Ep. 321 – Ram Dass and the Freedom to Be Human
4/23/202634 min
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.
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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.
“The great way is not difficult for those who are not attached to their preferences.” –Jack Kornfield
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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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsSpeaker 00:00
[gentle music] This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. The journey of life can be overwhelming sometimes, but no matter what you're going through right now, you don't have to go through it alone. Therapy can be a place to gain unbiased insight and support. Having someone with you can make all the difference. BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, having served over six million people globally. You don't have to be on this journey alone. Find support and have someone with you in therapy. Sign up and get 10% off at betterhelp.com/heartwisdom. That's betterh-e-l-p.com/heartwisdom.
Ganesh· Host0:47
[upbeat music] "There was something so liberating about Ram Dass because he wasn't attached to who he was. He was truly playing with it." A beautiful quote from Ram Dass' great friend, Jack Kornfield, from this episode 321 of Jack's Heart Wisdom podcast, Ram Dass and the Freedom to be Human. Thank you for joining us on this wonderful podcast. My name is Ganesh, Jack's assistant, and Jack and I