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During this talk, Susan Baxter continues to explore the cultivation of self-compassion she began during the talk titled “Self Compassion” recorded on July 29, 2026 and posted in the audio archive.  She continues to review the work of Dr. Kristen Neff, who has written “Fierce Self-Compassion: How to Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Your Power, and Thrive–A Personal Development Guide for Women Seeking Balance and Motivation”, which explores the importance of recognizing and cultivating effective boundaries for one’s own expectations as well as the expectations of others.  During the talk she posed questions to the participants that invited self-inquiry regarding how we can identify and compassionately negotiate our way through the world.

Periodically, Peter provides comments and suggestions to those in the meeting about Buddhist concepts and their meditation practice derived from his more than 40 years studying and practicing mindfulness meditation.  This recording begins with feedback about the meditation experience of Brandon during the meditation period prior to this conversation.  Brandon left the meeting for a prior commitment after the conversation, and the remainder of the meeting includes several dialogues between Peter and the remaining participants.

During this talk, Susan Baxter describes the cultivation of self-compassion, using the work of Dr. Kristin Neff and Sharon Salzberg as references.  Susan invites those participating to consider how contemporary culture fosters self-doubt and self-loathing and provides some of the exercises recommended by Dr. Neff for transforming these harsh ways of being towards kindness regarding self and others.

During this talk, Peter responds to questions and comments related to the practice of mindfulness of breathing.  Just previous to the talk, he led a guided meditation titled “Guided Anapanasati Contemplation”, which is posted in the Audio archive under Guided Meditation.

During this guided meditation Peter provides suggestions that can associate the practice of mindfulness of breathing meditation with the 4 Tetrads of the Anapanasati Sutta.  It is intended to supplement the review of the Anapanasati Sutta he provided during the meeting of July 15, 2026 which is posted on this website.  Following this contemplation, he will answer questions participants may have about their meditation practice.

This is the first of two talks on the importance of anapanasati (mindfulness of breathing meditation) for training the mind to realize the concepts described in the Four Noble Truths and Satipatthana (Four Foundations of Mindfulness).  During the talk, Peter reviews these teachings and also describes how contemporary psychological insights on Operant Conditioning can be associated with anapanasati practice on the path toward Awakening. Here are the notes prepared for this talk:  Anapanasati In Relationship with Satipatthana Here is Analayo’s translation of the Anapanasati Sutta:  Anapanasati Sutta translated by Analayo Next week, Peter will lead a guided  45 minute meditation, focused on anapanasati practice.  During the talk afterwards, participants will have the opportunity to talk to Peter about their anapanasati experience and he will provide feedback based on their comments.

During this talk, Peter reviews the transition from the Four Noble Truths concept through to the culmination of the Awakening process–Nirvana.  He emphasizes the crucial role that the Seven Awakening Factors play in bringing the Path to its highest potential.  The majority of meditators will never experience full Awakening, but everything we cultivate through diligent study and practice allows us to wake up from craving and clinging to some extent and experience a more joyful and fulfilling life. Here are the notes prepared for this talk:  Eightfold Path toTenfold Path

During this talk, Peter responds to questions regarding the practice of integrating mindfulness of breathing with a body scanning protocol.  The characteristics of craving as the antithesis of Right Intention and clinging as the antithesis of Right Understanding is reviewed.  He also emphasizes the value of daily meditation practice and recommends the immersive experience of a residential retreat for developing the path towards Awakening.

This talk provided by Lezlie Laws completes a series of talks reviewing the four Divine Abidings: Lovingkindness, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy, and Equanimity.  She describes how Equanimity brings balance to the expression of the other three qualities of consciousness.

During this talk, Susan Baxter continues a review of the Four Divine Abidings, focusing on Mudita, translated as Sympathetic Joy.  This quality of the mind and heart celebrates the success and happiness of others and is the antidote for jealousy and envy.  Susan provides a brief contemplation to support the ability to notice jealousy and envy and transform the heart and mind in positive ways.