by Peter Carlson | Feb 20, 2020 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk focuses on what is probably the most frequently used Buddhist term karma, which is often misunderstood. During the talk Peter explained the various complexities of this term that the Buddha described as “only understood fully by an Arahant”. Other terms were provided by Peter: karmaphala, vipaka, cetana and sankhara, all of which can be almost synonymous with karma, with subtle but practically useful differences. The karmic process was related to contemporary neuroscientific, psychological and sociological concepts. Peter then reviewed how cultivating mindfulness of breathing, applied to mindfulness of feelings can change the manifestation of karma in beneficial ways. This was followed by general discussion of how understanding karma can be beneficial to those attending the talk.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Working With Karma
Next week’s talk will begin and extensive exploration of what can be considered the most useful of all the Buddhist suttas, the Satipatthana Sutta, the Discourse On The Four Foundations of Mindfulness.
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by Peter Carlson | Sep 20, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This post represents the summation of the Satipatthana Sutta, the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, in reviewing the stanzas relating to the fulfillment of the Four Noble Truths. Each of the Truths is reviewed through three stages: conceptual understanding, experiential knowledge and integration into one’s life. Through the maturing development of the Four Foundations competencies, the personality view moves from conflicted self-state organizations through a more balanced and effectively integrated self-state organizing process. This sets the conditions for self-state liberation, represented by the “Noble Tenfold Path”, which revisits Right Understanding as Right Knowledge (Direct experience confirming the three characteristics: anicca, dukkha and anatta) and Right Intention as Liberating Insight. This attainment fosters the experience of Nirvana, the Unconditioned.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: THE TRUTHS OF AWAKENING
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by Peter Carlson | May 24, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
The Third Foundation Of Mindfuilness is Cittanupassana, Mindfulness Of The Mind. During this talk, Peter explained how the traditional understandings of cittanupassana foster the process of Awakening. The mind is the receptive characteristic of human experience, and the “tone” of the mind can be affected by various conditions such as desire or aversion. The cultivation of mindfulness clarifies the reflective quality of awareness in ways that provide greater stress resilience and sets the conditions for the practice of vipassana, the function of which is to reveal directly the three characteristics of human reality: impermanence, the absence of an enduring and autonomous self and the distress and confusion that comes about due to craving and clinging. The participants in the meeting then discussed how they understand the nature and function of cittanupassana.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: THE NATURE OF THE MIND
Next week’s talk will begin the exploration of the Fourth Foundation Of Mindfulness, Dhammanupassana.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:02:01 — 113.6MB)
by Peter Carlson | May 3, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk is the last focused on the First Foundation of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourse (Satipatthana Sutta), Mindfulness of the Body (Kayanupassana). The Four Elements and the Nine Charnel Grounds Contemplations were read and discussed. Peter provided a brief introductory meditation to facilitate using Earth, Air, Fire and Water as subjective contemplations, followed by discussion. The talk then shifted to the Charnel Grounds Contemplations–Peter suggested these have no contemporary relevance, so the discussion then focused on how one can currently contemplate mortality in ways to motivate bringing mindfulness practices into one’s daily life routine.
Here are the notes prepared for this discussion: Understanding The Four Elements
Next week’s discussion will begin a review of the Second Foundation of Mindfulness, Mindfulness of Feelings, (Vedanupassana).
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by Peter Carlson | Apr 23, 2015 | Study Resources
This posting contains the notes prepared related to the .mp3 recording Four Tetrads And Four Foundations April 22 2015: Four Tetrads and Four Foundations
