by Peter Carlson | Oct 7, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk provides a thorough review of the core Buddhist concept Paticca Samuppada, typically translated as Dependent Origination. A different rendering of the concept is provided, including reference to a contemporary concept, complexity theory which led to the term Contingent Provisional Emergence. The Theravadin tradition describes 12 elements to the concept and each is reviewed, with emphasis on the nonlinear aspects of how the moment-by-moment process of self organization operates.
This talk can be accompanied by: “Guided Investigating Feelings Meditation”, found in the archives, to reinforce the importance of mindfulness of feelings to realize the potential of the paticca samuppada concept.
Here are the extensive notes prepared for this talk; it is recommended to download and read them to more thoroughly understand the concept: Contingent Provisional Emergence Review
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by Peter Carlson | Oct 7, 2021 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This meditation is intended to focus attention on the impermanence of feelings, either related to physical sensations or mental phenomena. Cultivating skillfulness in this practice facilitates the ability to realize the benefits suggested in the concept of paticca samuppada, typically translated as dependent origination, but also to be understood as contingent provisional emergence, the focus of the Dharma talk presented the same evening “Reviewing Contingent Provisional Emergence”, which is a thorough review of paticca samuppada from a contemporary perception informed by complexity theory and neuroscientific research.
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by Peter Carlson | Feb 14, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk concludes two focused on the elements of Dukkha, craving and clinging; the talk on tanha, craving,was posted on February 6. Peter described the term Upadana as basically meaning fuel or nutriment, that which feeds the selfing process. Upadana is the “maturing” of craving when the mind is insufficiently alert and balanced. Contemporary research into how the brain transforms stimulation into a sense of self through what is termed the binding process. Peter described how mindfulness of breathing meditation can provide the stability of attention and the level of insight into the process of becoming as described in the concept of dependent origination. These explanations were followed by general group discussion regarding the applications of mindfulness to reveal and overcome the various manifestations of clinging.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: WORKING WITH CLINGING
Next week’s talk will focus on working with karma.
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by Peter Carlson | Mar 10, 2017 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This evening’s talk focused on the core teaching of Buddhism called “paticca samuppada” (pah-tee-chah sah-moo-pah-dah), traditionally interpreted as “dependent origination”. Peter offered an alternative translation, “contingent provisional emergence” with explanation regarding the increased usefulness of this understanding. It points out that the opportunity to “change your mind” occurs when the awakening factor of investigation of mental phenomena, combined with Right Effort, allows previously conditioned, reactive responses to be altered by inner awareness of feeling, that is, impulsive emotional or habitual reactions to not mature into internally conflicted self-state organizations. This was accompanied by a graphic illustrating the self-reinforcing links of mental conditioning functions, with mindfulness of feelings as a key point of focus.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Contingent Provisional Emergence
Also posted here is a recorded guided meditation to foster increased capacity to investigate the sensations of breathing more persistently in greater detail. It is entitled “Swimming In The Stream Of Dharma”.
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by Peter Carlson | Jul 10, 2014 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This dialogue is a continuation of the previous week’s discussion. During the discussion, Peter led a guided meditation on how to use the four elements contemplations to provide a consistent focus for interrupting the elaboration the mind creates in the “selfing story.” This exercise was followed by a sharing from the attending Sangha members regarding their experience during the exercise and discussion of how this practice can benefit the process of awakening. Next week’s exploration will include the contemplation of vedana (feeling) and sanna (perception), with the hope that this information will further the process of understanding the Five Aggregates of Clinging.
