intention of this discussion is to foster ways of transforming the conflicts of political differences into “grist for the mill” of spiritual development.
During this talk, Peter used the conceptual and practical structure of the Four Noble Truths outlined in the two previous week’s postings to discuss ways to manage interpersonal conflict regarding politics. Participants were encouraged to investigate the physical, emotional and mental symptoms of stress as dukkha. They were then invited to be mindful of how attached he or she might be to a particular view and how easy it is to become caught in a need to “convert” the other person to their view without compassion or deeper understanding. The appropriate applications of the Noble Eightfold Path were included in discussing strategies for overcoming rigid self-righteousness in dialogue.
During the accompanying group discussions, Peter pointed out examples of heightened agitation among the participants when talking about “the others” regarding political views of climate change denial, etc., and invited mindful investigation of craving and clinging in the room.
Here are the notes prepared for this discussion: Mindfulness and Political Conflict
Next week’s discussion will use the Four Noble Truths structure to explore how to manage ecological and global warming distress and confusion, not from a political perspective, but as a form of “Right Livelihood” practice.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:06:40 — 122.1MB)
by Peter Carlson | Feb 8, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Dukkha is one of the key concepts of Buddhist practice, considered as one of the three characteristics of existence, along with anicca (impermanence) and anatta (the absence of an autonomous and enduring self). It is traditionally translated as suffering; however, Peter suggests the terms distress and confusion as more workable. Dukkha is the First Noble Truth, and the Second Noble Truth is understanding the cause of dukkha, which is craving (tanha in Pali) and clinging (upadana in Pali). Distress is a more direct rendering of craving, and clinging involves confusion about the true nature of reality. The way dukkha was understood in the Buddha’s era can be related to the poor fit between the axle of a cart and the hub of the wheel. Contemporary commentators suggest this uncomfortable and unreliable fit as a useful representation of dukkha. During the talk, Peter emphasized the importance of not just understanding dukkha conceptually; experiential understanding through the practice of vipassana is essential for resolving dukkha as well as craving and clinging, and this is accomplished through the practice of Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration, the mental training components of the Noble Eightfold Path.
The presentation was followed by a discussion of how to recognize the experience of dukkha, craving or clinging, in order to use Right Effort to provide clarity and serenity in life.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Understanding Dukkha
During the talk, Peter frequently referred to the cetasikas, conditioning functions of the mind. Here is a chart listing them categorically: CETASIKAS POSTER
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:05:57 — 120.8MB)
by Peter Carlson | Oct 12, 2017 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Mike Maldonado recently completed a one week retreat focused on the Brahma Viharas (Divine Abodes), that is, metta (lovingkindness), karuna, (compassion), mudita, (appreciative joy) and upekkha, (equanimity) at the Southern Dharma Center in North Carolina. The retreat was led by DaeJa Napier, a very well respected dharma practitioner. Mike talked about his experience during the retreat, including the facilities and schedule. He focused on how DaeJa described practical ways to realize the spiritual potential of the Brahma Viharas.
Next week’s discussion focuses on how Buddhist principles and practices can help in understanding the nature of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as an extreme example of craving and clinging, along with ways to benefit from regular mindfulness and lovingkindness meditation practices.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:01:10 — 112.0MB)
