by Peter Carlson | Aug 25, 2022 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk provides a view of a core Buddhist concept that describes how karma is formed that differs from the traditional Theravaden understanding–instead of the terminology of Dependent Origination, a case is made for an alternative rendering, Contingent Provisional Emergence, which includes more contemporary concepts and research regarding the formative drives that create our personality structures. This view complements comments from the previous meeting of August 17, 2022 regarding the Five Aggregates of Clinging, part of the Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Understanding Contingent Provisional Emergence
Next week’s talk will begin a review of the Seven Awakening Factors, qualities of attention that significantly develop liberation from distress and confusion in the mind, leading to a transformative understanding regarding our self-state organizations.
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by Peter Carlson | Dec 3, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk reviews the key Buddhist concept of paticca sammuppada, typically translated as dependent origination. During the talk, Peter explains an alternative understanding he developed, contingent provisional emergence, using terms that are hopefully more useful for contemporary Buddhist practitioners. Paticca sammuppada has 12 elements, which are individually reviewed during the talk, emphasizing their non-linear, co-creative function in creating on a moment-by-moment basis the subjective self we all experience. Specific focus is placed on the interactions between feeling and craving/clinging as the target for wise attention in order to change one’s karma, bringing relief from dukkha–distress and confusion. This review is followed by comments from those participating in the Zoom meeting. There is an accompanying guided meditation for this talk: “Guided Changing Your Mind Meditation”, posted in the archive.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Contingent Provisional Emergence
The focus for next week’s talk is a review of the process of Awakening.
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by Peter Carlson | Dec 3, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This guided meditation is intended to cultivate mindfulness of feelings in order to make manifest the potential of the key Buddhist concept of paticca sammuppada, translated as dependent origination. This concept describes how a person’s karma is organized in ways that liberate the mind from craving and clinging. A variety of useful targets of attention while practicing mindfulness of breathing meditation are offered during the recording that support this goal. It is intended to complement the Dharma talk entitled ” How To Change Your Mind”, recorded after to this recording on December 2, 2020.
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by Peter Carlson | Jun 9, 2016 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, Peter reviewed last week’s topic, “The Selfing Story” and added to the concept of the Five Aggregates the additional concept of paticca sammuppada, typically translated as “dependent origination”. He substituted the term “contingent provisional emergence” as a more contemporary rendering of the concept. This revised meaning conveys the importance of recognizing that momentary experiences of “selfing” are holistic and non-linear, very complex and dynamically changing. The value of mindfulness of feelings as feelings, not as an enduring self, was emphasized.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: SELF STATE LIBERATION Additionally, here are the notes for a previous discussion of paticca sammuppada: Contingent Provisional Emergence
Next week’s discussion will be led by Daniel Logan. Here is a brief synopsis of his topic: “Many practitioners find it difficult to let go of the doubts and fears that arise during sitting or in the course of their greater practice. The Buddha himself struggled with fear on the eve of his liberation. He acknowledges his experience of fear in an excerpt from sutta MN 36: “Why am I afraid of that pleasure that has nothing to do with sensuality, nothing to do with unskillful mental qualities?’ I thought: ‘I am no longer afraid of that pleasure that has nothing to do with sensuality, nothing to do with unskillful mental qualities.” The Buddha’s own words give hope to those of us who may not yet have found perfect ease and contentment on the cushion or off. This dharma dialogue will present a more hopeful antidote to heavy and afflictive states by focusing on the role of joy and contentment in one’s practice. It will be an interactive exploration and will include brief written exercises and structured dialogues with fellow yogis.”
