Gary Snyder's "Earth House Hold" is a collection of essays and poems that explore the relationship between humans and nature. Snyder, a prominent voice in the environmental movement, blends his deep understanding of ecology with his practice of Zen Buddhism. The book emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living things and advocates for a more sustainable and harmonious way of life. It's a call for ecological responsibility and a celebration of the natural world. Snyder's work has significantly influenced environmental thought and action.
The Bhagavad Gita is a central text in Hinduism, embedded within the epic Mahabharata. It recounts a dialogue between the warrior-prince Arjuna and his charioteer, Krishna, who is an avatar of the god Vishnu. The text explores themes of dharma (duty), karma (action), and the path to spiritual enlightenment. Krishna advises Arjuna on the importance of performing his duties without attachment to the outcomes, emphasizing the concept of nishkama karma (nonattached action). The Gita synthesizes various strands of Indian religious thought, including Vedic concepts, samkhya yoga, and bhakti (devotion), providing a coherent vision of Hindu philosophy and spiritual practice[2][4][5].
In *31-Day Food Revolution*, Ocean Robbins provides a comprehensive plan to detoxify from unhealthy foods, nourish your body with essential micronutrients, build a supportive community, and transform your relationship with food. The book offers 31 actionable steps to improve health, reduce disease risk, and contribute to a healthier planet. It combines insights from over 400 scientific studies with practical advice on making informed food choices.
Jack and Ocean continue their deep conversation, exploring how to create positive change in the world without losing our spiritual center and loving essence.
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“Neither meditation nor activism has to be a grim duty. These are invitations to open the heart and be present for everything. In activism you stand up because you care and you love, and then you bring your best to it.” – Jack Kornfield
In this episode, Jack and Ocean mindfully explore:
- Activism and creating positive change in the world
- How to save the world without losing yourself
- Acting beautifully without attachment to the fruits
- How not not to let the immense suffering of the world get to us
- Wes Nisker, Gary Snyder, and saving the world because you love it
- Acting in this world with peace, love, courage, and nobility
- Honoring our emotions, grief, and fears, but not letting them control us
- Becoming what you want the world to be
- His Holiness the Dalai Lama and meeting our lives with honesty and joy
- Fighting for freedom and justice, but having fun doing it
- Making activism fun, joyful, and beautiful
- Emphasizing the positives acts in the world
- Life changing wisdom from the Buddha
- Holding it all in the great heart of compassion
- Adding your voice, love, energy, and compassion
- If your grief is big, hold it from something bigger
This episode was originally recorded for the Food Revolution Network in November of 2024.
Discover Your Buddha Nature with Jack Kornfield, an online journey for reclaiming our dignity, compassion, and generosity, beginning June 2.
“It says in the Bhagavad Gita, the essence is to act beautifully without attachment to the fruits of the actions. What it means is, you don’t get to determine how it turns out, but you do get to plant your seeds of goodness. And as Thoreau says, ‘Convince me you have a seed there, and I’m prepared to expect miracles.’ You get to plant the seeds, and eventually, in their own time, they bear fruit. That’s not your job. Your job is to make a beautiful garden, to plant beautiful things, and to tend them.” – Jack Kornfield
About Ocean Robbins:
Ocean Robbins is an American entrepreneur and author, best known for his role as the co-founder of Food Revolution Network, Inc. This California-based company is dedicated to advocating for a whole foods, plant-based diet. Check out Ocean’s book, 31-Day Food Revolution, to learn more about healing the body and transforming the world. You can keep up with Ocean on his website, HERE.
About Jack Kornfield:
Jack Kornfield trained as a Buddhist monk in the monasteries of Thailand, India, and Burma, studying as a monk under the Buddhist master Ven. Ajahn Chah, as well as the Ven. Mahasi Sayadaw. He has taught meditation internationally since 1974 and is one of the key teachers to introduce Buddhist mindfulness practice to the West. Jack co-founded the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, with fellow meditation teachers Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein and the Spirit Rock Center in Woodacre, California. His books have been translated into 20 languages and sold more than a million copies.
Jack is currently offering a wonderful array of transformational online courses diving into crucial topics like Mindfulness Meditation Fundamentals, Walking the Eightfold Path, Opening the Heart of Forgiveness, Living Beautifully, Transforming Your Life Through Powerful Stories, and so much more. Sign up for an All Access Pass to explore Jack’s entire course library. If you would like a year's worth of online meetups with Jack and fellow community members, join The Year of Awakening: A Monthly Journey with Jack Kornfield.
Stay up to date with Jack and his stream of fresh dharma offerings by visiting JackKornfield.com and signing up for his email teachings.
“If we don’t look, if we don’t acknowledge the children who are hungry, if we don’t acknowledge not just Ukraine and Gaza, but Sudan, and the Congo, and Myanmar, and the Rohingas—if we turn our gaze away in denial, we can’t make a difference. Our heart has to be big enough and our dignity strong enough that we’re willing to see it. And then some of us are called to do that work in the way that we can.” – Jack Kornfield
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Heart Wisdom with Jack Kornfield 
