Joseph Goldstein - Heart Full Of Peace 283133
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GIFT / INSPIRATION
a heart full of
peace JOSEPH G OL D S T E I N
ISBN 10: 0-86171-542-x ISBN 13: 978-0-8617-1542-8
US$9.95
A Note from the Publisher We hope you will enjoy this Wisdom book. For your convenience, this digital edition is delivered to you without “digital rights management” (DRM). This makes it easier for you to use across a variety of digital platforms, as well as preserve in your personal library for future device migration. Our nonprofit mission is to develop and deliver to you the very highest quality books on Buddhism and mindful living. We hope this book will be of benefit to you, and we sincerely appreciate your of the author and Wisdom with your purchase. If you’d like to consider additional of our mission, please visit our website at wisdompubs.org.
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
A Heart Full of Peace
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
A •
HE ART FULL OF
•
PEACE Joseph Goldstein
Wisdom Publications • Boston Acquired at wisdompubs.org
Wisdom Publications 199 Elm Street Somerville MA 02144 USA www.wisdompubs.org © 2007 Joseph Goldstein All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photography, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system or technologies now known or later developed, without permission in writing from the publisher. Library of Congress Catag-in-Publication Data Goldstein, Joseph, 1944A heart full of peace / Joseph Goldstein.—[New ed.]. p. cm. Based on the Wit lectures given at the Harvard Divinity School in 1993. Previously published: Transforming the mind, healing the world. New York : Paulist Press, c1994. ISBN 0–86171–542–X (hardcover : alk. paper) ISBN 978 – 0–86171–946–4 (ebook) 1. Spiritual life—Buddhism. I. Goldstein, Joseph, 1944– Transforming the mind, healing the world. II. Title. BQ5675.G657 2007 294.3’444—dc22 2007015533 11 10 09 08 07 5 4 3 2
This book is based on the Wit Lectures given at the Harvard Divinity School in 1993 and published at the time by Paulist Press. In revising the manuscript for this new edition, the author has drawn on other writings, including an article in the Shambhala Sun magazine. Excerpt from “Saint Francis and the Sow,” from Mortal Acts, Mortal Words, by Galway Kinnell, Copyright © 1980 by Galway Kinnell. Reprinted by permission of Houghton Mifflin Company. Cover and interior design by Gopa & Ted2, Inc. Set in Village 9.8/18. Wisdom Publications’ books are printed on acid-free paper and meet the guidelines for permanence and durability of the Production Guidelines for Book Longevity of the Council on Library Resources. Printed in the United States of America This book was produced with Environmental Mindfulness. We have elected to print this title on 50% PCW recycled paper. As a result, we have saved the following resources: 18 trees, 12 million BTUs of energy, 1,542 lbs. of greenhouse gases, 6,399 gallons of water, and 822 lbs. of solid waste. For more information, please visit our website, www.wisdompubs.org
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
For Sarah A truly gracious being, with a heart full of peace.
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
Publisher’s Acknowledgment The publisher gratefully acknowledges the generous help of the Hershey Family Foundation in sponsoring the production of this book.
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
•
Contents
Foreword
•
•
ix
A Heart Full of Peace The Practice of Freedom
1
•
•
55
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
Foreword
•
n this small book
I
•
Joseph Goldstein
conveys with clarity and concision some of
the spiritual teachings, beliefs, values, and practices we urgently need to help balance the materialism of our age—comion, love, kindness, restraint, a skillful mind, and a peaceful heart. Joseph originally presented this teaching as part of Harvard Divinity School’s Wit Lectures on Living a Spiritual Life in the Contemporary Age. He reveals the need to combine faith with practice, freedom with responsibility, and action with contemplation. I, too, am firmly of the opinion that those
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
x
•
a heart full of peace
•
who sincerely practice Buddha Dharma must also serve society. Too often we make what we call “the happiness of all beings” the object of our prayers and meditations, yet when we rise from our meditation cushions we fail to give practical help to our neighbors and others in need. If we are to fulfill our altruistic wish, we cannot discriminate between spirituality and our life in society. Without the of our fellow beings we could not practice at all, and without a concern for their welfare our practice has little meaning. Tenzin Gyatso The Dalai Lama
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
•
A Heart Full of Peace
•
ove, comion, and peace—
L
these words are at the heart of spiritual
endeavors. Although we intuitively resonate with their meaning and value, for most of us, the challenge is how to embody what we know: how to transform these words into a vibrant, life practice. In these times of conflict and uncertainty, this is not an abstract exercise. Peace in the world begins with us. In the following pages, we will explore different ways we can manifest these values as wise and skillful action in the world. These teachings are based on the Buddhist
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
2
•
a heart full of peace
•
traditions of the East, but their defining characteristic is not Eastern or Western, but rather, an allegiance to pragmatism and the very simple question: “What works?” What works to free the mind from suffering? What works to engender the heart of comion? What works to awaken us from ignorance?
