Insight Hour with Joseph Goldstein – Ep. 221 – Overcoming Restlessness, Satipatthana Sutta Series Pt. 18

Diving into restlessness and worry, Joseph Goldstein outlines how to use the eye of wisdom to examine mental agitation.

The Satipatthana Sutta is one of the most celebrated and widely studied discourses in the Pāli Canon of Theravada Buddhism. This episode is the 18th part of an in-depth 48-part weekly lecture series from Joseph Goldstein that delves into every aspect of the Satipatthana Sutta. If you are just jumping into the Satipatthana Sutta series, CLICK HERE to start at the first episode.

This time on Insight Hour, Joseph lectures on:

  • The obvious and subtle expressions of restlessness and worry
  • How we can easily become over-concerned with our practice
  • Falling into spiritual self-absorption
  • The conditions which cause the arising of restlessness and worry
  • Examining all situations with the eye of wisdom
  • The physical energies of restlessness and worry
  • Making the mind wind and open or focusing the mind more microscopically
  • Reflecting on the purpose of our practice
  • Excessive striving and our tendency to self-judge
  • Letting go of the past, future, and present

“When you feel that the mind is not settled, when it’s not at rest, become mindful of what’s going on. Let the unease that you’re feeling be the mindfulness bell.” – Joseph Goldstein

This talk was originally published on Dharmaseed

Feature image via DannyOliva

Listen to more from Joseph:

In the search for liberation, we must explore the nature of our existence. Joseph investigates the wisdom of impermanence in Insight Hour Ep. 2.

There are deeper levels of truth about reality. Joseph explores different ways of freeing the mind by understanding the habits of preference and the emptiness of thoughts in Insight Hour Ep. 41.
It’s possible to smile at the antics of one’s own mind. Joseph offers responses to questions about selflessness, shame, cravings, and more in Insight Hour Ep. 111.

Metta practice can penetrate deeply. Joseph explores how love, kindness, gratitude, and friendship can revolutionize our lives in Insight Hour Ep. 117.