Jack Kornfield explores the simplicity of goodness and virtue, discussing Buddhism, non-harming, honesty, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Amma-ji, Buddha Nature, Rumi's poem, interdependence, and Napoleon's spirit. Emphasizes the innate love for honesty and the interconnectedness of all beings.
Human hearts hold an innate love for honesty and virtue, promoting simplicity of goodness.
Living authentically while embracing virtues like honesty and justice leads to personal growth and awakening.
Deep dives
Innate Love of Honesty and Virtue
Within the human species lies a mix of virtues and vices, including killing, stealing, lying, and cheating. Despite this, there exists an innate love for honesty and virtue in the human heart, promoting straightforwardness and the simplicity of goodness.
Impact of Virtuous Living
Living a life of integrity and virtue while remaining authentic to oneself brings joy and blissful navigation through reality. Examples shared by Jack Cornfield include a chilling poem from Shoghyim Trampa Rinpoche and wisdom from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., emphasizing the power of virtue in shaping one's existence.
Call for Moral Inventory
Taking a moral inventory as a human species would reveal a mixed report of past actions involving killing, stealing, lying, and cheating. This introspection extends beyond the species as a whole, acknowledging individual participation in such actions while highlighting an inherent longing for honesty and a joy in virtue.
Power of Virtue and Inner Truth
Internalizing and practicing virtues like honesty, integrity, and justice contributes to personal growth and awakening. Connecting with one's innate sense of what is true and just leads to a life guided by compassion, forgiveness, and love, fostering a sense of unity and relatedness with all beings.
Jack Kornfield delves into the simplicity of goodness and virtue in a talk spanning Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Amma-ji, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Napoleon, and Rumi.
“I believe within us, within the human heart and human consciousness, is an innate love of honesty and a joy in virtue, straightforwardness, and the simplicity of goodness.” – Jack Kornfield
In this episode, Jack mindfully explores:
Buddhism, virtue, and the Five Precepts
Ahimsa – the blessing of non-harming
The chilling note Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche wrote when he escaped Tibet
Taking a fearless moral inventory
Honesty and the simplicity of goodness
What Buddha learned in his past lives
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and standing up for truth
Adi-Sila – spontaneous or innate virtue, the shining of the just heart
The Tibetan Buddhist perspective on reincarnation
Jack’s meeting with “hugging saint,” Amma-ji, archetype of the Divine Mother
Finding your Buddha Nature, Tao, and Dharma
Rumi’s brilliant poem about ducks
Interdependence and connectedness
Deep philosophical questions and contemplations from Jack
Napoleon, the sword, and the spirit
“Meditation or spiritual life asks us to look at our actions and pay attention to how we actually live.” – Jack Kornfield
“We’re all in it together, we’re all connected, we all support one another.” – Jack Kornfield
This Dharma Talk recorded on 6/1/1990 at Spirit Rock Meditation Center was originally published on DharmaSeed.