by Peter Carlson | May 23, 2024 | Listen to Dharma Talks
The Third Foundation of Mindfulness focuses attention on investigating the characteristics of a person’s consciousness–alert or dull, filled with desire or free from desire, among other categories. During this talk, Peter reviews the various categories, supplemented by current neurological research that supports the views developed by Buddhist practitioners and scholars over a thousand years ago. How mindfulness of breathing practice supports investigation of the mind is also reviewed.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Reviewing Mindfulness Of The Mind
The next talk will begin a review of the Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, focusing on identifying and setting aside the Five Hindrances.
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by Peter Carlson | Sep 19, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, Peter described how his 1970’s “flower child” interests in environmental health matured through the practice of Buddhist mindfulness meditation. A central focus of attention for the talk was “Voluntary Simplicity”, a book he read by Duane Elgin in the early ’80’s that was a strong inspiration for his current “low carbon footprint” lifestyle and commitment to bringing Buddhist principles and practices to Central Florida. Elgin’s work grew from a powerful meditation experience during a Tibetan Buddhist retreat; his work since then has been an expansion of those insights into the intricate interdependence of the universe and the role of Right Livelihood in realizing that interdependence through a lifestyle informed by an intentional simplification of contemporary life in this consumer culture. The review of voluntary simplicity was followed by a vigorous discussion among those present about how this approach to life is beneficial.
The notes prepared for this discussion have important information related to the talk including a URL of a YouTube interview of Duane Elgin that might be of interest. Here are the notes: Buddhism And Voluntary Simplicity
Here is a copy of the article on voluntary simplicity referred to during the talk: voluntary_simplicity
The focus on various aspects of using mindfulness practices to cope with contemporary societal distress and confusion will continue–the topic for next week’s discussion is not yet determined.
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by Peter Carlson | Mar 19, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, Peter described the self as a process, selfing, a verb rather than a noun. During the talk, the Mind System Model developed by Culadasa in his book “The Mind Illuminated”, was drawn on to help understand how different functions in the brain operate autonomously as “sub-minds” in processing ongoing experience, producing the ongoing process of self-organization and self-dissolution that is blended into the stream of consciousness, experienced as “myself”. The process of Awakening involves the practice of vipassana to investigate this selfing dynamic and “deconstruct” the misperception of an enduring and autonomous self. This was followed by questions and discussion of the day’s meditation practice and the evening talk.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: THE SELFING PROCESS
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by Peter Carlson | Jan 18, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During the discussion of January 10, 2018 “Understanding Karma”, the importance of cetana, intention, was mentioned. This talk elaborates on cetana, which is one of the “universal mind conditioners” that function in every moment of consciousness. Peter quoted excerpts from Van Gorkam’s book “Cetasikas” describing the coordinating and motivating function of intention in the formation of each moment of selfing. The relationship between intention and the Buddhist doctrine of dependent origination was also described. These understandings were aligned with an excerpt from Siegel’s “The Mindful Brain” regarding the neuroscientific research on intention that supports the traditional Buddhist view. Ways to cultivate mindful intention were discussed associated with the practice of mindfulness of breathing.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: UNDERSTANDING INTENTION
Next week’s topic will be understanding the practical benefits of cultivating virtue, a core aspect of the Noble Eightfold Path, from a psychological as well as spiritual perspective.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:59 — 111.7MB)
by Peter Carlson | May 18, 2017 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This continues a series of discussions regarding the Paramis, the qualities of the mind to be perfected in support of the awakening process. Tonight’s topic is Sila (pronounced shelah), virtue. During the talk, Peter read excerpts from the Sigalavada Sutta, within which the Buddha describes mental characteristics operating when virtue is absent and when it is functioning well. This sutta also describes the different virtuous actions taken relative to different relationship circumstances. He also quoted from Ajahn Buddhadassa’s book “Heartwood Of The Bodhi Tree-The Buddha’s Teaching On Voidness”, regarding the correlation between the absence of a separate self (voidness) and the expression of virtue. Peter then considered how the cultivation of virtue may have evolutionary value, in the same way that the historical emergence of language enabled the development of civilization. This was followed by engaged discussion among the people present during the meeting.
Here are the notes prepared for this discussion: The Benefits Of Virtue
Next week’s topic will be the Parami of renunciation.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:05:55 — 120.7MB)
