Jack Kornfield on Listening to Find the Way – Heart Wisdom Podcast Ep. 184

Justice & Peace

Jack Kornfield emphasizes that true peace is rooted in justice, drawing from both Buddhist and Greek traditions. He explains that before peace can be achieved, societal structures must be fair, as illustrated by the Greek goddesses of peace and justice, where justice must precede peace 1. Jack shares, "People should be able to live without enduring poverty," highlighting the Buddha's teachings on providing for basic needs to foster contentment and security 1. This perspective is particularly poignant in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, where Jack encourages listeners to find sanctuary and community to address collective pain 2.

   

Mindful Vision

Clear vision and mindfulness are crucial in understanding conflicts and fostering peace. Jack discusses how differing political views can cloud judgment, with both sides claiming validation from events like the September 11 attacks 3. He shares the story of George Schaller, a primate biologist who approached gorillas without fear or weapons, earning their respect and gaining unprecedented insights 3. Jack illustrates this approach with a zoo visit, where children learned to respectfully engage with gorillas, emphasizing the power of non-threatening presence and attention 4.