by Peter Carlson | Jan 25, 2024 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This presentation by April Koester, one of our cadre of teachers, begins an extensive review of the Four Noble Truths, focusing on the inevitability of dukkha, the physical and mental suffering that comes with being alive. During the talk, several participants share their questions and observations regarding this important and basic point of study and practice within all the Buddhist traditions.
Next week’s talk will focus on how the First Noble Truth applies to the experience of parenting, presented by Lili Fernandez, another one of our teachers, who has two young boys.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 57:19 — 52.5MB)
by Peter Carlson | Jul 9, 2026 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, Peter reviews the transition from the Four Noble Truths concept through to the culmination of the Awakening process–Nirvana. He emphasizes the crucial role that the Seven Awakening Factors play in bringing the Path to its highest potential. The majority of meditators will never experience full Awakening, but everything we cultivate through diligent study and practice allows us to wake up from craving and clinging to some extent and experience a more joyful and fulfilling life.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Eightfold Path toTenfold Path
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:15:14 — 68.9MB)
by Peter Carlson | Jul 23, 2015 | Listen to Dharma Talks, Study Resources
During the second talk about the Tibetan Buddhist training called Lojong, the first 8 training aphorisms were described. Peter reported the classical rendering of the aphorism, then his contemporary understanding of the practice. The core of Lojong training involves the ability to recognize the origination of dissatisfaction and transform the experience into compassionate awareness through the application of Tonglen, another Tibetan word translated as “Sending and Taking”. The ultimate goal of the practice is to bring compassionate intentions to bear during every experience.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk. Due to an oversight, the notes reflect 9 training points; number 8, regarding integrating the slogans into daily life routines, has been added: Training For Realizing Relative Bodhicitta
Next week’s talk will continue exploring the Lojong teachings and will emphasize opportunities to turn obstacles into opportunities for awakening compassion.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (0.0KB)
by Peter Carlson | May 7, 2015 | Listen to Dharma Talks, Study Resources
This is the second of two training meditations, presented with the intention to nurture the integration of the 16 stanzas of the Anapanasati Sutta (mindfulness of breathing discourse) with the Satipatthana Sutta (four foundations of mindfulness discourse. The first recording associated the first two tetrads of the four with the first two foundations of mindfulness, and this completes the covering of the process.
This post will be followed with the talk that occurred after the meditation.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download ()
by Peter Carlson | Feb 15, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk explores the crucial Buddhist concept of Wisdom. In the Noble Eightfold Path, Wisdom represents two qualities: Right Understanding and Right Intention. Mastering these two qualities is the goal of the fundamental path towards Awakening. Peter emphasized how Right Understanding manifests as awareness free from the five hindrances and Right Intention manifests as lovingkindness, compassion and joyful appreciation of others. When Wisdom is fully realized, there is direct experiential knowledge of the three characteristics of reality: impermanence, the absence of an enduring and autonomous self, and the distress and confusion that results from the process of craving and clinging. This awareness leads to the fulfillment of the Noble Eightfold Path, which is full realization of Samma Nanna (pronounced ny-nah), direct knowledge of reality, and Samma Sankappa, liberation/Nirvana.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Understanding Wisdom
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:00 — 100.7MB)
