by Peter Carlson | Oct 17, 2024 | Listen to Dharma Talks
We live during stressful times, and the Buddhist concept of dukkha seems appropriate to review in this context. During this talk, Peter describes three aspects of dukkha–the physical experience of dukkha, the uncertainty we are confronted with regarding unexpected cultural and environmental changes, and the essential but unreliable nature of how the internal and private “selfing story” is a common human affliction.
The talk was preceded by a guided meditation entitled “Contemplating Dukkha”, which is intended to complement the contents of this talk.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Understanding Dukkha
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 58:56 — 53.9MB)
by Peter Carlson | Oct 17, 2024 | Listen to Dharma Talks
We live in trying times, and it may be useful to increase our ability to observe and effectively manage the levels of distress and confusion that are termed Dukkha from a Buddhist perspective. The comments during the guided meditation provide ways to recognize and contemplate three aspects of Dukkha–the physical experience of pain and muscle tension, the uncertain and unpredictable nature of the rapid cultural and ecological changes of this time, and the vulnerability to dysfunctional beliefs and behaviors that humanity is confronted with. The foundational concepts and practices that Buddhism provides can, with dedicated meditative training, support our efforts to not be so afflicted by Dukkha, and this contemplation includes suggestions about how to apply these practices.
This guided contemplation is intended to support the Dharma talk that followed this recording entitled “Understanding Dukkha”.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:57 — 41.1MB)
by Peter Carlson | Jan 5, 2023 | Listen to Dharma Talks
Typically, the meeting after Peter’s annual year-end retreat is dedicated to his recounting of the retreat experience, with the hope his review will help him integrate the experience as well as provide others more insights about what can happen on retreat. This retreat was significantly disrupted by the unusually 3-day freeze that occurred over Christmas, as the plants in the yard where the retreat cottage is needed to be covered, and then uncovered after the freeze. This created the opportunity for Peter to contemplate the nature of dukkha, the First Nobel Truth, a fundamental concept within Buddhism. There are three aspects of dukkha that are reviewed during the talk: The dukkha of inhabiting a body, the dukkha of experiencing unexpected changes, and the dukkha of how the mind fabricates a self. The third aspect is the primary focus of mindfulness meditation.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Understanding Dukkha
The topic for next week’s talk will focus on reviewing what is called Secular Buddhism.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:05:47 — 60.2MB)
by Peter Carlson | Apr 29, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk is the first of three talks regarding the fundamental nature of personal experience: anicca, dukkha and anatta. The focus her is on three sub-categories of dukkha: Dukkha Dukkha (The distress associated with inhabiting a body), Sankhara Dukkha (The distress and confusion that comes from how the mind interprets experience) and Viparinama Dukkha (The distress and confusion that occurs as the result of circumstances changing beyond one’s control). The review also addresses the causes of dukkha–craving and clinging–as well as ways to use mindfulness of breathing to decrease reactivity to the craving associated with dukkha and detachment regarding the internal “selfing story” of clinging, There is an accompanying “Guided Dukkha Contemplation” posted the same day in the archives.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Buddhist Three Characteristics Part 1
The next topic for review will be the characteristics of anicca, the transient nature of subjective experience.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 57:13 — 104.8MB)
by Peter Carlson | Apr 29, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This guided meditation reviews the ways to identify the characteristics of Dukkha while practicing mindfulness of breathing meditation, with the intention to increase an understanding of how craving and clinging create the distress and confusion of Dukkha. It is meant to accompany the talk titled “Reviewing The Three Characteristics of Dukkha” presented on the same day.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:59 — 82.4MB)
