Insight Hour with Joseph Goldstein show

Insight Hour with Joseph Goldstein

Summary: Joseph Goldstein has been a leading light for the practice of Insight and Loving Kindness meditation since his days in India and Burma where he studied with eminent masters of the tradition. In his podcast, The Insight Hour, Joseph delivers these essential mindfulness teachings in a practical and down to earth way that illuminates the practice through his own personal experience and wonderful story telling.

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Podcasts:

 Ep. 180 – Relative and Ultimate Bodhicitta Part 2 | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:58:10

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 mindProvides us with a methodology for freeing ourselves from entanglement and attachmentCompares the clinging mind to ice and the luminous mind to waterRecognizes the causal relationship between mindfulness and compassion Teaches us that how we feel and respond to situations is up to usMaintains 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.

 Ep. 179 – Relative and Ultimate Bodhicitta Part I | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:57:39

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 selflessnessHighlights the spiritual importance of cultivating both compassion and selflessnessRuminates on the challenges of living in our conventional, ordinarily understood realityReminds us that the ungovernability of life is the nexus between dukkha and freedomDescribes the union of emptiness and clarityRecognizes 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.

 Ep. 178 – The Wisdom Of "No" | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 01:00:15

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 thoughtsMaintains that our actions are conditioned by how we think about ourselves and how we think about the worldAdvocates for cultivating wholesome thoughts and letting go of unwholesome ones.Considers the rewards of renunciationEmphasizes 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.

 Ep. 177 – Understanding Equanimity | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 01:06:18

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 translationThe Great 8 Vicissitudes, or the endlessly changing conditions of gain and loss that affect each of usUsing equanimity to foster steadiness in the face of changing conditionsMaintaining a sense of humor and lightness on the spiritual pathThe difference between reactivity of mind and responsiveness of mindThe 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.

 Ep. 176 – Questions About The Path to Awakening | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:59:44

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.

 Ep. 175 – Instructions on Working with Thoughts | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:26:36

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 thinkingHighlights the importance of recognizing the themes of our thoughtsEmphasizes that the past and the future are conceptual modelsExamines 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.

 Ep. 174 – Liberation Teachings for Daily Life | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 01:10:37

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 pleasuresImpermanence and the inherent instability of existenceThe Four Noble Truths as they relate to the concept of DuḥkhaThe understanding of selflessnessTaking your path into your own handsThis 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.

 Ep. 173 – Understanding Karma & Samsara | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 01:11:23

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 livesBetter understanding the interworkings of the mind and how our lives unfoldHow Karma and Samsara feed into one anotherThe 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.

 Ep. 172 – Consciousness: The Power of Mind | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:59:26

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 mindMental illness, obsessions, addictions and thought-loopsBeing a prisoner of our own untrained mindImpermanence, empowerment, and the potential of the inner BuddhaThe Mahamudra and taming the mindStaying 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.

 Ep. 171 – Fulfillments of Understanding | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:56:11

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 understandingThe 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 endThe 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.

 Ep. 170 – Samsara | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:55:06

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.

 Ep. 169 – The Heart of Wisdom | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:48:12

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.

 Ep. 168 – The Five Spiritual Faculties | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:49:38

Joseph Goldstein explores the different ways that we can strengthen and sharpen the five spiritual faculties that exercise a governing role in the mind when they are highly developed. “So out of the continuity of attention, the defilements have less strength. Because of this, the mind becomes more peaceful. We get a taste of a genuine inner peace, a sense of calm, a sense of tranquility. From this taste of peace within us – not peace dependent on any external situation, but actually arising within our own hearts – because of this taste of peace, the spiritual faculty of confidence arises, strong faith arises, based on our own experience of it.” – Joseph Goldstein In this episode, Joseph explores:The five spiritual faculties – confidence, effort, mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom – and how they exercise a governing role in the mind when they are highly developedThe various ways in which we can strengthen and sharpen those spiritual faculties: the understanding that everything which arises passes away; respect for the practice and respect for ourselves; care and meticulousness in our awareness; perseverance and continuity of attention; the suitability of conditions for practice; the sign of samadhi; balancing the factors of enlightenment; and understanding what heroic effort really means This dharma talk from November 16, 1986, 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.

 Ep. 167 – Self and Self Loss | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:54:59

Extricating us from dualist concepts of self and other, Joseph helps us move from the 'ego-center' to the 'zero-center' through opening to love. This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/insighthour “There are so many parts of our experience which we don't like, we don't want to be there. We condemn, we judge, we push away—it can be difficult feelings in the body, difficult emotions, feelings of hatred, rage, unworthiness, loneliness, profound alienation. It can be so many things, so many parts of the mind that are the shadow side. The process of healing, the process of integration, is a willingness to open to all of those sides, to see the shadow in all its manifestation.” – Joseph Goldstein In this episode, Joseph dives into:How we create the concept of duality/seperation (self and other, inside and outside, persona and shadow, etc.) Understanding our practice of Dharma as reintegrating and unifying Using mindfulness to shine light on our shadow by making the subconscious conscious Moving from the 'ego-center' to the 'zero-center' using the intermediate space of love (a very deep appreciation, respect, and openness for every moment's experience) Carlos Castaneda and the relationship between impeccability and emptiness This episode recorded 11/29/1986 at the Insight Meditation Society was originally published on DharmaSeed See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

 Ep. 166 – Opening to Fear | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:49:28

Joseph Goldstein talks about working with and opening to fear as he pinpoints the three types of deeply conditioned fears that keep us from recognizing our own Buddha nature. “What happens as proceed along this journey of practice is that we come to our edges, we come up to our boundaries of what is acceptable; what is acceptable in terms of physical sensation, what is acceptable in terms of mind states or feelings or emotions. And those are our boundaries at which fears in the mind begin to reveal themselves. Can we go beyond these boundaries? Can we go beyond the edges? Is there a way of working with fear and understanding it so that it is no longer a limitation for us?” – Joseph Goldstein In this episode, Joseph explores:How the practice of Dharma is a path of opening, but fear is often something that closes us down How fear is a manifestation of aversion The three types of deeply conditioned fears that keep us closed down: fear of pain, fear of insecurity, and fear of death How we can work directly with the mind state of fear through loving acceptance and discriminating wisdom “So we learn how to open, we learn to come to our boundaries, our edges, our limitations; we see the fear that may be operating there, and we learn to work with the fear, we include the fear in our practice.” – Joseph Goldstein This dharma talk from November 11, 1985, 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.

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