Ep. 207 – Impermanence, Satipatthana Sutta Series Pt. 4
Jul 25, 2024
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Renowned Buddhist teacher Joseph Goldstein delves into impermanence in the Satipatthana Sutta, discussing the liberating effect of presence, wholesome activities, being dispassionate, witnessing changes, and consciousness in the process of dying.
Contemplating impermanence leads to liberation by transitioning from enchantment to dispassion.
Stream entry in Buddhist practice signifies unshakable faith in the path towards full awakening.
Deep dives
Comparison and Therapy in the Age of Social Media
In today's social media-driven world, it's common to compare our lives with others, leading to a loss of joy. Therapy is highlighted as a means to shift focus towards personal goals and improve self-esteem. BetterHelp offers online therapy that is convenient and tailored to individual schedules, aiding in overcoming the pitfalls of comparison.
Contemplating Impermanence and Liberation
The practice of observing impermanence in all aspects of experience is emphasized as a path to enlightenment. Through the deep realization of impermanence, the mind transitions from enchantment to dispassion, ultimately leading to liberation. This contemplation allows for a profound shift in perceiving reality and breaking free from illusions of stability.
Achieving Stream Entry and Its Implications
The concept of stream entry in Buddhist practice signifies a critical milestone towards full awakening. It involves unshakable faith in the path and the uprooting of certain mental obstacles. While stream entry varies in its transformative impact, it serves as a significant marker on the journey to liberation, indicating a direction towards complete freedom.
Balancing Aspiration and Reality on the Path to Awakening
Navigating the spiritual journey to enlightenment involves maintaining a balanced perspective on achievements and aspirations. While reaching milestones like stream entry can be inspiring, it's vital to avoid getting attached to the idea of attainment. Recognizing impermanence and integrating gratitude and mindfulness are essential components of a fruitful spiritual practice.
Joseph Goldstein offers insight on deepening our understanding of impermanence by growing our awareness of the constant change that surrounds us.
The Satipatthana Sutta is one of the most celebrated and widely studied discourses in the Pāli Canon of Theravada Buddhism. This episode is the fourth part of an in-depth 48-part weekly lecture series from Joseph Goldstein that delves into every aspect of the Satipatthana Sutta. If you are just now jumping into the Satipatthana Sutta series, listen to Insight Hour Ep. 203 to follow along and get the full experience!
This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/insighthour and get on your way to being your best self.
This time on Insight Hour, Joseph Goldstein explores:
Seeing the momentariness of phenomena
The liberating effect of presence moment awareness
The power of wholesome activities and the karmic effect of giving
Unreliability within that which is impermanent
Being dispassionate and not caught up in the grit of desire
The stories and drama we engage with in our lives
Witnessing changes in the world around us
Refining our perception of change
The mirror of the dhamma
Having unbroken confidence in the path of awakening
Consciousness in the process of dying
Grab a copy of the book Joseph references throughout this series, Satipaṭṭhāna: The Direct Path to Realization, HERE
“Somehow, we are so conditioned to count on things staying a certain way, of staying stable. Or, if they’re going to change, that they should only change for the better, the way we’d like things to be. But, that’s not how it is, there is no evidence to support that. All we have to do is open up and look around and pay attention in the most obvious of ways. This is not a subtle meditative attainment; it is all around us.”– Joseph Goldstein