Finally... The Joseph Goldstein Episode
Joseph Goldstein, a pioneering American Vipassana teacher and co-founder of Insight Meditation Society, discusses profound aspects of meditation. He clarifies the distinction between attention and mindfulness, explores ethical frameworks, and offers practical insights on desire, renunciation, and cultivating an awakened mind.
Deep Dive Analysis
22 Topic Outline
Introduction to Joseph Goldstein and His Background
Joseph's Current Challenge: The Practice of Renunciation
Understanding Mara: The Embodiment of Delusion
The Seductive Nature of Anticipatory Pleasure
Reframing Renunciation as Non-Addiction and Disenchantment
The Highest Happiness: Experiencing the Peace of Not Wanting
Practical Application: Letting Desires Pass in Everyday Life
Meditative Technique: Dropping in the Phrase 'Not Wanting'
The Power of Waking Up from Being Lost in Thought
Clarifying Awareness and Mindfulness in Practice
Subtle Mind States: 'In Order To Mind' and 'Checking the Attitude'
Guidance on Integrating Meditative Phrases and Tools
The Ethics of Secular Dharma and the 'Buddhist Corner' Idea
Exploring the Liberative Aspect of Buddhist Practice
Understanding Selflessness as a Liberating Construct
Ethical Frameworks: Non-Harming and Motivation in Practice
Working with Mixed Motivations and Self-Observation
Cultivating Positive Qualities: The Practice of Loving-Kindness
Joseph Goldstein's Perspective on Enlightenment
Personal Experience: Diminishment of Unwholesome Habits
Evolving Relationship with Dharma Views and Arguments
Experiencing Spaciousness Through Meditative Listening
9 Key Concepts
Renunciation
Reframing renunciation as non-addiction, which brings freedom rather than deprivation. It's the practice of seeing desires and choosing not to act on them, leading to a sense of liberation from their grip.
Mara
In Buddhist teachings, Mara is the embodiment of ignorance and delusion, often represented as a tempter who tries to ensnare beings in attachment to sense pleasures. It can also be interpreted as the forces of ignorance within one's own mind.
Anticipatory Pleasure
The pleasant feeling associated with the *anticipation* of getting what one wants, which can be more seductive than the actual fulfillment of the desire itself. This pleasure acts as a hook, feeding the desire and keeping the mind wanting.
Disenchantment
A positive process of breaking the 'spell' that whatever we desire will bring lasting happiness. It's a liberating realization that desires, once fulfilled, do not provide permanent satisfaction, leading to a sense of freedom.
Peace of Not Wanting
The highest form of happiness, experienced when the mind is free from the constant striving and craving of desire. It offers a profound sense of ease and opens up new possibilities for well-being, even if only for a few moments.
In Order To Mind
A subtle form of wanting often present in meditation, where one is with an experience (e.g., breath, pain) with an underlying agenda for it to change or lead to a specific outcome, such as wanting more concentration or calm.
Check the Attitude of the Mind
An instruction to observe how one is relating to what is happening in the present moment. This practice helps reveal subtle leanings, desires, or aversions that might otherwise go unnoticed, often leading the mind to settle back into a state of non-wanting.
Awareness/Mindfulness
A non-commenting, non-judgmental, non-adding, or subtracting awareness of whatever is happening right now. It is a down-to-earth process of noticing and returning to the present, not a special state to achieve, and is considered wholesome, not suffused with greed or aversion.
Selflessness
The radical understanding that the notion of 'self' or 'I' is a construct, a concept created by the mind, rather than referring to an inherent, independent entity. Seeing the selfless nature of experiences, like desires, can be liberating as one no longer identifies with them.
14 Questions Answered
For Joseph Goldstein, the most challenging aspect is the parami (perfection) of renunciation, which involves seeing desires and practicing not going for them, especially when the mind's energy is low.
Renunciation can be reframed as 'non-addiction,' which shifts its connotation from deprivation to freedom, making it a more inspiring practice.
