Joseph Goldstein discusses the challenges of practicing liberation, awakening, and enlightenment in the context of a lay person’s life.
This dharma talk from May 12, 2023, was recorded at the Insight Meditation Society and originally published on Dharma Seed.
“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
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.
