Clear Mountain Monastery Project Pick-Ax Dhamma: Deep Mining the Four Foundations of Mindfulness | Joseph Goldstein Q&A
Dec 18, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Joseph Goldstein, a veteran meditation teacher and co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society, shares his insights on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. He explores the concept of 'plop mind' and the importance of clear comprehension in daily life. Goldstein discusses the balance between using single techniques and multiple tools in practice, along with the transformative power of rapture in meditation. He also sheds light on non-clinging awareness, drawing intriguing comparisons between mindfulness and Dzogchen.
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Mindfulness As Choiceless Present Awareness
- Joseph Goldstein defines mindfulness as choiceless, nonjudging awareness of whatever arises in the moment.
- He calls this "plop mind": bare attention to the bare facts, like "the old pond, a frog jumps in, plop."
Remembering What Matters
- Goldstein highlights sati as remembering to recognize what is wholesome and unwholesome in the mind.
- This function of mindfulness helps the practitioner discern ethical quality as part of the path.
Bring Ardency And Clear Comprehension
- Cultivate ardency (ātāpi) as a heartful, persevering commitment to practice balanced with clear comprehension.
- Use clear comprehension to check motivation and suitability: know what you are doing and why before acting.