Heart Wisdom with Jack Kornfield – Ep. 321 – Ram Dass and the Freedom to Be Human In this illuminating talk, Jack explores the heart of freedom through the lens of his friendship with Ram Dass, reflecting on how to cultivate a heart that can meet it all with loving awareness. This time on Heart Wisdom, Jack Kornfield shares: *Ram Dass and the liberation of the heart *The Dharma teaching of letting go *Freedom from attachment to preferences *Compassion in difficult times *The wisdom of Buddhist teachings in modern life “There was something so liberating about Ram Dass because he wasn't attached to who he was—he was playing with it.” –Jack Kornfield This episode was first recorded on Feb 23, 2026 for the Spirit Rock Monday Night Talk and Meditation 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. ================ Subscribe today so you don't miss a single video podcast from Be Here Now Network: https://www.youtube.com/@BeHereNowNetwork You can catch more of your favorite shows like Krishna Das's Pilgrim Heart Podcast, Sharon Salzberg's Metta Hour Podcast and the Mindrolling Podcast with Raghu Markus over on our sub-channel, Be Here Now Podcast Network 2: https://www.youtube.com/@BHNNPodcasts2 ================ Be Here Now Network Podcasts, Courses, and Articles to help you live a Life in Balance. Heart-Centered wisdom from Ram Dass, Jack Kornfield, Sharon Salzberg, Krishna Das + many more! Be Here Now Network delivers weekly insights into mindfulness, self-discovery, and Eastern philosophy through engaging podcasts, articles, and videos featuring renowned spiritual teachers. Inspired by Ram Dass' timeless wisdom, our platform serves as a guiding light for seekers on their path to greater awareness and inner peace. Whether you're exploring meditation, conscious living, or spiritual growth, our top-rated mindfulness podcasts provide thought-provoking discussions and practical wisdom. We believe that by transforming our own hearts, we can create a ripple effect of compassion and presence—one heart at a time. Start your journey today and deepen your connection to mindfulness with Be Here Now Network.