#315 A Big Dose of Perspective | Jack Kornfield
This is exactly what I needed right now: a huge, helpful dose of perspective in the midst of the political crisis gripping America -- a crisis which, of course, has ripple effects for the whole world. Jack Kornfield trained as a Buddhist monk in Thailand, India, and Burma. He went on to co-found the Insight Meditation Society and then its sister center, Spirit Rock. He holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and is a father, husband and activist. His books have been translated into 20 languages and sold more than a million copies. They include, A Wise Heart, After the Ecstasy, the Laundry, and his most recent book, No Time Like the Present. You may ask: what’s the point of meditating when the world is on fire? Jack has extremely satisfying and practical answers. We talk about how to deal with anger and fear, how to talk to our kids, and whether people can feel it when we send them compassion or friendliness. Two quick notes before we dive in: you may hear a little ticking noise on Jack’s audio for the first ten minutes; it goes away after we discover that a wristwatch was placed near the mic. Second, he leads a quick guided meditation in the middle of our chat. Don’t close your eyes if you’re driving!
Where to find Jack Kornfield online:
Social Media:
Book Mentioned:
- The Wise Heart: A Guide to the Universal Teachings of Buddhist Psychology by Jack Kornfield
- After the Ecstasy, the Laundry: How the Heart Grows Wise on the Spiritual Path By Jack Kornfield
- No Time Like the Present: Finding Freedom, Love, and Joy Right Where You Are by Jack Kornfield
- The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined by Steven Pinker
Other Resources Mentioned:
- Gretchen Rubin Course Promotion
- Mahatma Gandhi
- Steven Pinker
- Alice Walker
- Fear is the Cheapest Room in the House By Hafez
- H.L. Mencken
Additional Resources:
- Ten Percent Happier Live: https://meditatehappier.com/live
- Coronavirus Sanity Guide: https://www.meditatehappier.com/coronavirussanityguide
- Free App access for Frontline Workers: https://meditatehappier.com/care
