BLOG
April 20, 2012
Yes, finally a blog page…
Welcome!
I’ve been posting musings on my Facebook page, and now that I have a blog page, they will be posted and saved here.
I hope you enjoy this – I always enjoy reading your comments.
Blessings,
Jack
Hello Jack,
First, I am looking forward to seeing you again at Spirit Rock soon.
I am going to Thailand in Sept/Oct for several months with my fiance who is Thai. I deeply desire to study and practice meditation and the teachings. Can you recommend a Teacher, Wat, or ‘School’ you believe would benefit me in Thailand. I know we will be spending time in the north (Chang Mai) since Siriporn’s Family lives in the area. Your recommendation does not have to be there though.
Thank you so much for this consideration. Be well, Sanford Wallerstein
Hello Jack,
We met a couple of months ago via Charlie Halpern and I’d love to reconnect.
Warmly,
Sujatha
Dear Jack,
I love your book “A Path With Heart”. A friend gave it to me in England/ Thanks for writing it. Hope to meet you one day in person. I live in Florida but travel quite a bit. You?
Lots of love
Klaus
Dear Jack,
I have been waiting for the details of your Paris trip to come up and I found them today. I am British but I live just outside Paris. I’m writing a novel with a meditation theme and would love to have a few words with you about it when you are here. I don’t know if that would be possible but I will be in the audience anyway.
Namasté Jane
Dear Jack:
I received your audio CR of “The Wise Heart…” from Amazon. It was a new copy, not used. Unfortunately, the package contained 2 copies of Disc 3 and no disc 1. I apologize for clogging your Blog, but I found no “contact” button so I’m trying this. Is there any chance I can get disc 1 emailed as a computer file that I could listen to. Amazon will refund a portion of my purchase, but I would have to pay shipping back and forth and I prefer to keep what I have, without buying a new copy. If you have CD one as digital audio and can email it to me – great. If not, ok, I’ll go on without. Feel free to delete this from your blog…it does not belong here, but did not know how else to ask the question.
Thank you, Narain
ps. I’m surprised to see my name “Narain” underlined in red as if misspelled…I thought perhaps THIS website might recognize it…Ha!
I once attended a workshop with Roshi .John Tarrant. Like most workshops, he a number of exercises where you paired off with another. I will always, always be appreciative that he made it OK, stated out loud, not to participate. He encouraged us to participate and, if applicable, confront our fears–but with compassion he told us he understood if some could not do it and it was OK.
I try not to be the guy that “takes offense.” It’s usually ego based and may be used for any perceived slight. That being said, my energy to take a stand in an extroverted culture is waning. I’ve been going at it my whole life and am tired.
I attended your workshop today, and I must admit I was surprised the way you dismissed introverts by saying “I know this will be hard for introverts,” but………. I have heard that for many years. Some will say that I am an adult and surely I could have just chosen not to participate. True, but there is a felt difference between refusing to go along and having it sanctioned as ok by the leader.
Jack, you have been my #1 teacher for 17 years. I’ve never met you, but you have had much influence in my life. I have respect and love for you that is beyond words. It’s just that the second-class standing of introverts gets to me sometimes. An exercise like today is fine for extroverted people, and I understand that this culture is SO dominated by extroverts that introverts can be a slight afterthought. Anyway, I don’t usually write things like this, but I just wanted to give a voice to my introverted nature. (I know you know this, but introversion is not pathology like shyness can be–they are ywo very different things)
I bow to you. Namaste
Greetings from Australia where in my life and in my work I am constantly inspired by your teachings. With kindest regards & much love. Penny (Northern Beaches Meditation Centre, Sydney Australia)
Jack,
I was rereading your “The Teachings of The Buddha”, and it occurred to me that:
A duck is a duck in the air, in the water, and on the ground. A duck does not die when it leaves the air, nor does it die when it leaves the water, no does it die when it leaves the ground. There are fish that fly, mammals that live in the water, and birds that live on the ground; none of whom are even slightly beyond their essential natures. All of them die, but not from being out of character.
Astronauts die in space, but we would misidentify them as having left their essential nature. They died as a result of their essential nature. Accountants die within the bounds of their nature, and die scuba diving as well.
