Guy Armstrong, a seasoned meditation teacher and author of "Emptiness: A Practical Guide for Meditators," explores the perplexing yet liberating Buddhist concepts of self and emptiness. He delves into how the notion of 'not-self' can transform our understanding of identity, encourage mindfulness, and foster deeper connections with others. Armstrong emphasizes the practical application of these ideas in daily life, revealing how embracing emptiness can lead to inner peace, compassion, and the overcoming of existential fears through meditation.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Guy Armstrong's Background
Guy Armstrong attended Rice University, worked in Silicon Valley, and taught at an alternative school.
He left these pursuits to become a "Dharma bum" due to a newfound interest in meditation and a desire for a more fulfilling life.
insights INSIGHT
Potential of the Mind
Meditation revealed a sense of stillness and openness in Guy Armstrong's mind, giving him a feeling of vast potential.
He realized that suffering could be reduced and happiness cultivated within this space.
insights INSIGHT
Suffering and Practice
Despite decades of practice, Guy Armstrong acknowledges he still experiences suffering.
However, he emphasizes that the intensity and frequency of suffering have significantly decreased.
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Compassion and Emptiness in Early Buddhist Meditation
Bhikkhu Anālayo
This book by Bhikkhu Anālayo delves into the meditative practices of compassion and emptiness, drawing from early Buddhist discourses. It provides a detailed analysis of these concepts, offering practical meditation instructions that bridge academic scholarship with practical application for Buddhist practitioners. The book explores how these practices were understood in early Buddhism, comparing Pali texts with Chinese, Sanskrit, and Tibetan versions.
In this episode, we take a simple, useful, and down-to-earth stroll through one of the most confounding -- but liberating -- concepts in Buddhism. On the one hand, Buddhists tell us the self is an illusion: “You don’t exist!” On the other hand, they tell us, “Well actually, on some level, you do, of course, exist.” So which is it? The answer is: both. But this concept -- call it not-self, selflessness, egolessness, or emptiness -- doesn’t have to be some hopelessly esoteric riddle; it is actually a game-changer that we can all apply in our own lives. Here to tell us how is Guy Armstrong, who has been a meditation teacher in the insight tradition for decades. He’s written a book called Emptiness: A Practical Guide for Meditators. He is the husband of Sally Armstrong, who appeared on the show just a few weeks ago. I actually conducted the interviews back-to-back last fall. But even though this was recorded before the wretched events of 2020, the concepts herein are, I assure you, perennially useful. Where to find Guy Armstrong online: Website: https://www.spiritrock.org/guy-armstrong Book: Emptiness: A Practical Guide for Meditators - https://bookshop.org/books/emptiness-a-practical-guide-for-meditators/9781614295266 You can always get started with the Ten Percent Happier app with our flagship course, The Basics. In The Basics, Joseph Goldstein and Dan Harris discuss the fundamentals of mediation and dispel common myths about meditation in a seven-day meditation series. Visit https://10percenthappier.app.link/TheBasicsPod to get started. Other Resources Mentioned: Compassion and Emptiness in Early Buddhist Meditation by Bhikkhu Anālayo - https://bookshop.org/books/compassion-and-emptiness-in-early-buddhist-meditation/9781909314559 Additional Resources: Ten Percent Happier Live: https://tenpercent.com/live Coronavirus Sanity Guide: https://www.tenpercent.com/coronavirussanityguide Free App access for Frontline Workers: https://tenpercent.com/care Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/guy-armstrong-270
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