Joseph Goldstein – Insight Hour – Ep. 206 – Satipatthana Sutta Series Pt. 3: Concentration And Contemplation

This time on the Insight Hour Podcast, Joseph Goldstein explores the importance of contemplation, awareness and concentration in Buddhist practice.

The Satipatthana Sutta is one of the most celebrated and widely studied discourses in the Pāli Canon of Theravada Buddhism. This episode is the third 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 episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/insighthour and get on your way to being your best self.

“Just as with bodily or verbal actions, we can also contemplate feelings internally and externally, feelings and mind-states. The more we can be mindful of the mind-states and feelings as they arise in others, mindful externally, we stay much more sensitive to what’s happening in the other person and we get less caught up in our judgments and reactions.” – Joseph Goldstein

In this episode, Joseph Goldstein examines: 
  • Samadhi, or, the composure and unification of the mind
  • Enjoying embodied presence and allowing all tensions to release
  • The great healing process that can come from Samadhi
  • How Samadhi enables us to receive the joy of the present moment
  • How the development of concentration comes from practicing Sila (ethical conduct)
  • The path of practice as the path of happiness
  • Focusing on an object versus choiceless awareness
  • 6-part walking meditation for the development of concentration
  • Internal and external contemplation
  • Being aware of other people without judgment
  • Attuning to how our actions may affect others
Grab a copy of the book Joseph references throughout this series, Satipaṭṭhāna: The Direct Path to Realization, HERE

“It’s as if when we create the space of awareness, the space of mindful presence, the mind settles by itself into a place of concentration because we are simply being present for that which arises.” – Joseph Goldstein

This talk was originally published on Dharmaseed
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.
Joseph Goldstein