The play of sunlight through leaves ... the songs of the wind ... the arc of a brush stroke on paper. To be awake, reflects Jack Kornfield, is to discover the beauty hidden in all things—and to express that beauty ourselves. With Turn Toward the Beautiful, this lyrical writer and teacher inspires us to reclaim our childlike wonder, attuning ourselves to the beauty that often passes us by unnoticed. Then, through insightful verses and stories from many traditions, he invites each of us to nourish the artistic impulse in ourselves—to choose to create as an essential expression of the spiritual life. In two compelling sessions, you will explore: Why beauty and awareness are inseparable, and how they enrich each other Rediscovering the world through our "child's eyes" Presence—an essential component for awakening the artist's gifts of receptivity and wonder How to use writing, drawing, music, dance, and more to bring insight to others Practices to spark our own creative expression What if the light that reveals the truth of our lives were waiting right here before us? For seasoned artists or novices of all spiritual traditions, Turn Toward the Beautiful points to that illumination—the beauty of the world that beckons to be received and shared. Session I: Turn Toward the Beautiful Track 1: Introduction Track 2: The retrieval of beauty Track 3: A life of wakefulness Track 4: The Lion's Roar Track 5: Becoming a child of spirit Session II: Creativity as a Path of Liberation Track 1: Introduction Track 2: Poetry and Buddhism Track 3: Poems as expressions of liberation Track 4: Making the sacred visible Track 5: Practice: Two Questions Track 6: Creativity as an expression of dharma Course objectives: Express story and poetry as offerings of art and beauty—awakening our hearts to move from a small sense of self to receive the world with compassion, understanding and presence. Utilize creativity as an expression of liberation—making the sacred visible. Recognize how creativity may become shut down, and how to open the gateway of creativity to become more free, present and alive. Practice and express your deep understanding of the Dharma through a myriad of creative possibilities.
Author
Jack Kornfield trained as a Buddhist monk in the monasteries of Thailand, India and Burma. He has taught meditation internationally since 1974 and is one of the key teachers to introduce Buddhist mindfulness practice to the West. He began his training after graduating from Dartmouth College in Asian Studies in 1967. Then he joined the Peace Corps and was assigned to the Public Health Service in northeast Thailand, which is home to several of the world’s oldest Buddhist forest monasteries. He met and studied under the Buddhist master Ven. Ajahn Chah, as well as the Ven. Mahasi Sayadaw of Burma. After returning to the United States, Jack co-founded the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, with fellow meditation teachers Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein. He is also a founding teacher of the Spirit Rock Center in Woodacre, California, where he currently lives and teaches. Over the years, Jack has taught in centers and universities worldwide, led International Buddhist Teacher meetings with the Dalai Lama and worked with many of the great teachers of our time. He holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and is a husband, father and an activist. His books have been translated into 20 languages and sold more than a million copies. They include, A Wise Heart: A Guide to the Universal Teachings of Buddhist Psychology, A Path with Heart; After the Ecstasy, the Laundry; Teachings of the Buddha; Seeking the Heart of Wisdom; Living Dharma; A Still Forest Pool; Stories of the Spirit, Stories of the Heart; Buddha’s Little Instruction Book; The Art of Forgiveness, Lovingkindness and Peace, Bringing Home the Dharma: Awakening Right Where You Are, and his most recent book, No Time Like the Present: Finding Freedom, Love, and Joy Right Where You Are.
