by Peter Carlson | Nov 26, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Since we meet Wednesday evenings, one meeting each year occurs on Thanksgiving Eve, so we dedicate that time to provide opportunities for those participating to reflect on how Buddhist concepts and practices support the cultivation of gratitude, which I believe is closely aligned with Lovingkindness and Sympathetic Joy, two of the four Divine Abidings in Buddhism. There are changes in volume during the talk, inevitable variations due to the challenges of recording both in-person and Zoom comments from participants.
Here are the notes prepared for the talk, including a questionnaire intended to prompt contemplation of the various ways gratitude might be focused: CONTEMPLATING GRATITUDE
The focus for next week’s meeting will be on the contemplation and nurturing of saddha (sah-dah), a Pali word translated as faith or confidence. Buddhist faith is enhanced through direct internal investigation of the concepts and practices put forth by Buddhist practitioners over the centuries.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:52 — 51.1MB)
by Peter Carlson | Nov 26, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Each year, when the Orlando Insight Meditation Group meets on Thanksgiving Eve, the topic for review and discussion is gratitude. After a brief review of how Buddhism regards the issue of gratitude, the psychologically beneficial cultivation of a daily gratitude inventory is also described. Following this, Peter describes his gratitude for how dedication to Buddhist principles and processes have benefited his life for over 3 decades, along with his discovery of how intricately beautiful and wondrous life can be when enhanced by the cultivation of mindfulness. This was followed by the shared experience of gratitude expressed by all of those attending the meeting.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Contemplating Gratitude
Next week’s talk will focus on a review of a core concept of Buddhism, Dependent Origination, which explains how each moment of self-creation is formed and then dissolved into the next moment of self-creation. This provides a way to understand the concept of karma, that is, the way that we can create a future self that is less afflicted with distress and confusion.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 58:23 — 106.9MB)
by Peter Carlson | Nov 26, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This guided meditation focuses on the benefits of a contemplative review of aspects of Buddhist principles and practices, reflecting gratitude for the teachings, and how these practices cultivate a mind open to appreciating daily life experiences.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:00 — 82.4MB)
