The Illusion of Self and the Power of Compassion

Joseph Goldstein investigates the links between suffering, compassion, and the concept of the self.

This dharma talk, recorded on July 2, 1994, was originally published on Dharma Seed.

In this talk, Joseph:

• Breaks down the three kinds of suffering according to the Buddha
• Advises us to remain open to suffering, reminding us that avoiding or resisting pain and unpleasant mind states only serves to feed them
• Posits that compassion grows from letting suffering in
• Proposes that we drop into the flow of existence
• Asserts that the root cause of suffering is our deeply conditioned senses of self 

“When we’re associated with what we don’t want, it’s suffering. And when we are separated from what we do want, it’s suffering. And this is the push-pull happening throughout our lives.” – Joseph Goldstein

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