Mind & Life Jon Kabat-Zinn - The Heart of Mindfulness [From the Archive]
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Dec 23, 2025 
In this engaging conversation, Jon Kabat-Zinn, a pioneering meditation teacher and creator of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), shares insights from over 50 years of practice. He discusses his profound early experiences with meditation at MIT and how his upbringing shaped his perspective. Jon explores the transformative potential of mindfulness in healing, emphasizing its scientific roots and broader social justice applications. He reflects on the balance of discipline and gentleness in practice, along with the importance of teaching artistry over rigid manuals.
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Roots In Science And Art
- Jon grew up with a scientist father and artist mother, experiencing both science and art from childhood.
- That dual environment shaped his interest in bridging scientific inquiry and contemplative practice.
How Meditation First Landed
- Jon Kabat-Zinn first encountered meditation at a Philip Kapleau talk at MIT and began practicing that night.
- That experience hooked him and led to decades of continuous practice and inquiry.
Practice With Rigorous Love
- Treat practice as disciplined love: show up consistently and compassionately to the cushion.
- Maintain rigor without attachment to outcomes to cultivate lasting practice.