Dr. Charles Tart described, as you recall, the concept of “being deeply onesself” as a path to personal transformation. Dogan may have gotten momentarily entangled on that path. We are always expected to say something, when silence usually suffices. We have problems with emptiness, even when it is what we need. It may well be that the first step towards breaking the chains of our predispositions, is the development of a high tolerance for emptiness, and a suspension of our sorting skills.
Dear Jack,
You have , for many years, inspired me.
I have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and I am terrified to take synthetic meds for fear I will not be able to meditate. Can you shed some light on this? Love Nancy
Hi, Jack–I am not sure this is the right way to reach you since I am unfamiliar with blogs! During your very stirring and inspiring talk about our traumatized soldiers last night, I thought of the front page (and all of page 17) of the New York Times Sunday (May 27) Arts and Leisure section–which you already may have seen–showing drawings and paintings of disabled Veterans in their hospital beds. The artists are part of the Joe Bonham Project “dedicated to to documenting the experiences of wounded service members.” It was started by an artist “when he realized how isolated most civilians…remained from the war.” And in the process, “drawing makes people really feel seen, on an emotional level.” Hopefully these works and resulting exhibits will proliferate!! Warms regards, Marsha T
Jack,
Hello! My wife and I would like to know when/if you may be coming to the Northeast US?
Peace,
Lou
Dear Jack, I was that strange American doctor in St. Petersburg with whom you and your family rode around the canals one White Night and also came to my apartment with them overhanging the Kazansky Sabor, the most beautiful church in Russia. I came from Russia to Zambia 8 years ago and now work with kids and pregnant women with HIV, which seems to have become my speciality. I have lost all ability to contact you, sadly, and tonight, listening to a pod-cast of you and Tara Brach from some time back, which someone sent me, I am struck by the marvelous good fortune I have had in meeting you in such a personal way. Remember the KW books on the shelf? Strange to say that even that has evolved, in the most marvelous way. I miss the White Nights of St. Petersburg and my friends and family there, but, oh, how I wish you could glimpse my life now. I would dearly love to be in touch again. Dr. Tim
I would love to know where to get the poster of the Swami on the surfboard with the saying “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn how to surf.”. That says it all so simply.
Hi Mr. Kornfield,
I am a Burmese who resides in Bay area and invited my Vippassana teacher (originally from Maymyo) in early July. Is it possible to bring him to visit Spirit Rock? He likes to see how the retreat centers are like in US.
I’d be really grateful if you can email me.
May
I find your work inspirational and so helpful in working with the awakening consciousness and compassionate teachings of the body. Thank you for all you do.
Jack, hello!
I have recently taken out of the Eugene Public Library your beginners book on meditation and found it wonderful! I took a 10 day Vipassana course up in WA in October and my results from that course has changed my world in so many positive ways. I am now on a pathway to aid others in meditation and am exploring all avenues of meditation. I am writing to just let you know your book on CD was a joy to listen to and follow.
Sincerely, Susan
Hellow,
I look forward to receiving your musings. I am committed to teach teacher how to use mindfulness with kids.
Namaste,
Lee@cognitiveyoga.com
Hello,Your books and listening to you on Dharma seed have helped me so much,thankyou!Could you help me receive the words of the poem by Lynn Park that you quoted on one of your talks.In it she speaks of meditation like entering a garden.
Blessings,Catherine
Dr. Kornfield and others,
Thank you for your teachings. I have a question regarding one of the stories you tell about the Buddha. It’s the story of how a prince and his servant came to the Buddha to be ordained. The Buddha ordained the servant first thus the prince would have to bow to him as the “elder.” I find this contradictory. If there is to be true equality there should be no distinction between prince and servant or servant and prince. If the Buddha did this as a lesson to the prince, as I interpret your telling of this story, he is using his judging mind. Could the lesson be multifaceted? Even the Buddha had to strive to maintain enlightenment and thus do we all. I offer this question to further understand the Buddha’s teachings and that your answer may be of benefit to all beings. L. Leach
Dear Jack Kornfiled,
Some people say therapy is different from Buddhism. In a big sense the may be. But aren’t they very much related though? How can integration happen without it when trauma has taken place? In ‘a path with heart’ you describe how in meditation tensions in the body need to be released, as they are memories held there. How they create openings. And that you advise to have support when doing that work.
