Quotessence
Home / Authors / Jack Kornfield
Jack Kornfield

Jack Kornfield Quotes

Author

Filter quotes by topic

AllHeartSpiritualWayPracticeCompassionSufferingWorldIfsLetting GoMindMomentsOur LivesMeditationPainUnderstandingNeedsDoeBuddhismMatterPast

Famous Jack Kornfield Quotes

“What brings the karmic result from the patterns of our actions is not our action alone. As we intend and then act, we create [our] karma: so another key to understanding the creation of karma is becoming aware of intention. The heart is our garden, and along with each action there is an intention that is planted like a seed. The result of the patterns of our karma is the fruit of these seeds.”

HeartActionUnderstandingResultsCreationKeysBecomingGardenIntentionFruitPatternsSeedsKarmaOur Actions
Book:A Path With Heart: The Classic Guide Through The Perils And Promises Of Spiritual Life
Create image

“Taking the one seat describes two related aspects of spiritual work. Outwardly, it means selecting one practice and teacher among all the possibilities, and inwardly, it means having the determination to stick with that practice through whatever difficulties and doubts arise until you have come to true clarity and understanding.”

MeanTwoSpiritualUnderstandingPracticeDoubtTeacherPossibilityAspectDeterminationDifficultySticksWork OutAriseClarityRelatedSeatsSpiritual Work
Author:Jack Kornfield
Create image

“Some other people think that awakened consciousness is really about fullness or presence, being completely present for every moment, but these experiences are only one of the dimensions of awakened consciousness. Understanding these different dimensions as facets of awakening can help with the confusion surrounding the different spiritual paths. They're not leading to different places, but rather reflect the luminous and liberated aspects of consciousness itself. These qualities are not far away; in fact, they are right here.”

PeopleThinkingDifferentMomentsFactsHelpingSpiritualUnderstandingConsciousnessQualityPathAspectAwakeningConfusionDimensionsFar AwayFullnessAwakenedLiberatedDifferent PlaceLuminousSpiritual PathFacetsDifferent Dimensions
Author:Jack Kornfield
Create image

“Within the mystery of life there is the infinite darkness of the night sky lit by distant orbs of fire, the cobbled skin of an orange that releases its fragrance to our touch, the unfathomable depths of the eyes of our lover. No creation story, no religious system can fully describe or explain this richness and depth. Mystery is so every-present that no one can know for certain what will happen one hour from now. “ It does not matter whether you have religion or are an agnostic believe in nothing, You can only appreciate (without knowing or understanding) the mysteries of life.”

KnowsBelieveDoeMatterStoriesHappensEyeNightCertainUnderstandingHoursReligiousDarknessKnowingFireMysterySkyCreationLoversAppreciateSkinsInfiniteDepthReleaseAgnosticOrangeLitFragranceRichnessNight SkyOne HourUnfathomableMystery Of LifeOrbsCreation Stories
Author:Jack Kornfield
Create image

“When we let go of our battles and open our heart to things as they are, then we come to rest in the present moment. This is the beginning and the end of spiritual practice. Only in this moment can we discover that which is timeless. Only here can we find the love that we seek. Love in the past is simply memory, and love in the future is fantasy. Only in the reality of the present can we love, can we awaken, can we find peace and understanding and connection with ourselves and the world.”

WorldHeartEndsMomentsRealityPastSpiritualUnderstandingMemoriesPracticeFantasyBattleLetting GoConnectionsAnd LovePresent MomentTimelessFinding PeaceSpiritual PracticeMemories And Love
Author:Jack Kornfield
Create image

“The 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. War’s roots are in ignorance. Without understanding we can easily become frightened by life’s 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.”

WayMindHeartWarEndsWholeRunningPainFightingProcessUnderstandingLossPleasurePathSecurityIgnoranceRootsAgingDisappointmentInevitableInsecurityFrightenedSatisfyingMisunderstandingFleetingGrasping
Author:Jack Kornfield
Create image

“A bulging portfolio of spiritual experiences matters little if it does not have the power to sustain us through the inevitable moments of grief, loss, and change. Knowledge and achievements matter little if we do not yet know how to touch the heart of another and be touched. Wisdom is alive only as long as it is lived, understanding is liberating only as long as it is applied.”

IfsKnowsHeartLittlesLongDoeMatterMomentsSpiritualSpiritSpiritualityUnderstandingLossGriefKnow HowAliveAchievementInevitableTouchedLiberatingPortfoliosSpiritual ExperienceGrief Loss
Author:Jack Kornfield
Create image

“In deep self-acceptance grows a compassionate understanding. As one Zen master said when I asked if he ever gets angry, 'Of course I get angry, but then a few minutes later I say to myself, 'What's the use of this,' and I let it go.'”

IfsSaidSelfUseCoursesGrowsUnderstandingCompassionMinutesAcceptanceMastersLetting GoAngrySelf AcceptanceCompassionateLet It GoZen Master
Book:Bringing Home the Dharma: Awakening Right Where You Are
Create image

“The ends do not justify the means. If our actions will bring harm to others, even in the service of some 'good,' they are almost certainly deluded. If our actions do not come from a kind heart, from loving courage and compassion, they are deluded. If they are based on a distinction between 'us' and 'them,' they stem from delusion. Only to the extent that we act from the wisdom of no separation, understanding how we are woven together, will our intention bring benefit.”

IfsHeartKindMeanEndsActionTogetherUnderstandingCompassionBenefitsIntentionHarmSeparationDistinctionDelusionJustifyStemOur ActionsWovenDeludedKind Heart
Author:Jack Kornfield
Create image