Ep. 331 – Meet the Moment Fully, Meet It as a Friend: Loving Awareness, Aging, and Connection with Sylvia Boorstein
Summary
In this episode, Jack Kornfield joins Sylvia Borstein at Spirit Rock to celebrate her 90th birthday, sharing insights on aging, loving awareness, and the importance of human connection. They discuss transforming loneliness and crankiness through kindness, illustrated by stories of sharing figs in a senior living community and holding hands during a turbulent flight. The session emphasizes meeting each moment fully as a friend and recognizing that our relationships are the most valuable aspect of life.
Topics discussed
Introduction, Jack Kornfield's quote, and Sylvia Borstein's background
The practice of meeting the moment as a friend
Guided meditation: Resting in loving awareness
The Buddha's teaching on goodwill and the reality of aging
Sylvia's life in a senior living community
Stories of kindness: The figs and the turbulent flight
The interconnectedness of people and the 'Sylvia Sutra'
Early days of Spirit Rock and the Jewish community wedding
Mindfulness, judgment, and the impermanence of experience
The concept of 'hand-to-hand' connection and gratitude
Audience Q&A: Hawaiian connection and memory of mother Sally
Audience Q&A: Tinnitus, gravity, and learning to love
Audience Q&A: Observing change and singing Happy Birthday
Sylvia's reflections on teaching and overcoming nervousness
Closing ceremony, standing ovation, and final blessings
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