Jack Kornfield’s Dharma Talks – Part I

Over the years of teaching, I’ve found a growing need for profound lovingkindness and compassion–a transformation of the heart–to underlie the insights and understandings that come out of the practice. An opening of the mind needs to be supported by compassion from the heart if the practice is to be integrated, fulfilled, and lived in our lives.

2021-07-19 Meditation: Listening with the Heart | Monday Night 23:59 Download Listen Direct mindful loving awareness to the mind. The mind secretes thoughts, stories and memories. You are the loving awareness that feels the stream of the mind, that knows it—all the busyness, hopes, and ideas. Listen now to the wisdom mind. It has a message for you. It has wisdom that you need just now. Now let the field of loving awareness open, so the heart knows you can listen to the world around you with tender care. By listening with a compassionate heart and a wisdom mind, your understanding can grow. Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2021-07-19 Listening with the Heart | Monday Night Talk 50:31 Download Listen We are each other’s bond. We are each other’s community. We are each other’s family. What we most want, perhaps, is to be listened to in the deepest way, to be met with the heart. When we learn to rest in awareness, there’s both caring and silence. There is listening for what’s the next thing to do and awareness of all that’s happening, a big space and a connected feeling of love. When there is enough space, our whole being can both comprehend the situation and be at ease. We see the dance of life, we dance beautifully, yet we’re not caught in it. Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2021-06-14 Summer Solstice | Monday Night Talk 55:50 Download Listen Here we are in the change of seasons—the great turning. The sun is something for us to pay attention to, something we often take for granted. Notice the way the gift of sunlight streams behind everything—it feeds the plants we eat. We can be grateful for sunlight and trees, for people we love, for moments of goodness, and for the breath within our breast. And as our gratitude grows, we may discover a happiness without cause. Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2021-06-14 Q and A: Summer Solstice | Monday Night talk 21:30 Download Listen Q and A from Monday Night Dharma Talk, Summer Solstice 06-14-2021 Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2021-06-14 Meditation: Summer Solstice | Monday Night 26:41 Download Listen May you be at ease. May you be well. May you be healed. May you be happy. As you offer this lovingkindness to yourself, image you can fill yourself with the light of your loving awareness. Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2021-05-24 The Compassionate Heart | Monday Night Dharma Talk 54:38 Download Listen With mindfulness we can open to the mystery of our human incarnation—to gaze with an open heart at the unbearable beauty and the ocean of tears that make up life. Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2021-05-24 Meditation: The Compassionate Heart | Monday Night 28:43 Download Listen Picture someone you care about, someone you love. Feel the natural well-wishing of love. Surround them with care: “May you be held in compassion. May your struggles and sorrows be eased. May your heart be at peace.” Now imagine that this person wishes the same for you. Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2021-05-24 Q and A: The Compassionate Heart | Monday Night talk 14:48 Download Listen Q and A from 05-24-2021 Monday Night Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2021-04-12 Joy (Mudita) | Monday Night Dharma talk 58:35 Download Listen “Live in joy, in love, even among those who hate. Live in joy, in health, even among the afflicted. Live in joy, in peace, even among the troubled. Look within, be still. Free from fear and attachment, know the sweet joy of the way.” —The Buddha (Dhp 197-200, Byrom) From suffering, greed, hatred, and fear we can shift our whole identity and find well-being, release, & freedom. This is possible for us and those around us. Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2021-04-12 Meditation: Joy (Mudita) | Monday Night 29:23 Download Listen Let yourself think of someone you care about. Picture them, remember them, see them in your mind’s eye or hold them in your heart. Imagine their happiest moment as a child. Then begin to wish them well: “May you be joyful. May you remember that child of spirit that was born in you. May your joy increase. May the causes for happiness and joy grow stronger in your life.” Then imagine this person wishing the same for you. Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2021-04-12 Q and A: Joy (Mudita) | Monday Night talk 18:52 Download Listen Q and A from 04-12-2021 Monday Night Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2021-03-22 The Sacred Pause | Monday Night talk 52:03 Download Listen How do we tend ourselves, how do we tend this world? Can we pause, be present, take a step back and be the loving awareness that witnesses it all? We are consciousness itself having a human experience. This is an invitation to pause, to walk among the trees, to take time, to remember the sense of mystery. With mindfulness you may discover a peace that allows you to be present, compassionate and open. Mary Oliver writes: When I am among the trees, especially the willows and the honey locust, equally the beech, the oaks and the pines, they give off such hints of gladness. I would almost say that they save me, and daily. I am so distant from the hope of myself, in which I have goodness, and discernment, and never hurry through the world but walk slowly, and bow often. Around me the trees stir in their leaves and call out, “Stay awhile.” The light flows from their branches. And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say, “and you too have come into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled with light, and to shine.” Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2021-03-22 Meditation: The Sacred Pause | Monday Night 26:53 Download Listen Basic instructions for insight meditation. Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2021-03-22 Q and A: The Sacred Pause | Monday Night talk 20:02 Download Listen Q and A from 03-22-2021 Monday Night Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2021-02-08 Seeing the World with the Heart of Wisdom | Monday Night talk 51:25 Download Listen We have the capacity to be awake and to see the world as it is with a graciousness and an understanding. As the poet Mary Oliver writes, “To live in this world, you must be able to do three things: to love what is mortal; to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it; and, when the time comes to let it go, to let it go.” This is our dance, our human incarnation: to tend and love that which is ephemeral. Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2021-02-08 Meditation: Loving Awareness | Monday Night 26:47 Download Listen The freedom of loving awareness is available; it just takes practice for you to remember it, and to trust that it is always here. When you feel lost, stuck in a tiny part of the big picture, contracted, or caught up, take a breath and visualize yourself stepping back. With a spacious mind, you can witness even these contracted states and hold them in loving awareness. Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2021-02-08 Q and A: Seeing the World with the Heart of Wisdom | Monday Night talk 20:06 Download Listen Q and A from 02-08-2021 Monday Night Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2021-01-25 Reconciliation | Monday Night talk 53:22 Download Listen Conflict is natural—we can be attached to our needs, desires, ideas and visions. Our brains are wired with a negativity bias to look for things that are threatening. But some other part of us knows there is another way. We need to pause and reflect for a moment. What is it that matters most? This vision is needed more than ever in the midst of our difficulties. Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2021-01-25 Meditation: Reconciliation | Monday Night 31:32 Download Listen This meditation is a deep-hearted reflection, a possibility, a yearning, a vision. Even if we cannot or should not speak to the other, we can find the courage to hold reconciliation and goodwill in our own heart.To recite the intention of reconciliation is to willingly plant a seed of reconnection and love in our heart. As we repeat each phrase, we turn our intention to the possibility of restoring harmony where suffering has set us apart. May our lives lead to wise, healthy, and courageous reconciliation. Further reading: “The Art of Forgiveness, Lovingkindness, and Peace” Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2021-01-25 Q and A: Reconciliation | Monday Night talk 29:56 Download Listen Q and A from 01-25-2021 Monday Night Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2020-12-14 Rekindle and Renew | Monday Night talk 40:44 Download Listen Many of us discover we live partially in a dreamworld, cut off from our body and whole pieces of our life. Though we may sense our disconnection, we do not know exactly what is wrong. James Joyce captured this dilemma when he wrote of one character, “Mr. Duffy lived a short distance from his body.” Enlightenment must be lived here and now through this very body. In this body and mind we can discover the cause of suffering and the end of suffering. For awakening to be an opening into freedom in this very life, the body must be its ground. Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2020-12-14 Meditation: Breath Love In Breath Love Out | Monday Night Talk 24:18 Download Listen Meditation is an invitation in this moment’s practice to turn our attention to our body, heart and mind. Begin to pay attention to this mysterious human incarnation. Feel how your body is breathing itself… you don’t have to do anything. Add metta or lovingkindness to each breath. With each breath in, fill your body and being with lovingkindness for yourself. With each breath out, sense you are sending love out to the world. Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2020-12-14 Q and A: Rekindle and Renew | Monday Night talk 26:36 Download Listen Q and A from 12-14-2020 Monday Night Dharma Talk Rekindle and Renew Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2020-11-23 Wonder, Mystery, Awe, Gratitude | Monday Night talk 50:28 Download Listen We are spiritual beings incarnated into human form. We need to remember our zip code as well as our Buddha nature. We are creatures of this paradox. The middle way invites us to find peace wherever we are, here and now. By neither grasping nor resisting life, we can find wakefulness and freedom in the midst of our joys and sorrows. Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2020-11-23 Q and A: Wonder, Mystery, Awe, Gratitude | Monday Night talk 28:40 Download Listen Q and A from 11/23/2020 Wonder, Mystery, Awe, Gratitude Monday Night Talk Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2020-11-23 Meditation: Just Like Me Compassion Practice | Monday Night 26:28 Download Listen How do we relate to people who are wildly different? In truth, we have more in common than not. When we can see one another with the heart and eyes of wisdom, we’re reminded that there is something bigger than all our ideas. Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2020-08-24 Suffering is Not the End of the Story | Monday Night talk 55:20 Download Listen Suffering is not the end of the story. We can get lost in our suffering. But we can also be witness to bravery and the possibility of life. Mindfulness can help us live wisely amidst difficulties. Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2020-08-24 Q and A: Suffering is Not the End of the Story | Monday Night talk 29:44 Download Listen Q and A from 8/24/2020 Suffering is Not the End of the Story Monday Night talk Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2020-07-20 The Peaceful Heart | Monday Night talk 47:08 Download Listen In this dharma talk, Jack discusses how the combination of compassion and equanimity gives rise to a peaceful heart. Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2020-07-20 Q and A: The Peaceful Heart | Monday Night talk 30:32 Download Listen Q and A from 07/20/2020 The Peaceful Heart Monday Night talk Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2020-04-20 Courage in Our Difficult Times | Monday Night talk 45:37 Download Listen The value of our harshest difficulties is how honestly they cause us to question, how they intensify our courage and bring alive our deepest inner purpose, how they reawaken our soul’s task on earth. In willingly facing the unknown, we offer trust in a greater purpose. And then we must venture wherever the road leads us, in spite of the dark, in spite of the quivering of our heart. Ultimately true strength meets the vulnerability of life with courage. Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2020-04-20 Meditation: Courage in Our Difficult Times | Monday Night 23:55 Download Listen Guided meditation for bringing loving awareness to all aspects of experience. Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2020-03-02 Calm Clarity Compassion | Monday Night talk 1:10:51 Download Listen with Paul Hawken How can we navigate through hard times? This is an excerpt of a talk Jack Kornfield gave with environmentalist Paul Hawken on March 2, 2020 at Spirit Rock Meditation Center on how to stay grounded and steady as we navigate the spread of the Coronavirus and other challenges. The need for the Dharma is stronger than ever. We can choose to live in our fears, confusion, and worries, or to stay in the essence of our practice, center ourselves, and be the ones that demonstrate patience, compassion, mindfulness, and mutual care. Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2020-01-13 Climate Change / Ram Dass | Monday Night talk 62:14 Download Listen Jack talks about climate change, remembering the bigger picture of life, and the uncertainty of tomorrow. He also shares some memories and honors Ram Dass. Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2019-12-16 Loving the World | Monday Night talk 45:03 Download Listen Winter Solstice and finding inner light in times of darkness. Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2019-12-16 Meditation: Loving the World | Monday Night 23:16 Download Listen Loving Kindness Meditation for the World Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2019-11-04 The Wisdom of the One Who Knows – Monday Night Dharma Talk 67:43 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2019-08-26 Who Are You? The Mystery of Identity and the Gift of Discovery, Understanding and Joy – Monday Night Dharma Talk 66:49 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2019-06-03 The Dharma of Climate Change – Monday Night Dharma Talk 1:18:32 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2019-04-29 The Power of Story – Stories that open the mind, mend the heart and lead to joy – Monday Night Dharma Talk 65:38 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2019-03-04 Monday Night Dharma Talk – Healing/Liberation through Mindful Loving Awareness 1:10:59 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2018-12-17 The Marvelous Bodhisattva Vimalakirti: A story of entering all the realms with an awakened heart. – Monday Night Dharma Talk 1:16:22 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2018-10-22 The Buddha’s Last Teachings: A Story of Inspiration and Wisdom – Monday Night Dharma Talk 62:20 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2018-09-17 Respect – The beauty that grows from respect for all 68:31 Download Listen Monday Night Dharma Talk Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2018-08-20 Nachiketo and the Lord of Death – How to move through difficulties as a transformative initiation. Monday night dharma talk. 61:02 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2018-06-16 Dana Talk 7:04 Download Listen Insight Meditation Society – Retreat Center :  IMS Dana Talks – PRIVATE