I would so much appreciate an answer. I am a real meditator as well as artist, and am working towards a release of this ‘stuff’, and with that enable myself to be all that I am. I know that through painting I get in touch with these deep emotions and know that without the right support I cannot even go there. It takes great courage if I may say so. I feel so disheartened by all these people who were able to have a relatively normal life and do not understand what I am doing / talking about. I have never met a Buddhist who is also a therapist. Hence my question.
In great hope,
Nene
(in case you have great books you recommend readingregarding this, that would be welcome)
I have a visceral dislike of organised religion. I knew as early as 8 years of age that the “God’ the Judaism – based religions are based on, was non- existent.
Robert Persig’s book “Zen and the art of Motorcycle Maintenance”, interested me and I have been studying Zen, in a casual and non-organised way for the last 40 years. It is a great philosophy. I have left my children to walk their own spiritual path, and I find that they have all gravitated towards Buddhism in their adulthood. They are happy and free from guilt.
I have read a couple of your books. You write well and anyone who’s paying attention will benefit. I wish you a long and happy life.
Hello,
I was listening to a talk of yours from quite a while ago. You were telling a story about a men’s retreat you had been at and working with some recent gang members and military men. The focus was on violence/trauma/ptsd. You also talked about your involvement with other professionals developing a program to help others with this issue. Could you tell me if that collaborative project has ended and is there a training to learn about the outcome of that project? I work for a small, non-profit hospice and am interested in adding crisis intervention/critical incodent/ptsd training for the benefit of our community. Do you know of any of this type with a Buddist Psychology orientation?
Thanks,
Jimee Itzkowitz, LCSW
Bereavement Coordinator
Mercy Hospice
Roseburg, OR 97471
Dear Jack,
During the past couple of years, I got your audiobooks and your soft voice letting me know everything is going to be ok really helped…thanks.
Dear Jack,
Have just been gifted with “After ecstasy … “. Thank you for an amazing, wise and supportive book. Reading it during a rather turbulent time of practice has been like having a friend at hand who kept saying, “It’s OK, you’re not alone in this. Keep going”.
Looking forward to picking up a few more of your titles once I’m somewhere with a proper bookshop!
With deep gratitude and tender blessings,
Ian
Hi. I have a jhana question.
When you emerge from jhana, is it ok to ask questions like: What is my destiny in life? What job would make be happy? Why am I depressed?
Is this possible? Advisible?
Attachment v Non Attachment
A lot is made of the Buddhist philosophy of detachment and Non Attachment. Always at great lengths to say that these are not equal to indifference, the teacher nevertheless requires of the monk that he relinquish attachment in order to minimise suffering.
Its strange – the monk of the Forest Monastery owes his life to two human beings who became emotionally attached to each other prior to giving birth to him, and who continue being attached whilst rearing him. Had they not fallen victim to “love” he would not have been born, and he would not have been able to enjoy teaching others non attachment. In fact without attachment there would be few people to teach – why mate when all it does is lead on to suffering?
One woman, a Jain Nun, lived, as do your Monestery Monks, in great physical austerity and simplicity, and was taught the art of non-attachment. She enjoyed a friendship with another nun over many years until her friend died of TB. Unable to endure the lonliness, she chose to end her life. One could say that she hadn’t learnt non-attachment properly, or that she succumbed to an inevitable part of human life, attachment. Anyway she suffered for both causes, enduring the harsh programmes of austerity meant to bring about “liberation”, and the suffering brought about by the death of her friend. And yet, because of her “attachment” to her friend, she had many years of joy and fulfilment – love and suffering, both sides of the same coin.
The Buddhist preaches detachment – not indifference, detachment. Yet how are the two to be separated? I sit at the bedside of my dying Mother. Being my Mother, I love her, which means in non-Buddhist terms, I am attached to her, feel empathy for her, would rather it if she did not die. The love I have for her means that I suffer with her, take her part, feel her pain. Without that love, I could not undergo such agony. She dies;- I cry, because I remember the living years, when I loved and was attached to her. Does the Buddhist therefore recommend that Mother and Child, or loving friends, or brother and sister, pursue a policy of non attachment so as they do not suffer when they they die or are ill?
