Illuminating the concept of mudita – sympathetic joy – Jack helps us cultivate authentic happiness for those around us, and leads a guided meditation on the topic.
This Dharma Talk from 12/03/2001 at Spirit Rock Meditation Center was originally published by DharmaSeed.
“Spiritual joy is the innate capacity for the heart to take pleasure and wonderment in this life and in the happiness of others, a kind of sympathetic joy.” – Jack Kornfield
In this episode, Jack mindfully navigates:
- Mudita as a spiritual/sympathetic joy and generosity of spirit which take s pleasure in the happiness of others
- Rumi, the ocean of poetry, channeling, listening, and inspiration
- Seeing the beauty in the the light, eyes, and world around us
- Spirituality, happiness, and taking responsibility for your heart
- The Buddha’s lens that joy and beauty are crucial factors of enlightenment
- A guided meditation partner practice to cultivate mudita (sympathetic joy) and metta (loving kindness)
Grab an All-Access Plan for Jack’s growing library of online courses at jackkornfield.com/all-access-pass
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.
Dive into Jack’s ongoing dharma offerings and transformational online courses on the new JackKornfield.com
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
Photo via Ground Picture