Everyday Sublime Josh Summers

In this special episode, I speak with Joseph Goldstein, meditation teacher and co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society. We reminisce about our relationships with Michael Brooks and Jack Engler, two very influential individuals in the dharma world. Joseph shares his experiences working with Michael as a mentor and discusses the integration of spirituality and activism in Michael's life. Joseph also discusses his time with Jack Engler and how Joseph guided Jack through the stages of insight on the very first three-month retreat in North America in Bucksport, Maine. The conversation then shifts to Joseph's experiences in India and Burma, where he studied with his renowned teachers Munindra-ji, Dipa Ma, Mahasi Sayadaw and Sayadaw U Pandita. We compare experiences we had while working with U Pandita and the importance of deepening one's practice in a single method before integrating other practices. We also explore the concept of One Dharma and how to navigate the multitude of Dharma streams available in the West. Our conversation concludes with Joseph’s advice for aspiring meditation teachers.



Links mentioned:



Insight Meditation Society: https://www.dharma.org/



Joseph Goldstein’s book: One Dharma



The Buddha’s Playbook, by Michael Brooks and Josh Summers



The late Michael Brooks’ podcast: The Michael Brooks Show



The late Jack Engler’s essays on the Progress of Insight: Practicing for Awakening Part 1, Practicing for Awakening Part 2



On Dipa Ma: Dipa Ma, The Life and Legacy of a Buddhist Master



On Munindra: Living This Life Fully, Stories and Teachings of Munindra

In this conversation, Miles Sherts and I discuss the relationship between insight meditation and intuition. We explore the distinction between insight meditation's focus on impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and emptiness, and the idea of intuition and clairvoyance. Miles emphasizes the importance of being present and aware of the prompts and intuitions that arise in daily life. We also delve into the illusion of ego and the role of awareness in transcending the ego's influence. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the problem of victim psychology and the need to question and transcend the identity of victimhood.

Takeaways:


Insight meditation cultivates awareness and insight into the nature of reality, while intuition and clairvoyance are more personal and psychological insights.


Being present and aware allows us to receive intuitive prompts and act on them, leading to a more functional and worry-free life.


The ego is an illusion that creates the image of a separate self, and its constant maintenance drains our energy and prevents us from experiencing true happiness and effectiveness.


The ego's identity as a victim is a common pattern that perpetuates conflicts and oppression. Recognizing and questioning this victim mentality is essential for personal growth and societal change.


Setting personal boundaries and protecting oneself is important, but it is crucial to differentiate between setting boundaries and perpetuating a victim identity. Victimization is a substitute for our real power and keeps us trapped in a cycle of disempowerment.


Leadership without victimhood is essential for creating positive change.


Unplugging from the ego allows us to tap into our innate power and feel a sense of empowerment.


Practicing unhooking from thoughts and finding spaciousness within the mind can lead to a deeper understanding of our true nature.



Miles Sherts is an Insight Meditation teacher and communication coach.

Miles Sherts | Conscious Communication: 

https://joshsummers.net/miles-sherts-conscious-communication/

Miles' website: https://www.practicalpresence.org/

Books by Miles: Conscious Communication, The Tyranny of the Ego, Human Nature

Originally recorded on July 8, 2024, Josh offers reflections about how to apply meditation and retreat practice to the fire of everyday life activity. All too often we are told to “be as mindful as possible,” and the Buddha has some better advice for us – advice that he gave to his son Rahula.



LINKS mentioned:

Sign up for our FREE Everyday Vitality practice pack for effective (and simple) ways to improve the vitality of your body, energy and mind.

Josh and Terry share 4 guided practices:

Self-Massage for Circulation + Energy Flow (10min)

Daily Mobility for Joint Suppleness + Longevity (15min)

Dynamic Flow for Integrated Stability + Coordination (30min)

Soothing Flow for Relaxation + Inner Renewal (30min)

=====>>>>www.joshsummers.net and sign up for your pack of Everyday Vitality practices.



Everyday Strength: 4 Weeks to a Stronger You! Join Josh and Terry for a four week strength training program as a foundation for an integral life practice of yoga, energy work and heart-based meditation. ======>>>>>Everyday Strength Series.

Originally recorded on June 24, 2024, Josh reflects on his niece’s memorial and ways of honoring and remembering the gifts of noble friends.



LINKS mentioned:

Sign up for our FREE Everyday Vitality practice pack for effective (and simple) ways to improve the vitality of your body, energy and mind.

Josh and Terry share 4 guided practices:

Self-Massage for Circulation + Energy Flow (10min)

Daily Mobility for Joint Suppleness + Longevity (15min)

Dynamic Flow for Integrated Stability + Coordination (30min)

Soothing Flow for Relaxation + Inner Renewal (30min)

=====>>>>www.joshsummers.net and sign up for your pack of Everyday Vitality practices.

Everyday Strength: 4 Weeks to a Stronger You! Join Josh and Terry for a four week strength training program as a foundation for an integral life practice of yoga, energy work and heart-based meditation. ======>>>>>Everyday Strength Series.

Originally recorded on June 17, 2024, Josh reflects on a few of Death’s lessons, nihilism, quitting caffeine, moods of depression and the rainbow nature of self.



LINKS mentioned:

Sign up for our FREE Everyday Vitality practice pack for effective (and simple) ways to improve the vitality of your body, energy and mind.

Josh and Terry share 4 guided practices:


Self-Massage for Circulation + Energy Flow (10min)


Daily Mobility for Joint Suppleness + Longevity (15min)


Dynamic Flow for Integrated Stability + Coordination (30min)


Soothing Flow for Relaxation + Inner Renewal (30min)



=====>>>>www.joshsummers.net and sign up for your pack of Everyday Vitality practices.



Everyday Strength: 4 Weeks to a Stronger You! Join Josh and Terry for a four week strength training program as a foundation for an integral life practice of yoga, energy work and heart-based meditation. ======>>>>>Everyday Strength Series.

Originally recorded on June 10, 2024, Josh returns to the podcast, reflecting on personal updates: the death of his niece and the relationship that formed with his neighbors while building a chicken coop together. 



LINKS mentioned:

Sign up for our FREE Everyday Vitality practice pack for effective (and simple) ways to improve the vitality of your body, energy and mind.

Josh and Terry share 4 guided practices:

Self-Massage for Circulation + Energy Flow (10min)

Daily Mobility for Joint Suppleness + Longevity (15min)

Dynamic Flow for Integrated Stability + Coordination (30min)

Soothing Flow for Relaxation + Inner Renewal (30min)

=====>>>>www.joshsummers.net and sign up for your pack of Everyday Vitality practices.