Ep. 187 – The Three Characteristics of Life

In this vintage Dharma Talk, Jack illuminates Buddhism's Three Characteristics of Life: stress, non-self, and impermanence.

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 "Somehow we believe our concepts, that we'll be here forever, that our life is really going to go on and on. Or we believe our advertising, the idea from the culture that if you get 'this' you'll be able to hold onto it and it will make you happy. It's just not true. Happiness is a matter of the heart; not something we can grasp or hold." – Jack Kornfield

In this episode, Jack mindfully explores:

  • Knowledge, love, patience, and a spirit of constancy
  • Being here now and living in mindfulness in the present moment
  • Buddhism's Three Characteristics of Life
  • Anicca: impermanence
  • Anatta: non-self
  • Dukkha: stress/suffering
  • True happiness as a matter of the heart
  • How you can't stop the waves, but you can learn how to surf
  • The original truth of self and freedom


This teaching is part of a 4-week long Yoga of Heartfulness online course featuring teachings from Ram Dass and friends. Learn more about this 10 hour course: Ram Dass' Yoga of Heartfulness

This flowing lecture from 4/18/1985 was originally published on DharmaSeed

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