Joseph Goldstein On: Impermanence, Impersonality, And How To Use Mindfulness To Be More Creative
Feb 19, 2025
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Joseph Goldstein, co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society and an influential figure in mindfulness, shares his insights on creativity, mortality, and the interconnectedness of poetry and deep meditation. He discusses the profound concepts of impermanence and impersonality, illustrating how mindfulness can invigorate creative expression. Goldstein reflects on the beauty of mortality, reading his poetry and emphasizing how awareness of life's transience enhances both creativity and appreciation of the present moment.
Joseph Goldstein emphasizes that creativity can emerge at any age, highlighting the inspiring role of encouragement and external validation in unleashing artistic potential.
Through the practice of mindfulness, Goldstein suggests that a quiet mind fosters a fertile environment for creativity, enabling insights and ideas to flow more freely.
Reflecting on mortality, Goldstein illustrates how awareness of impermanence enriches life experiences, inspiring deeper connections and authentic engagement with existence.
Deep dives
The Emergence of Creativity at Any Age
Writing poetry unexpectedly began for Joseph Goldstein at the age of 75, inspired by a quiet retreat in Spain where he was immersed in the work of contemporary poets. Surrounded by supportive friends, he found a channel opening within him that allowed creativity to flow freely, marking the start of his poetry journey. This experience highlighted the importance of encouragement in exploring artistic pursuits, showing how external validation can motivate inner creativity. The journey emphasizes that creativity can spring forth at any stage in life, challenging the notion that certain talents are limited to youth.
Revision as a Vital Creative Process
Goldstein reflects on the importance of revision in writing, recognizing that initial drafts often lack refinement and that the true artistry emerges through the editing process. This concept resonated with him after receiving constructive feedback from a skilled poet, which helped him shift his perspective on the creative journey. By embracing revision, one can uncover greater subtleties and improvements in their work, highlighting that art is not just about the inspiration but also about nurturing that inspiration through careful revisions. This approach provides an avenue for artistic growth and deeper expression in any creative field.
Mindfulness as a Pathway to Creativity
Goldstein connects mindfulness practices with enhancing creativity, suggesting that a quiet, still mind acts as fertile ground for inspiration. He encourages the idea that creativity blossoms in spaces of receptivity and intuition, where the busy mind is set aside. This notion is reinforced by personal anecdotes of utilizing meditation to overcome creative blocks, leading to care-free moments where insights and ideas naturally arise. Thus, mindfulness serves as a powerful tool, facilitating a rich inner environment conducive to creative exploration and expression.
Reflections on Mortality
In his poetry, Goldstein frequently contemplates mortality, recognizing it as a universal human experience. He expresses the idea that reflecting on death can lead to moments of profound insight rather than fear, suggesting that life’s impermanence can enrich our understanding of existence. For him, awareness of death invites a lived authenticity, allowing space for acceptance and deeper engagement with life. These reflections reveal how the awareness of our own finitude can inspire not only creativity but also compassion and connection within ourselves and towards others.
Embracing the Impermanence of Experience
In discussing his poem 'A Fall', Goldstein conveys a vital lesson on the unpredictability of life and the insights gained from accepting that 'anything can happen anytime.' This phrase emerged from a personal experience that shifted his perspective from frustration to acceptance, highlighting how awareness of impermanence can open the heart to both life and death. By recognizing the fluid nature of our experiences, we can cultivate a deeper appreciation for each moment, regardless of its challenges. This understanding not only enriches personal growth but also fosters a sense of peace and readiness in the face of life’s uncertainties.
One of my favorite episodes that we’ve recorded in a long while.
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.
This year, IMS printed a collection of Joseph’s poetry, titled Dreamscapes of the Mind: Poems and Reflections. The book includes 21 poems and almost a dozen short verses.
We have made copies available for a suggested donation of $12 to support IMS’s Retreat Center scholarship fund (shipping to U.S. addresses only).