Beyond the pleasure of fulfilling a desire, the *anticipation* of getting what one wants often carries its own pleasant feeling, which can be a powerful hook that keeps the mind wanting and feeding the desire.
One can practice by simply watching desires come and go without feeding or fighting them, paying attention to the feeling of relief and freedom when a desire passes, which strengthens the meditative practice.
Dropping the phrase 'not wanting' into meditation can help the mind settle back from a subtle 'in-order-to' mind, allowing one to experience the peace of not wanting even for the next moment's experience.
Instead of judging oneself for being lost, focusing on the experience of wakefulness itself is a 'victory' and an opportunity to taste the moment of freedom, clarifying what awareness feels like.
It's best to become familiar with phrases that resonate, reflect on their meaning, and then trust that the right phrase will spontaneously arise in meditation at the appropriate moment, or choose one to explore intentionally for a period.
Joseph Goldstein believes it's possible to present the teachings without requiring one to become a Buddhist, but suggests ensuring the full range of teachings, especially the deeper liberative and awakening aspects, are available for those who become inspired to explore further.
The awakened mind is one that has freed itself from the deeply conditioned habits of greed, hatred, and ignorance, representing the actual uprooting of these tendencies from one's mind stream.
Seeing the notion of 'self' or 'I' as a construct, rather than an inherent entity, allows one to view experiences like desires as impersonal arisings, making it easier to not be hooked by them and leading to greater freedom.
The primary ethical concern is ensuring that the ethical framework of the teachings (non-harming) is woven into the instruction, as attention training without this framework could be used for unhelpful or harmful purposes.
It's important to honestly observe the full range of motivations without judgment or condemnation, seeing them as habitual patterns that come and go, and choosing to emphasize and focus on the more positive, wholesome motivations.
One can consciously choose to direct attention to the good qualities of people, even those who are annoying, which can transform feelings towards them and foster kindness and appreciation.
One can taste spaciousness by practicing meditative listening, allowing sounds to appear and disappear effortlessly, or by noticing the effortlessness of knowing simple movements, which cultivates a relaxed, receptive, and non-reactive openness of mind.
36 Actionable Insights
1. Cultivate Liberating Disenchantment
Recognize that desired things will not truly make you happy or fulfill aspirations for happiness, as this understanding breaks the spell of desire and is liberating.
2. Renunciation as Non-Addiction
Reframe renunciation as ’non-addiction’ to view it as freedom rather than deprivation, which can serve as an inspiration to practice.
3. Observe Desire’s Anticipatory Hook
Pay attention to the pleasant feeling in the anticipation of getting what you want, as this is often the seductive ‘hook’ of desire, bringing awareness closer to its arising.
4. Taste Peace of Not Wanting
In meditation, experience the ‘peace of not wanting,’ even for a few moments, to glimpse a greater happiness that can reset the direction of your life.
5. Observe Desires Come and Go
Practice observing desires without acting on them, paying attention to the relief and ease when they naturally pass, which reveals the contracted nature of being gripped by desire.
6. Invoke “Mara, I See You”
Use the phrase ‘Mara, I see you’ when desires or temptations arise as a way to clearly see your inner processes and avoid being yanked around by them.
7. Focus on Wakefulness, Not Loss
When you notice you’ve been lost in thought during meditation, focus attention on the experience of ‘wakefulness’ (the moment of awakening) rather than judging yourself for being lost, as waking up is a victory.
8. Say “Emaho” Upon Awakening
Use a phrase like ’emaho’ (how amazing) or ‘welcome back’ when waking up from being lost in thought to mark the occasion and taste the moment of freedom.
9. Taste the Moment of Freedom
Take the opportunity of having awoken from being lost in thought to ’taste that moment of freedom’ and experience what awareness is like, making it a vivid, real experience.
