Buddhism and the Impermanence of Life || Joseph Goldstein

Today we welcome Joseph Goldstein to the podcast. Joseph is a co-founder and the guiding teacher of the Insight Meditation Society (IMS) along with Jack Kornfield and Sharon Salzberg. He is one of the first American vipassana teachers and has been teaching Buddhist meditation worldwide since 1974. A contemporary author of numerous popular books on Buddhism, his publications include Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening, One Dharma, Insight Meditation and others.
In this episode, I talk to Joseph Goldstein about Buddhism and the impermanence of life. Being too attached to the self can bring suffering. However, this doesn’t mean that we need to forego our identities or self-care. Joseph explains that enlightenment can be achieved when the mind is free from clinging. He talks about the different states that can help us realize the insight of impermanence and selflessness. We also touch on the topics of mindfulness, compassion, creativity, and wisdom.
Website: www.dharma.org/
Twitter: @onedharma
Topics
03:01 Joseph’s background and expertise
09:31 Enlightenment
15:11 Balance of mind
24:15 Noticing per minute
31:02 Mindfulness and flow
35:38 Wisdom is insight
38:00 Creativity
41:20 Different mind states
49:51 The tales of Sisyphus and Icarus
55:29 Skillful means
58:53 Flow of being
1:02:04 Unprompted mindfulness
1:04:42 Equanimity
1:09:24 Compassion and connection
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[@ArlindoPhilosophicalArtist]

Joseph Goldstein is on the money. We need more mind explorers and mentors like him.

[@karenconley9807]

You have a good show, I wish Joe would have takes more☺️

[@AznDudeIsOn]

loved the equanimity section describing the difference between reactivity and responsiveness

[@dogmablues7180]

So much to consider in this rich, nuanced conversation. A life time of artistic pursuit, has led me to often ponder these ideas. My current thoughts seem to align with much of what has been discussed. I see it this way: The flow accesses our vast subconscious base that underpins metacognition. It’s a deeper, more fundamental sense of self, free of cognitive biases, that are present when we engage our conscious mind in reflection. It seems to me the thoughts that arise, arise from the state of flow and meditation steps out of the flow, to capture the experience, transforming our awareness. Awareness navigates the boat. Flow is the current.

[@accadia1983]

I liked "the boat in the stream" thing. Where would you put the body? The boat analogy also reminds of and somewhat confuses me with the teachings of the Buddha to cross the river - the Samsara.
Here is an idea that visited me about the thoughts for some time now. Thoughts arise from cosmic/electromagnetic radiation causing discharge at whatever the neural network structure exists at that particular moment - just like the wind blowing over the forest and making branches of trees touch - the thoughts are the leaves falling. (In one sutta, the Buddha picks up several leaves and says: these are just some of the things I teach about.)
Brain might think we are the leaves. But self is not leaves, nor branches, nor trees. It is the silent waving of the forest in the wind.
Awareness is a lens/membrane that filters everything as "here and now" - it is like a surface of the lake, reflecting whatever comes to it. The flow is the change of the environment, or our dancing universe. And we - the humans - are like dunes of sand, created by winds of Universe, always changing - or a drop of water which fell from the sky and rolled into mud and became a little dirt pie :)
Let us all be happy, free from suffering, live with joy, and remain equanimous. Peace

[@raphaelbessac]

I’ll watch this so many times

[@alexwidjaja8646]

A really wonderful imterview. Thank you.

[@accadia1983]

great interview
...
concentration=undistraction, effortless flow within activity
show me a person who is happy with their first draft
emptiness: two levels. right is right, wrong is wrong
47:40 spiritual narcissism

[@smlanka4u]

Abhidhamma is the most important knowledge in Buddhism to be a Buddhist teacher according to Ven. Buddhagosha Thero.

[@Dan-rn6xm]

I have never seen Joseph express a cringy face like 21:55 after the comment on actualization/mental institution comment. Classic! I knew he was human like all of us...😅

[@stephensacks4296]

Should take Sam’s advice instead of dismissing it.