Mindrolling – Raghu Markus – Ep. 223 – The Space Within w/ Jack Kornfield

mindrolling 223 space within jack kornfield

Jack Kornfield returns to the show to talk about how spiritual practice provides a peaceful and secure space within ourselves that we can always return to.

Show Notes

Reclaiming Hope (Opening) – Raghu and Jack talk about how easy it is to get a skewed view of the world when we only look at what the media and other social architects tell us about the way things are. Jack explains how we can live freely and securely when we find that space within and understand our true nature.

“The truth is that we are already secure when we know who we are. Not secure in the sense that things won’t change. Not secure in the sense that we won’t grow older or that life doesn’t contain gain and loss, that’s human incarnation. But when we know that who we are is awareness itself, consciousness taking human form, then we can play in this human realm and do beautiful things as a being who cares for the world.” – Jack Kornfield

For more on finding hope in uncertain times, listen to Jack and Raghu’s most recent conversation on Ep. 196 of the Mindrolling Podcast

A Safe Space Within (8:05) – Jack explores the safe space within ourselves that is always available to us. He shares how we practice cultivates the ability to return to that safe space whenever we need.

Raghu and Jack talk about the struggle of dealing with the loss of loved ones. Jack reflects on the importance of grief and the grieving process in our ability to experience life fully.

“If you tend your inner life by taking time to meditate and connecting with your body and heart, after a while your nervous system learns to settle down more and you can return to that place. From the place of stillness, you can see more clearly and you can love more attentively because you are actually present in your body, heart and being. More than that, there is a vastness. When you get quiet, you feel that you are part of life and you can take your seat in the center of this mystery and know that you are connected to it.” – Jack Kornfield

The One Who Knows (24:25) – Our experiences are like movies playing out in real time, but who is the one watching? Jack discusses the role of the witness and how we can experience the dance of life from a place of timeless peace. He and Raghu talk about the courage required to meet life head-on.

Jack also talks about the value in some of the emotions we might see as unuseful. He and Raghu talk about the ways we can skillfully utilize anger, instead of eliminating it completely or letting it control us.

“The question is not the future of humanity, but the presence of eternity.” – Jack Kornfield

Karma is the Guru (43:55) – Jack talks about Karma in simple terms and helps us understand the important lessons Karma has to teach us.

“Karma is the Guru, no, it is the Supreme Lord.”  – Lord Krishna, S’rîmad Bhâgavatam 

To hear Raghu’s conversation with Dr. Robert Svoboda, listen to Ep. 218 of the Mindrolling Podcast!

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Photo via Mary Godschalk