Ep. 314 – Winter Light: Tending the Fire of the Heart
Heart Wisdom with Jack Kornfield
Be Here Now Network
4.7 • 1.6K Ratings
🗓️ 14 January 2026
⏱️ 35 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
As winter deepens, Jack reflects on the quiet light that does not go out—the warmth of compassion, generosity, and courage that sustains us through dark seasons. Through stories of everyday kindness and ancient wisdom, he invites us to tend the inner fire that heals and connects us.
Today’s podcast 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.
“That's what you carry. That's who you really are. That's what was born in you, is the great heart of compassion and tenderness.” –Jack Kornfield
In this episode, Jack explores:
- Compassion as a response to fear
- Everyday acts of generosity
- Tending the inner fire during dark seasons
- Beginner’s mind and seeing with wonder
- Adding your light to a troubled and beautiful world
“The heart can’t do anything but tenderness and mercy when we really listen.” –Jack Kornfield
Jack’s new book is out now!: All in This Together: Stories and Teachings for Loving Each Other and Our World
This Dharma Talk originally took place in Dec 2025 for the Spirit Rock Monday Night Dharma Talk and Guided Meditation. Stay up to date with Jack’s upcoming livestreams and events here.
About Jack Kornfield:
Jack Kornfield trained as a Buddhist monk in the monasteries of Thailand, India, and Burma, studying as a monk under the Buddhist master Ven. Ajahn Chah, as well as the Ven. Mahasi Sayadaw. He has taught meditation internationally since 1974 and is one of the key teachers to introduce Buddhist mindfulness practice to the West. Jack co-founded the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, with fellow meditation teachers Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein and the Spirit Rock Center in Woodacre, California. His books have been translated into 20 languages and sold more than a million copies.
Jack is currently offering a wonderful array of transformational online courses diving into crucial topics like Mindfulness Meditation Fundamentals, Walking the Eightfold Path, Opening the Heart of Forgiveness, Living Beautifully, Transforming Your Life Through Powerful Stories, and so much more. Sign up for an All Access Pass to explore Jack’s entire course library. If you would like a year's worth of online meetups with Jack and fellow community, join The Year of Awakening: A Monthly Journey with Jack Kornfield.
“Perhaps there is only one person’s voice missing for peace to come into the world.” –Jack Kornfield, retelling a traditional teaching
Stay up to date with Jack and his stream of fresh dharma offerings by visiting JackKornfield.com and signing up for his email teachings.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. With a new year, it can feel like you're supposed to become a whole new you. |
| 0:09.8 | But what if this year isn't about reinventing yourself? What if it's about feeling lighter? |
| 0:15.9 | Therapy can help you figure out what's weighing you down by offering an unbiased perspective to better understand |
| 0:22.7 | your relationships, motivations, and emotions. BetterHelp is one of the world's largest |
| 0:29.0 | online therapy platforms with over 5 million people served globally and their therapist work |
| 0:35.9 | according to a strict code of conduct. |
| 0:39.3 | BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. |
| 0:44.0 | Sign up and get 10% off at betterhelp.com slash heart wisdom. |
| 0:50.0 | That's better, h-el-P.com slash heart wisdom. |
| 1:03.7 | The heart can't do anything, |
| 1:06.4 | but tenderness and mercy when we truly listen. |
| 1:10.7 | Says Jack Cornfield, in episode 314 of the |
| 1:14.1 | Heart Wisdom podcast, Winter Light, Tending the Fire of the Heart. This is another video episode |
| 1:22.4 | filmed for the Spirit Rock Monday Night Dharmaalk and Meditation in December of 2025. |
| 1:30.3 | This episode is full of stories of everyday acts of generosity, |
| 1:37.3 | beginner's mind and seeing the world with wonder, |
| 1:41.3 | intending our inner fire during these dark seasons. |
| 1:46.1 | As you listen in, it invites in the question, how can you add your light to a troubled and |
| 1:52.6 | beautiful world? |
| 1:54.7 | Another place that this question is asked and answered through the power of stories. |
| 2:02.8 | Is Jack's new book, All in This Together? |
| 2:06.7 | Stories and Teachings for Loving Each Other and Our World. |
... |
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