by Peter Carlson | Mar 28, 2015 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This recording is associated with the previously posted .mp3 file, “Deerhaven Sixth Night Dhamma Talk”. It was recorded during a guided body sweep meditation, and included the parts of the body mentioned in the title. As mentioned previously, the purpose of this meditation is to support the cultivation of the seven awakening factors: mindfulness, investigation of mental phenomena, energy/ persistent Right Effort, joy, tranquility, concentration and equanimity.
by Peter Carlson | Mar 28, 2015 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This recording followed a guided body sweep meditation and provided an opportunity for the participants to discuss the experience and receive suggestions about their practice. Peter emphasized that the goal of this practice is to foster the maturing of vitakka and vicara (aiming and sustaining attention) into the awakening factor of investigation of mental phenomena. The practice also fosters the cultivation of mindfulness, persistent Right Effort, and concentration. These factors also foster the emergence of joy, tranquility and equanimity, the remaining factors of the seven awakening factors. This posting will be followed by the recorded body sweep meditation.
by Peter Carlson | Jan 1, 2015 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, Peter reviewed his experience on the recently completed 2 week self retreat. Emphasis was placed on consistent breath awareness, using the notion of “channeling energy” to the breath, rather than trying to “make the internal narrative stop”. This channeling process was associated with the scientific evidence that the neurons that are most activated elicit the most glucose “fuel”, and that shifting the flow of this fuel to body awareness is comparable to directing the flow of watered fertilizer through the hose, being careful to only feed the flowers, vegetables and fruits rather than weeds (the five hindrances).
This channeling strategy also applies to the practice of vedanupassana, mindfulness of feelings, called ”body sweep” meditation. Peter explained that the body sweep, combined with mindfulness of breathing, cultivates the seven awakening factors, particularly mindfulness, investigation of mental phenomena, energy/effort, and concentration. The emergence of the awakening factors of joy, tranquility and equanimity are manifestations of the process of awakening, enhancing the practice of vipassana, which is direct, clear awareness of impermanence, non-self, and the presence or absence of the dissatisfaction that arises due to craving and clinging.
Next week’s dhamma dialogue will begin a long series of discussions and trainings organized around the Anapanasati Sutta, the discourse describing the liberating capacity of mindfulness of breathing.