Jack Kornfield discusses uncovering joy and freedom within, meditating in challenging times, connecting emptiness with compassion, and finding peace amidst struggle. He explores being present, the transformative power of acceptance, and the connection between love and courage.
Peace is the cessation of struggle, accepting things as they are.
Emptiness connects with compassion, reconciling peace with struggle.
Deep dives
The Call to Teach Meditation
One key point emphasized in the podcast is the transformative power of a regular meditation practice and the desire to share this gift with others through teaching. The episode highlights an online event led by Buddhist teacher David Nick Turn and comedian Duncan Trussell on mindfulness practices and a mindfulness meditation teacher training program offered by Dharma Moons. It discusses the importance of finding peace within oneself and the journey of guiding others on the path of meditation.
Upcoming Mindfulness Training Programs
The podcast promotes mindfulness and compassion training programs conducted by Jack Cornfield, Tara Brock, Devin Berry, and Conda Mason starting on May 20th. It also announces a day-long retreat called the Awakened Heart by Jack Cornfield at the Spirit Rock Meditation Center on June 22nd. These programs aim to teach mindfulness and compassion practices for living a wise and free life, offering participants the opportunity to learn and develop in a supportive environment.
Facing Disappointment and Seeking Peace
The episode delves into the theme of facing disappointment and disillusionment in life as powerful teachers. Various stories and experiences are shared to illustrate the importance of acknowledging suffering, loss, and pain without resistance, allowing for deep emotional release and growth. It emphasizes the value of being present with one's experiences, whether joyful or sorrowful, and the practice of letting go of expectations, attachments, and the struggles of the mind.
The Path to Peace Through Opening and Letting Go
The podcast concludes with a reflection on the journey to inner peace through the practice of opening, letting go, and accepting the present moment as it is. It encourages listeners to embrace forgiveness, courage, and love as essential qualities on the path to peace. By cultivating mindfulness, appreciation, and a deeper connection to oneself and the world, individuals can find freedom and tranquility amidst life's ever-changing circumstances, ultimately recognizing their place in the interconnected web of existence.
Uncovering how to find joy and freedom in any situation, Jack shares the roadmap for discovering peace within yourself.
Learn the Dynamic Art of Interactive Guided Meditation with Jack Kornfield in this online masterclass cohort starting this June! Learn more and register at bit.ly/InteractiveCohort
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“Peace is the cessation of your struggle, it’s putting down the burden and letting things be as they actually are.” – Jack Kornfield
In this episode, Jack mindfully explores:
Learning to be at peace with yourself and the world
How to meditate when it feels like you can’t meditate
The way emptiness connects with compassion
Reconciling where peace meets struggle
Peace as an internal state you can bring with you
Being Here Now, opening to life fully, and becoming intimate with all things
How we can find joy, liberation, and freedom in any situation
Dharma stories of the Buddha as well as the Bodhisattva Vimalakīrti
Coming to terms with the First Noble Truth of suffering, disappointment, and change
The transformative power of meeting life exactly as it is
What we can learn from both a “Duck Meditation,” “Goose Poem,” and a Tibetan Prayer
Love and it’s connection with courage
“We can’t come to rest because we’re at war with what’s actually here.” – Jack Kornfield
“To enter into the unknown is really to enter into the moment.” – Jack Kornfield
This Dharma Talk originally recorded on 12/01/1989 at Spirit Rock Meditation Center was originally published on DharmaSeed.