Jack Kornfield – Heart Wisdom – Ep. 258 – Enlightenment as Intimacy: Where We’re Going is Here

Speaking to progressing on the spiritual path, Jack explores enlightenment as true intimacy, and shares how: where we’re going is actually here.

“Where we’re going is here, and what we’re after doesn’t exist in time.” – Jack Kornfield

In this episode, Jack mindfully explores:
  • Our idealistic/romantic notions of the spiritual path
  • Consciousness, impermanence, and working with human emotions
  • Wisdom stories of Ajahn Chah, Jack’s accomplished Thai meditation teacher
  • Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and the legend of building a Spiritual Amusement Park
  • Progress and patience along the spiritual path
  • Enlightenment as intimacy with all things
  • A guided meditation practice reflecting on life, death, and good deeds
  • Transforming the the world with one small act of kindness at a time
  • Honoring our own beauty and goodness
  • How compassion is characterized by true intimacy
  • Recognizing and coming to our spiritual maturity
  • Living like a Bodhisattva, and what it really means to ‘save all beings’
  • Alchemizing extreme suffering, trauma, and grief into compassion, forgiveness, and service

“Enlightenment is to be intimate with what’s here.” – Jack Kornfield

This Dharma Talk from 1/3/1991 at Spirit Rock Meditation Center was originally published on DharmaSeed.
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.

Stay up to date with Jack and his stream of new dharma offerings by visiting JackKornfield.com and signing up for his email teachings.
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 macro.viewpoint