In this question-and-answer session, Joseph Goldstein explores skillful means for non-clinging, how to work with the comparing mind, the intricacies of walking meditation, and much more. This dharma talk, recorded on October 20, 2023, was originally published on Dharma Seed. In this episode of Insight Hour: Joseph offers a series of tips on walking meditation He responds to questions about working with the comparing mind and working with the mind that is desperate to fix everything Joseph talks about how it is possible for a layperson to awaken and why enlightenment is all about lightening up He explores the importance of not being attached to our beliefs or our disbeliefs and keeping an open mind Finally, Joseph offers his perspective on how the Dharma has helped him in difficult times and why the Buddhist teachings are all about skillful means for non-clinging “So when I began to hear these different teachings, rather than frame it – ‘Which is true?’ or ‘Which is right?’ – just to take the teachings as skillful means. So then the question is, skillful means for what? And here is where all the traditions of Buddhism are unified, and that is a skillful means for non-clinging. That’s the essence of the free mind in all the Buddhist traditions.” – Joseph Goldstein See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joseph Goldstein delves into the concepts of loving-kindness, compassion, and the fear of discomfort. He highlights the transformative power of loving-kindness, mindfulness, and compassion in overcoming fears and limitations, ultimately fostering genuine happiness. This dharma talk, recorded on February 18, 1997, was originally published on Dharma Seed. This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/insighthour In this lecture, Joseph: Affirms that at the depths of our hearts and minds there is a basic reservoir of goodwill Defines mettā, or loving-kindness, as the basic generosity of the heart Takes note of the “upward spiral” of happiness that mindfulness and loving-kindness promotes Reminds us to stay open to suffering and Ruminates upon the empty nature of fear itself “If you keep shining your compassion and understanding on it, your fear will soon crack and you will be able to look into its depths and see its roots.” – Joseph Goldstein See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joseph Goldstein expounds upon the relationship between thought and emotion as it relates to both our spiritual practice and our daily lives. This dharma talk, recorded on June 4, 2013, was originally published on Dharma Seed. In this lecture, Joseph: Dissects the nuanced meaning of the Pali word sati, often translated as "mindfulness" Highlights the importance of applying mindfulness to both skillful and unskillful thoughts Helps us understand the very nature of thought Outlines the inherent connection between thoughts and emotional responses Proposes that we stay open to afflictive emotions without identifying with them "When we engage with thoughts and emotions from a place of interest and a place of investigation, a place of inquiry, we can see them all arise and pass away in this open sky of the mind." - Joseph Goldstein ----- Discover the transformative practice of teaching mindfulness in a new FREE 30-page ebook by Senior Buddhist teacher and Emmy award-winning musician, David Nichtern.  With its blend of humor, wisdom, and accessible approach, The Art of Teaching Mindfulness ebook is a must-read for anyone interested in sharing the life-changing practices of mindfulness with others. Already downloaded by over 15k people, visit dharmamoon.com/ebook to get YOUR free copy of The Art of Teaching Mindfulness! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joseph Goldstein investigates the links between suffering, compassion, and the concept of the self. This dharma talk, recorded on July 2, 1994, was originally published on Dharma Seed. In this talk, Joseph: Breaks down the three kinds of suffering according to the Buddha Advises us to remain open to suffering, reminding us that avoiding or resisting pain and unpleasant mind states only serves to feed them Posits that compassion grows from letting suffering in Proposes that we drop into the flow of existence Asserts that the root cause of suffering is our deeply conditioned senses of self  “When we’re associated with what we don’t want, it’s suffering. And when we are separated from what we do want, it’s suffering. And this is the push-pull happening throughout our lives.” – Joseph Goldstein See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joseph Goldstein dissects the Buddha’s most simple but fundamental lessons: to avoid what is unwholesome, to perform good actions, and to purify the mind. This dharma talk, recorded on September 26, 1991, was originally published on Dharma Seed. This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/insighthour In this talk, Joseph: Acknowledges that even the most simple lessons are not easy Breaks down the three unwholesome actions of the body, the four unwholesome actions of speech, and the three unwholesome actions of mind Touches on the Hindu concept of punya, or doing meritorious actions to plant the seeds of happiness Maintains that there is a wisdom in fearing danger Provides us with examples of wholesome actions that we can perform “Avoid what is unwholesome, perform good actions, purify the mind. This is the teachings of all the Buddhas.” – Joseph Goldstein See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joseph Goldstein dissects the concept of meditation from the what, to the why, to the how. This dharma talk was recorded on July 8, 2007, at the Insight Meditation Society and was originally published on Dharma Seed. This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/insighthour In this talk, Joseph: Demystifies meditation Asks, “Why do we meditate?” and “How do we meditate?” Emphasizes the importance of settling down the mind to achieve real clarity and stillness Reminds us that meditation is not only about blissful feelings Identifies the relationship between our bodies and our minds Advocates for the acceptance and awareness of our own thoughts “Meditation is not about whether it’s pleasant or unpleasant. It’s about how aware we are, how mindful we are.” - Joesph Goldstein Discover the transformative practice of teaching mindfulness in a new FREE 30-page ebook by Senior Buddhist teacher and Emmy award-winning musician, David Nichtern.  