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 emptinessThe such-ness of thingsThe 10,000 joys, the 10,000 sorrows, and opening ourselves up to the whole range of experienceThe Taoist dichotomy between non-action and inactionTaking interest in the phenomenon of thoughts, emotions, experiences, and situationsBeing 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 GoldsteinAbout 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/insighthourIn 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.

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 SeedIn 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.

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 GoldsteinSee 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/insighthourIn 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 GoldsteinSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.