Jane Hirshfield

Join award-winning poet Jane Hirshfield, whose verses intertwine the mystical with the physical. She delves into the elusive nature of time, exploring how Zen influences our understanding of existence. Through poetry and personal reflections, Jane discusses the kinship with the Earth, emphasizing empathy in the face of climate challenges. She also reflects on the timeless role of women in spiritual poetry and their struggles, while advocating for compassion and mindfulness as responses to ecological despair.

Jane Hirshfield, an award-winning poet and Zen practitioner, shares her insights on poetry as a vessel for discovering profound truths about life and connection. She emphasizes that poems can unlock despair and foster wholeness. The discussion explores the importance of service, emotional awareness, and interconnectedness in leading a meaningful life. Hirshfield also reflects on the role of poetry in addressing contemporary issues, including ecological concerns and social justice, illustrating its potential as a source of healing и resilience.

Tara Brach interviews renowned poet Jane Hirshfield about the interface between poetry and meditation, the challenge of saying yes to everything, the transformative power of meditation and writing, the counter evolutionary nature of awakening, exploring egolessness and compassion, and the desire for wholeness.

The esteemed writer Jane Hirshfield has been a Zen monk and a visiting artist among neuroscientists. She has said this: “It’s my nature to question, to look at the opposite side. I believe that the best writing also does this … It tells us that where there is sorrow, there will be joy; where there is joy, there will be sorrow … The acknowledgement of the fully complex scope of being is why good art thrills … Acknowledging the fullness of things,” she insists, “is our human task.” And that’s the ground Krista meanders with Jane Hirshfield in this conversation: the fullness of things — through the interplay of Zen and science, poetry and ecology — in her life and writing.Jane Hirshfield is the author of books of poetry, including The Beauty, Come, Thief, and most recently, Ledger, with selections read this hour. She’s also written two books of essays: Nine Gates: Entering the Mind of Poetry and Ten Windows: How Great Poems Transform the World.Find the transcript for this show at onbeing.org.

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.