Joseph Goldstein discusses the relationship between thought and emotion. He explores the nature of the mind, the importance of mindfulness, and strategies for dealing with thought patterns. The podcast also emphasizes the connection between thoughts and emotions and the role of mindfulness in recognizing skilled and unskilled thoughts.
59:29
AI Summary
Highlights
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
Applying mindfulness to both skillful and unskillful thoughts is crucial for working effectively with thought and emotion.
Recognizing and accepting emotions without identifying with them leads to greater freedom and spaciousness in our lives.
Deep dives
Working with Thought and Emotion: Understanding Relative and Ultimate Truth
One of the most important aspects of our experience is the realm of thought and emotion, which greatly influences our happiness and suffering. To work with thought and emotion effectively, it is necessary to understand the principles of relative truth and ultimate truth. Attachment to one level or the other can hinder our progress. Mindfulness plays a key role in this process. For quickly passing thoughts, awareness of their arising and passing is sufficient. With deeply ingrained thought patterns, additional strategies such as wise reflection and active vigilance are necessary. Understanding the empty nature of thoughts also brings liberation and spaciousness to the mind.
Paying Attention and Accepting Thoughts
Mindfulness of thought involves noticing when thoughts arise and bringing curiosity to the timing of our awareness. Rather than resisting or judging thoughts, we can learn to accept them as a natural activity of the mind. Suzuki Roshi suggests not to be bothered by our thoughts but to let them come and go. Recognizing trigger thoughts for different emotions is also useful, as they can condition our emotional responses. Wise discernment helps identify skillful and unskillful thoughts and emotions, allowing us to cultivate the beneficial ones.
Mindfulness of Emotions: Recognition and Acceptance
Emotions are complex experiences that involve thoughts, bodily sensations, and mental affects. Mindfulness can help us recognize and acknowledge the presence of emotions, even if we find it difficult to identify them accurately. Mindful acceptance of emotions involves fully acknowledging their presence without judgment or resistance. It is important to discern which emotions are skillful and lead to happiness and which are unskillful and cause suffering. By recognizing and accepting emotions without identifying with them, we can experience greater freedom and spaciousness in our lives.
Seeing the Empty Nature of Thought and Emotion
On a more ultimate level, mindfulness allows us to see the empty nature of thoughts and emotions. They arise and pass away according to conditions, lacking inherent existence. By understanding this, we can abide unattached and unrepelled, free from identification with thoughts and emotions. This understanding opens up the possibility of greater happiness, ease, and peace in our lives.
Joseph Goldstein expounds upon the relationship between thought and emotion as it relates to both our spiritual practice and our daily lives.
This dharma talk, recorded on June 4, 2013, was originally published on Dharma Seed.
In this lecture, Joseph:
Dissects the nuanced meaning of the Pali word sati, often translated as "mindfulness"
Highlights the importance of applying mindfulness to both skillful and unskillful thoughts
Helps us understand the very nature of thought
Outlines the inherent connection between thoughts and emotional responses
Proposes that we stay open to afflictive emotions without identifying with them
"When we engage with thoughts and emotions from a place of interest and a place of investigation, a place of inquiry, we can see them all arise and pass away in this open sky of the mind." - Joseph Goldstein
-----
Discover the transformative practice of teaching mindfulness in a new FREE 30-page ebook by Senior Buddhist teacher and Emmy award-winning musician, David Nichtern.
With its blend of humor, wisdom, and accessible approach, The Art of Teaching Mindfulness ebook is a must-read for anyone interested in sharing the life-changing practices of mindfulness with others.
Already downloaded by over 15k people, visit dharmamoon.com/ebook to get YOUR free copy of The Art of Teaching Mindfulness!