10. Beware the “In Order To Mind”
Be aware of the ‘in order to mind’ during meditation, which is a subtle wanting for a specific outcome (e.g., calm, pain to diminish) that indicates a hidden form of desire.
11. Check the Mind’s Attitude
Use the phrase ‘check the attitude of the mind’ (how you’re relating to what’s happening) as a question to drop into practice; the asking itself can cause the mind to settle back from subtle wanting.
12. Rest in Awareness of Awareness
When the mind wanders and you awaken from it, instead of redirecting attention to a specific object, try to ‘rest in the awareness of the awareness’ itself, being receptive to whatever arises naturally without effort.
13. Use “It’s Already Here”
Use the phrase ‘it’s already here’ as a reminder to relax into receptivity and choiceless, open awareness, reducing the effort of ‘reconnecting’ to the present moment.
14. Meditative Listening for Spaciousness
To experientially understand spaciousness, practice ‘meditative listening’ by sitting back, being open, and letting sounds appear and disappear in awareness, which creates a feeling of openness without effort.
15. Embrace Effortlessness in Knowing
Realize that ’effortlessness’ in knowing sensations (like a simple arm movement) can be a mantra to drop into practice, helping to feel spaciousness by recognizing that knowing is just happening.
16. Spaciousness is Non-Reactivity
Understand spaciousness as ’non-reactivity of mind’ to whatever is arising, even a cluttered mind, and practice being non-reactive to thoughts or a perceived lack of spaciousness.
17. Mental Noting for Spaciousness
Use ‘mental noting’ (gently labeling ‘hearing,’ ’thinking,’ ‘seeing,’ ‘pain’) as a methodology to drop into non-reactive spaciousness, without being tossed about by thoughts.
18. Practice Daily Renunciation
Observe desires (even small ones) and choose not to act on them, as this practice of renunciation feels like a ‘great moral victory’ and strengthens self-control.
19. Low Energy, High Desire
Be aware that low energy (tiredness) makes you more susceptible to the allure of desires, so keep an eye out for them when feeling fatigued.
20. Drop in “Not Wanting”
In meditation, occasionally drop in the phrase ’not wanting’ to help the mind settle back from subtly leaning into the next moment or wanting something to happen, tasting the peace of not wanting.
21. Familiarize with Resonant Phrases
Become familiar with phrases that resonate with you, and trust that the right phrase will come up at the right moment in your meditation practice.
22. Intentionally Explore Phrases
If a phrase resonates or seems puzzling, make a conscious decision to explore it for a specific period (e.g., a sitting, a week) in your practice.
23. Buddha’s Teachings: Practical Tools
Recognize that the Buddha’s teachings offer a ‘vast treasury of deeply practical practices for the mind and philosophy,’ which can make one a happier, more compassionate person, regardless of religious identity.
24. Explore Liberative Teachings
Explore the ’liberative aspect’ of the teachings, which means freeing the mind from habits of greed, hatred, and ignorance, a process that begins even for those not seeking ‘final liberation.’
25. See Self as a Construct
Understand that the ‘view of self’ (my thoughts, my body, I’m this/that) is a construct, and seeing its selfless nature makes it easier to not be hooked by desires or patterns in the mind.
26. Examine Your Motivation
When engaging in endeavors, examine your motivation; acknowledge that motives are often mixed (e.g., service, profit) and aim for wholesome motivations to be the driving force, rather than greed.
27. Integrate Ethical Framework
Integrate an ethical framework into practice, understanding ethics as ’non-harming’ of self and others, and refraining from actions that cause harm.
28. Attention vs. Mindfulness
Distinguish between ‘attention’ (ethically neutral) and ‘mindfulness’ (always wholesome, not suffused with greed or aversion), ensuring that what’s taught is true mindfulness with built-in ethics.
29. Widen Lens to See Pain
Widen your lens to see the ‘poison source’ behind actions that offer momentary ‘honeyed tips’ (e.g., gossip, sexual indiscretion), realizing the pain they create, which is ’enlightened self-interest.’
