The Power of Listening and Interconnectedness with Jane Hirshfield
Sep 19, 2023
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Jane Hirshfield, an acclaimed American poet and essayist, shares her insights on the deep connections between human experiences and the universe. She reads captivating poetry that highlights the beauty of small joys and the importance of embracing life's challenges for personal growth. Their discussion of interconnectedness encourages listeners to dissolve boundaries and enhance understanding of self. Hirshfield also emphasizes the transformative power of poetry and the communal healing found in shared experiences.
Choosing small daily joys can heighten overall happiness.
Embracing life's curveballs leads to personal growth and transformation.
Deep dives
Finding Agency in Choosing
One of the lifelong tasks is finding a way to say yes to what we would rather say no to. Choosing arbitrary and silly actions or making seemingly small choices can be the beginning of agency and the antidote to depression and terror. Even when things seem to conspire against happiness, it is still possible to trust and choose otherwise.
Embracing Permeability and Impermanence
Permeability to both the difficult and the beautiful allows us to fully experience life. The poem 'Although the wind blows terribly here' by Zumishikibu reminds us that by being open to what we don't want, we remain open to everything we do want and hope for. Rediscovering the importance of permeability is a lifelong process.
Finding Joy in Being Animals
Recognizing that we are animals and embracing the directness, simplicity, and immediacy found in the lives of creatures can bring great joy. The poem 'Happiness is Harder' highlights the challenge of saying yes to what we would rather say no to, and choosing to make the unwanted wanted.
In this episode, Jane Hirshfield shares her extraordinary capacity for deep introspection and exploration of interconnectedness. You’ll hearJane read some of her beautiful poetry and discover how through her words, she is able to make profound connections between human experiences and the larger universe.In this episode, you’ll be able to:
Experience the enlightening potential of appreciating small daily joys and how they can heighten your overall happiness
Explore the art of embracing life’s curveballs while learning to capitalize on these difficult situations for personal growth
Discover the captivating power of poetry as a medium for personal transformation and sharpened perception
Foster a heightened sense of interconnectedness, enabling you to dissolve boundaries and enrich your understanding of self
Acquire the skills to navigate through tough periods with grace, hope, kindness, and resilience