It is the basic principle of spiritual life that we learn the deepest things in unknown territory. Often it is when we feel most confused inwardly and are in the midst of our greatest difficulties that something new will open. We awaken most easily to the mystery of life through our weakest side. The areas of our greatest strength, where we are the most competent and clearest, tend to keep us away from the mystery.
Jack KornfieldForgiveness does not mean that we have to continue to relate to those who have done us harm. In some cases the best practice may be to end our connection, to never speak to or be with a harmful person again. Sometimes in the process of forgiveness a person who hurts or betrayed us may wish to make amends, but even this does not require us to put ourselves in the way of further harm.
Jack KornfieldKnowledge and achievements matter little if we do not yet know how to touch the heart of another and be touched.
Jack KornfieldWe as human beings have the amazing capacity to be reborn at breakfast everyday and say, โThis is a new day.โ
Jack KornfieldThe things that matter most in our lives are not fantastic or grand. They are the moments when we touch one another.
Jack KornfieldThe unawakened mind tends to make war against the way things are. To follow a path with heart, we must understand the whole process of making war within ourselves and without, how it begins and how it ends. Warโs roots are in ignorance. Without understanding we can easily become frightened by lifeโs fleeting changes, the inevitable losses, disappointments, the insecurity of our aging and death. Misunderstanding leads us to fight against life, running from pain or grasping at security and pleasures that by their nature can never be satisfying.
Jack Kornfield