2018-06-11 Remembering Ajahn Chah 66:49 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Monday and Wednesday Talks

2018-05-07 Mindful Loving Awareness – Monday Night Dharma Talk – Part 1 – The Three Gates to Freedom 65:33 Download Listen When you are mindful, loving awareness offers you practical and revolutionary gifts of freedom. Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Monday and Wednesday Talks

2018-05-07 Mindful Loving Awareness – Monday Night Dharma Talk – Part 2 – Big Sky Mind Meditation 44:57 Download Listen Guided Meditation Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Monday and Wednesday Talks

2018-04-09 A Peaceful Heart – How to live with balance, equanimity and a peaceful heart. 60:12 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Monday and Wednesday Talks

2018-02-25 Buddhist Psychology 6:39:27 Download Listen Daylong Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  March Insight Meditation 1-Month Retreat

2018-02-19 The Garden of the Heart – Monday Night Dharma Talk 59:58 Download Listen How we can mindfully tend and nurture the body, heart and mind Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Monday and Wednesday Talks

2017-12-18 Monday Night Meditation Talk (Drop-in at Spirit Rock) 2:19:53 Download Listen Qualities of the awakened heart – topic of love Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2017-10-30 Not yet titled 1:58:44 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2017-10-23 The Bodhisattva Path of Joy (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 62:04 Download Listen How the depth of meditation leads to Bodhisattva service, love and joy. Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Fall Insight Meditation Retreat

2017-10-17 Liberation and Mindfulness (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 61:48 Download Listen Here and now, how the deepening levels of Mindfulness and Loving Awareness can free the heart and mind. Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Fall Insight Meditation Retreat In collection Developing Our Practice

2017-10-14 The Essence of Buddhist Psychology – Daylong, Part 2 afternoon 3:30:33 Download Listen Discover inner capacities for wakefulness, joy, dignity, and compassion – your Buddhanature. Our training will study the fundamental principles of Buddhist psychology, combing practical examples, teaching stories, visonary wisdom and case studies. We will explore applications of the revolutionary perspectives in our healing work, our meditation and our life. Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2017-10-14 The Essence of Buddhist Psychology – Daylong, Part 1 morning 4:39:20 Download Listen Discover inner capacities for wakefulness, joy, dignity, and compassion – your Buddhanature. Our training will study the fundamental principles of Buddhist psychology, combing practical examples, teaching stories, visonary wisdom and case studies. We will explore applications of the revolutionary perspectives in our healing work, our meditation and our life. Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2017-07-31 Monday Night Meditation Talk (Drop-in at Spirit Rock) 1:42:38 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2017-06-19 Energy to Awaken 61:41 Download Listen Monday Night Dharma Talk Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Monday and Wednesday Talks

2017-06-19 Monday Night Meditation 35:22 Download Listen Monday Night Meditation Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Monday and Wednesday Talks

2017-04-24 The Tender Heart of Life and Death (Drop-in at Spirit Rock) 2:07:13 Download Listen Monday Night Meditation and Dharma talk with Jack Kornfield and Frank Ostaseski Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Monday and Wednesday Talks

2017-03-20 Surprising Delights of Renunciation (Drop-in at Spirit Rock) 66:50 Download Listen Monday Night talk with Jack Kornfield Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Monday and Wednesday Talks

2017-02-27 The Joy of Virtue (Drop-in at Spirit Rock) 65:50 Download Listen Monday Night Dharma Talk at Spirit Rock Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Monday and Wednesday Talks

2017-01-30 The Generous Heart (Drop-in at Spirit Rock) 62:10 Download Listen Monday Night Dharma Talk at Spirit Rock Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Monday and Wednesday Talks

2016-12-12 Spirituality and Politics (Drop-in at Spirit Rock) Part 2 of 2 2:16:14 Download Listen Monday Night Dharma Talk at Spirit Rock Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Monday and Wednesday Talks

2016-11-14 Spirituality and Politics (Drop-in at Spirit Rock) Part 1 of 2 69:11 Download Listen Monday Night Dharma Talk at Spirit Rock Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Monday and Wednesday Talks

2016-10-28 The Bodhisattva & Power of Intention 61:09 Download Listen How to set the intention of the heart as a Bodhisattva Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Fall Insight Meditation Retreat

2016-10-27 Big Mind Meditation 38:23 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Fall Insight Meditation Retreat

2016-10-23 Fourth Morning Guided Meditation 35:30 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Fall Insight Meditation Retreat

2016-10-21 Identity and Freedom 63:43 Download Listen The Path of awakening as a shift of identity Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Fall Insight Meditation Retreat