30. Non-Judgmental Observation
When observing unwholesome motivations (e.g., greed, self-aggrandizement), treat them with interest and humor, without condemnation or judgment, simply seeing them clearly and letting them come and go.
31. Feed Positive Motivations
To feed positive motivations, take in appreciation (e.g., from app reviews, personal feedback) not as self-aggrandizement, but as evidence that the work is ‘mattering in individual lives.’
32. Cultivate Loving-Kindness
To cultivate loving-kindness, consciously focus on the ‘good qualities of people,’ especially those who irritate you, as this choice changes how you feel about them and fosters beneficence.
33. Realize Choice in Attention
Realize that you have the choice to emphasize and pay attention to positive motivations and qualities, which is tremendously empowering and frees you from habitual conditioning.
34. Avoid Enlightenment Claims
Avoid making claims about one’s own stage of enlightenment, as it sets up projections and cannot be verified; instead, express understanding in terms of ‘what is understood’ without reference to a self.
35. Expect Gradual Diminishment
Recognize that greed, hatred, and confusion can diminish over time with practice, and one becomes more finely attuned to their arising, even if it’s a gradual process.
36. Cultivate Lighter Approach
Cultivate a lighter approach to ‘Dharma views’ and let go of attachment to one’s own viewpoint in discussions, leading to more relaxation and enjoyment.
8 Key Quotes
The highest happiness is peace.
The Buddha (quoted by Joseph Goldstein)
Mara, I see you.
The Buddha (quoted by Joseph Goldstein)
The terrible bait of the world.
The Buddha (quoted by Joseph Goldstein)
Lust cracks the brain.
Unnamed teacher (quoted by Joseph Goldstein)
Anger has a honey tip, but a poison source.
The Buddha (quoted by Joseph Goldstein)
Buddhism isn't something to believe in. It's something to do.
Stephen Batchelor (quoted by Dan Harris)
It's simple, but not easy.
Meningradji (Joseph Goldstein's first teacher, quoted by Joseph Goldstein)
I'm someplace on the spectrum of awakening.
Joseph Goldstein
5 Protocols
Observing Desire in Everyday Life
Joseph Goldstein- Notice a desire arising (e.g., for cake, a gadget, or any small or big wanting).
- Be aware of the desire without feeding it or fighting it; simply watch it.
- Observe the desire come and go, recognizing its impermanent nature.
- Pay attention to the feeling of relief or release when the desire passes, experiencing the mind free of its grip.
Using 'Not Wanting' in Meditation
Joseph Goldstein- Sit in ordinary meditation, observing breath, sensations, or thoughts.
- Notice any subtle 'leaning into the next moment' or 'in-order-to mind' (e.g., wanting more concentration, wanting pain to diminish).
- Occasionally drop in the phrase 'not wanting' as a gentle reminder.
- Feel the mind drop back from that leaning, experiencing a taste of peace and non-wanting on a subtle level.
Waking Up from Lostness in Thought
Joseph Goldstein- Become lost in thought during meditation.
- Wake up and realize you've been thinking.
- Instead of judging yourself for being lost or rushing back to your meditation object, focus attention on the *experience of wakefulness* itself.
- Taste that moment of freedom and clarity, recognizing it as a victory and an opportunity to understand awareness.
Cultivating Loving-Kindness
Joseph Goldstein- Be aware of the mind's tendency to focus on irritating or annoying qualities in people.
- Consciously choose to focus on the good qualities of people, even those who are difficult or irritating.
- Observe how this choice changes how you feel about them, fostering kindness and appreciation.
Experiencing Spaciousness Through Meditative Listening
Joseph Goldstein- Sit back and be very open, using sound as an object of meditation.
- Simply let sounds appear and disappear in awareness without effort, recognizing that hearing happens naturally.
- Relax into the quality of openness and non-reactivity of mind, understanding spaciousness as the lack of reactivity to what is arising.