This week, on Insight Hour, Joseph discusses the Buddha's lesson of the Luminous Mind and how it is obscured by our afflictive emotions.   How is it that the natural clarity the mind can become so easily clouded? Joseph goes deep in exploring the three steps essential to overcoming these afflictive emotions in which we all get caught up.  

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Joseph asks, "How can we wake up from the dream of our normal waking state and come into a true wakefulness?" In this episode of, Insight Hour, Joseph gives discusses Bardo and delivers an insightful lesson on The Four Mind Changing Reflections. "When we are just resting, the empty, open, aware nature of the mind becomes evident. The non-clinging nature of awareness reveals itself in these Bardo moments." - Joseph Goldstein  

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There are a variety of motives that bring one to the meditative process, but for all of us the journey really begins with the simple steps of calming the mind and collecting our attention. We can never underestimate the value of seeing the mind in its unadulterated state of hurried distraction and unconscious reaction. Without this basic insight into how often we are lost in thought, there will be little motivation to wake up from it. We have to observe before we can begin to understand. A crucial step comes in reframing the moment we wake up into, in order to have delight in our return, rather than judging ourselves for being lost. We then start to truly appreciate the opportunity that arises in coming back to our center. This is the joy in learning to accept the gift that is present moment awareness. In deepening our practice, we increase the spaciousness necessary for further exploration. We begin to directly experience what it’s like to be us. This is done by moving from an abstract sense of the body to a genuine mindfulness of the actual sensations that we are feeling in any given moment. The shift from the conceptual model to the energetic field is a profound step on the path to conscious development. With this foundational approach, Joseph offers practical methods for maintaining a continuity of awareness that promotes joyful and sustainable dedication to the practice of mindfulness.   “How we relate to our own bodies can often reveal how we relate to the world”

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Joseph examines some of the common unskillful actions of mind that tend to enable and perpetuate much of the suffering we experience. All of the expressions of these qualities are conditioned responses to what we find unpleasant, arising in situations where we don't get what we want, or do get what we don't want. The strength of our mindfulness is what determines how long we remain consumed by our aversions. Our practice must therefore include the willingness to open equally to the pleasant and unpleasant aspects of our lives.

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Joseph explores the fundamental question of what it is that will actually free the mind and heart, not just from the delusions of waking life, but from the root of all suffering. The great realization comes in understanding that the art of non-clinging is not to be viewed as some far off, distant state of being that we must strive for, but is rather an immediate moment practice. We are reminded that all of the mindfulness teachings are ultimately in service of this quality of freedom from attachment. Joseph then elaborates on the obvious next question regarding how we might go about integrating this work into our daily lives.

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Our Dharma practice can be broadly understood as the process of learning to live in harmony with the fundamental truths of nature and our place within it. The objective precision of the Buddha’s teachings provides a powerful framework for an investigation into the heart of these experiential matters. Joseph explores the quality of mind known in Pali as Sampajanna, highlighting its ability to add the dimensions of investigation and wisdom to the practice of mindfulness. The ability to clearly know what is taking place is as essential as it is profound   

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A welcome exploration surrounding the question of how we can bring happiness into our lives. Joseph explains that the Buddha’s teachings on karma and emptiness provide a bridge between our meditative insights and the manner in which we live. When we understand and fully absorb the idea that the unfolding of our lives begins in our minds, we are informed and empowered to make the decisions necessary to reduce the suffering befitting ignorance   

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A discussion of the creativity and methodology involved in the meditative journey.

We are all artists creating our lives on the canvas of the world, and the voyage of discovery is learning to see in a new way. Developing awareness of the present moment is a crucial first step in the creative act. In quieting the mind, we increase our sensitivity to ourselves and our environment, allowing insight and inspiration to synergistically flow through us.

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“I make my mind my friend”

A sound endorsement for the continual cultivation of good will, benevolence, and loving kindness throughout our lives. In recognizing that what we frequently think about becomes the inclination of the mind, we quickly see the value in bringing this practice to the forefront of our lives. A framework is offered for both the integration and sustainability of this profound method of relating to ourselves and the world we inhabit.

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An informative and detailed explanation of commonly used terms, including consciousness, perception, mindfulness, and wisdom, particularly as they apply to our meditation practice. These terms are sometimes lost in translation, from the original Pali language to their Western interpretations. Joseph conveys the true meaning of these words, while offering additional translations that may help bring their essence to light.

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