Jack Kornfield offers a heart of refuge amidst global conflicts, touching on the terrors of ongoing wars, the impact of constant news media, and the importance of creating sanctuary. He explores the need for outsiders to empathize with all suffering humans, shares the story of the apology hotline, and discusses the power of forgiveness, community, and trust as forms of refuge. Embracing uncertainty and finding refuge in change are also explored.
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Quick takeaways
Seeking refuge involves finding safety and peace in external sanctuaries, cultivating support and connection with others.
Inner refuge encompasses turning inward, awakening to the timeless reality of consciousness, and navigating the complexities of life with mindful loving awareness.
Deep dives
The Heart of Refuge
In this episode, the speaker explores the concept of refuge and its importance in these challenging times. He discusses various levels of refuge, starting with the external refuge, where individuals seek safety and peace through literal sanctuaries and places of peace. He emphasizes the significance of community as a refuge, highlighting the need for support and connection with others. The speaker delves into the inner refuge, which involves finding sanctuary within oneself and cultivating mindfulness and awareness. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of trust as a refuge, urging listeners to trust in the timeless awareness and to let go of fear and uncertainty. The episode concludes with a reminder to stand up for one's values and to bear witness to suffering with love and compassion.
The Depth of Refuge
The speaker reflects on the deeper layers of refuge, discussing the Buddhist practice of seeking refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. He draws attention to the transformative power of taking refuge in these teachings and the community that supports awakening. The speaker then shifts the focus to the current global crisis, highlighting the plight of refugees and the importance of creating literal sanctuaries and places of peace for those in need. He also explores the concept of sacred refuge, drawing parallels between magnificent natural spaces and spiritual sanctuaries, emphasizing the importance of seeking refuge in places that are free from greed, hatred, and ignorance.
Finding Refuge Within
The speaker delves deeper into the inner refuge, urging listeners to explore the sacredness within themselves. He encourages individuals to turn inward and awaken to the timeless reality of their own consciousness, emphasizing that they are more than their physical bodies, thoughts, and emotions. The speaker discusses the power of awareness and mindfulness as a refuge, highlighting how these practices can enable individuals to hold and navigate the complexities of life, from birth and death to joy and sorrow. He acknowledges that fear and suffering can arise, but assures listeners that mindful loving awareness can hold it all.
The Power of Trust
In the final part of the episode, the speaker emphasizes the refuge of trust. He invites listeners to embrace the wisdom of uncertainty and to trust in the vastness of awareness. He reminds them that they are the consciousness that transcends the experiences of their lives and that this awareness is a refuge in itself. The speaker encourages individuals to recognize the transformative potential of trust, noting that it allows for liberation and the ability to navigate the challenges of life with equanimity. He concludes by inviting listeners to embrace their true nature and to trust in the journey of awakening.
In this powerful new Dharma Talk touching on current events, an emotional Jack offers a heart of refuge amidst the world's conflicts.
"There's a liberation amidst birth and death, joy and sorrow, war and peace, that is beyond it all. This is the sacred openness of love and awareness itself.” – Jack Kornfield
In this emotional episode, Jack touches into:
The terrors of the ongoing wars in Gaza, Ukraine, Darfur
How constant news media effects our emotions and wellbeing
Learning to live from the 'heart of refuge' which the Buddha offers
What does it mean to be a refugee? How can we help create sanctuary?
The importance of outsiders opening to the suffering of all humans rather than taking sides
How the Buddha's mindful loving awareness overcomes Mara's aggression, greed, and doubt
The ways we can open ourselves to forgiveness, compassion, community, safety, love, and trust
