Heart Wisdom with Jack Kornfield

Exploring how to stay buoyant and balanced on life's great ocean of change, Jack sets our spiritual compass for letting go into what is.Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self. Join Jack's New Free Course, Stand Up For Compassion: A Free Course and Resource for Navigating Uncertain Times. "What we're asked to do here is a very deep thing, which isn't to change ourselves, but to give ourselves to our life, to practice with continuity and care, bowing, opening. It's really like being in labor, if you've ever had a child or been there for childbirth, it's a birth of your life, a birth of yourself, over and over, letting go to what is." – Jack KornfieldIn this episode of Heart Wisdom, Jack mindfully explores:The Tibetan story of Avalokitesvara, Green Tara, and White TaraThe spiritual wisdom of a duck resting on the oceanFloating softly on life's constant ocean of changeExperiencing ourselves as an always flowing river of lifeBowing to the truth of impermanenceSelflessness, emptiness, and opennessSeeing through the dreamlike mirage of 'who you think you are'Letting go into the ever-changing process of lifeHonoring the truth of what's here and nowSuffering, opening your heart, and connecting to all beingsAwakening the great heart of compassionRam Dass and the gift of serviceMeeting death with curiosity, play, and wisdomRebirthing ourselves over and over againGiving ourselves over sincerely to our life, letting go into what isAwakening the great wisdom and heart of the Buddha in every circumstanceHow surrender leads directly to freedomThis Dharma Talk recorded on 1/3/93 at Spirit Rock Meditation Center was originally published on DharmaSeed.“The more we pay attention, the more we sense ourselves as a river of life." – Jack KornfieldInterested in learning more on this topic? Check out our most recent Here and Now episode for Ram Dass’ perspective on the ocean of change. About Jack Kornfield:Jack Kornfield trained as a Buddhist monk in the monasteries of Thailand, India, and Burma, studying as a monk under the Buddhist master Ven. Ajahn Chah, as well as the Ven. Mahasi Sayadaw. He has taught meditation internationally since 1974 and is one of the key teachers to introduce Buddhist mindfulness practice to the West. 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. His books have been translated into 20 languages and sold more than a million copies.Jack is currently offering a wonderful array of transformational online courses diving into crucial topics like Mindfulness Meditation Fundamentals, Walking the Eightfold Path, Opening the Heart of Forgiveness, Living Beautifully, Transforming Your Life Through Powerful Stories, and so much more. Sign up for an All Access Pass to explore Jack’s entire course library. If you would like a years worth of online meetups with Jack and fellow community, join The Year of Awakening: A Monthly Journey with Jack Kornfield.Stay up to date with Jack and his stream of fresh dharma offerings by visiting JackKornfield.com and signing up for his email teachings.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Explore the transformative power of accepting reality and bowing to the joys and sorrows of life. Delve into how embracing both personal and collective suffering can lead to profound growth. Listen as emotional journeys in meditation unveil deep insights about connection and awakening. Reflect on the impact of crises like Chernobyl, showcasing the beauty that endures amid pain. Ultimately, this enlightening discussion inspires you to see the truth and live fully, nurturing compassion right where you are.

Explore the transformative power of meditation as a pathway to present-moment awareness. Delve into the significance of mindful breathing and loving awareness in calming the mind. Experience a guided meditation that encourages embracing your emotions and cultivating a compassionate heart. Discover how to witness your human experience and recognize true freedom as your birthright. Join in a collective journey of mindfulness, letting go of distractions from the past and future to fully embrace the beauty of the now.

Jack Kornfield engages in a deep dialogue about transformation and societal evolution, likening humanity to a butterfly's metamorphosis. He emphasizes the power of individuals as 'imaginal cells' to inspire change amid chaos. Topics include navigating late-stage capitalism, the importance of community, and the beauty of embracing personal growth. Kornfield encourages listeners to trust in renewal and carry their light with dignity while addressing collective challenges with compassion and love.

Discover how to awaken your inner Soul Force to create positive change in the world. Explore the significance of recognizing and nurturing your unique gifts, and how personal adversities can cultivate resilience and compassion. Reflect on the power of small acts of love inspired by great leaders, while facing the truths of life and death. Learn about the deep connection between inner freedom and compassion, and embrace the transformative act of connecting with nature. Each action counts in the journey to healing.

Exploring the spiritual paradox of individual and universal responsibility, Jack helps us find balance between meditation and service in our daily lives.This Dharma Talk from 12/7/1992 at Insight Meditation Society was originally published on Dharmaseed.In this episode of Heart Wisdom, Jack mindfully explores:The paradox of individual and universal responsibility What's the better spiritual practice—meditation or service? What exactly is individual, and what is the universe? Joanna Macy's painful yet healing trip to Chernobyl Becoming stewards of each other, the earth, and the future Distinguishing between freedom and it's near enemies Near enemies as fostering separation; freedom as interdependence How to respond to suffering authentically and helpfully Creating change blossoming from the human heart The radical act of "doing nothing and facing yourself" Dealing with the homelessness problem, warfare, environmental destruction Balancing "Don't just do something, sit there," and "Don't just sit there, there isn't time." Choosing between inner practice and outward service Following a true path with heart in this lifetime Vimala Thakar, Ajahn Chah, and Maha Ghosananda as beacons of peace The power of helping feed the hungry Navigating the up and down, inner and outer, cycles of spiritual life"Every act counts. Each one of us has the power to affect the world." – Jack KornfieldSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Fostering the mind-body-heart connection, Jack shares how the healing breath reawakens the body and reconnects us with life.This episode is brought to you by Betterhelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/heartwisdom and get on your way to being your best self.In this episode of Heart Wisdom, Jack mindfully explores:Using breath to live wisely and simply in this complex human existenceGood spiritual community as an island of peace and sanitySeeing past negative fear politics and news mediaA Charm to Use Against the Language of PoliticsThe Buddha on mindfulness of your life breathNoting the subtle nuances of the breath in meditation"Buddha in the palm of your hand" techniqueTraining the restless puppy of the mindUsing breath to reconnect body, heart, and mindShort and simple guided breath practicesWhat the Cross and the Circle representDirecting your breath to feel and open emotional wounds and dis-easeReawakening your body, and reconnecting with life, through breathing"Most of the destruction that modern society has caused in the world is the result of the mind being disconnected from the heart and the body." – Jack KornfieldThis Dharma Talk originally taking place on 11/2/1992 at Insight Meditation Society was originally published on DharmaSeed.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.

Explore the transformative power of metta meditation, where the essence of love is invited into heart and mind. Discover how to hold your thoughts and emotions in a space of kindness, creating a powerful atmosphere of compassion. Learn techniques to foster self-care and relaxation, allowing you to feel supported by the earth beneath you. Engage in guided practices that encourage spreading loving-kindness universally, and experience the profound impact of empathy in everyday life.

Trudy Goodman, a Vipassana teacher and founding member of InsightLA, joins Jack Kornfield in a thought-provoking discussion. They explore the beauty in impermanence, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability in relationships. Trudy shares insights on how mindfulness can transform communication and manage attachment. They also delve into the significance of loving-kindness and connecting with nature, all while navigating personal growth and anger. Their engaging dialogue reveals how to embrace change and manifest dreams with clarity and compassion.