With its blend of humor, wisdom, and accessible approach, The Art of Teaching Mindfulness ebook is a must-read for anyone interested in sharing the life-changing practices of mindfulness with others. Already downloaded by over 15k people, visit dharmamoon.com/ebook to get YOUR free copy of The Art of Teaching Mindfulness! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joseph Goldstein examines the mental factor of equanimity through the lens of the Eight Vicissitudes and the brahmavihārā. This dharma talk from April 17, 2012, was recorded at the Insight Meditation Society and originally published on Dharma Seed. In this lecture, Joseph: Defines equanimity as neutrality of mind and the quality of evenness Draws a distinction between indifference of mind and spacious impartiality Examines the eight vicissitudes (gain and loss, praise and blame, fame and disrepute, pleasure and pain) Considers the spiritual implications of living in servitude to the inevitably changing conditions of our lives Places equanimity in the context of lovingkindness, compassion, and joy, i.e. the other divine abodes, or brahmavihārā Reminds us that no situation is outside of our practice “When we have equanimity, when both attachment and aversion are absent, then everything in our experiences becomes clear and undisguised.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Joseph Goldstein reflects on the meaning of emptiness on the spiritual path and examines ways in which we can work toward enlightenment. This dharma talk was recorded on April 16, 1989, and was originally published on Dharma Seed. In this talk, Joseph touches on: The meaning of emptiness The such-ness of things The 10,000 joys, the 10,000 sorrows, and opening ourselves up to the whole range of experience The Taoist dichotomy between non-action and inaction Taking interest in the phenomenon of thoughts, emotions, experiences, and situations Being simple and easy in our practice “If we’re simple and easy in our practice, our lives become simple and easy. Can you be simple and easy in your practice, just with what is?” – Joseph Goldstein About Joseph Goldstein: Joseph Goldstein has been leading insight and loving-kindness meditation retreats worldwide since 1974. He is a co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, where he is one of the organization’s guiding teachers. In 1989, together with several other teachers and students of insight meditation, he helped establish the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joseph Goldstein continues his discussion of bodhicitta – the awakened heart. This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/insighthour In this lecture, Joseph: Reminds us that obstructions and defilements of thought are not intrinsic to the mind Provides us with a methodology for freeing ourselves from entanglement and attachment Compares the clinging mind to ice and the luminous mind to water Recognizes the causal relationship between mindfulness and compassion  Teaches us that how we feel and respond to situations is up to us Maintains that cultivating compassion is a process that comes with daily practice “The development of love and compassion is a wide, round curve that can be negotiated only slowly. Not a sharp corner that can be turned all at once. It comes with daily practice.” This dharma talk from June 12, 2015, was recorded at the Insight Meditation Society and originally published on Dharma Seed. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joseph Goldstein discusses enlightenment through the lens of the aspirational mental quality of bodhicitta – the awakened heart. This dharma talk from June 8, 2015, was recorded at the Insight Meditation Society and originally published on Dharma Seed In this lecture, Joseph: Teaches us that there are two understandings of bodhicitta: relative bodhicitta, which is compassion, and ultimate bodhicitta, which is selflessness Highlights the spiritual importance of cultivating both compassion and selflessness Ruminates on the challenges of living in our conventional, ordinarily understood reality Reminds us that the ungovernability of life is the nexus between dukkha and freedom Describes the union of emptiness and clarity Recognizes the need for a gradual cultivation of awareness “The mind’s nature is vivid as a flawless piece of crystal. Intrinsically empty, naturally radiant and ceaselessly responsive.