Jack Kornfield – Ep. 8 – Transforming Darkness

Jack Kornfield – Episode 8 – Holding Identity Lightly:
Jack Kornfield – Episode 8 – Holding Identity Lightly:
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Transforming Darkness: In attempting to draw light into our lives, we inevitably encounter the intrinsic darkness that surrounds our existence. Our task, as honorable beings, is to avoid letting the ignorant darkness take over our hearts, while simultaneously not averting our gaze. In meditation, we confront the full spectrum of experience, acknowledging these darker forces, and discovering the capacity to respond from a place of loving awareness. It will require the courage to act, but as the Buddha said, “If you can learn to dwell in your heart, offering love to all beings, that will be protection wherever you go.”

Episode Outline:

2 Kinds of Darkness – Fertile (From which all things arise – contains the potential of creation) and Blind/Unconscious (Operates below our basic level of awareness, often requires uncovering/recognition)
Practice – When we honor our meditation practice, we see everything – the full spectrum of our experience
Our Task – As honorable beings, we mustn’t let the outer (ignorant) darkness consume our hearts, while, simultaneously, not averting our eyes.
Violence – Has almost always been a part of our culture – What are the causes and conditions that create these negative aspects? We have to mourn tragedy, but also stand up for a different world. The darkness must be met with an equal force of love and courage
Dwell in the Heart – Never cease to offer love to all beings

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[mikejnwill]

I love Jack Kornfield. He's unpretentious, undogmatic, and full of love.

[viviannimue]

Just beautiful and of such deep wisdom and gentleness. Thank you Jack

[muzzamilla]

This may be my favorite J Kornfield talk so far; definitely in the top 3. So many gems 🥰🤗😿🧘🏽‍♀️🙏🏽💖

[leenicholson]

Boy this was a rich one. Thank you Jack!

[josephinefahey]

You are a very special man ! Many blessings to you and your beautiful Trudi

[katharinavonkuczkowski]

These inspiring ideas and the many hearttouching quotes and stories made me feel connected and supported. I was worried to go to my work in the youth welfare service during to the Corona crisis. Now I feel grounded, connected and willing to support. Thank you!

[Aum_shantishantishanti]

Oh my goodness that last part about Christ blasted my heart open .

[PlacesWeveBeen]

This is one of the darker and harder talks in this series - "not averting one's gaze" is a hard, but necessary.

[spyrospatragas]

Thank you sweet friend! This was wonderful! Greetings from Athens, Greece. Namaste

[maddymacd]

He is a authentic teacher, not like the money making machines like Eckhart Tolle/ Esther Hicks/ Oprah Winfrey

[marcosluna]

beautiful! youre amazing guys, you make all the difference in the world to me

[larryprimeau]

the only way to overcome darkness is by transcending the ego. Information.. even good information can't do it.

[larryprimeau]

what awakens love? the ego spends a lifetime trying to cultivate love.

[Kimoto]

We have not become less violent. Violence has simply become more diffused and integrated. His discussion about our entertainment is a good example of that. Ditto the weapons industry he pointed to. I'll add that the violence of our culture and economic structures, along with their greater reach also support this observation. Furthermore, the outward large scale violence is lessened only because the entities with the greatest capacity for violence find it to be economically inconvenient...

As for increasing human rights? Well... No. Civil rights have been on the decline actually even since immediately after the Civil Rights struggle in the U.S. with re-segregation, white flight, reversal of civil rights laws and legeslation, increasing far right power and activity (they even have their own news channel in the mainstream!). and that's just dealing with the U.S. The U.S. has actually been exporting its religious extremism to the point that several African countries have passed laws that imprison and gives death sentences to people judged to be gay.

I could go on but any honest, earnest, open look at the world around and within us makes it plain that violence is not on the decline. There's no such thing as progress. That's because the fundamental motivations behind the problems has not been addressed.

[nickidaisyreddwoodd]

There are some good humans. Most animals are good.

[integralstanley]

"The line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being and who among us is willing to destroy a piece of our own heart"?

[ramoesgaston]

I swear I can write my paper based on his anologies because I almost became a teacher at shambala and the scandal broke out talk about karma. I want to get my PhD in psychology now.

[YogaMitLeslie]

I didnt understand how I can support this? Maybe someone can explain it to me. I get so much from this I would love to support if I can.
Thank you :-)

[go]

If the beginning of your message is give us money, then the people who need help through their troubled times aren’t going to find it with you

[manishmishraji]

Sharing jacks innate common sense.. that's such a bad line.