The Forest Monk, though attached to oxygen, food and shelter, is not attached to human beings. He does not love, which is an attachment, therefore he does not suffer. But if he does not love, then he cannot have proper compassion, which springs from love. He preaches detachment to those who love, but of what real value is this? Life itself depends on love in all its various forms.
The highest form of love, surely, is unconditional love, of the kind a parent (in some cases) has for a child. It is an attachment which brings both love and pain. Attempting to adhere to non attachment is, as emphasised by the experience of the Jain Nun, not only unrealistic but ultimately more painful than attachment.
This is a point I have pondered myself, do you have children? I have 2, 2 incredible incarnations that I love deeper than I imagine. Attached? More than most definitely. In fact, when I looked at my life and what would hurt if I lost it, it would be the people in my life whom I love. Anything else I could take it or leave it, conveniences of life one could live without, but I am neither identified nor attached to them, just those I love. And the pain of losing them is felt at the thought of losing them. However; I recognize the possibility, and I recognize that life is precious and that I have to hold them lightly and let them walk their journey and discover the world for themselves. It feels unnatural, I want to teach them all I know and protect them from all suffering and pain. Attachment is part of the human condition. We need one another, without eachother we do not develop, without love we do not thrive, without attachment to a ‘parent’ infants are left with psychological struggle and abandonment issues. Everything in ‘The Wise Heart’ resonates with me, but there are undeniable aspects of the human condition, the need to be loved and the need to feel the belonging to one another.. We will attach to and identify with almost anyone willing to love and accept us.
Hay My Dear Jack,
So pleased to write to you in order to inform you that i love your book ,your words ,your meaning, you know i took your book as a big helper for me.
i would like to keep touch by emails but i didn’t have your adresse mail.
we meet in the summer last August in Marrakech in Riad Kaiss.
Please if you can to contact me and to give you adresse email.
I have your brothther’s email but i try a lot of time to contact him but no answer i do not know if this one works or no.
For mine you will find it with your brother who made the reservation for you here.
Big big thanks for you.
Jack,
(and whomever else, I invite your feedback!)
Where do I begin? First of all, thank you for your time and consideration in reading this post. If I wasnt so far away Id try to get to spirit rock myself, but there are barriers, so this seems the next best thing!
I suppose I can start with the end of this April when I began to experience panic attacks for the first time in my life. I am 29. They hit me like a ton of bricks and to say the least, scared me senseless. I had no idea what was happening or where these were coming from. I tried counseling, this is where I was told I was experiencing panic attacks, but after 4 or 5 sessions I felt like it wasnt enough. In the throws of an attack, while trying to care for my 4 and 2 year old, I got online and found myself a retreat. I went away for 4 days where I was introduced to meditation and had some energy work done. When I got home I had really no idea what I had just experienced, although it was profound, I wanted to know more…this is where I met you:) I found the book “The Wise Heart” and began my quest for understanding. What a phenomenal read. It resonated so deeply with me, and I felt like a student discovering the secrets to life, however; I have also been left with very confusing thoughts. Debilitating thoughts. Ideas about life that can leave me feeling like all I want to do is shut off my brain and go to sleep. I am a full time mom and I have been exploring spirituality for the first time in my life, in the hours after my kids are in bed and any other minute I can sneak in. I have never considered myself on a universal level. I havent contemplated the idea of my soul/the knowing to any depth. Because I am embarking this journey solo I have no one to ask, did you think this? did you experience that? And I suppose this is the reason I am reaching out on this blog today, to you, to all those who have begun the journey from the comforts of their bedrooms, with nothing but some books, a journal and a wild mind.
I have come to learn that my mind is wildly dramatic. Anyone else? It can think thoughts from your newspapers worst headliners to today is the day I might die. Is it now? how about now?
When contemplating concepts from the book I have felt like I am on the verge of some mental illness, I have lost my mind, anyone else?
There are days I think, is this even real? Anyone else?