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joseph Goldstein explores the nexus between thought patterns, sense pleasures, renunciation, addiction, and the wisdom of "No". This dharma talk from October 24, 2012, was recorded at the Insight Meditation Society and originally published on Dharma Seed. In this lecture, Joseph: Encourages us to examine the content and nature of our own thoughts Maintains that our actions are conditioned by how we think about ourselves and how we think about the world Advocates for cultivating wholesome thoughts and letting go of unwholesome ones. Considers the rewards of renunciation Emphasizes the importance of saying “no” on the spiritual path “So often in spiritual practice and in our path and in spiritual scenes, we emphasize the yes. It’s the yes of acceptance, the yes of openness, the yes of receptivity, the yes of fullness of experience. So this is all an essential part of our practice. This yes is often the antidote to self judgment, self criticism, to contraction, to limitation. It’s like we’re learning to open, we’re saying yes to experience yes to the world. But there is also a wisdom in ‘no,’ recognizing that some things are not skillful, are not helpful, they’re not leading to happiness or to our well being. And in these times, we can practice saying, ‘no thanks,’ I’ll pass on this one.” – Joseph Goldstein See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This time on the Insight Hour podcast, Joseph Goldstein helps us understand equanimity as a fundamental state of mind and the role it plays on the spiritual path. This dharma talk from July 22, 2023, was recorded at the Insight Meditation Society and originally published on Dharma Seed. This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/insighthour In this lecture, Joseph explores: The literal meaning of the word “equanimity” in Pali and the difficulty of translation The Great 8 Vicissitudes, or the endlessly changing conditions of gain and loss that affect each of us Using equanimity to foster steadiness in the face of changing conditions Maintaining a sense of humor and lightness on the spiritual path The difference between reactivity of mind and responsiveness of mind The transmittable quality of equanimity “Equanimity means understanding the difference between reactivity of mind and responsiveness. So this is a really important distinction because these two words reflect very different mindsets. Reactivity creates agitation. Responsiveness really is the basis for a balanced and compassionate engagement.” – Joseph Goldstein See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joseph Goldstein leans on his decades of study and practice of the Dharma to answer a diverse range of spiritual and existential questions from his students and online retreat attendees. This dharma talk from May 14, 2023, was recorded at the Insight Meditation Society and originally published on Dharma Seed.  In this Q&A style talk, Joseph answers an assortment of questions concerning: The stages of enlightenment Being mindful of positive and wholesome mind states Realizing selflessness Concepts, the nature of consciousness, and reality Practicing mindfulness in modernity Karma and reincarnation "We think our lives are so complicated and so confused in the modern world, in the ancient world and - at any point in time, there are only these six things happening. It's a sight, its a sound, it's a taste, it's a sensation, it's something going on in our minds. So, I like to think of all life, and the unfolding of our lives, as a six piece chamber orchestra. It's just playing the music." - Joseph Goldstein See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of the Insight Hour podcast, Joseph Goldstein delves into the nature of thought and provides valuable insights on cultivating mindfulness. This dharma talk from May 13, 2023, was recorded at the Insight Meditation Society and originally published on Dharma Seed. WIN A TRIP FOR YOU AND A FRIEND TO OUR 2023 MAUI RETREAT: Maui Retreat Giveaway In this talk, Joseph: Encourages us to notice when we become aware of our own thinking Highlights the importance of recognizing the themes of our thoughts Emphasizes that the past and the future are conceptual models Examines the very nature of thought itself “When we’re unaware of thoughts, unmindful, they have so much power in our lives, they;re really directing our lives. And yet when we are mindful of them, as I say, it is a little more than nothing.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joseph Goldstein discusses the challenges of practicing liberation, awakening, and enlightenment in the context of a lay person’s life. “The Buddha said, ‘I have shown you the path to liberation. Now, liberation depends on you.’ This is really true. If you don’t take your life into your own hands, not even the Buddhas can make a difference. It’s up to you.” – Joseph Goldstein In this talk, Joseph Goldstein offers insights into: Finding a balance between monastic renunciation and worldly pleasures Impermanence and the inherent instability of existence The Four Noble Truths as they relate to the concept of Duḥkha The understanding of selflessness Taking your path into your own hands This dharma talk from May 12, 2023, was recorded at the Insight Meditation Society and originally published on Dharma Seed. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joseph Goldstein explores how karma and Samsara shape our lives and shares wisdom on integrating Dharma practice into our lives. Today's dharma talk from May 16, 2023, was recorded at the Insight Meditation Society and originally published on Dharma Seed This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/insighthour In this talk, Joesph shares his wisdom on: Applying Buddhist practice and wisdom to our daily lives Better understanding the interworkings of the mind and how our lives unfold How Karma and Samsara feed into one another The importance that our motivations play in Karma and Samsara “The challenge in our practice is integrating this understanding of karma with our growing insight into emptiness, selflessness, and the selfless insubstantial nature of phenomena. Can we hold both?” – Joseph Goldstein See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Taking a journey into the vastness of the mind, Joseph Goldstein explores the creative power of consciousness. In this episode, Joseph Goldstein elucidates: Consciousness as the creator of our inner and outer worlds. The suffering that can come from an uncultivated mind Mental illness, obsessions, addictions and thought-loops Being a prisoner of our own untrained mind Impermanence, empowerment, and the potential of the inner Buddha The Mahamudra and taming the mind Staying mindful during defilement “The Buddha talked of how this mind, this force or power of consciousness, can be our worst enemy or the most benevolent friend.” – Joseph Goldstein About Joseph Goldstein: Joseph Goldstein has been leading insight and loving-kindness meditation retreats worldwide since 1974. He is a co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, where he is one of the organization’s guiding teachers. In 1989, together with several other teachers and students of insight meditation, he helped establish the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies. “What’s most helpful to remember, in this part of the process where we become so aware of these defilements of the mind, is that they are visitors. They are not the nature of the mind itself. And because they are visitors we don’t have to judge ourselves, and we don’t have to judge them.” – Joseph Goldstein See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joseph Goldstein explores the five Iddhis, or fulfillments of understanding, spoken of by the Buddha, and offers four different paths which can lead one to the completion of the fulfillments. “The Buddha spoke of five Iddhis, or five fulfillments of understanding. The first of them is the Iddhi of special knowledge, which means the knowledge or the understanding of things which go beyond the conventional realm of concepts.” – Joseph Goldstein In this episode, Joseph examines the following: The term Iddhi, which is best translated as fulfillment of understanding The five Iddhis that the Buddha placed the most emphasis on: understanding all the constituent elements of what we call self; opening to the truth of suffering; abandoning the causes of suffering; realizing the end of suffering; developing a path to the end The four different paths which can lead one to the completion of the five Iddhis “These are the fulfillments that the Buddha talked about, the true miracle for us, the true development of understanding. In many of the texts, one of the ways in which somebody who got enlightened would celebrate the event, one of the common refrains, which has always been very inspiring to me, they would often say, ‘Done is what had to be done.’ Wouldn’t that be nice? Done is what had to be done. Finished. Come to completion. Come to fulfillment. We have actually done what needs to be done. What needs to be done is the realization or the development of these five Iddhis.” – Joseph Goldstein This dharma talk from November 26, 1988 was originally published on Dharma Seed. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joseph Goldstein explores the nature of Samsara, or endless wandering, and the three interdependent cycles of defilements, actions, and results that keep the wheel of Samsara rolling. “These three Kleshas in the mind – ignorance, craving, and grasping – they keep us moving around and around in this cycle of Samsara. There’s no balance in our lives, there’s no rest in our lives, as long as this cycle of Klesha is revolving.” – Joseph Goldstein In this episode, Joseph explores: The nature of Samsara and the profound questions it raises for us The first interdependent cycle that keeps the wheel of Samsara rolling, the cycle of defilements, or Kleshas  The three root defilements that keep the cycle of defilements turning – ignorance, craving, and grasping The second interdependent cycle, the cycle of actions and karma The third interdependent cycle, the cycle of results How mindfulness can help us escape the wheel of Samsara This dharma talk from October 23, 1988, was originally published on Dharma Seed. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joseph Goldstein guides us through the steps of integrating the science of meditation with the art of meditation as a way of awakening within us the heart of wisdom. This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/insighthour “Through this integration, the art and the science, we really awaken in us this heart of wisdom. And the heart of wisdom means seeing the true nature of phenomena. Seeing the true nature very deeply and very profoundly. It means going from the level of concept, from the level of our ideas and opinions about things, to the nature of the reality of it.” – Joseph Goldstein In this episode, Joseph explores: How our practice is about awakening the heart of wisdom within us by integrating the science of meditation with the art of meditation The steps to integrate the science and art of meditation, including opening ourselves to all aspects of experience and refining the quality of our relationship to experience How we can drop from the level of concept to the level of what’s really happening, the true nature of experience How we can further develop concentration and mindfulness This dharma talk from September 24, 1988, was originally published on Dharma Seed. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.