2016-09-26 Tending Yourself, Tending the World 67:26 Download Listen Monday Night Dharma Talk with Jack Kornfield Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Monday and Wednesday Talks

2016-08-29 Vastness and Love 61:46 Download Listen Dharma Talk from Jack Kornfield recorded at Spirit Rock on September 26, 2016. Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2016-06-13 Monday Night Meditation Class with Jack Kornfield 55:45 Download Listen Dharma talk from Monday, June 13th, 2016 Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2016-05-23 Monday Night Meditation class with Jack Kornfield and Mark Coleman 1:10:29 Download Listen Jack and Mark reflect on over two decades of teachings and events in the Community Meditation Hall as the old hall closes and Spirit Rock prepares to open the doors to its new Community Meditation Center. Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2016-05-07 The Bodhisattva Leaves a Retreat 65:49 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center (Yucca Valley) :  Spring Insight Meditation Retreat

2016-05-05 Day Six Instructions: Big Sky Big Mind 55:56 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center (Yucca Valley) :  Spring Insight Meditation Retreat

2016-04-30 The Seat of Awakening, Jack 52:11 Download Listen How to use the great invitation of mindfulness and loving awareness to awaken amidst all things. Spirit Rock Meditation Center (Yucca Valley) :  Spring Insight Meditation Retreat

2016-03-28 Attachment, Commitment and Love 53:55 Download Listen Dharma Talk from Monday Night Meditation Class on March 28th, 2016 Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2016-02-15 Guided Meditation from Monday Night Class on February 15, 2016 27:18 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2016-02-15 Monday Night Class Dharma Talk – Nobility and Love 68:08 Download Listen Dharma talk from Monday, February 15th, 2016 Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2016-01-04 Seeing Anew 61:39 Download Listen Monday Night Meditation Class Dharma Talk from January 4th, 2016 Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2015-12-14 Season of Generosity 68:01 Download Listen Dharma talk from Monday Night Meditation Class on December 14th, 2015 Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2015-12-14 Guided Meditation 41:44 Download Listen Guided Meditation from Monday Night Class on December 14th, 2015 Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2015-10-28 Big Sky Meditation 46:14 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Fall Insight Retreat

2015-10-26 Emptiness and the Power of Love 61:04 Download Listen How the quiet mind and open heart leads to wisdom, depth, and love. Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Fall Insight Retreat

2015-10-21 Planting Beautiful Seeds 57:20 Download Listen Tending the Garden of the Heart, overcoming obstacles, timeless awakening. Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Fall Insight Retreat

2014-08-11 Poetry in Dharma 1:10:45 Download Listen An evening of poetry with Jack Kornfield & Allison Luterman Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Monday and Wednesday Talks

2014-06-30 Wisdom 59:39 Download Listen Wisdom is always present, always available… Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Monday and Wednesday Talks

2014-06-02 What changes us in Spiritual Life 61:32 Download Listen The long and winding road and how the unexpected offers profound teachings… Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Monday and Wednesday Talks In collection Introduction to Meditation

2014-05-26 Memorial Day & Tibetan Monks chanting 66:21 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Monday and Wednesday Talks

2014-05-06 Guided Meditation – Emotions 41:10 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Spring Insight Meditation Retreat

2014-05-04 The Ten Paramitas 59:07 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Spring Insight Meditation Retreat

2014-04-30 Death and Identity and the Heavenly Messengers 1:42:25 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Heavenly Messengers: Awakening Through Illness, Aging and Death

2014-04-20 Compassion As We Take Action 53:08 Download Listen Recorded from Spirit Rock’s Earth Day Gathering Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Loving the Earth: Awareness, Action and Celebration In collection Loving the Earth: Awareness, Action and Celebration

2014-04-07 The Power of Pilgrimage 57:30 Download Listen The wonderful teaching of India and Burma, and exactly where you are today. Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Monday and Wednesday Talks

2014-01-06 You Can’t Stop the Waves… 56:10 Download Listen Finding compassion & balance amidst the wild & beautiful changes of Life… Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Monday and Wednesday Talks

2013-12-23 New Years Blessings & Kind Intentions… 47:38 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Monday and Wednesday Talks

2013-11-11 Veterans Day Bodhisatva 65:00 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Monday and Wednesday Talks

2013-11-04 The Fruits of Practice 63:59 Download Listen How to touch & embody & fulfill the fruits of Practice… Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Monday and Wednesday Talks