Opening to the Great Mystery, Jack Kornfield illuminates how we can traverse the tumultuous polarities of life from the mindful and freeing perspective of the loving witness.
This talk was originally live-streamed by Spirit Rock Meditation Center on 8/23/21
Optimism & Pessimism // Buddha, Mara, & the Loving Witness
Shedding light on the current state of the world, Jack Kornfield helps us move past the pessimistic perspective; rewriting the script through the optimistic lens of interconnection and transformation. Then, moving beyond the concepts of optimism and pessimism, he invites us to let go of our views so we can be fully with reality. Relaying the story of the Buddha’s play with Mara, Jack transmits the wisdom and freedom of the loving witness.
“This is not just a time of change in our lives; dear friends, it is really a time of transformation. And if nothing else, the pandemic, climate change, and the calls for racial and economic justice are showing us how completely interconnected we are.” – Jack Kornfield
Roshi Joan Halifax, RamDev, & Raghu share on Ram Dass’ gift of loving awareness, on Ep. 421 of Mindrolling
Polarity, Incarnation, & Mystery // The Rabbi in the Woods (13:13)
Highlighting the polarities we live within in this binary world of opposites, Jack spelunks the depths of the mystery of this human incarnation. Contemplating how to navigate wisely life’s oscillating sea of ceaselessly arising and falling phenomenon, he discloses the significance of meeting the world with a sense of curiosity, wonder, and mindful loving awareness, so we can learn to be with whatever arises. From here, he tells the Dharma story of ‘the Rabbi in the Woods.’
“In any moment you can become the loving witness, you can become loving awareness. It’s why we sit in meditation, it’s why we train—not to a have a particular special amazing experience, and hold your breath and hope it will last—but to sit with heartbreak and love.” – Jack Kornfield
Ram Dass brings you to the edge of the Great Mystery, on Ep. 89 of Here & Now
Mindful Loving Awareness (31:31)
Amidst this Great Mystery, what does it mean to treat yourself and others with true reverence and respect? Exploring how consistent meditation practice can help cultivate the mindful witness, Jack offers perspective helping us unsheathe from the veil of ego identity to begin to rest in the freedom of loving awareness.
“When you learn to sit in the midst of it, when you learn to say, “Oh, Mara, is that you? I see you,” when you learn to step back and become the loving awareness itself—the loving witness—then you become a model of how to live in this magnificent and troubled human incarnation. You bring your heart to what matters.” – Jack Kornfield