Jack Kornfield explores how the Buddha answered questions, emphasizing the relevance to modern times. He discusses the teachings of the Dharma, the reality of non-self, and living fully without attachment. He also delves into working with contradictions along the spiritual path and the importance of continuity and presence in our practice.

In Jack's heartfelt final talk at Insight Meditation Society, he explores heart and mind, wholeness and emptiness, and how the only way to be free is to let go of it all."When I was first studying Buddhism and meditating, even as it got a lot deeper, it was a clearing of the mind—mind becoming more silent, fewer thoughts, starting to see with a vision of clarity how things really arise, pass, and are truly ownerless. There's a kind of coolness to that vision, just like on a hot summer day when you go into a place and the cool breeze comes, and it cools off at night. That kind of vision of openness, of spaciousness of mind, and the clarity to see, has a sweetness, a sweet kindIn this heartfelt episode, Jack mindfully explores:The significance of this session as his last Dharma Talk at Insight Meditation Society before leaving to California to found Spirit Rock Meditation Center Jack's connection as a founding teacher of IMS alongside other Be Here Now Network teachers and podcasters, Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein How sangha—spiritual community—has a way of naturally calibrating itself and the students/teachers within it The sweet coolness and spacious clarity which comes from spiritual practice Suzuki Roshi and the wisdom of 0 and 1, emptiness and wholeness A moving story of service and renewal from a Ram Dass book How the only way to be free is to let go of all of it, absolutely everything The question Jack will ask himself when his body is dying: whether I've lived fully and loved well What the Buddha said about love"The only way to be free is to let go of all of it." – Jack Kornfield"What I imagine I'll ask myself when I die is: whether I've lived fully—but even more than that—whether I've loved very well." – Jack KornfieldThis Dharma Talk from 03/18/1984 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.

Illuminating the benefits of taking spiritual retreat, Jack highlights the importance of meeting our practice with great faith, great courage, and great questioning.Join Jack with Trudy Goodman, Krishna Das, Anne Lamott and more, live online from Maui in the virtual Ram Dass Legacy Retreat: Love and Renewal 11/29 - 12/3!"It's not a question of practicing and losing weight, or getting rid of our neurosis or figuring out our mother, father, husband, or wife trip; but it's really to get the bottom of the question of life itself: Who are we? What makes up our experience? And to ask that question, to come to the end of our questioning requires a kind of passion, a kind of urgency, to see, to know." – Jack KornfieldIn this episode, Jack mindfully illuminates:The history and importance of taking spiritual retreat in Eastern traditions What it was like for Jack to take spiritual retreat with Burmese Buddhist teacher, Mahasi Sayadaw, and his Thai Buddhist teacher, Ajahn Chah Instructions for meditation and how to apply them properly to the retreat experience Moving beyond our psychological melodrama so we can gain deeper insight into the processes of mind Gurdjieff and using the fire of practice to transform our inner-world into a single whole Using our time wisely within the great mystery of this precious human birth Meeting our meditation practice with great faith, great courage, and great questioning The Diamond Sutra and how to live with a heart of light"You say that practice is difficult. This is thinking. Practice is not difficult. If you say it's difficult this means you're examining yourself too much—examining your situation, your condition, your opinion—so you say practice is difficult. But if you keep the mind that is before thinking and planning, then practice is not difficult." – Jack Kornfield quoting a Zen MasterThis Dharma Talk on 10/07/78 from 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.

Jack Kornfield explores the liberating step of Right Attitude, breaking free from automatic habits and becoming fully conscious. He discusses the three aspects of Right Attitude, working with our unique personality, adding fire to our practice, and transforming from automatic pilot to full consciousness. Jack also shares the story of Larry Brilliant and the importance of love manifesting when things get difficult. The podcast explores the significance of uniting for a common purpose and cultivating a genuine spiritual life, the importance of love in our inner life, the concept of personality and openness, and the challenges of meditation practice.

Jack Kornfield discusses the connection between Buddha's enlightenment qualities and Don Juan's teachings. Topics include qualities of a spiritual warrior, shamanism, inner-freedom, and the difference between an ordinary person and a warrior.

In response to the conflicts in the world, Jack offers a harmonizing guided meditation inviting us into peace, sanctuary, and the heart of refuge.Today's podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/heartwisdom"I breath in peace and breath out peace to all those who are amidst the troubles of this world—the conflicts, the refuges, the violence and the fear. I send you a peaceful breath. May we be peaceful together." – Jack KornfieldIn this timely episode, Jack leads a harmonizing guided meditation to help us:Find a mindful, balanced, and compassionate response to the conflicts and tragedy's happening throughout the world todayTurn our awareness to the present moment, merging mind, body, and spiritExtend our consciousness, compassion, and mindful loving awareness around the planet, it's people, and environmentsSend out peaceful healing breaths to all those who are amidst the troubles of the worldThis episode is from the Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday Night Dharma Talk and Meditation on 10/23/2023.Learn the Dynamic Art of Guided Meditation in this Masterclass with Jack Kornfield! Sign up for the on-demand version before Nov. 15 to take part in two live Q&A sessions with Jack! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jack Kornfield offers a heart of refuge amidst global conflicts, touching on the terrors of ongoing wars, the impact of constant news media, and the importance of creating sanctuary. He explores the need for outsiders to empathize with all suffering humans, shares the story of the apology hotline, and discusses the power of forgiveness, community, and trust as forms of refuge. Embracing uncertainty and finding refuge in change are also explored.

Jack Kornfield explores simplicity and how it unifies the mind, body, and heart. He shares Buddha's wisdom, the importance of directness and simplicity in practice, and finding a comfortable posture for meditation. The podcast also includes reflections on the mind, a thought-provoking story about faith, and releasing tensions during meditation.

Jack Kornfield, former forest monk in Thailand, shares hilarious personal stories from his time as a monk. He discusses living in a monastery, the teachings of Ajahn Chah, and the practice of surrender and balance. The podcast also explores the concepts of non-self, opening to truth, and deepening spiritual practice.

In this podcast, Jack Kornfield discusses the Way of the Bodhisattva and shares wisdom from Mother Teresa, Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, Ajahn Chah, and Seung Sahn. Topics include selfless service, compassion, non-attachment, and the transformative power of truth and love.