In this brand new Dharma Talk, Jack sings a redemption song inviting us to lay down our suffering and anger so we can open to the heart of compassion.
This lecture from Jack originally took place for the Spirit Rock Live: Monday Night Dharma Talk and Meditation. If you would like to join Jack online for his next livestream on Feb 19, register here!
“These teachings of redemption point to the wondrous possibility that the conflicts that plague the world can be transformed by the nobility of heart.” – Jack Kornfield
In this episode, Jack mindfully shares:
- Real tear-jerking stories of redemption of the human heart
- If there is a possibility of return from all the conflicts in the world today
- Contemplating who we push out of our hearts
- The value of offering compassion and loving kindness
- Not letting the suffering of the world poison our hearts and turn us against whole groups of people
- How without compassion and wisdom, we project it out on “them”
- How Buddhist teachings of impermanence lead to the possibility of redemption
- The transformative miracle of neuroplasticity
- Putting down thoughts of blame and turning towards a peaceful heart
- How good stories can help us break the trance and bring us into the present moment
- The way Ram Dass helped Jack, Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein work through a period of conflict
- How the world is full of second chances and redemption is possible
“What is the value of the gaze of compassion and loving kindness? It’s the consciousness, it’s the conscience that leads us to a wiser and more humane life. And with the most terrible dictators and terrorists, the warlords that we see causing so much suffering in this world—we have to do all we can to stop that suffering, but it’s also important not to let it poison our hearts, not to let it in any way demonize our hearts to turn against whole groups of people, or give way to despair.” – Jack Kornfield
“It’s not just the grass that keeps growing, your body keeps renewing itself. Everything is in change. Consciousness is a waterfall, a river, an ocean of re-creation again and again, inviting new patterns in illumination and the possibility of redemption. You can trust this power and align yourself to it.” – Jack Kornfield
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 Olga Pylypenko