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#414: Jack Kornfield — How to Find Peace Amidst COVID-19, How to Cultivate Calm in Chaos

Mar 12, 2020

Guest

Jack Kornfield

In this insightful conversation, Jack Kornfield, a prominent figure in introducing Buddhist mindfulness to the West, discusses finding peace amidst chaos. He emphasizes the transformative power of meditation and self-compassion, particularly during turbulent times like the COVID-19 pandemic. Kornfield shares practical coping mechanisms, touching on personal experiences with anxiety and community support. He also highlights the interconnectedness of human experiences and the potential for personal growth through embracing vulnerability and compassion.

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Episode notes

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ADVICE

Embrace Difficulty as Retreat

View difficulties as opportunities for growth.
Use challenging times to cultivate inner peace and compassion.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Refugee Boat Analogy

Thich Nhat Hanh's refugee boat analogy illustrates the power of one person's calmness.
Even amidst collective panic, one centered person can provide stability and hope for others.

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ADVICE

Managing Anxiety and Fear

Acknowledge and thank your anxieties and fears.
Visualize setting them aside, allowing wisdom and a centered spirit to guide you.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Cultivating Calm and Peace During Chaos

04:21 • 3min

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Embracing Vulnerability and Mindfulness Insights

06:52 • 3min

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Navigating Anxiety and Mindfulness During a Pandemic

09:41 • 3min

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Finding Calm in Chaos

12:26 • 25min

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Embracing Awareness and Compassion

37:19 • 32min

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Exploring Psychedelics and Inner Transformation

01:09:22 • 19min

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Navigating Trauma and Transformation Through Psychedelic Insights

01:28:18 • 5min

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Healing Through Trauma Awareness

01:33:43 • 16min

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Journey of Mindfulness and Teaching

01:49:50 • 12min

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How to Change Your Mind

What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence

Michael Pollan

In this book, Michael Pollan delves into the history of psychedelic drugs, from their rise in the 1960s to their current resurgence in medical research. He combines historical and scientific analysis with personal narratives of his own experiences with psychedelics, such as LSD and psilocybin. The book explores how these substances are being used to treat conditions like depression, addiction, and anxiety, and discusses their potential to revolutionize our understanding of the human mind and consciousness. Pollan's work is a blend of science, memoir, and travel writing, offering a nuanced and engaging look at the therapeutic and spiritual benefits of psychedelics.

The Cosmic Game

explorations of the frontiers of human consciousness

Stanislav Grof

The Cosmic Game synthesizes Stanislav Grof's extensive research on non-ordinary states of consciousness, drawing from psychedelic therapy, Holotropic Breathwork, literature, and ancient mystical sources. It explores the deepest questions about existence, suggesting a profound connection between the individual psyche and the universal creative principle. The book aligns with great spiritual traditions, offering insights into the interconnectedness of all existence.

Radical acceptance

Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha

Tara Brach

Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach offers a transformative practice to help readers overcome habitual feelings of deficiency and better relate to their experiences and emotions. The book emphasizes two key pillars: observing one's experience clearly and responding with compassion. Through personal stories, case histories from her clinical psychology practice, and guided meditations, Brach provides practical guidance on mindfulness, compassion, and acceptance. The book helps readers stop being at war with themselves and live fully in every moment, addressing issues such as self-judgments, conflicts, addictions, and perfectionism. It also clarifies that Radical Acceptance does not mean self-indulgence or passivity but rather empowers genuine change and healing.

No Time Like the Present

Jack Kornfield

In 'No Time Like the Present', Jack Kornfield offers practical tools and inspiring stories to help readers find freedom from fear, love, and happiness right where they are. The book is divided into four segments: Freedom of Spirit, Obstacles to Freedom, Realizing Freedom, and Living Freedom, providing a comprehensive path to inner peace and joy.

Already Free

Not Available

Jeff Warren

Jeff Warren is associated with mindfulness and meditation, but specific details about 'Already Free' are not available.

After the Ecstasy, the Laundry

Jack Kornfield

The wise heart

Jack Kornfield

In 'The Wise Heart', Jack Kornfield provides a profound exploration of Buddhist psychology, emphasizing the importance of compassion, forgiveness, and mindfulness. The book offers practical guidance on embracing impermanence, letting go of attachments, and cultivating a wise and open heart. Through inspiring stories and personal experiences, Kornfield shows how these teachings can lead to greater resilience, joy, and fulfillment in life.

A lamp in the darkness

Jack Kornfield

A Path With Heart

A Guide Through the Perils and Promises of Spiritual Life

Jack Kornfield

This book is a definitive guide to the practice of traditional mindfulness in America, particularly within the context of American Buddhism. It covers a wide range of topics including the fundamentals of spiritual practice, the stages of insight, dealing with personal issues such as abuse and self-loathing, and the role of psychotherapy in spiritual growth. Kornfield uses personal stories, practical techniques, and guided meditations to help readers navigate the complexities of spiritual life and achieve inner peace, wholeness, and understanding. The book is designed to be a universal guide for anyone seeking to deepen their spiritual practice and live an authentic life.

Jack Kornfield — How to Find Peace Amidst COVID-19, How to Cultivate Calm in Chaos | Brought to you by FreshBooks and 99designs.

"We have the opportunity, even in difficult times, to let our spirit shine." — Jack Kornfield

Jack Kornfield (@JackKornfield) trained as a Buddhist monk in the monasteries of Thailand, India, and Burma, shortly thereafter becoming one of the key teachers to introduce Buddhist mindfulness practice to the West. He has taught meditation internationally since 1974.

Jack has had a profound and direct impact on my life, and I'm thrilled to have him on the podcast once again.

Jack co-founded the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, with fellow meditation teachers Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein and the Spirit Rock Center in Woodacre, California. He holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and is a father, husband, and activist.

Jack's books have been translated into 20 languages and sold more than a million copies, including The Wise Heart, A Lamp in the Darkness, A Path with Heart, After the Ecstasy, the Laundry (one of my favorite book titles of all time), and his most recent, No Time Like the Present: Finding Freedom, Love, and Joy Right Where You Are. He offers a brilliant online training program for those who want to learn to teach meditation at JackKornfield.com.

This episode is more of a personal therapy session for yours truly in some respects. You will notice that I sound anxious and unsure in this interview, and that is very much by design. I think it is unhelpful when people in the public eye hide the fact that they also struggle, and it puts them on this illusory pedestal that I think is ultimately self-defeating. Instead, I want to share with you that no matter how much Stoic philosophy I read, no matter how often I meditate, there are times when I struggle, and this week is one of them.

I also hope that you'll listen to portions of this conversation multiple times. There are a number of exercises that Jack shares that I will certainly be listening to in the upcoming weeks.

Please enjoy.

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