Jack Kornfield - Heart Wisdom - Ep. 51 - Identity and Freedom

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Jack Kornfield - Ep. 51 - Identity and Freedom: • Jack Kornfield - Heart...
Jack Kornfield - Ep. 51 - Identity and Freedom: beherenownetwo...
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Jack delivers a talk on how identity leads us to suffer and shares the Buddha’s path towards freedom from that suffering.
The Buddha’s teachings are a path to end suffering. Part of this is our identity, which is caused by our clinging to impermanence. Jack shares these teachings, along with an ethical system which enables us to let go of our suffering by living with integrity.
Show Notes
Creating A Space (Opening) - Jack speaks to the importance of finding a place where you can listen to yourself in a deeper way. Every wise culture in the world knows that we need time to go out into nature, creating a space where you can listen to your heart and your body for a rhythm. Sometimes the question is not about the future of humanity, but the presence of eternity. Are we connected to something that is timeless and great that gives us an understanding of how to live in this mysterious life?
“It seems as although we thought ourselves permanent, we are not. Although we thought ourselves settled, we are not. Although we thought we would last forever, we will not.” - The Buddha
Identity (4:30) - The question of identity is at the heart of much spiritual tradition. The Buddha says that liberation allows you to move through the world without clinging, without grasping without being entangled with other things in this world.
Nothing is permanent, everything in life is here today and gone tomorrow. Grasping at what is impermanent is part of what causes suffering. A way to avoid this is to turn our attention from experience as it happens and turn inward. Turning back to the one that knows; back into consciousness.
Who Do You Think You Are? (9:55) - Jack addresses our true nature. Our body exists in time, but the consciousness that observes is outside of time.
Who do you think you are? Are you the eggs you ate for breakfast? Are you your accomplishments or haircut? When we don’t identify with our grasping, there comes a joy and ease that you can move through the world in a liberated way. This is described in the first teachings of the Buddha which discuss suffering. He teaches that there is a cause to suffering and a path to the end of suffering.
Sharing (15:00) - Sharing with others is a way to keep our grasping at bay. By sharing with others, you shift your identity from ‘mine’ and ‘me.’ This allows you to expand who you are and share with others.
“You’re just an accountant in the firm anyway, you don’t own this stuff.” - Ram Dass
Sīla (19:45) - By living with integrity and virtue, known in Pali as sīla, we free ourselves from the power of fear and grasping. In doing so, we shift our identity from fear to one of reverence in life.
Samadhi (24:50) - Samadhi means concentration as well as calming the mind. While sitting or walking, you will find your mind scattered. As you sit and begin to practice, there comes a shift of identity from the torrent of thoughts. You start to let yourself get calmer and clearer.
Paññā (31:20) - Paññā is the ethic of wisdom and mindfulness. The Buddha says that eating, sitting, and standing are all opportunities to practice this quality of mindfulness.
“My friends, there is a most wonderful way for living beings to realize purification; overcome grief and sorrow; end pain and anxiety. Travel the true path and realize liberation of heart and mind.” - The Buddha
Jack walks through a loving awareness meditation. This is a valuable meditation for practicing mindfulness. He also addresses the feelings and thoughts that come up during this practice and how to move past them.
How Do You Carry Suffering? (48:45) - We all carry our suffering. The question is how do you carry that suffering? Do you take it personally, by fighting and struggling? Is there a way that you can carry it with dignity and a free heart?
“Overcome any bitterness, because you are not up to the magnitude and the pain that was entrusted to you. Like the mother of the world, each of us is sharing a part of her heart. Therefore, each human being is endowed with a certain measure of cosmic pain. You are called upon to meet it with compassion instead of self-pity.” - Sufi teaching
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[@BeHereNowNetwork]

Wat​ch the latest Ram Dass Documentary film on Becoming Nobody on gaia.com/BeHereNow. The gaia.com/BeHereNow library supports you with transformational content. See it for yourself and go to gaia.com/BeHereNow and check out the Be Here Now Playlist curated just for you. Visit gaia.com/BeHereNow to start your free trial today.

[@erikasmith946]

Thank you, this is just what I needed. I've been having such a difficult time with what is happening in America with the authoritarian movement And the maga people. The spread of hate and cruelty Has left my heart so dark and agitated. If anyone else has been having this problem? I would love some feedback.. Working on loving awareness today and a news fast.

[@irenamangone]

Thank you

[@JL-zt6ld]

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