I risk sounding like I am losing it even posting these questions, but I can be going along the day and all of a sudden these thoughts arise and take me down. I guess what I would like to know are more of others expereinces with their minds as they walked this new path. And also, perhaps ways I can move out of these thoughts and into new, more productive and life fulfilling thoughts? I like to hear peoples expereinces and I have no one to exchange these thoughts with. I find it so overwhelming as well, there are so many ideas with respects to energy and in so many ways I see it as a denial of the human form. The goal is trancendence of the ego, the loss of self, becoming oneness, but what about the physical form? the form that cries? that laughs? that feels?
Well, I could probably write a much larger and indepth post. I have been at this for about 13 weeks, and although I have come an incredible distance, I dont think I have ever been so confused as to what I am and what I am doing here in my entire life. Prior to this, I had a very well defined idea of self. Now I feel like that entire person has been stripped of identity and I am just floatng through this thing called life.
Thank you to all who read this and respond. I am grateful. To have a community can mean so much.
Namaste
Dear Jack,
I have just finished “Bringing the Dharma Home” which I enjoyed very much. I particularlyly liked the down to earth way you speak about Buddhism as well as the honesty in the book.
One aspect of “Bringing the Dharma Home” (among many) that I found helprufl in my own practice was the meditations on forgiveness and loving-kindness at the end of the book. Do you know of any collections of meditations which are stated like these but focus on additional areas? I would love to find such a collection.
Thanks for your hepl
Peace,
Ed Krizek
Dear Jack,
Thank you for writing especially your last book “Bringing Home the Dharma”. The chapter on conscious parenting saved my sanity, and pointed me the way again how to raise my sweetest son.
kind regards,
Dear Jack,
Yesterday (28th Sept) I again encountered confusion on a Buddhist Facebook site regarding a quote attributed to the historical Buddha. This seems to be a common occurance today.
The particular quote was attached to a picture of a clock with the word ‘Now’ in place of every number. The Facebook site in question this time is called Buddhist Wisdom, and they are aware of the confusion themselves and are seeking greater rigour and accuracy in postings in having set up a forum in which I believe Sutras may be published and quoted from chapter and verse. Here is a link to the site in general: https://www.facebook.com/BuddhistWisdom?ref=stream
The quote in question is this: “The trouble is, you think you have time” – The Buddha.
One respondent on this particular stream questions whether this quotation is actually one of the Buddha’s own and mentions that he thinks it may in fact be a quotation of your own mentioned in your publication ‘Buddha’s Little Instruction Book’. The site administrator however insists that the quote is attributed to the Buddha in several books she has.
Clearly both cannot be so. In the interests of clarity therefore I thought I would see if I could contact you (this blog is the only way I have found and I’m not sure it will work) to ask you if you can shed any light on this yourself and perhaps clear up the confusion once and for all.
In dharma, with much gratitude and with well-wishing,
David
thanks Julia!
Hello Jack…
Sending deep gratitude to you, Stephen Fulder, Rabbi Ingber, and all the organizers of the NYC Peace Walk on Oct 7. Inspired by the walk and the meditations that were sent out beforehand, about ten of us from Thich Nhat Hanh sanghas walked here as a
“companion Peace Walk” in Oakland around Lake Merritt, and look forward to continuing this powerful practice of walking peacefully, for ourselves and all beings. With love, Lyn
Dear Jack
I am listening your CD’s from “The wise heart” and it is saving my life right now-thank you! I “am” a Yoga Teacher from Switzerland – did study Indian Philosophy for the past 4 years and I guess I am finally waking-up little by little.
My best friend, my husband who I love from the bottom of my heart has left me Nov. 4.
Most of the time I am in a stage of “freefall” trying to survive day by day.
Dec. 22, I will be travelling to Florida with my daughter, who’ll be visiting her father (my former husband), who lives there. I feel, the urge of trying to find a Yoga-Meditation Retreat somewhere in the area Dec. 25 or 26 till Dec. 30/31. It might be difficult though regarding the fact, that it is between X-MAS&New Year, where many activities are on hold, in order to gather with the family.
Would you know of some place?
With warm regards from snowy Switzerland
Francesca
Dear Jack,
Thank you for your wonderful work. It has been great to read about you in Collision with the Infinite by Suzanne Segal and The End of Your World by Adyashanti.
