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10% Happier with Dan Harris

Joseph Goldstein On: Impermanence, Impersonality, And How To Use Mindfulness To Be More Creative

Feb 19, 2025
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.
01:12:48

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • 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.

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.

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