Heart Wisdom

Even in the most difficult times, it is possible to see something much bigger. We need to be able to envision another world—a world that is not ruled as much by greed or hatred or fear. It won’t change until we envision this. What level do you want to dance on? As Ram...

If the liberation of consciousness is the goal of spiritual practice, then why is it such a taboo to talk about actually reaching enlightenment in this life? We can unpack the concept of enlightenment by looking at the many enlightenments written about in Buddhist...

A conversation with Sylvia Boorstein around taking the Bodhisattva vow and staying in touch with our Buddha nature as we navigate our journey of awakening. As you sit, the unfinished business of your life comes – you start to become mindful of the things that are held...

We have the capacity to see this world in an illuminated way, and yet we do not see the mystery and magic of it. There is a need to understand these ancient stories as not just historical. We keep telling them because they resonate in a different way in the heart and...

A number of the Buddhist texts begin with this phrase. ‘Oh nobly born, oh you who are the sons and daughters of the awakened ones, the Buddhas and the bodhisattvas. Do not forget who you really are, do not forget your true nature.’ They begin with this beautiful...

It is one thing to study the texts or to do various practices or come on a retreat to learn the Dharma tradition, but the most important kind of communion is to experience it; to embody it and discover it in your own heart, mind and being. Of course, the essence of...

This week on the Heart Wisdom Podcast, we explore a particularly beautiful practice, known as the Big Sky Meditation, that guides us into a quality of presence that is entered through the doorway of sound. Enter the Big Sky (Opening) – Meditative practice comes alive...

Ajahn Chah was a Thai Buddhist monk. He was an influential teacher of the Buddhadhamma and a founder of two major monasteries in the Thai Forest Tradition. Respected and loved in his own country as a man of great wisdom, he was also instrumental in...

We revisit the adventure from the Upanishads of Nachiketa and his odyssey to meet with the Lord of Death. We look at the wisdom to be gained through the examination of Nachiketa’s initiation into his journey of awakening. Nachiketa accepted this journey, what he did...

As we reflect on the difficult and divisive time that the world finds itself in, let's look at the ways that inner development, through mindfulness and meditation practice, can enable us to form solutions to these challenges with compassion and equanimity. No matter...

These teachings welcome you all, whatever particular body you were born into. Whatever your class or sexual orientation or race. The gates of the Dharma are open and inviting. Gate of Awareness (5:30) – The goal of mindfulness and meditation practice isn’t about...

When we start to pay attention with mindfulness, we start seeing the illusion of separateness. This is also known as the small sense of self or the body of fear, what interferes with us seeing each other with the eyes of love and understanding. The outer developments...

Perfections of the Heart (Opening) – We reflect on the Buddhist teachings known as the Ten Paramitas, also known as the Ten Perfections of the Heart. We look at the importance of the Paramita of Metta (Loving-kindness) along the path of awakening and share a simple...

Tending the Garden of the Heart (Opening) – Our mindfulness and meditation practice is a practice of gardening the heart. What can happen to the suffering in the world if we spread the seeds of compassion and love? "There are ways where we step out of the small sense...

"In the ever-changing circumstance of the world – those outer circumstances are not what makes you happy. They will for a while, there is a certain kind of pleasure there, but the deepest happiness doesn’t come from outer circumstances. If we cling to greed, fear and...

From the beginning in Buddhist psychology, compassion and awareness are what went together. In order to be present for experience there has to be some element of kindness, otherwise you are judging it. But if you bring them together as loving awareness, then you are...

Whether it shows outwardly or is held inwardly, we all inevitably will face difficulty and suffering in life. Adhiṭṭhāna, one of the 10 pāramitās or “perfections,” represents the bodhisattva’s resolve to become fully awakened regardless of the challenges. Adhiṭṭhāna...

Through our various spiritual practices we are bearing witness to our human incarnation in a way that is unlike any other. We can find joy, even in the face of life’s greatest difficulties. The journey of awakening is one that lightens the heart and brings untold joy,...

Loving-awareness allows a profound shift of identity from a small limited sense of self to one of spacious wisdom. Exploring questions about freedom and identity are at the core of Buddhist practice. Examine how these two themes are intertwined and look in the mirror...

