Jack is joined by Trudy Goodman Kornfield for a discussion about practicing mindfulness and Dharma in uncertain times.
Show Notes
Sanctuary for All (Opening) – The practice of Buddhism is open to everyone, regardless of their background, ethnicity, or ability. Jack discusses the sanctuary we are offered in our practice, especially in these uncertain times of political and social change.
“As a sanctuary, we welcome everyone. Whatever race, orientation, ability, or caste; whoever you are the Dharma gates welcome you. From the very beginning of the Buddha’s teaching, they would say that the sage Gautama would allow everyone to join. Not just the high caste, but everyone was welcome in the Dharma gates.” – Jack Kornfield
Dharma in Uncertain Times (8:00) – Jack shares the wisdom of his teacher, Ajahn Cha, about working with the uncertainty we face in life. By acknowledging the inherent impermanence in life, we can become comfortable with uncertainty and better navigate our incarnations as they are given.
“The word Dharma means truth; it means the universal law. Dharma says that hatred never heals by hatred, but by love alone is healed. That Dharma says in the face of fear, in questions about immigration, or healthcare, or Black Lives Matter, that every being is born with an innate dignity and Buddha nature and each one is a worthy being.” – Jack Kornfield
Ram Dass offers wisdom on spiritual practice in uncertain times on this episode of the Here and Now podcast.
A Wise Society (17:30) – In the last years of his life, the Buddha was asked to speak about a wise society. Jack shares the Buddha’s thoughts on what a wise society looks like and how we can transform ourselves into such a society.
For teaching on how transforming ourselves can transform society, check out this episode of Ram Dass’s Here and Now podcast.
Refuge in the Moment (35:10) – Trudy Goodman shares her recent experiences working in a refugee camp in the Darfur region of Sudan. She describes the suffering and uncertainty in the lives of the refugees there and how mindfulness practice provided relief to young people who have witnessed some of life’s greatest atrocities.
Making a Difference (47:00) – We are reminded of our interconnectedness and responsibility to benefit in the world in our own ways.
“I kept feeling while I was in the camp that if everybody did one small thing then we wouldn’t have hunger in the world or all these refugees. If we could find one small thing to do.” – Trudy Goodman Kornfield
To find out how you can aid, empower, and extend hope to those affected by mass atrocities in Africa visit Iactivism.org. Keep up with Trudy Goodman on Facebook and at trudygoodman.com.
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