<p><em>New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers.</em></p> <p>---</p> <p>Nirvana is a culturally confusing and freighted term. It's the name of the best rock band of the 1990s and also the name of smoothie joints, vape stores and yoga studios. There's a vape place near me called Nirvana. </p> <p>Nirvana's been fully co-opted and sometimes corrupted by the culture… and yet it is also the clearly stated goal of the Buddha's teaching. So what does it really mean?</p> <p>We cover all of that today in what is an experimental episode for us. Not only because the topic is so unusual, but also because this is our first podcast recording of a live show. We recorded this at the Armory in Boston in front of a sold out crowd who did not know in advance that premier teacher Joseph Goldstein would be the guest. We would love your feedback, because if you like this, we'll do more.</p> <p><a href="http://www.dharma.org/teacher/joseph-goldstein" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Joseph Goldstein</a> is one of the top western proponents of mindfulness. He co-founded the legendary <a href="https://www.dharma.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Insight Meditation Society</a> alongside Sharon Salzberg and Jack Kornfield. He also wrote a book called <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17689433-mindfulness" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening</em></a>.</p> <p>PS We've been trying to do a bunch of experiments here on this show, and our latest is a <a href="https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">weekly newsletter, which you can sign up for here!</a></p> <p><strong>Related Episodes:</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/bhikkhu-bodhi-502" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Mental States That Steal Your Calm | Bhikkhu Bodhi</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/bhikkhu-bodhi-302" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Words of the Buddha | Bhikkhu Bodhi</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/joseph-goldstein-598" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Joseph Goldstein On: How Not To Try Too Hard in Meditation, Why You Shouldn't "Waste Your Suffering," and the Value Of Seeing How Ridiculous You Are</a></li> </ul> <p><br /></p> <p><strong>Full Shownotes:</strong> <a href="https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.</a><a href="http://tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/joseph-goldstein-598" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/</a></p>
Actionable Insights
1. Investigate: Can I Find the Knower?
When experiencing a sound or any phenomenon, ask “Can I find what’s knowing the sound?” to genuinely investigate the nature of the knowing mind, realizing its unfindability yet constant knowing.
2. Experience Phenomena in Mind’s Empty Sky
Practice collapsing the sense of separation by realizing that sensory experiences, like a bird song, are arising within the “empty sky of your mind,” offering a glimpse of selflessness.
3. Practice Non-Wanting Mind
When you notice wanting something, remind yourself that “whatever has the nature to arise will also pass away,” allowing your mind to drop back from wanting and experience the freedom of a non-wanting state.
4. Observe Desire’s Arising and Passing
When desire arises, notice it, stay with it, and then observe that the desire will pass, experiencing the relief of that moment as a temporary Nibbana.
5. Reflect on Impermanence
Contemplate the teaching “whatever has the nature to arise will also pass away” to understand the impermanence of all experiences, which can lead to a deeper sense of freedom.
6. Recognize Conceit as Impersonal Habit
When conceit (any sense of “I am”) arises, recognize it as an impersonal, deeply conditioned habit of mind rather than taking it personally, which allows for more ease and less self-judgment.
7. Balance Present Step with Vision
Pay attention to the step right in front of you to avoid obstacles, while also maintaining a vision of your ultimate destination to stay inspired and keep taking the next steps.
8. Cultivate Aspiration, Release Expectation
Hold your goals as aspirations to set a direction for your path and work, rather than expectations that lead to frustration when things don’t happen immediately as desired.
9. Time Is Not a Factor
Adopt the mindset that on the spiritual path, time is not a factor, which helps to let go of the expectation-driven mindset of measuring progress and driving oneself crazy.
10. Observe Mind’s Agitation & Peace
Throughout your day, pay attention to the oscillations between times when your mind is caught up and agitated, and times when it is peaceful and “cooled out,” to understand the flavor of momentary Nibbana.
11. Observe Your Mind
To understand your mind, sit down (or stand, or lie down) and observe it systematically, as this is the fundamental way to gain insight into its workings.
12. Look Into Your Own Mind
Engage in practices that allow you to look into your mind, rather than just through it, to systematically observe inner experiences and understand yourself.
13. Wish Freedom from Hatred for All
When practicing loving-kindness, extend the wish “May you be free of hatred, may you be free of enmity” to all beings, understanding that these forces cause suffering for everyone.
14. Aim for Highest Spiritual Goal
Aim for the highest spiritual goal, such as Nibbana or complete awakening, because all other increasing levels of happiness and benefits will naturally arise along the way.
15. Realizations Are Beginnings, Not Ends
Understand that powerful transformative moments or genuine spiritual realizations are often beginnings, not ends, and should not be misinterpreted as completion of the path.
16. Download 10% Happier App
Download the “10% with Dan Harris” app for a library of guided meditations to help with stress, anxiety, sleep, focus, and self-compassion, plus access to weekly live Zoom community sessions and ad-free podcast episodes.