Delve into the paradox of self and no-self in life with Jack, exploring the concept of selflessness and the Buddha's awakening. Learn about living in the reality of expansion and contraction, embracing interdependence and connection. Discover the importance of developing oneself while also 'losing yourself' and integrating spiritual practice into everyday life.
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Tale Of The Magic Monastery
Jack tells a magic monastery story: monks have a contracted daytime and an expanded nighttime state.
The mythical teacher contrasts judging daytime decorum versus measuring nighttime reach to stars and people touched.
insights INSIGHT
How Selflessness Shows Up In Experience
Selflessness appears when you sense life as a changing, flowing process rather than something you possess.
Jack lists signs: experiences are unpossessable and don't obey our will, e.g., body ages and gets sick despite hoping otherwise.
insights INSIGHT
Phenomena Arise And Pass On Their Own
Phenomena arise and pass by themselves; the mind mostly observes their coming and going.
Jack emphasizes breath, thoughts, and feelings 'do themselves' and we largely can't command their arrival.
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Exploring life as a flowing, dynamic process, Jack shares the jewel of Buddha's awakening by unraveling the paradox of self and no-self.
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"Each of those sets of words, 'self,' and 'no-self,' are concepts or ideas or words that we use in a very crude approximation of pointing to some mystery of this process of life that's neither self nor no-self." – Jack Kornfield
In this episode, Jack mindfully illuminates:
Unraveling the paradox of self and no-self
The Jewel of the Buddha's Awakening
Anattā (selflessness) and how it connects with respect
Tales of a Magic Monastery
Living in the reality of expansion and contraction
Why Ajahn Chah shared 'self' and 'no self' both aren't true
Learning to respect ourself and nourish beneficial qualities
Developing yourself while also "losing yourself"
Discovering your True Self
The importance of integrating our spiritual practice into our lives
Learning to live in your body and love well
"To be really present is to connect with the mystery." – Jack Kornfield
"You develop yourself as you lose yourself." – Jack Kornfield
This Dharma Talk estimated to be recorded on 4/23/1990 was originally published on DharmaSeed.
Learn the Dynamic Art of Interactive Guided Meditation with Jack Kornfield in an online masterclass! To take part in the two live online Q&A sessions, register by June 9 at bit.ly/InteractiveCohort
Heart Wisdom with Jack Kornfield