Ep. 322 – Wisdom for Difficult Times: AI, Compassion, and Community

May 6, 2026

Conversations explore ethical AI and a Positive AI initiative that steers technology toward compassion. Listeners hear about compassionate investing and community-backed projects. Practical guidance appears on caring for aging or ill parents and transforming rage into sustained, caring action. The importance of sangha as refuge and standing together with dignity is emphasized.

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INSIGHT

Training AI With Collective Wisdom

Jack Kornfield links AI ethics to the average internet, warning our models inherit the web's baseline values.
He describes Positive AI gathering wisdom from thousands of spiritual, indigenous, and philosophical teachers to train models toward compassion.

ANECDOTE

Barbershops As Health Access Points

Jack recounts investing in health initiatives like blood pressure cuffs in Black barbershops to increase access to care.
He explains the screens then direct people to clinics and free doctors, turning informal community sites into health access points.

ADVICE

Ask Why Before You Answer

Jack advises teachers to ask what makes someone ask a question before answering to reach the real need.
He recommends crowdsourcing others' experience and asking "What do you know?" to move from abstract teaching to specific, helpful guidance.

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In this powerful dialogue, Jack Kornfield responds to questions from the community about some of the deepest challenges of the human heart.

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This time on Heart Wisdom, Jack Kornfield shares:

Caring for aging parents with compassion
Transforming rage into compassionate action
Grieving without hardening the heart
Meeting illness and death with presence
Sangha as a refuge in difficult time

“We need each other. Sangha is the company of the wise. In these times we need to stand up for the truth and speak up together. That’s part of sangha—to be together in the innate dignity of humanity and say, ‘Yes, this is what matters.’” –Jack Kornfield

This episode was first recorded on Feb 23, 2026 for the Spirit Rock Monday Night Talk and Meditation

About Jack Kornfield:

Jack Kornfield trained as a Buddhist monk in the monasteries of Thailand, India, and Burma, studying as a monk under the Buddhist master Ven. Ajahn Chah, as well as the Ven. Mahasi Sayadaw. He has taught meditation internationally since 1974 and is one of the key teachers to introduce Buddhist mindfulness practice to the West. Jack co-founded the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, with fellow meditation teachers Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein and the Spirit Rock Center in Woodacre, California. His books have been translated into 20 languages and sold more than a million copies.

Jack is currently offering a wonderful array of transformational online courses diving into crucial topics like Mindfulness Meditation Fundamentals, Walking the Eightfold Path, Opening the Heart of Forgiveness, Living Beautifully, Transforming Your Life Through Powerful Stories, and so much more. Sign up for an All Access Pass to explore Jack’s entire course library. If you would like a year's worth of online meetups with Jack and fellow community, join The Year of Awakening: A Monthly Journey with Jack Kornfield.

“The idea from the Buddha’s teachings is that when we’re together and committed to compassion, liberation, a free heart, and a care for one-another, amazing things are possible.” –Jack Kornfield

Stay up to date with Jack and his stream of fresh dharma offerings by visiting JackKornfield.com and signing up for his email teachings.

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