by Peter Carlson | Jan 15, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Most current non-scholarly reviews of the life of the Buddha repeat the mythological attributions that are contained in the Suttas and Commentaries, which has some value. This review is an attempt to describe the life of this remarkable person in a way that is de-mythologized, attempting to provide a cultural context for his life and the revolutionary concepts that were developed to create what we call Buddhism. The Intention is to make his life and teachings more understandable and applicable to current life circumstances, with the hope that this will inspire more commitment to train the mind to deal more effectively with the stresses of contemporary life. Future talks will review the development of the various schools of Buddhism over the centuries following his death, the discovery of Buddhism by Westerners and its introduction into 20th century cultures, and finally the more recent neuropsychological and sociological research of the last 25 years regarding the beneficial effects of mindfulness and lovingkindness meditation, with the implications for our lives going forward.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Early Buddhist Life
As mentioned above, next week’s talk will focus on the development of the various Buddhist schools over several centuries and on several continents.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:12:15 — 132.3MB)
by Peter Carlson | Feb 4, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk continues a review of the development of the different Buddhist traditions as the cultures they operated within were affected by the intrusion of European mercantile powers, especially the British Empire during the 19th and 20th centuries. The primary area of focus is on how Theravada Buddhism was forced to adapt to the intrusion of Christian missionaries into Sri Lanka, Burma (modern day Myanmar) and Siam (modern day Thailand). Key leadership personalities such as Ledi Sayadaw of Burma are reviewed, as they had a significant impact on several 20th century Western Teachers who were influential in Peter’s practice of mindfulness meditation.
The recording of this Zoom talk was significantly impaired by disruptions in the streaming signal, an unusual occurrence during the series of talks recorded since March of last year. Hopefully this will not recur.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Buddhism and Colonialism
The topic for the next talk will be on how Buddhism has spread throughout what we loosely call “The Western World” in the 20th and 21st centuries.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:04 — 75.2MB)
by Peter Carlson | Mar 25, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk reviews the stresses we all endured during 2020, and how they affected most people, as related to mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress and addiction. These disorders were reviewed during the talk, as Peter has been a mental health professional for over 35 years and has integrated his psychotherapy practice with Buddhism. These problems were associated with the First and Second Noble Truths, Dukkha and the Causes of Dukkha, identified as attachment to a view that life should be predictable and controllable, which was significantly affected by the societal disruption resulting from the pandemic and the political controversies. This was followed by discussion among those participating in the Zoom meeting, including an individual who was made severely ill by the COVID-19 virus. The talk next week will focus on the Third and Fourth Noble Truths, Liberation from Dukkha and the Noble Eightfold Path and will associate mindfulness meditation to addressing the mental health problems mentioned above.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Buddhism and Mental Health
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:10:53 — 129.8MB)
by Peter Carlson | May 6, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This is the second of three Dharma talks focusing on the Three Characteristics of Buddhism: Anicca, Dukkha and Anatta. The previous talk was on April 28 and focused on Dukkha, and this one focuses on Anicca, typically translated as impermanence. During the talk transitory nature of objective experience was reviewed as well as several approaches to developing direct awareness of this experience while practicing mindfulness meditation in various ways.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Buddhist Three Characteristics Part 2
Next week’s talk will focus on reviewing Anatta, the absence of an enduring/autonomous self.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:03:02 — 115.4MB)
by Peter Carlson | Jul 8, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk provides an overview of the Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, followed by a review of kamacchanda, sense desire, the first of the Five Hindrances. The review includes analysis of the traditional commentaries regarding sense desire plus additional contemporary neuroscientific research that validates the characteristics of sense desire and how to interrupt the actions of the hindrance. There is a Guided Sense Desire Contemplation posted and archive on the site that is intended to support this talk.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Setting Aside The Five Hindrances
The topical focus for the next talk will be on Aversion & Ill-Will, the second of the Five Hindrances.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:09:50 — 127.9MB)
