Abiding in Mindfulness, Volume 2

On Feeling, the Mind, and Dhamma

By: Joseph Goldstein

Narrated by: Joseph Goldstein

In the words of the Buddha, the four foundations of mindfulness (the four satipat­t­hana) are "the direct path for the purification of beings, for the surmounting of sorrow and lamentation, for the disappearance of dukkha (suffering) and discontent, for acquiring the true method, for the realization of Nibbana." Within the quintessential discourse called the Satipat­t­hana Sutta, we find the Buddha's seminal teachings about the practice of meditation.

On Abiding in Mindfulness, Volume 2: On Feeling, the Mind & Dhamma, esteemed teacher and author Joseph Goldstein presents an audio curriculum to reveal the deeper insights of this vital sutta - and how it serves to inform and guide your own daily practice.

Course objectives:

• Discuss the second foundation of mindfulness: mindfulness of the feelings, including worldly and unworldly feelings
• Discuss the third foundation of mindfulness: mindfulness of the mind, including a discussion of self-judgment, as well as the contracted and distracted mind
• Explore the refrain of the Sutta: including the mindfulness of reactivity, the mindfulness of arising and passing away, as well as the mindfulness of internal and external experience
• Discuss the fourth foundation of mindfulness: mindfulness of the Dhammas, including mindfulness of the five hindrances (desire, aversion, sloth and torpor, restlessness, and doubt)
• Explore the five aggregates, including material elements, feeling, perception and formations, formations and consciousness, as well as non-self

The Buddha begins this pivotal section of the sutta with a rhetorical question: How does one abide contemplating feelings? Before you can answer this question, explains Goldstein, you must understand what the Buddha means by "feeling". Returning to the Pali word vedana, he points out the qualities of "pleasantness, unpleasantness, or neutrality" that arise in every moment of experience. For it is close attention to each of these qualities that unlocks our deepest patterns of conditioning - and removes our greatest obstacles to liberation.

From the crucial distinction between "worldly" and "unworldly" feelings to practical methods for "de-conditioning" habitual responses, Goldstein elucidates the Buddha's instructions for achieving a deeper happiness and ease of being through moment-by-moment mindfulness of feelings.

As you continue your exploration of the Satipat­t­hana Sutta, Goldstein brings you to the third and fourth foundations of mindfulness: mindfulness of Mind and Mindfulness of Dhammas (or "categories of phenomena"). Here, you will learn what it means to "take responsibility for your own heart and mind" - the central art of the third foundation - through the pragmatic discernment of skillful and wholesome mind states and their counterparts, and direct investigation of the higher states of mind, including "concentrated" and "liberated" mind, and more. Next, you progress through the beginning sections of the fourth foundation, with Goldstein's step-by-step guidance about working with the hindrances and the aggregates.

©2012 Joseph Goldstein (P)2012 Sounds True

Absolutely outstanding

Joseph is such a humble, gentle and incredibly knowledgeable teacher who I cannot recommend enough. Exquisite like all his books.

Amazing

I'm kind of speechless at how skilled a teacher he is, very relatable and very deep.

Great. Deep.

Really insightful. Probably not for beginners. I've read about a dozen or so books on Buddhism and a lot of this was more advanced than what I was able to grasp. If you are serious about learning about the Theravada tradition, though, even if you don't pick it up the first time through, it's hard to imagine a better resource. Goldstein seems extremely knowledgeable and translates ideas very clearly to an English-speaking audience. Volume 3 will likely be even more advanced, but I look forward to it.

1,2 & 3 are Fantastic. Joseph Lecturing Live.

Now it is time to listen to all three books again. There Is so much here!

awesome

simple explanation of mindfulness and primal Buddha teaching .... slow and detailed explanation will help you understand mindfulness better

Insightful

JG is The Best. I took copious notes to study. He has a way of explaining complex concept in a very understandable way.

Valuable resource

I use this a reference whenever things get off track.
Joseph’s calming voice and clear wisdoms encourages me back on the path.
Have listed to full audio book 3-4 times.
Great resource.

it's like you are there

this is much more than a book on tape. you sit with Joseph Goldstone as he gives these Dharma talks and get to know him and the Dharma. thank you

Life changing. Had to relisten multiple times.

A crash course in vipassana/insight meditation and what it means to embody Dharma.

The world would be a better place if we all sustained a small meditation practice and ran through Joseph's Abiding in Mindgulneds series.

Even Better Than Volume 1

I found the last couple of hours particularly instructive. I look forward to Volume 3.