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.
“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
For more podcasts like this from Jack, Trudy Goodman, Ram Dass, Sharon Salzberg, Joseph Goldstein and more, please visit the Be Here Now Network family of podcasts.