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Though outer events may be difficult, the key to our happiness is how our mind responds to them.

Jack Kornfield

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Jack Kornfield
Age: 79
Born: 1945
Born: July 16
Author
Psychologist
Writer
the United States of America
Difficult
May
Mind
Responds
Outer
Keys
Events
Though
Happiness

More quotes by Jack Kornfield

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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
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When we let go of yearning for the future, preoccupation with the past, and strategies to protect the present, there is nowhere left to go but where we are. To connect with the present moment is to begin to appreciate the beauty of true simplicity.
Jack Kornfield
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We can bring a heart of understanding and compassion to a world that needs it so much.
Jack Kornfield
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Of course, you play the game of life because you got to be incarnated.
Jack Kornfield
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We can struggle with what is. We can judge and blame others or ourselves. Or we can accept what cannot be changed. Peace comes from an honorable and open heart accepting what is true. Do we want to remain stuck? Or to release the fearful sense of self and rest kindly where we are?
Jack Kornfield
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In this world there are two great sources of strength. One rests with those who are not afraid to kill. The other rests with those who are not afraid to love.
Jack Kornfield
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The path of awakening begins with a step the Buddha called right understanding.
Jack Kornfield
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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
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Through practice, gently and gradually we can collect ourselves and learn how to be more fully with what we do.
Jack Kornfield
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It is hard to imagine a world without forgiveness. Without forgiveness life would be unbearable. Without forgiveness our lives are chained, forced to carry the sufferings of the past and repeat them with no release.
Jack Kornfield
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Acceptance does not mean inaction. We may need to respond, strongly at times...From a peaceful center we can respond instead of react. Unconscious reactions create problems. Considered responses bring peace. With a peaceful heart whatever happens can be met with wisdom...Peace is not weak it is unshakable.
Jack Kornfield
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Our ideas of self are created by identification. The less we cling to ideas of self, the freer and happier we will be.
Jack Kornfield
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Where we tended to be judgmental, we became more judgmental of ourselves in our spiritual practice.
Jack Kornfield
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Gratitude is confidence in life itself. In it, we feel how the same force that pushes grass through cracks in the sidewalk invigorates our own life.
Jack Kornfield
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At the end of our life our questions are simple: Did I live fully? Did I love well?
Jack Kornfield
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Weigh the true advantages of forgiveness and resentment to the heart. Then choose.
Jack Kornfield
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Indifference pretends to create peace, but it is based on not caring, a silent resignation. It is a movement away, a separation fed by a subtle fear of the heart. We pull back, believing that what happens to others is not our concern. Our courage leaves us. Indifference is a misguided way of defending ourselves.
Jack Kornfield
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Whenever we forgive, in small ways at home, or in great ways between nations, we free ourselves from the past.
Jack Kornfield
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Even the most exalted states and the most exceptional spiritual accomplishments are unimportant if we cannot be happy in the most basic and ordinary ways, if we cannot touch one another and the life we have been given with our hearts.
Jack Kornfield
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Expressing gratitude to our benefactors is a natural form of love. In fact, some people find loving kindness for themselves so hard, they begin their practice with a benefactor. This too is fine. The rule in loving kindness practice is to follow the way that most easily opens your heart.
Jack Kornfield