by Peter Carlson | Nov 3, 2011 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, Peter describes controversies and agreements about the role jhana practice has is cultivating vipassana practice. He explains the progression from “acquiring the nimitta” (a noticeable sensation of touch or light arising from one-pointed concentration on the touch sensation at the nostrils) to the extraordinary state of mind called jhana. The value of the increased mental acuity from jhana practice to the onset of vipassana practice was explained, compared to the advantages of beginning vipassana practice without first entering jhana (called “dry vipassana).
by Peter Carlson | Oct 27, 2011 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This discussion summarizes the Satipatthana Sutta, focusing on how Mindfulness and the other Awakening Factors affects awareness of the Four Noble Truths, enhancing mental clarity and emotional balance. The relationship between tranquility and insight was associated with development of the jhana states, and how the heightened awareness derives from that practice increases the ability for the mind to be alert and non-attached, supporting awakening.
by Peter Carlson | Oct 20, 2011 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This discussion begins a two-part exploration of the remaining three Factors of Awakening. The three factors were described and the ways of cultivating them were explained. Next week’s talk will relate the Seven Factors of Awakening to the practice of jhana and vipassana.
by Peter Carlson | Oct 13, 2011 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This dialogue describes piti (joy) and sukkha (happiness) as the result of increasing concentration, due to the setting aside of the hindrances. Once the energy of consciousness isn’t “dumped” into the hindrances, the mind naturally becomes buoyant, resilient and interested in investigating what has arisen in awareness. Rapture, a potent manifestation of joy, develops in stages as the mind moves into the extraordinary levels called jhana, which will be discussed the next few meetings.