10% Happier with Dan Harris

Joseph Goldstein + Mark Epstein On: How To Handle Unwanted Experiences, How Not To Waste Your Suffering & The Overlap Between Buddhism + Therapy

Nov 27, 2024

Join Joseph Goldstein, co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society, and Dr. Mark Epstein, a psychiatrist and author, as they delve into the profound intersections of Buddhism and therapy. They discuss reframing suffering as a pathway to growth and happiness through mindfulness and meditation. The duo shares personal stories, emphasizing community's role in healing. They explore the transformative power of silence and kindness in personal development, capped off with a loving-kindness meditation that opens hearts to compassion.

01:07:23

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Episode guests

Joseph Goldstein

Mark Epstein

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Reframing suffering as an opportunity for growth encourages individuals to embrace hardships mindfully and cultivate curiosity about their experiences.

Meditation retreats act as laboratories of the mind, enabling participants to observe their mental patterns and gain valuable insights into their happiness and suffering.

Engaging in personal development within a community context enhances vulnerability, support, and the overall benefits of meditation and mindfulness practices.

Deep dives

Reframing Suffering

Reframing negative experiences can provide new perspectives on life's challenges. One illustrative example is the concept of not wasting suffering; instead of viewing distress as purely negative, it can be seen as an opportunity for learning and personal growth. This shift in mindset encourages individuals to embrace their hardships mindfully, cultivating curiosity rather than despair. By understanding suffering as a universal experience, individuals can transform their outlook and utilize these moments for deeper self-exploration.

Intro

4min

Gifts of Joy and Meditation's Power

6min

Cultivating Happiness Through Mindfulness

27min

Exploring the Intersection of Writing, Buddhism, and Psychotherapy

6min

Buddhism and Psychotherapy: A Harmonious Journey

17min

Embracing Growth Through Kindness

7min

Guided Loving-Kindness Meditation Exercise

5min

Gratitude and Humor in a Live Show Finale

5min

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Buddhist megastars in conversation.

Today, we’re dropping a recording of a live event we held earlier this year, during which Joseph Goldstein and Dr. Mark Epstein came on stage for a fascinating set of conversations. We did this event to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Dan’s first book, also called 10% Happier.

The night was structured like a late night show, so there was a monologue, and live music with the band Mates of State.

Dr. Mark Epstein is a psychiatrist in private practice in New York City, and is the author of a number of books about the interface of Buddhism and psychotherapy, including Thoughts without a Thinker, Going to Pieces without Falling Apart, Going on Being, Open to Desire, Psychotherapy without the Self, The Trauma of Everyday Life and Advice Not Given: A Guide to Getting Over Yourself, and The Zen of Therapy: Uncovering a Hidden Kindness in Life. He received his undergraduate and medical degrees from Harvard University. He has been a student of vipassana meditation since 1974.

Joseph Goldstein is a cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society and the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies, both in Barre, Massachusetts. He is the author of Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening, A Heart Full of Peace, One Dharma: The Emerging Western Buddhism, Insight Meditation and The Experience of Insight: A Simple and Direct Guide to Buddhist Meditation. Joseph has studied and practiced meditation since 1967 under the guidance of eminent teachers from India, Burma, and Tibet and he leads Insight Meditation retreats around the world.

In this episode we talk about: