Heart Wisdom – Ep. 313 – Winter’s Sacred Pause: Standing Still in a Turning World

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As we fully enter the winter season, Jack reflects on the ancient meaning of solstice—the standing still—and what becomes possible when we allow ourselves to pause. In a world shaped by speed, grief, and uncertainty, he invites us into stillness as a sacred act.

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“To be able to come together and not do anything is an extraordinary thing in our culture and our time.” –Jack Kornfield

In this episode, Jack explores:
  • The sacred meaning of the winter solstice
  • Stillness as a spiritual practice
  • Impermanence and the uncertainty of human life
  • Holding grief and beauty at the same time
  • Birth, death, and remembering what truly matters


“Imagine this is your last day. Who would you call? What would you say? And why are you waiting?” –Jack Kornfield, reflecting on a teaching from Stephen Levine

This Dharma Talk originally took place in Dec 2025 for the Spirit Rock Monday Night Dharma Talk and Guided Meditation. Stay up to date with Jack’s upcoming livestreams and events here.
Subscribe to the weekly Heart Wisdom Podcast with Jack Kornfield on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, and explore Jack’s ever-expanding Heart Wisdom Podcast library here on JackKornfield.com
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