Ep. 279 – Standing Up For Compassion: A Wise Rudder in Turbulent Politics
whatshot 28 snips
Mar 4, 2025
Dive into a powerful exploration of compassion as a guiding force in turbulent times. Hear reflections on navigating uncertainty from personal experiences in Asia and Los Angeles. Discover the need for society to shift from anxiety to imagination, and the importance of acknowledging struggles while fostering hope. Learn how to balance political beliefs with shared human values. Embrace practices like meditation to cultivate resilience, and understand the vital role of community and compassion in creating a more inclusive world.
47:05
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Cultivating Metta
Remember Thich Nhat Hanh's teaching: one person's calmness can steady a panicking crowd.
Cultivate loving-kindness (metta) for protection and navigate challenges with compassion.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Principle over Party
Focus on principles rather than identifying who is right or wrong.
Support positive actions from all sides, regardless of political affiliation.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Mandela's Forgiveness
Nelson Mandela chose reconciliation over revenge with his former prison guard.
This act demonstrates building wise societies through forgiveness and not through retribution.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Standing up for compassion in this powerful new Dharma Talk, Jack offers a steady spiritual rudder for navigating turbulent politics with the heart of a Bodhisattva.
“It’s a time to get quiet and remember that you’re here for a beautiful purpose, oh Bodhisattvas. What better thing to do with your life?” – Jack Kornfield
In this episode of Heart Wisdom, Jack mindfully explores:
Navigating this world's maelstrom of change from a deep spiritual rudder
Returning from his trip to Asia; landing in Los Angeles on fire
Samsara and the nature of uncertainty
Creating a wise society based on mutual care
Trading our personal and cultural anxiety for imagination and hope
Alison Luterman's heart-opening poem, Praise the Broken Promise of America
Using the Dharma to move past Liberal versus Conservative
How to help the vulnerable in the world
Remembering your best values as things change
Grounding yourself, steadying your heart, and remaining hopeful
Bringing peace to this world, developing metta, and supporting what's good
Taking the long view, living with integrity, virtue, and imagination
Joining together with your community to stand up for compassion
Being hopeful and helpful through difficult times
Living like a Bodhisattva—offering support, compassion, loving kindness
“Take the long view—your intention, heart, and mind in all the cycles of birth and death. That deep intention of wisdom creates what’s possible for a wise society. It becomes a rudder through difficult times.” – Jack Kornfield
“When a society treats its members with respect, cares for the weak and vulnerable among them and tends the natural world around… it can be expected to prosper and not decline.” – Mahāparinibbāna Sutta
This Dharma Talk was originally recorded for the Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday Night Talk and Meditation on 2/10/25.
Heart Wisdom with Jack Kornfield