Ep. 225 – Understanding Formation and Consciousness, Satipatthana Sutta Series Pt. 22

Insight Hour with Joseph Goldstein

Concluding a segment on the five aggregates, Joseph Goldstein explains how mindfulness of mental formations refines our consciousness.

The Satipatthana Sutta is one of the most celebrated and widely studied discourses in the Pāli Canon of Theravada Buddhism. This episode is the twenty-second part of an in-depth 48-part weekly lecture series from Joseph Goldstein that delves into every aspect of the Satipatthana Sutta. If you are just now jumping into the Satipatthana Sutta series, listen to Insight Hour Ep. 203 to follow along and get the full experience!

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In this episode, Joseph thoughtfully outlines:

• The mental factor of intention / volition as the chief of the mind
• How the seeds we plant have tremendous potential
• Considering the motivations of our intentions
• Sorting out what is wholesome versus unwholesome
• The three roots of all unwholesome actions: greed, hatred, and delusion
• The three wholesome roots: generosity, loving-kindness, and wisdom
• Pausing before we act so we can make wiser choices in our lives
• How mindfulness attracts all of the fruits of wholesome action
• The unchanging nature of bare knowing
• The four causes of seeing consciousness
• Consciousness as a conditioned phenomena
• Focusing on what is arising through a passive voice and non-subject
• Cultivating the open sky of the mind

This talk was originally published on Dharmaseed

Grab a copy of the book Joseph references throughout this series, Satipaṭṭhāna: The Direct Path to Realization, HERE

“The Buddha is saying that consciousness itself is a conditioned phenomena. It’s impersonal, arising out of causes, arising out of conditions moment to moment. Here we see that consciousness is not something that’s permanent. It’s not something that’s always present waiting for an object to appear, to be known. But rather consciousness itself is a process continually arising and passing away moment after moment.” – Joseph Goldstein

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