Joseph Goldstein – Insight Hour – Ep. 226 – Satipatthana Sutta Series Pt. 23: Non-Self

Joseph Goldstein explains the value in recognizing the body and self as impermanent, man-made concepts rather than something fixed and solid.

The Satipatthana Sutta is one of the most celebrated and widely studied discourses in the Pāli Canon of Theravada Buddhism. This episode is the 23rd 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.This week, Joseph explains to listeners:
  • Noticing the changing nature of all phenomena
  • The flow of changing sensations and thoughts
  • The superficial perception we have of the body
  • How attachment to the body contributes to a fear of death
  • What creates the felt sense of self
  • Noticing the difference between being lost in a thought and noticing thinking
  • Seeing the empty selfless nature of thoughts
  • Practicing seeing impermanence through mindfulness of the five aggregates
  • Regarding our body, feelings, perception, and consciousness as non-self
This talk was originally published on Dharmaseed

“It is so freeing to realize that the only power that thoughts have is the power that we give them. The thought itself is little more than nothing. It is just this little blip in the mind, arising and passing away. But, when they’re unnoticed and we’re identified with them, taking them to be self, we’re giving them an enormous power in our lives.” – Joseph Goldstein

Grab a copy of the book Joseph references throughout this series, Satipaṭṭhāna: The Direct Path to Realization, HERE
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