by Peter Carlson | Feb 29, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This is the first of a long series of in-depth reviews of the Satipatthana Sutta, known as the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourse. Peter is using several of the books on this topic written by the German Theravadin Monk Analayo on the Sutta, including “Satipatthana-The Direct Path To Realization” and “Satipatthana Meditation-A Practice Guide”. Analayo is highly regarded as a scholar of Buddhism and is also a dedicated meditation practitioner, who is currently in residence at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies. During this talk Peter described the history of the Satipatthana Sutta and important structural elements, required because the Discourse had to be memorized over many generations before it was written and preserved. Two categories described by Analayo were listed–Definitions and Refrains.
This was followed by discussion of the impact of the Sutta on the participants.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Satipatthana Via Analayo
Next week’s talk will begin the focus on the first of the Four Foundations, Kayanupassana, Mindfulness of the Body.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:13 — 99.3MB)
by Peter Carlson | Jun 10, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk continues a review of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourse, focusing on parts of the First Foundation, known as the Four Postures and the Contemplation of Daily Activities with Full Awareness. There is further reference to what are called the Four Comprehensions: Worthy Goal, Suitable Means, Domain (the Four Foundations) and Non-Delusions; these are considered to be a spiritual “decision tree” process to be integrated into one’s lifestyle to further liberation from dukkha. The primary reference for these reviews are from two of Analayo’s books, “Satipatthana–Direct Path To Realization” and “Satipatthana Meditation–A Practice Guide”.
Here are the notes for this talk: Clearly Knowing The Body
The Satipatthana Sutta review for next week will focus further on the First Foundation of Mindfulness, with some modern commentary and practices included.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 53:59 — 98.9MB)
by Peter Carlson | Dec 9, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk reviews the function of intention, which coordinates and initiates each moment of self-experience, whether wholesome or unwholesome. The ability to monitor and effectively manage intention to promote liberation from greed, hatred and ignorance is considered to be one of the most important goals to master on the path to Awakening. The talk reviews the concepts associated with intention as well as various ways to mindfully cultivate intentional awareness and action, primarily through mindfulness of breathing meditation, but also including various opportunities that might arise during daily routines.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Working With Intentions
The end of the old year and onset of the new year can be a time of personal renewal as the solstice, occurring on December 21, signifies the transition from the past to the future, so the focus for next week’s talk will be on how intentions guide our daily life decisions, with emphasis on cultivating a wholesome lifestyle in the midst of contemporary consumerist and internet-oriented cultural conditions.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 58:38 — 53.7MB)
by Peter Carlson | Feb 23, 2023 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Equanimity is the quality of present-moment awareness and behavior that is highly valued in all spiritual endeavors. Theravada Buddhism has developed an extensive analysis of equanimity to support the process of Awakening conceptually, and this talk reviews those concepts, using the Visuddhimagga, translated as “The Path of Purification”, as a guide. Two primary areas of practice that will be reviewed are associated with the cultivation of lovingkindness, compassion and sympathetic joy, along with the function of equanimity as one of the Seven Awakening Factors.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Cultivating Equanimity
Next week’s talk will “Go back to the basics” with a guided training meditation focusing on mindfulness of breathing meditation, followed by a Dharma talk that will provide an insightful review of how mindfulness of breathing meditation beneficially affects the neural structures of the brain and the function of that practice for advancing the process of Awakening.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:02:41 — 57.4MB)
by April Koester | Jun 19, 2023 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk, provided by April Koester, focuses on how virtue manifests as Right Livelihood. April discusses how Right Livelihood can guide us not only in our personal choice of vocation but how we interact with other businesses as a consumer, in addition to how we interact with each other as bosses, employees, and anyone we encounter in their working role.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 58:05 — 53.2MB)
