Joseph Goldstein reflects on the path of insight, the beauty of selflessness, and why retreat is a key part of awakening.
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This week on Insight Hour, Joseph answers questions on:
- What insight (vipassana) truly means
- Momentary concentration & the path of ‘dry’ insight
- Mudita (sympathetic joy) as a path to ‘moisten’ insight
- Removing our identification with thoughts and emotions
- Experiencing the rapid flow of consciousness itself
- Stories of Dipa Ma and the beauty of selflessness
- The benefit of going on retreats
- Freeing the heart and mind from greed, hatred, and ignorance
“I found that practicing the mudita was like eating ice cream—it’s delicious. What’s striking is it may be the hardest one, or, the one we’re least practiced in, really cultivating that delight in the happiness of others. When we undertake it as a type of formal practice and cultivate it, it’s a totally beautiful quality of mind and it’s very uplifting.” –Joseph Goldstein
This talk was given at the Insight Meditation Society and distributed by Dharma Seed
“I’ve never found anything that touches the depth and the connectedness of when I’m on retreat. We’re really cultivating that awareness and mindfulness as continuously as possible. Whenever I am on retreat I just always have the feeling, ‘this is what I should be doing’. It just feels like the most important thing.” –Joseph Goldstein
Photo by GreensandBlues
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.