Joseph Goldstein delves into the concepts of loving-kindness, compassion, and the fear of discomfort. He highlights the transformative power of loving-kindness, mindfulness, and compassion in overcoming fears and limitations, ultimately fostering genuine happiness.
This dharma talk, recorded on February 18, 1997, was originally published on Dharma Seed.
“If you keep shining your compassion and understanding on it, your fear will soon crack and you will be able to look into its depths and see its roots.” – Joseph Goldstein
In this lecture, Joseph:
- Affirms that at the depths of our hearts and minds there is a basic reservoir of goodwill
- Defines mettā, or loving-kindness, as the basic generosity of the heart
- Takes note of the “upward spiral” of happiness that mindfulness and loving-kindness promotes
- Reminds us to stay open to suffering and
- Ruminates upon the empty nature of fear itself
Photo via Daniel Tadevosyan
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.