Ep. 237 – Continuity of Mindfulness, Satipatthana Sutta Series Pt. 34
Mar 6, 2025
Joseph Goldstein delves into the vital role of continuous mindfulness in enhancing concentration and overall mental steadiness. He discusses the Buddha's teachings on breath awareness and the importance of non-judgment in practice. The connection between morality and meditation techniques is emphasized, particularly regarding mindfulness of breathing. Listeners learn how to transition from simple breath awareness to a deeper understanding of the mind's nature, fostering wisdom and tranquility during meditation.
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Developing Concentration
Build confidence that you can develop concentration, even if it takes patience.
Approach concentration development step by step, like the Buddha taught.
insights INSIGHT
Morality's Role in Concentration
Morality (sila) forms the foundation for concentration by reducing remorse.
Remorse hinders happiness, which in turn hinders concentration, essential for wisdom.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Remorse and the Chicken
Joseph Goldstein recounts a memory of killing chickens during Peace Corps training, causing later remorse during meditation.
This remorse disrupted his concentration, highlighting the link between past actions and present mental state.
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Focusing on awareness of the breath, Joseph Goldstein explores what the Buddha said about continuous attention.
The Satipatthana Sutta is one of the most celebrated and widely studied discourses in the Pāli Canon of Theravada Buddhism. This episode is the thirty-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 week on Insight Hour, Joseph elucidates:
The Buddha’s instructions for concentration
Not judging ourselves or our practice
Why morality is the basis of concentration
Good and bad memories that arise during practice
Simple awareness of our inward and outward breath
Learning the patterns and tendencies of the mind
The natural arising of concentration out of tranquility of mind
Lessons from Upasika Kee Nanayon, a renowned Thai Buddhist teacher and laywoman
How the knowing of the breath can open us up to the whole range of changing experiences
Thought as a vehicle for deepening our wisdom
Grab a copy of the book Joseph references throughout this series, Satipaṭṭhāna: The Direct Path to Realization, HERE
“It’s mindfulness which actually notices that a thought is present. Without mindfulness, we don’t know. It’s continuity of mindfulness, many moments of mindfulness in a row, that strengthens the steadiness of mind and the factor of concentration. Concentration arises from continuity of mindfulness.” – Joseph Goldstein