What works to free the mind from suffering?
This pragmatism also illuminates an ageold question that continues to plague religious and other traditions: how can we hold strong differences of view in a larger context of unity, beyond discord and hostility? The answer is of
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
•
a heart full of peace
•
3
vital importance, especially now, as we see the grand sweep of religious traditions often in violent conflict with one another. Love, comion, and peace do not belong to any religion or tradition. They are qualities in each one of us, qualities of our hearts and minds.
may all beings be happy The Sanskrit word maitri and the Pali word metta both mean “loving-kindness” or “loving care,” and refer to an attitude of friendliness, good will, and generosity of heart. When we are filled with loving-kindness and a sense of loving care, we have a very simple wish: May all beings be happy. This kind of love has many qualities that distinguish it from our more usual experiences of love mixed with desire or attachment. Born
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
4
•
a heart full of peace
•
of great generosity, metta is a caring and kindness that does not seek self-benefit. It does not look for anything in return or by way of exchange: “I will love you if you love me,” or “I will love you if you behave a certain way.” Because loving-kindness is never associated with anything harmful, it always arises from a purity of heart. One of the unique aspects of metta is that it does not make distinctions among beings. When we feel love mixed with desire, this feeling is always for a limited number of people. We may love and desire one person, or maybe two or three at a time, or maybe several in series. But does anyone in this world desire all beings?
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
•
a heart full of peace
•
5
I make my mind my friend. J A PA N E S E S A M U R A I P O E M
Loving-kindness, on the other hand, is extraordinary precisely because it can embrace all; there is no one who falls outside of its domain. That is why, when we encounter people who have developed this capacity to a great extent—the Dalai Lama, for example—we sense their tremendous kindness toward everyone. Loving-kindness is a feeling that blesses others and oneself with the simple wish, “Be happy.” The Japanese poet Issa expresses this openhearted feeling so well: “In the cherry blossom’s shade, there’s no such thing as a stranger.” Although we may not always live in a steady
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
6
•
a heart full of peace
•
state of loving feeling, through practice we can learn to touch it many times a day.
the practice of loving-kindness for oneself One way to develop and strengthen metta within us is through the following specific meditation practice, which we start by extending loving feelings toward ourselves. It’s very simple: At first, just sit in some comfortable position, and keeping an image or felt sense of yourself in mind, slowly repeat phrases of loving-kindness for yourself: May I be happy, may I be peaceful, may I be free of suffering. Say these or any other phrases that reflect feelings of care and well-wishing, over and over again. We do this not as an affirmation, but rather as an expression of a caring intention. As you repeat
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
•
a heart full of peace
•
7
the words, focus the mind on this intention of kindness; it slowly grows into a powerful force in our lives. Although the practice is straightforward, at times it can be extremely difficult. As you turn your attention inward and send loving wishes toward yourself, you might see a considerable amount of self-judgment or feelings of unworthiness. At these times, proceed gently, as if you were holding a young child. A line from an old Japanese Samurai poem expresses well this part of the practice: “I make my mind my friend.”
the practice of loving-kindness for a benefactor After strengthening feelings of loving-kindness for ourselves, we then send these very same
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
8
•
a heart full of peace
•
wishes to a benefactor, someone who has aided us in some way in our lives. This might be a parent, a teacher, or even someone we don’t know personally, but whose life has nonetheless had a positive influence on our own. One person who was having difficulty connecting with loving-kindness said that she opened to the feeling of metta most easily when she thought of her dog—a being who always gave her unquestioning love. Benefactors can take many forms. In this part of the practice, hold the image or sense of that person (or other being) in your mind, as if you were talking directly to them, and then direct your intention of metta toward him or her: Be happy, be peaceful, be free of suffering. This stage is often easier than directing metta toward ourselves, because we usually already
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
•
a heart full of peace
•
9
have warm and caring feelings for those who have helped us.
the practice of loving-kindness for all From a benefactor, we move on to other categories of people. We send loving wishes to loved ones who are very close to us personally; then to those who are neutral, about whom we have no strong feelings one way or another; and then to “enemies” or difficult people. Finally, we send loving-kindness to all beings everywhere. It’s important to move through this progression at your own speed. There is no timetable. Some categories may be easier than others. Whenever you feel that you’re able to generate genuine feelings of loving-care for one, move on to the next.
