Meditation teacher Jack Kornfield explains the why and how of developing wise attention, or open awareness. Meditation comes alive through a growing capacity to release our habitual entanglement in the stories and plans, conflicts and worries that make up the small sense of self, and to rest in awareness. In meditation we do this simply by acknowledging the [...]
Buddhism’s Call to Action
Jack Kornfield on the importance of contributing to activism with Buddhist practice and wisdom. Science and technology alone cannot stop continuing warfare, racism, and environmental destruction. The illusion of separation that fuels global consumerism and greed, fear, and ignorance needs to be transformed by the realization of interdependence, by the illumination of [...]
How to Do Metta
Kuan Yin, bodhisattva of compassion. Photo by Liza Matthews. Jack Kornfield on beginning this time-honored, heart-opening practice. In our culture, people find it difficult to direct loving-kindness to themselves. We may feel that we are unworthy, or that it’s egotistical, or that we shouldn’t be happy when other people are suffering. So rather than start loving-kindness [...]
The Best of Jack Kornfield: Life, Teachings, Quotes, and Books
When the world is seen with the eyes of a bodhisattva, there is no I and other, there is just us. —Jack Kornfield Jack Kornfield is one of today’s most influential spiritual teachers. As a Buddhist monk-turned-psychologist, his skilled integration of modern psychology into timeless Buddhist teachings has helped people around the world heal their hearts and minds. His unique [...]
Don’t Wait to Be Happy!
A heartfelt message to us all, from Jack Kornfield. Dear friends, after more than forty years teaching mindfulness and compassion to thousands on the spiritual path, the most important message I can offer is this: You don’t have to wait to be free. You don’t need to postpone being happy. All too often these beautiful spiritual practices of mindfulness and compassion [...]
10 Buddhist Books Everyone Should Read
10 Buddhist books everyone should read, as selected by the editors of Lion's Roar. After the Ecstasy, the Laundry by Jack Kornfield (Bantam, 2000) According to Jack Kornfield, enlightenment does exist and is even pretty common. The rub is that after achieving it, day-to-day tasks and troubles still await you. This is a guide to translating our spiritual [...]
The Inspiring Story of Dipa Ma, “Mother of Light”
Amy Schmidt and Sara Jenkins tell the inspiring story of Dipa Ma, known as "the patron saint of householders." Gotama Buddha's familiar story follows the archetypal hero’s journey: he left behind wife and child and renounced the ordinary world to seek the holy life. Dipa Ma followed a similar path, but with an unexpected turn. Ultimately she took her practice home again, [...]
Now Is the Time to Stand Up: Practicing the Dharma in Uncertain Times, Part 2
After the election of Donald Trump, Lion's Roar shared a new teaching by Jack Kornfield, called "Practicing the Dharma Uncertain Times." Now, Jack follows up with second, more action-oriented installment of post-election guidance and encouragement. As long as a society holds regular and frequent assemblies, meeting in harmony and mutual respect, can they be expected to [...]
Practicing the Dharma in Uncertain Times
During times of pain and confusion, we arrive at the perfect place to deepen our practice of awakening. Following the results of the US presidential election, Jack Kornfield shares how to practice the dharma in these uncertain times. When times are uncertain, difficult, fearful, full of change, they become the perfect place to deepen the practice of awakening. After [...]
How RAIN Can Nourish You
Jack Kornfield teaches us the transformative mindfulness practice known as "RAIN." Mindfulness does not reject experience. It lets experience be the teacher. With mindfulness, we can enter the difficulties in our life and find healing and freedom. There are four principles for mindful transformation of difficulties that are taught in Western mindfulness retreats with [...]