Jack Kornfield (Thailand) | NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT
No Time Like the Present: Finding Freedom, Love, and Joy Right Where You Are
by Jack Kornfield (Thailand 1967-69)
Atria Books
May 2017
322 pages
$13.99 (Kindle); $12.99 (Paperback), $13.99 (audiobook)
Through his signature warmhearted, poignant, often funny stories, with their a-ha moments and O. Henry-like outcomes, Jack Kornfield shows how we can free ourselves, wherever we are and whatever our circumstances. Renowned for his mindfulness practices and meditations, Jack provides keys for opening gateways to immediate shifts in perspective and clarity of vision, allowing us to “grapple with difficult emotions” and know how to change course, take action, or—when we shouldn’t act—just relax and trust.
Each chapter presents a path to a different kind of freedom—freedom from fear, freedom to start over, to love, to be yourself, and to be happy—and guides you into an active process that engages your mind and heart, awakens your spirit, and brings real joy, over and over again. Drawing from his own life as a son, brother, father, and partner, and on his forty years of face-to-face teaching of thousands of people across the country, Jack presents “a consommé of goodness, heart, laughter, tears, and breath, nourishing and delicious” (Anne Lamott, author of Bird by Bird). His keys to life will help us find hope, clarity, relief from past disappointments and guilt, and the courage to go forward.
Jack Kornfield trained as a Buddhist monk in the monasteries of Thailand, India and Burma. He has taught meditation internationally since 1974 and is one of the key teachers to introduce Buddhist mindfulness practice to the West.
. . .
![](https://peacecorpsworldwide.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/kornfield-jack-copy.jpg)
Jack Kornfield
After graduating from Dartmouth College in Asian Studies in 1967 he joined the Peace Corps and worked on tropical medicine teams in the Mekong River valley. (Thailand 1967-69)
He met and studied as a monk under the Buddhist master Ven. Ajahn Chah, as well as the Ven. Mahasi Sayadaw of Burma. Returning to the United States, 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.
Over the years, Jack has taught in centers and universities worldwide, led International Buddhist Teacher meetings, and worked with many of the great teachers of our time. He holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and is a father, husband and activist.
. . .
His books have been translated into 20 languages and sold more than a million copies.
- They include,
- A Wise Heart: A Guide to the Universal Teachings of Buddhist Psychology,
- A Path with Heart; After the Ecstasy, the Laundry; Teachings of the Buddha; Seeking the Heart of Wisdom; Living Dharma; A Still Forest Pool;
- Stories of the Spirit, Stories of the Heart;
- Buddha’s Little Instruction Book;
- The Art of Forgiveness, Lovingkindness and Peace,
- Bringing Home the Dharma: Awakening Right Where You Are,
- and his most recent book, No Time Like the Present: Finding Freedom, Love, and Joy Right Where You Are
I had no idea Jack had been a Peace Corps Volunteer even though I’m aware of his significant contributions to introducing mindfulness to the western world. This is definitely a powerful example of bringing the world back home.
I also had no idea Jack was a returned PCV. There are so many thoughts he’s written and I’ve taken to heart over the years. I’m thinking perhaps the PC enabled his first foray into Buddhism? I’d love to know more.