DeepSummary
In this episode, Dan Harris interviews the renowned Buddhist teacher Joseph Goldstein about the concepts of karma, rebirth, and other planes of existence in Buddhist cosmology. Joseph explains why he has become more comfortable discussing these esoteric topics as he has gotten older, emphasizing the importance of understanding karma not as a deterministic principle but as a guiding force for our actions and their consequences.
Joseph delves into the connection between karma and past lives, exploring the idea that karmic results can manifest over multiple lifetimes. He also addresses the concept of free will and how it relates to karma, suggesting that our choices are conditioned by various factors but not predetermined. Joseph encourages skeptics to adopt a mindset of 'willing suspension of disbelief' when approaching these teachings.
The conversation touches on the Buddhist cosmology's description of other realms of existence, such as the animal realm, human realm, heavenly realms of sense pleasures, and the higher Brahma realms. Joseph emphasizes that while these concepts may be beyond most people's direct experience, they are central to the Buddhist teachings and worth exploring with an open mind.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Karma should not be seen as a deterministic principle that rules every aspect of our lives; it is one of many conditioning factors, but not the only one.
- Understanding karma can be empowering, as our actions plant seeds that will bear fruit, even if we don't know the exact nature or timing of the results.
- Skeptics should adopt a mindset of 'willing suspension of disbelief' when approaching teachings like rebirth and other realms of existence, which may be outside their direct experience.
- While we have agency and the ability to make choices, our choices are conditioned by various factors, but not predetermined.
- The Buddhist cosmology describes different realms of existence, including the animal realm, human realm, heavenly realms of sense pleasures, and the higher Brahma realms.
- While these concepts may be beyond most people's direct experience, they are central to the Buddhist teachings and worth exploring with an open mind.
- Joseph Goldstein became more comfortable discussing these esoteric topics as he has gotten older, wanting to share the full scope of his understanding of the Buddhist teachings.
- Understanding karma can help guide our actions and choices towards those that lead to happiness and well-being for ourselves and others.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “So if it's something that we can honestly say we don't know, this is outside the realm of my experience. I don't know if it's true or not. That seems like a very appropriate response as opposed to it's not true. So I think that's very important for people who hear the teachings and who may have questions or skepticism or wondering just to have an open mind, to stay open until we do know one way or another.“ by Joseph Goldstein
- “The Buddha had a wonderful phrase describing the understanding of it. He called understanding the law of karma is like the light of the world, because it really explains, not completely, but in large part, the trajectory of how our lives unfold, for better and for worse.“ by Joseph Goldstein
- “Sometime before I die, I thought it would be good just to put out the full scope of what I understand the buddhist teachings to be. That's really why it's coming up for me now in these years.“ by Joseph Goldstein
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Episode Information
Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris
Ten Percent Happier
3/18/24
We explore the intellectual and practical aspects of these mystical and esoteric concepts.
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.
In this episode we talk about:
- Why Joseph has become more comfortable talking about these concepts as he’s gotten older
- Why karma should not be seen as a deterministic principle that rules every aspect of our lives
- The connection between karma and past lives
- What he thinks about the concept of free will and how it relates to karma
- And why skeptics would do well to adopt a mindset characterized by the “willing suspension of disbelief”
Additional Links:
Joseph’s Dharma Seed Talk: Understanding Karma
Dipa Ma: The Life and Legacy of a Buddhist Master
The Barre Center for Buddhist Studies
Related Episodes:
- Click here to listen to the previous episodes in our tenth anniversary series.
- Nirvana | Joseph Goldstein
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