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
a heart full of
peace JOSEPH G OL D S T E I N
ISBN 10: 0-86171-542-x ISBN 13: 978-0-8617-1542-8
US$9.95
A Note from the Publisher We hope you will enjoy this Wisdom book. For your convenience, this digital edition is delivered to you without “digital rights management” (DRM). This makes it easier for you to use across a variety of digital platforms, as well as preserve in your personal library for future device migration. Our nonprofit mission is to develop and deliver to you the very highest quality books on Buddhism and mindful living. We hope this book will be of benefit to you, and we sincerely appreciate your of the author and Wisdom with your purchase. If you’d like to consider additional of our mission, please visit our website at wisdompubs.org.
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
A Heart Full of Peace
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
A •
HE ART FULL OF
•
PEACE Joseph Goldstein
Wisdom Publications • Boston Acquired at wisdompubs.org
Wisdom Publications 199 Elm Street Somerville MA 02144 USA www.wisdompubs.org © 2007 Joseph Goldstein All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photography, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system or technologies now known or later developed, without permission in writing from the publisher. Library of Congress Catag-in-Publication Data Goldstein, Joseph, 1944A heart full of peace / Joseph Goldstein.—[New ed.]. p. cm. Based on the Wit lectures given at the Harvard Divinity School in 1993. Previously published: Transforming the mind, healing the world. New York : Paulist Press, c1994. ISBN 0–86171–542–X (hardcover : alk. paper) ISBN 978 – 0–86171–946–4 (ebook) 1. Spiritual life—Buddhism. I. Goldstein, Joseph, 1944– Transforming the mind, healing the world. II. Title. BQ5675.G657 2007 294.3’444—dc22 2007015533 11 10 09 08 07 5 4 3 2
This book is based on the Wit Lectures given at the Harvard Divinity School in 1993 and published at the time by Paulist Press. In revising the manuscript for this new edition, the author has drawn on other writings, including an article in the Shambhala Sun magazine. Excerpt from “Saint Francis and the Sow,” from Mortal Acts, Mortal Words, by Galway Kinnell, Copyright © 1980 by Galway Kinnell. Reprinted by permission of Houghton Mifflin Company. Cover and interior design by Gopa & Ted2, Inc. Set in Village 9.8/18. Wisdom Publications’ books are printed on acid-free paper and meet the guidelines for permanence and durability of the Production Guidelines for Book Longevity of the Council on Library Resources. Printed in the United States of America This book was produced with Environmental Mindfulness. We have elected to print this title on 50% PCW recycled paper. As a result, we have saved the following resources: 18 trees, 12 million BTUs of energy, 1,542 lbs. of greenhouse gases, 6,399 gallons of water, and 822 lbs. of solid waste. For more information, please visit our website, www.wisdompubs.org
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
For Sarah A truly gracious being, with a heart full of peace.
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
Publisher’s Acknowledgment The publisher gratefully acknowledges the generous help of the Hershey Family Foundation in sponsoring the production of this book.
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
•
Contents
Foreword
•
•
ix
A Heart Full of Peace The Practice of Freedom
1
•
•
55
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
Foreword
•
n this small book
I
•
Joseph Goldstein
conveys with clarity and concision some of
the spiritual teachings, beliefs, values, and practices we urgently need to help balance the materialism of our age—comion, love, kindness, restraint, a skillful mind, and a peaceful heart. Joseph originally presented this teaching as part of Harvard Divinity School’s Wit Lectures on Living a Spiritual Life in the Contemporary Age. He reveals the need to combine faith with practice, freedom with responsibility, and action with contemplation. I, too, am firmly of the opinion that those
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
x
•
a heart full of peace
•
who sincerely practice Buddha Dharma must also serve society. Too often we make what we call “the happiness of all beings” the object of our prayers and meditations, yet when we rise from our meditation cushions we fail to give practical help to our neighbors and others in need. If we are to fulfill our altruistic wish, we cannot discriminate between spirituality and our life in society. Without the of our fellow beings we could not practice at all, and without a concern for their welfare our practice has little meaning. Tenzin Gyatso The Dalai Lama
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
•
A Heart Full of Peace
•
ove, comion, and peace—
L
these words are at the heart of spiritual
endeavors. Although we intuitively resonate with their meaning and value, for most of us, the challenge is how to embody what we know: how to transform these words into a vibrant, life practice. In these times of conflict and uncertainty, this is not an abstract exercise. Peace in the world begins with us. In the following pages, we will explore different ways we can manifest these values as wise and skillful action in the world. These teachings are based on the Buddhist
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
2
•
a heart full of peace
•
traditions of the East, but their defining characteristic is not Eastern or Western, but rather, an allegiance to pragmatism and the very simple question: “What works?” What works to free the mind from suffering? What works to engender the heart of comion? What works to awaken us from ignorance?
