This guided meditation was created to provide an introduction regarding basic mindfulness of breathing practice for a new meditation student during the meeting of July 24, 2024.

This talk continues a review by April of the Seven Awakening Factors, focusing on how Mindfulness supports the full development of Tranquility, Concentration, and Equanimity.  The recording and notes from the previous presentation are found in the archives.  This talk includes questions and comments from those attending the meeting.

Here are the notes prepared for this talk:  Orlando Insight Meditation The Seven Factors of Awakening part 2

This guided meditation focuses on the use of body awareness (middle of the chest), along with the repetition of the lovingkindness mantra, to cultivate Right Intention, which, along with Right Understanding, constitutes Wisdom.  This was recorded during a one-day lovingkindness meditation retreat.

Here are the notes associated with the retreat that support the meditation practice, including the mantra:  LOVINGKINDNESS course packet

During this talk, April provides her research and insights regarding the Seven Awakening Factors, emphasizing the importance of the factors of Mindfulness, Investigation of Dhammas, Energy and Joy.  Investigation, Energy and Joy activate the Wholesome Mind Conditioning Factors, monitored by Mindfulness.  Next week’s talk will provide Part 2 of the review, focusing on the moderating Awakening Factors, Tranquility, Concentration, and Equanimity, once again monitored by mindfulness.

Here are the notes prepared for this talk:  Orlando Insight The Seven Factors of Awakening

This talk continues a review of what are called the cetasikas, which operate like filters during the process of self-formation, producing either wholesome or unwholesome self-state organizations.  The primary focus of attention and discussion during the talk are those cetasikas that form wholesome self-states.  There is particular attention given to the “Six Beautiful Pairs” of cetasikas that operate to produce the extraordinary qualities of attention, such as tranquility, lightness, pliancy, wieldiness, proficiency and uprightness in the mind that can be developed through persistent and skillful mindfulness of breathing meditation practice.

Here are the notes prepared for this talk:  Buddhist Personality Theory Part Two

As was the case during the previous talk, here is a full listing of the 52 cetasikas:  CETASIKAS POSTER

The talk next week will begin a two-part review of the Seven Awakening Factors

The Five Aggregates can be considered as perhaps the first personality theory in human history.  During this talk and one the following week, Peter reviews the Mind Conditioning Factors Aggregate with a focus on the cetasikas, a comprehensive listing of the multitude of “filters” in the mind that work to create each moment of consciousness.  The first review will provide insight regarding those cetasikas that occur in every moment of consciousness, along with those that create suffering.

The next talk will continue the review, focusing again on the universal cetasikas and those that nurture the process of Awakening.

Here are the notes prepared for this talk:  Buddhist Personality Theory–Part One

Here is one page document listing the cetasikas:  CETASIKAS POSTER

A subtitle for this talk might be “How What Is Seen Becomes The Self”.  During the talk, Peter describes the functions of the mind that create a self out of what is seen, heard, smelled, tasted, touched and remembered through what are called “fetters”–the effect of craving and clinging that binds awareness into “myself”.  The cultivation of mindfulness, investigation of mental phenomena and Right Effort develops the ability to become clearly aware of this binding effect and gradually diminish the power of craving and clinging.

Here are the notes prepared for this talk:  Understanding the Fetters

Reviewing and setting aside the five aggregates is described as the first of the contemplations found within the Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness.  Lezlie provides quotes and comments that explain the characteristics of these obstacles to a mind that is alert and serene enough to support insights that liberate the mind from craving and clinging.

Here are the notes prepared for this talk, including references to useful books:  Hindrances dharma talk

Considering the Third Foundation of Mindfulness as if it were a sheet of paper, and the First as a pen, then the Second as ink; the Fourth Foundation, mindfulness of mental phenomena, is what is written on the paper, creating our experience of being an enduring/autonomous self.  During this talk, Peter reviews the categories of the Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness and the role they play in the development in the process of Awakening, dissolving one’s belief in an enduring/autonomous self.  During subsequent talks, each of the categories within the Fourth Foundation will be reviewed individually as to their functions and how to work with them skillfully.

Here are the notes prepared for this talk:  Creating A Self

The focus of next week’s talk will be a review of the Five Hindrances and how to effectively set them aside to further the process of Awakening.

The Third Foundation of Mindfulness focuses attention on investigating the characteristics of a person’s consciousness–alert or dull, filled with desire or free from desire, among other categories.  During this talk, Peter reviews the various categories, supplemented by current neurological research that supports the views developed by Buddhist practitioners and scholars over a thousand years ago.  How mindfulness of breathing practice supports investigation of the mind is also reviewed.

Here are the notes prepared for this talk:  Reviewing Mindfulness Of The Mind

The next talk will begin a review of the Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, focusing on identifying and setting aside the Five Hindrances.