Joseph Goldstein – Insight Hour – Ep. 234 – Satipatthana Sutta Series Pt. 31: Happiness and the Mirror Within

Distinguishing merit that leads to mundane happiness from merit aimed at liberation, Joseph Goldstein describes sources of dharmic joy.

The Satipatthana Sutta is one of the most celebrated and widely studied discourses in the Pāli Canon of Theravada Buddhism. This episode is the 31st 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.

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Continuing his lessons on the Satipatthana Sutta, Joseph discusses:
  • Making a heart connection with the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha
  • Reflecting on our commitment to non-harming
    Contemplating what it feels like to give and receive generosity
  • Celestial happiness and beings in higher realms of existence
  • Merit aimed at mundane happiness vs. merit aimed at liberation
  • The karmic results to our volitional actions
  • Cultivating faith, generosity, and wisdom for a source of dharma joy
  • Reflecting on peace and freedom from the defilements
  • Tasting momentary freedom and knowing what peace of mind means

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

“Aș we cultivate faith, sila, generosity, and wisdom, the merit of those wholesome actions in the mind cannot be measured. Just reflecting on this becomes a tremendous source of dharma joy, of rapture in the mind.” – Joseph Goldstein

This talk was originally published on Dharmaseed
Photo by Niklas Jeromin
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