My name is Phoebe, and I was recently inspired to write this article on the spiritual awakening process for The Global Conversation, a publication on spirituality and global issues managed by Neale Donald Walsch (author of the Conversations with God series). I would definitely like to share it with anyone who might find it helpful or be inspired by it. It was published yesterday. Here is the link.
http://www.theglobalconversation.com/blog/?cat=170
Peace,
Phoebe Lackawanna
Greetings Jack Kornfield. Your blog has been added to my blogroll. Greetings from this fan.
how may i subscribe to your blog?
Jack
My name is Fred and I have a quick question concerning practice from your recommendation in a Path with Heart.
I am a Christian still clinging to God but quite a number of years ago became disillusioned with the church itself for many reasons to do with its path in Ireland . I started reading extensively in the Buddhist sphere , writers such a McLeod, Thay, Joko Beck, your friend Kubler Ross, Batchelor, Suzuki and others , including others from a Taoist background associated with my own studies of Taijiquan and Qi gong practices, the latter of which as you will know take a different approach to meditation practice. I am now getting ready to throw away my books and I find your recommendation to choose one path and devote your time and dedication to it, both timely and prudent – the books were necessary for some time but now it is almost as if I have been using them as a distraction from the work.
My question is twofold :
One – I assume its not at all necessary to set aside my belief in God – it may make me a defective Buddha but would not , I think detract from the value of a Buddhist training path per se ? ( or would it ?).
Secondly when you advise choosing a path , I assume it is not just in a particular element of the training – such as meditating on death and impermanence , but rather you encourage that one focuses on a particular school such as Theravden ?
While I feel in my heart that I know the answers on both aspects of my enquiry , I would welcome a comment no matter how brief. There are considerably fewer Buddhists in Ireland and this may well limit the options I may choose from.
Good wishes , as they say in Ireland , go n eiri an bothar leat ( roughly ” may the road (your path) go softly for you).
Hi, jack
I read your book ‘The wise heart’, and the other day a had an odd dream… In my past life I had a terrible life, I saw that, and I wrote everything about that. I saw my own birth, and from that moment I suffered all the punishment, because all the past that I gave to many people… When I born I didn’t cry, the doctor gave me 3 slaps. I didn’t cry, because I was paying attention to my mother’s pain… This was the pain that I gave to some people.
How you can liberate this karma… And I think that all the people around me are suffering for that cause. Thanks.
Dear Jack Kornfield, Thank you. I wish we had more Buddhist speakers visiting Atlanta. Plenty of books but the variety of teachers is lacking. Send help, running out of supplies.
Hello Mr. Kornfield~ I have been studying your concepts for several years now, and it has really helped me in many ways.
Thank you for your insights and perserverence in this relatively new way of thinking and living, it has helped heal me more than 20 years of counseling did.
I design digital and hand made study cards from your books to help me to remember some of the key points in your writing.
I would appreciate your input on what to do with these, as I seem to be amassing quite a lot of them! Let me know if you would like me to send you a link to the digital ‘cards’. By the way, I do not sell or profit in any way from these, though I have given away copies of my study cards.
Respectively yours, -Abby
Dear Jack,
I have never met you. But I have read some of your books and have utilized some of your meditation tapes. I first became familiar with you via Tara (Avtar) Brach, a Buddhist Psychologist in Bethesda Mayland. She frequently mentions your name when she teaches Vipassana.
I attended a few of her meditations classes and a workshop several years ago in the 1990′s.
since taking her classes, I have tried (off and on) to maintain a sitting meditation pratice, and have continued to read books on the practice of mindfulness. I don’t consider myself a Buddhist per se, except perhaps of the accidental variety, but I do practice prayer and meditation as a part of my 12 step recovery program.
I think sitting meditation practice has helped me to understand more deeply what true acceptance is. Life I think is very much about learning to take the bitter with the sweet with equanimity.
In my case, as a recovery alcoholic, it is also very much about learning to accept life on life’s terms, without taking a drink or a drug. So far, I have managed to do so for more than 25 years.
Anyway, in the interest of full disclosure, my politics isn’t very typical of someone who dabbles in Eastern Religions. For example, I believe in the Second Amendment (even though I don’t own guns), and think our fear of Global Warming is way over blown. I also don’t like or trust Barack Obama for numerous reasons thatare not related to his race.
I don’t know what your politics are but I hope that doesn’t make me your enemy.
