Reviewing Impermanence

This is the second of three Dharma talks focusing on the Three Characteristics of Buddhism: Anicca, Dukkha and Anatta.  The previous talk was on April 28 and focused on Dukkha, and this one focuses on Anicca, typically translated as impermanence.  During the talk transitory nature of objective experience was reviewed as well as several approaches to developing direct awareness of this experience while practicing mindfulness meditation in various ways.

Here are the notes prepared for this talk:  Buddhist Three Characteristics Part 2

Next week’s talk will focus on reviewing Anatta, the absence of an enduring/autonomous self.

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Working With Impermanence January 15 2020

This is the first of three talks exploring tilakkhana, the three basic characteristics of our subjective world, Anicca, Dukkha and Anatta.  Tonight’s focus is on Anicca, the impermanent and transitory nature of reality.  Impermanence occurs in two ways: externally, through the naturally transitory functions of organic and inorganic processes and internally, through one’s ongoing subjective […]

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Notes For The Anapanasati Sutta Fourth Tetrad

These notes were written by Peter in preparation for the talks presented over the last several weeks.  The fourth tetrad of the sutta provides training for the practice of vipassana (insight), emphasizing awareness of impermanence, dispassion, liberation and letting go.  Here are the notes: ANAPANASATI SUTTA FOURTH TETRAD

The next recording posted will review all four tetrads as representative of the four foundations of mindfulness.

Anapanasati And Anicca

During this talk, Peter briefly reviewed the cultivation of samadhi/passadhi (concentration/tranquility) in the first three tetrads of the Anapanasati Sutta, then read a translation of the fourth tetrad, which is focuses on vipassana. The four characteristics to be investigated during the breathing in and out cycle are impermanence, dispassion, cessation and renunciation.  The primary focus of discussion was on impermanence, which is more usefully termed inconstancy.  This was associated with dukkha, dissatisfaction.  This explanation was followed by a discussion of how different folks at the meeting experience inconstancy and the benefits of this investigation on the path of Awakening.

Next week’s talk will revisit the fourth tetrad, with more emphasis on the cultivation of viraga, dispassion.

Fifth Night: Awakening Factors

During this second discussion of the seven awakening factors, more emphasis was placed on the integrative function of the factors and how this process transitions from personality integration to spiritual transcendence.  As the “demons” of the hindrances are starved of attention, more free energy is channeled intentionally to nurturing the “angels” of loving-kindness, compassion, generosity, empathic joy and insights about the three characteristics of impermanence, non-self, and the inevitable results of craving and clinging, that is, distress.  This talk also includes the enthusiastic question and answer session that followed.

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