What works to free the mind from suffering?
This pragmatism also illuminates an ageold question that continues to plague religious and other traditions: how can we hold strong differences of view in a larger context of unity, beyond discord and hostility? The answer is of
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
•
a heart full of peace
•
3
vital importance, especially now, as we see the grand sweep of religious traditions often in violent conflict with one another. Love, comion, and peace do not belong to any religion or tradition. They are qualities in each one of us, qualities of our hearts and minds.
may all beings be happy The Sanskrit word maitri and the Pali word metta both mean “loving-kindness” or “loving care,” and refer to an attitude of friendliness, good will, and generosity of heart. When we are filled with loving-kindness and a sense of loving care, we have a very simple wish: May all beings be happy. This kind of love has many qualities that distinguish it from our more usual experiences of love mixed with desire or attachment. Born
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
4
•
a heart full of peace
•
of great generosity, metta is a caring and kindness that does not seek self-benefit. It does not look for anything in return or by way of exchange: “I will love you if you love me,” or “I will love you if you behave a certain way.” Because loving-kindness is never associated with anything harmful, it always arises from a purity of heart. One of the unique aspects of metta is that it does not make distinctions among beings. When we feel love mixed with desire, this feeling is always for a limited number of people. We may love and desire one person, or maybe two or three at a time, or maybe several in series. But does anyone in this world desire all beings?
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
•
a heart full of peace
•
5
I make my mind my friend. J A PA N E S E S A M U R A I P O E M
Loving-kindness, on the other hand, is extraordinary precisely because it can embrace all; there is no one who falls outside of its domain. That is why, when we encounter people who have developed this capacity to a great extent—the Dalai Lama, for example—we sense their tremendous kindness toward everyone. Loving-kindness is a feeling that blesses others and oneself with the simple wish, “Be happy.” The Japanese poet Issa expresses this openhearted feeling so well: “In the cherry blossom’s shade, there’s no such thing as a stranger.” Although we may not always live in a steady
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
6
•
a heart full of peace
•
state of loving feeling, through practice we can learn to touch it many times a day.
the practice of loving-kindness for oneself One way to develop and strengthen metta within us is through the following specific meditation practice, which we start by extending loving feelings toward ourselves. It’s very simple: At first, just sit in some comfortable position, and keeping an image or felt sense of yourself in mind, slowly repeat phrases of loving-kindness for yourself: May I be happy, may I be peaceful, may I be free of suffering. Say these or any other phrases that reflect feelings of care and well-wishing, over and over again. We do this not as an affirmation, but rather as an expression of a caring intention. As you repeat
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
•
a heart full of peace
•
7
the words, focus the mind on this intention of kindness; it slowly grows into a powerful force in our lives. Although the practice is straightforward, at times it can be extremely difficult. As you turn your attention inward and send loving wishes toward yourself, you might see a considerable amount of self-judgment or feelings of unworthiness. At these times, proceed gently, as if you were holding a young child. A line from an old Japanese Samurai poem expresses well this part of the practice: “I make my mind my friend.”
the practice of loving-kindness for a benefactor After strengthening feelings of loving-kindness for ourselves, we then send these very same
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
8
•
a heart full of peace
•
wishes to a benefactor, someone who has aided us in some way in our lives. This might be a parent, a teacher, or even someone we don’t know personally, but whose life has nonetheless had a positive influence on our own. One person who was having difficulty connecting with loving-kindness said that she opened to the feeling of metta most easily when she thought of her dog—a being who always gave her unquestioning love. Benefactors can take many forms. In this part of the practice, hold the image or sense of that person (or other being) in your mind, as if you were talking directly to them, and then direct your intention of metta toward him or her: Be happy, be peaceful, be free of suffering. This stage is often easier than directing metta toward ourselves, because we usually already
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
•
a heart full of peace
•
9
have warm and caring feelings for those who have helped us.
the practice of loving-kindness for all From a benefactor, we move on to other categories of people. We send loving wishes to loved ones who are very close to us personally; then to those who are neutral, about whom we have no strong feelings one way or another; and then to “enemies” or difficult people. Finally, we send loving-kindness to all beings everywhere. It’s important to move through this progression at your own speed. There is no timetable. Some categories may be easier than others. Whenever you feel that you’re able to generate genuine feelings of loving-care for one, move on to the next.
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
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