Saying Yes (Part 2): A Conversation with Tara Brach & Jane Hirshfield
Sep 21, 2023
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In this podcast, Tara Brach, a meditation teacher, and Jane Hirshfield, a renowned poet, discuss topics such as the deepening power of science and connection to nature, the significance of remembrance and belonging, recognizing the aliveness of everything, and the crisis of climate. They explore the interface between poetry and meditation, emphasizing the importance of acceptance and our interconnectedness with the world.
Poetry can offer a direct experience that goes beyond conceptual ideas in Buddhism, highlighting the interdependence within our bodies and the blurred boundaries between self and other.
Remembrance practices like bowing, expressing gratitude, and recognizing the sentience in everything help cultivate a sense of belonging, expand our sense of 'we' to include all beings, and deepen our dedication to caring for the planet and each other.
Deep dives
Exploring the Transmission of Poetry in Zen Practice
In this podcast episode, the host interviews poet, teacher, and Zen practitioner Jane Herschkeld. They discuss how Jane's poems go beyond conceptual ideas in Buddhism and offer a direct experience. Jane shares a poem about proteins, which she wrote after reading an article about how proteins work and their connection to the microbiome. The poem explores the blurred boundaries between self and other, highlighting the interdependence within our bodies. The conversation delves into the power of scientific understanding to deepen our connection to the world and the importance of remembrance practices to cultivate a sense of belonging.
The Importance of Remembrance Practices and Kinship
Jane and the host discuss various remembrance practices that help them remember their inherent connection and kinship with the world. They mention practices like bowing, expressing gratitude, and recognizing the sentience in everything, including plants and rocks. They highlight the significance of pronouns in poetry and the expanded sense of 'we' that includes all humanity and the interconnectedness of all beings. The conversation emphasizes the need to face the reality of suffering and the urgency to care for the planet and each other, deepening our dedication to remembrance.
Hope and Agency in the Midst of Despair
The podcast concludes with a discussion on finding hope and agency in the face of despair. Jane expresses gratitude for being alive and the importance of humility in acknowledging the uncertainties of the future. They emphasize the power of even small actions and intentions to create positive change and alter one's own perspective. The conversation highlights the potential of invisible actions like prayer and contemplation to shape the world. Jane encourages listeners to find their own ways to contribute and make a difference, reminding us that there is always something we can do.
Saying Yes (Part 2): A Conversation with Tara Brach & Jane Hirshfield - In this rich and full two-part interview, Tara speaks with renowned poet Jane Hirshfield about the interface between poetry and meditation, the centrality of acceptance, and the pathways of remembrance that reveal our belonging to this world and open us to caring. Here’s a link to Jane’s most recent book: The Asking: New and Selected Poems. The interview includes readings from this beautiful collection.
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