Joseph Goldstein discusses skillful means for non-clinging, the comparing mind, walking meditation, awakening as a layperson, not being attached to beliefs, and the importance of skillful means for non-clinging in Buddhism.
01:11:46
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
Practicing non-clinging in difficult times leads to liberation by lessening attachment to sense pleasures, opinions, and the sense of self.
Viewing metaphysics as skillful means rather than absolute truth helps determine if a teaching leads to non-clinging, the essence of freedom.
Deep dives
Importance of Non-Clinging
The most important aspect in difficult times is to practice non-clinging, as it leads to liberation. By observing and lessening our attachment to sense pleasures, views and opinions, and the sense of self, we can experience greater freedom.
Metaphysics as Skillful Means
When navigating different teachings and traditions, it is helpful to see metaphysics as skillful means rather than absolute truth. The key focus should be on whether a teaching leads to less clinging and attachment or not, as non-clinging is the essence of freedom.
Investigate Suffering
When faced with suffering, it is valuable to investigate our own minds and take responsibility for how we relate to the experience. By recognizing the mental factors contributing to suffering and practicing non-clinging, we can find liberation even in difficult times.
Questioning Beliefs
It is important to stay open and hold doubts or skepticism about certain teachings or beliefs. By embracing a mindset of "I don't know," we can remain curious and explore new perspectives, avoiding attachment to fixed views.
In this question-and-answer session, Joseph Goldstein explores skillful means for non-clinging, how to work with the comparing mind, the intricacies of walking meditation, and much more.
This dharma talk, recorded on October 20, 2023, was originally published on Dharma Seed.
In this episode of Insight Hour:
Joseph offers a series of tips on walking meditation
He responds to questions about working with the comparing mind and working with the mind that is desperate to fix everything
Joseph talks about how it is possible for a layperson to awaken and why enlightenment is all about lightening up
He explores the importance of not being attached to our beliefs or our disbeliefs and keeping an open mind
Finally, Joseph offers his perspective on how the Dharma has helped him in difficult times and why the Buddhist teachings are all about skillful means for non-clinging
“So when I began to hear these different teachings, rather than frame it – ‘Which is true?’ or ‘Which is right?’ – just to take the teachings as skillful means. So then the question is, skillful means for what? And here is where all the traditions of Buddhism are unified, and that is a skillful means for non-clinging. That’s the essence of the free mind in all the Buddhist traditions.” – Joseph Goldstein