Ep. 215 (Part 1 of 2) | The first of Deep Transformation’s What is Real Greatness Series, this conversation with world-renowned meditation teacher Jack Kornfield is filled with beautiful teachings touching into the sacred at the heart of our lives and the point of our whole spiritual journey: to remember and embody our innate capacity to awaken and experience the reality of our own innate dignity and nobility. Respecting ourselves at the deepest level is what transforms us and transforms society too, Jack explains. “Do you hold yourself with nobility and respect?” he asks. “Can you remember your own beauty and dignity? Can you see it in others?”

The topic of greatness—real greatness—is woven throughout the dialogue, as Jack recounts the seed events of his own spiritual journey and ruminates on Roger’s question, what is the sacred question at the center of your life? This is a question Jack often asks his own students, and we are inspired to ponder it for ourselves, along with, if you were to write your own bodhisattva vow, what would it be? Jack is a master at inspiring us to live our ideals, to broaden the possibilities of our lives, and to remember the miracle of our existence. A warmly personal, deeply profound discussion. Recorded October 2, 2025.

“The beautiful thing about the bodhisattva ideal is that it becomes your intention… it becomes the setting of the compass of your heart.”

Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1

Introducing the first of Deep Transformation’s What is Real Greatness? series (00:38)
Introducing renowned meditation teacher, prolific author, and clinical psychologist Jack Kornfield (03:09)
In discussing real greatness, Jack advises not to throw out money & power as being unworthy (04:47)
The story of Emperor Ashoka, who shifted from seeking outer greatness to seeking inner greatness: peace of mind and heart (07:49)
How the Buddha turned the Hindu caste system on its head, honoring young monks for their innate nobility (13:17)
Can you remember your own beauty & dignity? Can you see it in others? (16:19)
Each of us has a sacred question at the center of our lives, what’s been Jack’s? (17:30)
Jack’s first draw to Buddhism: suffering and the relief from suffering (21:08)
The seeds of our sacred journeys: the path doesn’t go from here to there but from there to here (24:15)
It’s completely weird that we exist! (25:40)
King Ashoka & other historical figures, good candidates for the What is Real Greatness Series (27:13)
Do we ask ourselves, “How do I live?” (28:28)
The beautiful thing about the bodhisattva ideal is that it becomes the setting of...

Setting the Compass of Your Heart: What Really Matters? with Jack Kornfield (Part 1)

Deep Transformation