This talk continues to review how contemporary neuroscientific research supports the validity of important Buddhist concepts and practices, focusing on the first three of the Four Noble Truths.  Peter refers to a previous talk titled “Neuroplasticity and Non-Self”, posted September 4, 2025 as a precursor to this review.  A future talk will focus on reviewing how neuroscientific research validates the fourth Noble Truth, the Noble Eightfold Path, which provides the ethical and functional training necessary for realizing the potential for liberating the mind from distress and confusion, the focus of the Third Noble Truth.

Here are the notes prepared for this talk:  Neuroscience and the Four Noble Truths

During this talk, Lezlie reviews the characteristics and effects of the five hindrances–desire, aversion, sloth and torpor, restlessness and doubt–and several approaches to setting them aside.  She intends to devote future talks to these different meditative skills, as described in “Unhindered” by Gil Fronsdal and “Beyond Distraction” by Shaila Catherine, among others.

During this talk, April describes real life occurrences to emphasize the unwholesome consequences of actions shaped by what are called “the three poisons”, greed, hatred and delusion. She associates this with the uncertainties associated with the current actions being taken through the medium of Artificial Intelligence.  She then reviews the relevant ethical values that shape Right Action, one of the virtues to be developed through practicing and applying the Four Noble Truths.

This talk, presented by Allie Vaknin, is the second of a series of reviews during which she focuses on the Perfection of what are called Paramis, qualities of consciousness that, when fulfilled in their potential, nurture the realization of Nirvana.  Tonight’s talk focuses on the Parami of Sila, virtuous thoughts and deeds, reflected in what are called the Five Precepts.

During this talk, Peter describes his research and contemplation regarding how contemporary neuroscientific research can increase understanding of anatta, the principle that asserts the absence of an enduring and autonomous self.  He explains the processes of neuroplasticity and long-term potentiation during the interactions between various networks of neuronal connection as supportive of insights regarding the insubstantiality of subjective experience–there is no “control center”, no self to defend or gratify.  He reports that this presentation provides an overview of the impersonal interactions among the neuronal networks and anticipates future Dharma talks that correlate the neural networks with important Buddhist concepts and practices.  These efforts are intended to further Western understanding of ancient Dharma teachings away from abstract philosophical underpinnings and towards a more scientific understanding of anatta and sunnata.

Here are the notes prepared for this talk:  NEUROPLASTICITY AND ANATTA

During this talk, Allie begins a series of reviews she will provide focusing on the Paramis, the skills and virtues to be perfected on the path to Awakening.  The topic for this talk is generosity, both material and non-material, as a way to cultivate kindness and renunciation of greed and miserliness.  She responds to questions and comments from those participating.

During this talk, April provides a review of Right Speech as a basic element of the Noble Eightfold Path, cultivating a clear conscience as the platform from which the process of Awakening develops.  An element of Right Speech, truthfulness, is associated with the challenges presented by media disinformation and Artificial Intelligence in contemporary life.  This recording includes comments coming from those participating in the meeting.

Here are quotes from the talk; of particular interest is a response ChatGPT created to a question April presented inquiring if ChatGPT has a personality like a human: Quotes for Right Speech Dharma talk

We often provide an opportunity for those among us who have just completed a significant retreat to “think out loud” about the experience.  This can be beneficial for that person and perhaps inspiring for those listening.  This was the first retreat for Lezlie that involved the intense training provided by the teaching of S. N. Goenka, who has had a significant impact on many contemporary mindfulness meditators.  She describes the structure of the retreat and some significant insights she realized about herself.  Her presentation is followed by several comments and questions from participants in the meeting.

During this talk, Peter responds to questions from those attending, focusing on the importance of establishing mindfulness of breathing as a stabilizing reference point, because the intention to remain aware of the sensations experienced while breathing as other mental phenomena occur provides a “distancing” effect, enabling us to be less affected as craving and clinging occur and thereby enabling us to understand the impermanent and impersonal nature of subjective experience.  He also describes how he uses his body scanning practice to open to experiencing the absence of an enduring/autonomous self.

During this talk, Peter focuses on the relationship between the Buddhist concept of Voidness (Sunnata) and neuroplasticity, the inherent complex and impersonal way the function of the brain creates a person’s self experience.  Using an excerpt from “Heartwood of the Bodhi Tree–the Buddha’s Teaching on Voidness”, by Buddhadasa, he reviews how important the cultivation of a virtuous life is for supporting the process of Awakening.

Here are the notes prepared for this talk:  Because Of Voidness Awakening Can Occur