Jack Kornfield explores the liberating step of Right Attitude, breaking free from automatic habits and becoming fully conscious. He discusses the three aspects of Right Attitude, working with our unique personality, adding fire to our practice, and transforming from automatic pilot to full consciousness. Jack also shares the story of Larry Brilliant and the importance of love manifesting when things get difficult. The podcast explores the significance of uniting for a common purpose and cultivating a genuine spiritual life, the importance of love in our inner life, the concept of personality and openness, and the challenges of meditation practice.
45:25
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Quick takeaways
Breaking free from automatic habits by bringing conscious awareness to them.
Embracing a mindset of discovery and openness in spiritual practice.
Deep dives
Right Attitude as a Step on the Eightfold Path
Right Attitude, also known as Right Thought or Wise Thought, is one of the steps on Buddha's noble eightfold path. It emphasizes breaking free from automatic habits and living consciously in the present moment. Rather than trying to change or push away habits, the focus is on being fully present and aware of them. This practice of conscious awareness allows for a deeper understanding of one's patterns and a more skillful renunciation of unhealthy habits.
The Importance of Openness in Practice
Openness is a crucial aspect of spiritual practice. It involves embracing a mindset of discovery rather than trying to fit practice into preconceived notions. Openness invites us to explore our inner experiences, thoughts, and emotions without judgment or resistance. Through this exploration, we can gain insights into our true nature, the causes of our suffering, and the nature of joy and happiness.
The Role of Renunciation in Growth
Renunciation plays a vital role in personal growth and transformation. It involves choosing to step out of automatic behaviors and habitual patterns and be willing to put effort into self-examination. Renunciation allows us to break free from attachment to desires and to observe our mental states more objectively. By renouncing harmful tendencies and habits, we create space for greater self-awareness, insight, and freedom.
Cultivating Non-Harming and Love
Cultivating thoughts of non-harming and love is a powerful practice that fosters deep connection and understanding. This practice involves seeing every experience, even the challenging ones, as valuable opportunities for growth. By approaching difficult situations with an open heart and a genuine desire to understand, we develop patience, compassion, and a greater capacity for love. Through this practice, we learn to appreciate life in its totality and embrace both the joys and sorrows it brings.
Exploring the liberating step of Right Attitude, Jack illuminates how we can break free from our automatic habits by becoming fully conscious of them.
Today's podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/heartwisdom
"There's a strength of heart that comes when we don't just follow our habit. It's a strengthening of heart that brings a sense of wellbeing or purity. Because we begin to train ourselves that we don't have to follow all our habits and all our desires." – Jack Kornfield
In this episode, Jack mindfully explores:
Right Attitude / Right Thought as one of the steps on the Buddha's Noble Eightfold Path
The three aspects of Right Attitude: openness/exploration, renunciation/effort, love/non-harming
Working with our unique personality in this incarnation
The importance of adding fire to our spiritual practice
Breaking free from our automatic habits by bringing conscious awareness to them
Ram Dass and becoming a "connoisseur or your neurosis"
Transforming our life from automatic pilot to being fully conscious
The story of Larry Brilliant helping cure smallpox and what he learned about surrender and interconnectivity
"I think love really manifests when things get difficult. That's when you really know it. That's the fire that melts whatever barriers we ever have in our hearts. And our hearts want to be melted. The pain isn't so bad; it's much better than having it still solid and barricaded." – Jack Kornfield
Join Jack and friends live ONLINE from Maui Nov. 29 - Dec. 3 at the 3rd Annual Ram Dass Legacy Retreat in this 5-day virtual livestream event. Learn more and register here.