Jack Kornfield, who trained as a Buddhist monk in the monasteries of Thailand, India and Burma, then returned to the US, where he became one of the leading voices in Buddhism in the West. He co-founded the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, with Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein, then he went on to start the Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, California. He’s written many books, including his latest, All In This Together, which is the focus of the conversation you’re about to hear, along with a new online course he just posted, called Stand Up for Compassion – which is about staying steady in difficult times.
Episode cheatsheet
The big takeaway
Jack Kornfield offers a wise, practical roadmap for how to stay sane and compassionate in a world beset by anxiety, division, and uncertainty. He argues that while we can’t control outcomes or single-handedly solve society’s crises, we each have the inner resources to strengthen ourselves, embody courage, and act with loving intention to heal ourselves and those around us.
Finding steadiness in a chaotic world: Key takeaways
It’s not just outer climate change—inner climate change matters, too.
Jack says true healing starts by transforming greed, hatred, and ignorance in ourselves.
The “Great Turning”: Times of crisis are, paradoxically, a profound opportunity for societal and personal transformation.
Act from love, not fear. Fear and anger may feel natural right now, but real effectiveness and enduring change come from steadiness, integrity, and compassion.
You can’t control results, only your actions. Focus on planting seeds of goodness and trust that even small acts of care can tip the larger balance.
6 practical tips for weathering insane times:
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