Joseph Goldstein – Insight Hour – Ep. 95 – Remedies for Sloth and Torpor

Joseph Goldstein – Insight Hour – Ep. 95 – Remedies for Sloth and Torpor:    • Joseph Goldstein – Insight Hour – Ep. 95 –...   Joseph Goldstein – Insight Hour – Ep. 95 – Remedies for Sloth and Torpor: https://beherenownetwork.com/joseph-g... (00:00) A Sluggishness of Consciousness (18:10) Unwise Attention (37:05) Remedies for Sloth and Torpor ================ In this dharma talk, Joseph Goldstein continues his exploration of the five hindrances, this time offering remedies to deal with the mental factors of sloth and torpor. (00:00) A Sluggishness of Consciousness Joseph explores the differences and similarities between sloth and torpor, and how a complacency of mind can sneak up in subtle ways during our practice. He covers the first of the Buddha’s instructions from the Satipatthāna Sutta, which is to recognize when sloth and torpor are present and not present. “Sloth is that mental factor which is a sluggishness of consciousness, the sluggishness of mind. It dispels energy. There’s a lack of a driving power, of moving forward. It’s a kind of sinking mind.” – Joseph Goldstein (18:10) Unwise Attention Joseph talks about how giving unwise attention to negative mind states and thoughts brings about sloth and torpor, and how sloth and torpor can sometimes masquerade as compassion. He begins to look at how we work with sloth and torpor once they’ve arisen, including using the power of the investigative mind. “Be watchful; know when it is that you actually need rest, and know when it is sloth and torpor disguised as kindliness.” – Joseph Goldstein (37:05) Remedies for Sloth and Torpor Joseph shares a list of remedies and strategies from the Buddha for dealing with sloth and torpor, from developing clarity of cognition and radiance of mind to experimenting with open-eye techniques and changing up postures. He offers some wise reflections and recommends finding inspiration and comfort in other seekers. “It’s very easy to say abstractly, ‘Yes, I want to die consciously, I really want to be there for the dying process, I want to die with awareness.’ But how do we train for that? Each time sloth and torpor arises, which may be a state not dissimilar to how we feel at the time of our death, how are we relating to it? Do we take it as practice for dying?” – Joseph Goldstein This podcast from Insight Hour is just one of many podcasts on the Be Here Now Network. For more from the archive visit: https://beherenownetwork.com/insighthour ================ Make sure not to miss a single video podcast from Be Here Now Network! Click here to Subscribe:    / @beherenownetwork   ================ Be Here Now Network Podcasts, Courses, and Articles to help you live a Life in Balance. Heart Centered wisdom from Ram Dass, Jack Kornfield, Sharon Salzberg, Krishna Das + many more! Get a Free Guided Meditation from Sharon Salzberg when you first sign up at: https://beherenownetwork.com/ ================ Follow Be Here Now Network: Facebook:   / beherenownetwork   Twitter:   / beherenownet   Instagram:   / beherenownetwork   ====================================