Jack Kornfield – Heart Wisdom – Ep. 137 – Gratitude and Generosity

In this heartfelt dharma talk, Jack Kornfield offers us wisdom on how we can practice gratitude and generosity during these challenging and difficult times. 

In this heartfelt dharma talk, Jack Kornfield offers us wisdom on how we can practice gratitude and generosity during these challenging and difficult times. 

This dharma talk was originally live-streamed by Spirit Rock on 11/22/21
Gratitude and Generosity

Jack begins with a question: how do we practice gratitude and generosity in the midst of these challenging and difficult times? Through poetry and stories, he weaves a tapestry of how we can understand these two qualities. Jack talks about awakening to the sense of wellbeing that is our birthright, and how, deep down, we all belong to each other. And we know it.

“But there’s another way to understand generosity, and that is the fundamental abundance, that this is who you are.” – Jack Kornfield 

Joseph Goldstein and Sharon Salzberg explore generosity as a practice in Insight Hour Ep. 107
The Great Heart of Compassion (14:40)

Jack offers a brief meditation on gratitude and digs deeper into its qualities. He talks about how we all go through struggles in our lives, but suffering can help open the great heart of compassion. Along those lines, the more we open to the pain of others, the more we find ourselves in a spirit of service. 

“Because part of what we have to offer the world with our gratitude and our trust is not how accomplished and wise and thoughtful we are, we offer the world our humility and our presence and our heart, and our brokenness as well.” – Jack Kornfield

Ram Dass explores where gratitude comes from in Here and Now Ep. 100

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The Three Levels of Generosity (28:35)

Jack tells the story of a doctor who made serving homeless people his life’s work. He talks about the importance of listening, how it’s an act of generosity. Jack explores the three levels of generosity in Buddhism, how we are all in this mutual garment of destiny, and what helps us see goodness. He ends by reminding us of the magnificent love that is possible in everyone.

“And you can think about it. Those who have been really generous around you, how do you feel toward them? And how does it feel when you’ve been generous in that way? You can also reflect, what does it feel like, the opposite? The times when our minds are fearful, worried, miserly, stingy, you know, clinging in some way, hoarding, all those kinds of things. Without being judgmental about it, how’s it feel?” – Jack Kornfield

Ram Dass and Raghu Markus share a conversation about generosity on Here and Now Ep. 129
Art via rodnikovay