Ep. 257 – Releasing the Knower: Equanimity and Awareness

About this episode

Joseph Goldstein discusses equanimity and how to remove the self from the knowing, effectively freeing ourselves from identification with awareness.

Joseph Goldstein discusses equanimity and how to remove the self from the knowing, effectively freeing ourselves from identification with awareness. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at  betterhelp.com/insighthour  and get on your way to being your best self. This time on Insight Hour, Joseph Goldstein mindfully explores: Thoughts as passing phenomena that do not truly belong to anyone Seeing all experiences as the simultaneous arising of both knowing and object Letting go of our identification with knowing and awareness Shifting from active voice to passive voice as a mindfulness practice The near enemies of the mental qualities listed in the Brahmaviharas Equanimity and holding all things equally, seeing things for what they are The difference between impartiality and indifference, openness versus carelessness Navigating the complexity of our lives through the balance of compassion and equanimity Maintaining an interest in exploring rather than relying on our preconceptions about people and situations This episode was recorded at the Insight Meditation Society Forest Refuge and originally published on Dharmaseed “When you look for…

People in this episode

Host: Joseph Goldstein

Topics covered

• buddhism
• spirituality
• mindfulness
• equanimity
• self-awareness

Keywords

• thoughts as passing phenomena
• simultaneous arising of knowing and object
• letting go of identification with knowing
• shifting from active voice to passive voice
• near enemies of Brahmaviharas
• holding all things equally
• difference between impartiality and indifference
• balance of compassion and equanimity
• exploring rather than relying on preconceptions

Sponsors

BetterHelp

Mentioned in this episode

Products: BetterHelp

Books & works: Ep. 257, Releasing the Knower, Insight Hour

Places: California

More episodes of Insight Hour with Joseph Goldstein

• Ep. 262 – Letting Thoughts Dissolve · June 10, 2026 · 34 min
• Ep. 261 – Gradual Cultivation in Buddhist Practice · May 8, 2026 · 42 min
• Ep. 260 – The Union of Relative and Ultimate Truth · April 9, 2026 · 40 min
• Ep. 259 – Selflessness, Dukkha, and Freedom · March 13, 2026 · 48 min
• Ep. 258 – The Goal Without the Grasp: Aspiration in Buddhist Practice · February 5, 2026 · 31 min
• Ep. 256 – The Experience of Consciousness: Question About Cultivating Awareness & Focus On the Buddhist Path · December 11, 2025 · 1h 5m