Most of us have spent our lives caught up in plans, expectations, ambitions for the future; in regrets, guilt or shame about the past. To come into the present is to stop the war.
Jack KornfieldRead
Beneath the sophistication of Buddhist psychology lies the simplicity of compassion. We can touch into this compassion whenever the mind is quiet, whenever we allow the heart to open.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The essence of Buddhist psychology is rooted in compassion, accessible in moments of calm and openness.
Jack Kornfield highlights the profound yet simple principle of compassion found in Buddhist psychology. Despite the complex nature of the teachings, true understanding comes from a quiet mind and an open heart, allowing individuals to connect with their innate capacity for compassion toward themselves and others.
Themes
CompassionBuddhismPsychologyMindfulnessEmpathy
In practice
Example use cases
In a meditation workshop focused on mindfulness and compassion.
More from Jack Kornfield
All quotes βWe need courage and strength, a kind of warrior spirit. But the place for this warrior strength is in the heart. We need energy, commitment, and courage not to run from our life nor to cover it over with any philosophy-mate rial or spiritual. We need a warriorβs heart that lets us face our lives directly, our pains and limitations, our joys and possibilities.
Jack KornfieldRead
The questions asked at the end of lie are very simple ones: Did I love well? Did I love the people around me, my community, the earth, in a deep way? And perhaps, Did I live fully? Did I offer myself to life?
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We can bring our spiritual practice into the streets, into our communities, when we see each realm as a temple, as a place to discover that which is sacred.
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According to Buddhist scriptures, compassion is the "quivering of the pure heart" when we have allowed ourselves to be touched by the pain of life.
Jack KornfieldRead
Much of spiritual life is self-acceptance, maybe all of it.
Jack KornfieldRead
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