Without mindfulness, we exist in the cycle of living known as samsara. We examine how the different levels of mindfulness practice allow us to shed this fear-based way of being and live free of the trappings of delusion, greed and fear. Whether you are a long-term...

By acknowledging the inherent impermanence in life, we can become comfortable with uncertainty and better navigate our incarnations as they are given. The word Dharma means truth; it means the universal law. Dharma says that hatred never heals by hatred, but by love...

While our true nature is like that of the Buddha, we still must honor our uniqueness and individuality. To come and meditate is to come and center ourselves. It's helpful to step out of the busyness of our lives and come back to the mystery of our own breath, our own...

Ingrained in most modern cultures is the idea that progress is about speed and growth. This mindset of “more, better, faster” can have a negative effect on our development and quality of life. Remember the rhythms of life that you were born into; return to them. Live...

Inner development is needed to address some of our species biggest issues like warfare, racism, and addiction. To do this we must practice Right Effort to direct our attention and energy inward to affect the roots of these issues. We have an innate amount of energy,...

Letting go of our attachment and desire for control opens us to the vastness that this incarnation has to offer. How do we go about opening ourselves completely to life and love? The practice of non-attachment opens us to the vastness that life presents. Our suffering...

Explore the three-fold training in Buddhism which shows us the vastness and love within when we quiet ourselves. “When you live with integrity, when you speak what is true and you act in ways that do not cause harm, it changes your sense of self. You quiet yourself...

A Bodhisattva is one who has tread the path to freedom laid out by the Buddha and dedicates their life to sharing that with the world. On this episode of Heart Wisdom, Jack shows us ways to find the Bodhisattva within us all and the gateway to...

Jack is joined by Frank Ostaseski to talk about rethinking our perspective on life and death and starting with the fruit of practice. “When you open yourself, you get it all. That is part of what it means to be a loving human being. To grow your capacity to be present...

Although it may be difficult to equate happiness and renunciation; Jack illuminates the complexity of renunciation, and where in our life we can already find this happiness. In Theravada Buddhism, one of the recipes for human happiness is known as the Ten Perfections....

Virtue is one of the many qualities essential to the awakening of one’s true nature. Jack breaks virtue down to its most fundamental levels and shares the joy of virtue and living a life of integrity. Jack talks about the eternal qualities of awakening. Practicing...

By shifting our perspective on our own experience, we can better understand the world around us. Jack shows the importance of becoming the witness and seeing anew. What does it mean to see everyone and everything in a fresh light? Jack talks about the shift of...

On this episode of Heart Wisdom, Jack explores what it means to take the seat of awakening. Jack tells the story of the Buddha’s literal and figurative seat of awakening. The seat of awakening is the place from which our spiritual path begins. Jack prepares us for the...

On this episode, Jack speaks about the different aspects of inspired leadership and how to cultivate them in our lives. Jack explores the natural perfections of the heart and how to listen to the leader inside you. We also hear three stories of inspired leadership...

Jack delivers a talk on how identity leads us to suffer and shares the Buddha’s path towards freedom from that suffering. The Buddha’s teachings are a path to end suffering. Part of this is our identity, which is caused by our clinging to impermanence. Jack shares...

On this episode of Heart Wisdom, Jack helps us figure out how to come back to our lives after a retreat, explores the power of intention, and the role of the Bodhisattva. Show Notes How Do We Leave The Temple? (Opening) – How do we leave a spiritual retreat and...

This week, Jack discusses the divine feminine along with the past and present roles of women in the Buddhist tradition. We each carry within us both the masculine and feminine nature. Jack explores the Buddha’s teaching on the matter and what it is to embrace them....

In light of the political “bread and circus” happening in America, leading up to the 2016 presidential elections, Jack shares stories and wisdom on the topic of tending ourselves and tending the world. “The one who awakens shines with a radiance of spirit. Come out...

On this episode of Heart Wisdom, Jack talks about leadership, nobility, and love. American presidents George Washington and Lincoln are used as examples of men who showed true nobility of heart. There is a sense of justice in their words and a kind of integrity to...

Jack’s timeless wisdom leads the way as he responds to a handful of questions concerning some of the common struggles encountered on the human plane. How can we be present with difficult situations without indulging our emotions? The problem often lies more in the...