The Alternative of No Story and Emptiness: Understanding the Meaning

No story can evoke a sense of terror and meaninglessness/nAlternative to no story is explored through experiential modes like psychedelics/nUnderstanding the alternative to no story is challenging/nHaving opinions can lead to trouble/nClinging to opinions can lead to annoyance and conflict

Transcript

chevron_right

Play full episode

chevron_right

Transcript

Episode notes

Brought to you by Shopify global commerce platform providing tools to start, grow, market, and manage a retail business; AG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement; and LMNT electrolyte supplement.

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

Jack co-founded the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, with Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein, and Spirit Rock Center in Woodacre, California. Current projects include CloudSangha.co, which offers practice groups for all; The Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program, which has trained 7,000 mindfulness teachers in 75 countries; and Wisdom Ventures, a fund investing in companies that promote compassion.

His books have been translated into 22 languages and sold 2 million copies. They include The Wise Heart: A Guide to the Universal Teachings of Buddhist Psychology; A Path with Heart; After the Ecstasy, the Laundry; Buddha’s Little Instruction Book; The Art of Forgiveness, Lovingkindness, and Peace; and his most recent book, No Time Like the Present: Finding Freedom, Love, and Joy Right Where You Are.

Jack is also co-founder of Cloud Sangha, and they offer a quick and free mindfulness test to gauge your mindfulness levels. As a conscious online community, Cloud Sangha brings people together to create meaningful human connections and integrate mindfulness into everyday life.

Please enjoy!

This episode is brought to you by Shopify! Shopify is one of my favorite platforms and one of my favorite companies. Shopify is designed for anyone to sell anywhere, giving entrepreneurs the resources once reserved for big business. In no time flat, you can have a great-looking online store that brings your ideas to life, and you can have the tools to manage your day-to-day and drive sales. No coding or design experience required.

Go to shopify.com/Tim to sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period. It’s a great deal for a great service, so I encourage you to check it out. Take your business to the next level today by visiting shopify.com/Tim.

This episode is also brought to you by AG1! I get asked all the time, “If you could use only one supplement, what would it be?” My answer is usually AG1, my all-in-one nutritional insurance. I recommended it in The 4-Hour Body in 2010 and did not get paid to do so. I do my best with nutrient-dense meals, of course, but AG1 further covers my bases with vitamins, minerals, and whole-food-sourced micronutrients that support gut health and the immune system.

Right now, you’ll get a 1-year supply of Vitamin D free with your first subscription purchase—a vital nutrient for a strong immune system and strong bones. Visit DrinkAG1.com/Tim to claim this special offer today and receive your 1-year supply of Vitamin D (and 5 free AG1 travel packs) with your first subscription purchase! That’s up to a one-year supply of Vitamin D as added value when you try their delicious and comprehensive daily foundational nutrition supplement that supports whole-body health.

This episode is also brought to you by LMNT! What is LMNT? It’s a delicious, sugar-free electrolyte drink mix. I’ve stocked up on boxes and boxes of this and usually use it 1–2 times per day. LMNT is formulated to help anyone with their electrolyte needs and perfectly suited to folks following a keto, low-carb, or Paleo diet. If you are on a low-carb diet or fasting, electrolytes play a key role in relieving hunger, cramps, headaches, tiredness, and dizziness.

LMNT came up with a very special offer for you, my dear listeners. For a limited time, you can get a free LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase. This special offer is available here: DrinkLMNT.com/Tim.

[07:47] Stan Grof.

[14:53] Yogic swoons and anesthetic autopiloting.

[18:28] What’s the point of consciousness?

[25:47] A big story or no story at all?

[31:44] The Cosmic Game.

[34:56] How would the Buddha deal with anxiety?

[43:50] The stories anxiety tells.

[46:41] Mystics and the mystery.

[52:04] Jhana practice and the dimensions of meditation.

[57:23] Achieving altered states: a matter of confidence or capacity?

[1:01:30] What is love?

[1:09:54] Wise guys.