Anyway, they say you won’t learn much from those who already agree with you, and there is nothing like exposing yourself to people with diverse opinions to avoid having a monolithic viewpoint.
I wanted to let you know that I have written a poem that was inspired by your Mind Like Sky Meditation. I hope you like it.
A Mind Like Sky
(By James Daniel Flynn)
I want to have a mind like sky,
where everything just passes by,
that’s large enough to hold it all,
From the dawn of day, until nightfall.
I want to have a mind of blue,
of snow and rain and sunshine too.
Where sunset sinks into the night,
to rise again, bold and bright.
With starlight, moonbeams, candlelight,
breathing deeply, all is right,
I’m large enough to let it go,
to fade into the after-glow.
Not to fight, or try to cling,
An open sky holds everything.
I am 74 years old. I meditate 1 to 2 hours a day. Metta and Anapana Sati. I have “Modern Buddhist Masters” (BPS 2007)
Wish to translate to Sinhala (Sri Lanka) the chapter “Sunlun Sayadaw” and print for free distribution to meditators in Sri Lanka. It will definitely help some of them. I have assisted Venerable Katukurunde Knanananda Bhikkhu (“Magic of the Mind” “Concept and Reality” and other books” – http://www.seeingthroughthenet.net).
Can you please inform what I should do. Thank you very much indeed.
N. W. N. Jayasiri
Dear M Jayasiri,
Please feel free to translate and use the chapter, with my blessing.
all good wishes,
Jack Kornfield
Good morning,
I am reading your book “the wise Heart”. It gives me a lot in the examples, clear explanations and especially especially the questions to ask to locate, identify sensations in the body, etc. ..
I’ve done several retreats that helped me see the path of the Buddha. I wish I attend a retreat at Spirit Rock. Only there is the language barrier. I am French and I do not understand sufficiently American language.
What interests me is what guided introspection work you are doing during these retreats. There is a constructive dialogue to better know him self. Is there a center in Europe practice your “method”? Of course there are Vipassana center in Europe and then in France, but a center practice your “method introspection” that’s what I research.
Thank you for your books which gives me a nice lighting
Best regards.
Hello Dear Jack,
My name is Enav from Israel. Im reading now your book “THE WISE HEART” wich infulance me alot. Latly i feel the need to go and learn buddhisem, in Asia. For my own development. I am working as a social worker, the beggining of my carrier. Laltey i beggin to undersand that before i help otheres, there are manny issuses and feers that are holding me back, i need to solve. When i read your book, i realise that i am looking for the right place for me, in order to do that. I feel that you are the person who can reccomand me a good place to start from, because of the long way you have gone through.. I am willing to devote my self for a period of time..
With honor and appreciation. Yours, Enav.
Dear Jack,
I am writing to express my gratitude to you. On April 9th of last year I lost my beloved husband of 40 years to brain cancer. Following his passing I was introduced to Buddhism through a book lended to me by my Hospice counselor, who was apparently quite tuned in to what I needed at the time. I’ve read works about Buddhism, and then your A Wise Heart leapt into my hands at our local library. I devoured that, amazed by the truth that spoke to my heart. I then purchased After the Ecstasy the Laundry. Today, after reading the section “The Child of Spirit” at the end of the book…and felt moved to write you, and was happy to find this blog. I feel so blessed to have had your words to comfort, inspire, and give me peace in this last year… and to take me forward as my life moves on into a huge unknown.
Although Ken’s passing was the “worst” thing that could have happened in my life. It stripped me to my core and I learned what it is to suffer deeply. Since then, however, I have been blessed with grace, wisdom, compassion and love in boundless measure from so many sources. Your teachings have been part of a new awakening for me. It is my hope that someday I will be able to write about this time as eloquently as you write about spiritual truth. And if not, that is okay, too. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Love and peace to you always.
Hello Jack,
I have read many of your books and listened to your dhamma talks and I just love to hear your voice and watch you on my PC. But, I really feel disheartened that I am not able to meet you in person since I live in India and can not at least for more years to come travel outside India.
My request to you is that please come to India and share your blessings with us.
Hi Jack,
I am wondering if you have any audio books or lectures specifically on relationship jealousy and how to overcome this? I could not find anything.
