Heart Wisdom with Jack Kornfield

Ep. 241 – The Paradox of Self and No-Self


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Exploring life as a flowing, dynamic process, Jack shares the jewel of Buddha's awakening by unraveling the paradox of self and no-self.

This episode is brought to you by Betterhelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/heartwisdom and get on your way to being your best self.

"Each of those sets of words, 'self,' and 'no-self,' are concepts or ideas or words that we use in a very crude approximation of pointing to some mystery of this process of life that's neither self nor no-self." – Jack Kornfield

In this episode, Jack mindfully illuminates:

  • Unraveling the paradox of self and no-self
  • The Jewel of the Buddha's Awakening
  • Anattā (selflessness) and how it connects with respect
  • Tales of a Magic Monastery
  • Living in the reality of expansion and contraction
  • Why Ajahn Chah shared 'self' and 'no self' both aren't true
  • The word "happy/sad" in Japanese
  • Opening to our life as a flowing, moving process
  • Becoming aware of selflessness
  • Interdependence, interconnection, codependent arising
  • Learning to respect ourself and nourish beneficial qualities
  • Developing yourself while also "losing yourself"
  • Discovering your True Self
  • The importance of integrating our spiritual practice into our lives
  • Learning to live in your body and love well


"To be really present is to connect with the mystery." – Jack Kornfield

"You develop yourself as you lose yourself." – Jack Kornfield

This Dharma Talk estimated to be recorded on 4/23/1990 was originally published on DharmaSeed.

Learn the Dynamic Art of Interactive Guided Meditation with Jack Kornfield in an online masterclass! To take part in the two live online Q&A sessions, register by June 9 at bit.ly/InteractiveCohort

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