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. Jack Kornfield More Quotes by Jack Kornfield More Quotes From Jack Kornfield Yet I knew that spiritual practice is impossible without great dedication, energy, and commitment. Jack Kornfield dedicationspiritualcommitment An honorable spiritual practice recognizes the losses we have suffered, tells our story, and sheds our tears to free us from the past. Jack Kornfield spirituallosspast To let go in the deepest recesses of the heart, to release all struggle and wanting, leads us to that knowing which is timeless. Jack Kornfield struggleletting-goheart When repeated difficulties do arise, our first spiritual approach is to acknowledge what is present, naming, softly saying 'sadness, sadness', or 'remembering, remembering', or whatever. Jack Kornfield buddhismsadnessspiritual As we follow a genuine path of practice, our sufferings may seem to increase because we no longer hide from them or from ourselves. When we do not follow the old habits of fantasy and escape, we are left facing the actual problems and contradictions of our life. Jack Kornfield old-habitssufferingpractice The path of awakening begins with a step the Buddha called right understanding. Jack Kornfield awakeningunderstandingpath We need energy, commitment, and courage not to run from our life nor to cover it over with any philosophy—material or spiritual. Jack Kornfield spiritualrunningphilosophy Every individual in the world has a unique contribution. Jack Kornfield individualuniqueworld We can easily become loyal to our suffering … but it's not the end of the path. Jack Kornfield loyalsufferingpath Whenever we forgive, in small ways at home, or in great ways between nations, we free ourselves from the past. Jack Kornfield forgivinghomepast Skill in concentrating and steadying the mind is the basis for all types of meditation. Jack Kornfield skillsmeditationmind In sitting on the meditation cushion and assuming the meditation posture, we connect ourselves with the present moment in this body and on this earth. Jack Kornfield bodymeditationsitting Samadhi doesn’t just come of itself; it takes practice. Jack Kornfield samadhipractice As we step out of the way new things are born. Jack Kornfield bornstepsway Breathing meditation can quiet the mind, open the body, and develop a great power of concentration. Jack Kornfield breathingmeditationmind What we seek is what we are. Jack Kornfield Built on the foundation of concentration is the third aspect of the Buddha’s path of awakening: clarity of vision and the development of wisdom. Jack Kornfield foundationvisiondevelopment When we take time to quiet ourselves, we can all sense that our life could be lived with greater compassion and greater weakness. Jack Kornfield weaknesscompassionquiet The focusing of attention on the breath is perhaps the most universal of the many hundreds of meditation subjects used worldwide. Jack Kornfield usedmeditationattention We have so many ideas and beliefs about ourselves. We told ourselves story about what we want and who we are, smart or kind. Often these are the unexamined and limited ideas of others that we have internalized and then gone on to life out. Jack Kornfield smartgoneideas