Lisa (Sydney, Australia)
Dear Jack,
I love reading your books. They very much support me in my mindfulness and meditation practice. Therefore I would like to join some of your workshops or retreats, but, while I live in the Netherlands, that is not that easy to realise.
Is there any chance that you will come to Europe to give a retreat somewhere in the forthcoming period?
With kind regards,
Karin van Kruijsdijk
Hi Karin,
Sorry, no plans to be back in Europe at this time. Glad the books are helpful. Many good Vipassana teachers in Europe too!
Warmly,
Jack
Namaste Jack~
Looking forward to being with you and Trudy again at the Spring Retreat at Joshua Tree. It will be almost exactly two yrs since I was with you, Trudy, Pat, Gina, & Lila at IMS.
I followed your advice…have been leading a weekly meditation group at the University where I teach(pt) , more involved with my Sangha..and am in 2nd year of training thru MTTI with Tara, Pat, Hugh & Jonathan.
With loving kindness~
Holly
Mr Kornfield,
Every time I hear you speak I cry.
Thank You
Alan
Jack, we have never met, but since 1993 I have been reading and studying your work, and I consider you my teacher. I just finished reading the Wise Heart and your explanations have made things so clear to me. I also have the Wise Heart on Audio and listen to it all the time and I get a more clearer understanding each time.
Thank You.
Namaste
Clare
Hello Jack,
I very much appreciate your writings! You have, especially, simplified “gift giving” for me — whenever a gift is needed I simply give one of your books.
I am, particularly, focused on “A Path With Heart”. My vocation, since returning from India in 1971, has been working with troubled youth. I am enthusiastically participating in your workshop in Portland next week and am hoping we can briefly connect to talk about a project I am working to create that combines teams of disadvantaged Mexican youth with Cowichan Indian youth. For this project I would like to create a course that combines your work with Mindfulness with David Suzuki’s work with “Worldfulness”.
Respectfully Enthusiastic,
Larry McIntosh
I just got the audio book “Roots of Buddhist Psychology” and I am very much taken with it.
Thank you for making this available
Is there any way to find out the origins of quotes from poetry and writings which occur in the book? There is a passage from what I think was Irish mythological poetry early on which was particularly stunning.
A drawback with audio books is that there is no list of references.
Dear Jack,
I just finished reading “The Wise Heart” and want to use many of the suggestions for meditation. It is a wonderful book.
A question for you: On Page 318 when lamenting about the nun saying a mantra of compassion over and over for an hour, etc…….You never once get the sense that she is glancing down at her watch thinking: “Jesus Christ, it’s only been 15 minutes.” Why did you feel compelled to use “Jesus Christ,” instead of Buddha or some other religious prophet. I found this most offensive. “Jesus Christ” was not needed – to enhance her exasperation This comment showed to me your lack of respect for those of other faiths/christian faith and was most offensive.
Thank you for the soft, beautiful and powerful Light that you have shed on my way as I was a 22 year old young girl who was eager to find friends that would share my spiritual journey.
Through After the Ecstacy The Laundry, I made my way for the day head, sitting on my bed in the mornings, touched by the soft light embracing me in the pages of the book.
Thank you for the beautiful duty you share with the humanity.
I work as a translator, based in İstanbul, Turkey.
I would love to translate your book into Turkish. Please contact me if you would like to.
Jack, I just want to say thank you. I hope I will be able to say it in person one day, but for now let my prayers be with you and yours with mine. Thanks again, Vale
All beings are worth saving – even your own.
Blessings,
Jack
Dear Jack, Thank you! I saw Spirit Rock recently while visiting your neighbors The Ciancutti’s (Railroad Ave) my son’s in-laws…You have assistad me greatly with the Loving Kindness practice! Thank you!! Do you have any free time while near us when at Kripalu? Could we break bread? I would love to tell you about our soon to open Mindfulness Center Here in Central CT. Your advise and council would be so wonderful…perhaps you could schedule a class during our opening year in 2014!!! Imagine a Catholic institution going ZEN!!!
Dear Jono,
THanks for your lovely and kind note. I do hope to see Ruth, but afraid my time is very limited with the retreats, and cannot offer a private meeting.
with all good wishes on your path,
Jack