This week Jack begins a multi-part series that explores the essence of Buddhist psychology.
Jack’s teaching looks at how Buddhist psychology can help us live amidst the reality of impermanence by cultivating inner peace and equanimity.
Show Notes
A Science of Mind (Opening) – Buddhist teachings have been taught as both philosophy and religion but in its original form, Buddhist teachings are really a science of the mind. Jack explores this aspect of Buddhism and how it relates to the question of, ”Who am I?”
“If you read the original texts, they point to the way that the mind and the heart operate in this mysterious human incarnation and ways that we can learn to understand ourselves and our relationship with others.”
Jack further explores different aspects of Buddhist psychology in Ep.19 of the Heart Wisdom Podcast.
Begin with Hope (10:35) – The beginning of Buddhist psychology is the recognition that no matter what our circumstances, there is a possibility of inner freedom and well-being. We explore the quality of Buddhist psychology that provides dignity and freedom regardless of our history and circumstance.
A Living Practice (24:30) – Jack looks at how we go about awakening our capacities for compassion and equanimity and incorporating them into our lives.
“Buddhism is more than a lovely philosophy, there are ways to train people in their hearts and minds so that these capacities grow in us. We know it because now in 10,000 school systems and mindfulness-based intervention and emotional learning is happening in thousands of hospitals and clinics across America.”
Finally Paying Attention (32:40) – The game of mindfulness is to be spacious and gracious with what is actually true in our human life. This can be difficult when we are brought up in a culture with different values. Jack shares ways in which we can connect the body and mind and begin to pay attention to what is happening within, both while we sit and while we engage in the world.
“What mindfulness begins to do, as we start to train our attention to be present with the breath, is transform the breath into a kind of mirror. As you feel the breath, you notice the longing or anxiety or the peacefulness of the heart and mind. You begin to notice what is actually going on in a way that we don’t often pay attention to.”
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