Ep. 279 – Standing Up For Compassion: A Wise Rudder in Turbulent Politics
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Mar 4, 2025
Dive into a powerful exploration of compassion as a guiding force in turbulent times. Hear reflections on navigating uncertainty from personal experiences in Asia and Los Angeles. Discover the need for society to shift from anxiety to imagination, and the importance of acknowledging struggles while fostering hope. Learn how to balance political beliefs with shared human values. Embrace practices like meditation to cultivate resilience, and understand the vital role of community and compassion in creating a more inclusive world.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Return to Chaos
Jack Kornfield returned from a peaceful trip to Southeast Asia to a chaotic Los Angeles.
The experience highlighted the Buddhist concept of impermanence, where life's certainties can change swiftly.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Costa Rican Peace
Kornfield contrasts chaotic L.A. with peaceful Costa Rica, a country with no army.
He notes Costa Rica's warm culture, attributing it to a lack of heavy colonization and mutual care.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Poem's Impact
Kornfield shares Alison Luterman's poem, "Praise the Broken Promise of America."
The poem describes societal changes and suffering, prompting reflection on navigating these turbulent times.
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Standing up for compassion in this powerful new Dharma Talk, Jack offers a steady spiritual rudder for navigating turbulent politics with the heart of a Bodhisattva.
“It’s a time to get quiet and remember that you’re here for a beautiful purpose, oh Bodhisattvas. What better thing to do with your life?” – Jack Kornfield
In this episode of Heart Wisdom, Jack mindfully explores:
Navigating this world's maelstrom of change from a deep spiritual rudder
Returning from his trip to Asia; landing in Los Angeles on fire
Samsara and the nature of uncertainty
Creating a wise society based on mutual care
Trading our personal and cultural anxiety for imagination and hope
Alison Luterman's heart-opening poem, Praise the Broken Promise of America
Using the Dharma to move past Liberal versus Conservative
How to help the vulnerable in the world
Remembering your best values as things change
Grounding yourself, steadying your heart, and remaining hopeful
Bringing peace to this world, developing metta, and supporting what's good
Taking the long view, living with integrity, virtue, and imagination
Joining together with your community to stand up for compassion
Being hopeful and helpful through difficult times
Living like a Bodhisattva—offering support, compassion, loving kindness
“Take the long view—your intention, heart, and mind in all the cycles of birth and death. That deep intention of wisdom creates what’s possible for a wise society. It becomes a rudder through difficult times.” – Jack Kornfield
“When a society treats its members with respect, cares for the weak and vulnerable among them and tends the natural world around… it can be expected to prosper and not decline.” – Mahāparinibbāna Sutta
This Dharma Talk was originally recorded for the Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday Night Talk and Meditation on 2/10/25.
Heart Wisdom with Jack Kornfield