Heart Wisdom with Jack Kornfield – Ep. 279 – Standing Up For Compassion: A Wise Rudder in Turbulent Politics

Standing up for compassion in this powerful new Dharma Talk, Jack offers a steady spiritual rudder for navigating turbulent politics with the heart of a Bodhisattva.

Learn the Dynamic Art of Interactive Guided Meditation with Jack Kornfield in this online masterclass beginning April 7!

“Take the long view—your intention, heart, and mind in all the cycles of birth and death. That deep intention of wisdom creates what’s possible for a wise society. It becomes a rudder through difficult times.” – Jack Kornfield

In this episode of Heart Wisdom, Jack mindfully explores:
  • Navigating this world’s maelstrom of change from a deep spiritual rudder
  • Returning from his trip to Asia; landing in Los Angeles on fire
  • Samsara and the nature of uncertainty
  • Creating a wise society based on mutual care
  • Trading our personal and cultural anxiety for imagination and hope
  • Alison Luterman’s heart-opening poem, Praise the Broken Promise of America
  • Using the Dharma to move past Liberal versus Conservative
  • How to help the vulnerable in the world
  • Remembering your best values as things change
  • Grounding yourself, steadying your heart, and remaining hopeful
  • Bringing peace to this world, developing metta, and supporting what’s good
  • Taking the long view, living with integrity, virtue, and imagination
  • Joining together with your community to stand up for compassion
  • Being hopeful and helpful through difficult times
  • Living like a Bodhisattva—offering support, compassion, loving kindness

“It’s a time to get quiet and remember that you’re here for a beautiful purpose, oh Bodhisattvas. What better thing to do with your life?” – Jack Kornfield

“When a society treats its members with respect, cares for the weak and vulnerable among them and tends the natural world around… it can be expected to prosper and not decline.” – Mahāparinibbāna Sutta

This Dharma Talk was originally recorded for the Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday Night Talk and Meditation on 2/10/25.
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 FundamentalsWalking the Eightfold PathOpening the Heart of ForgivenessLiving BeautifullyTransforming 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.
Listen to more from Jack:
Tune into Ep. 109 of Heart Wisdom: This Too Shall Pass
Learn about Living with a Peaceful Heart in Ep. 91 of Heart Wisdom
Check out Ep. 90 of Heart Wisdom to learn about Healing Through Loving Awareness
Listen to more Stories That Open the Mind, Mend the Heart and Lead to Joy with Jack Kornfield in Ep.92 of Heart Wisdom
Tune into Ep. 102 of Heart Wisdom: The Wisdom of the One Who Knows
Check out Ep. 1 of Heart Wisdom to gain wisdom on Impermanence