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After the Ecstasy, the Laundry: How the Heart Grows Wise on the Spiritual Path
“Enlightenment does exist,” internationally renowned author and meditation master Jack Kornfield assures us. “Unbounded freedom and joy, oneness with the divine ... these experiences are more common than you know, and not far away.”
But even after achieving such realization — after the ecstasy — we are faced with the day-to-day task of translating that freedom into our imp...more
But even after achieving such realization — after the ecstasy — we are faced with the day-to-day task of translating that freedom into our imp...more
Paperback, 336 pages
Published
October 2nd 2001
by Bantam
(first published June 1st 2000)
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In After the Ecstasy, the Laundry--How the Heart Grows Wise on the Spiritual Path, Dr. Jack Kornfield offers an excellent guide for those seeking spiritual understanding and spiritual growth. Kornfield's writing style, and the personal accounts of spiritual travelers in all religious faiths provide a compelling account of incorporating experiences of spiritual ecstasy into enlightenment. Spiritual enlightenment or wisdom makes bearable and even enriches the nitty-gritty everyday life in the tren...more
After many times of picking this book up for a while then putting it down for a while. I finally finished it. I honestly do not think I was ready for it when I first started reading it and should probabby reread the beginning at some time. At this time, the book was good for me and I not only was ready but needed it. I like how this book combines the beliefs and views of many religions and shows indirectly how similar they are. I feel I needed this book (and others like it) right now to help me ...more
Meditation and recognition of inner self can be the basic stone of every religion and every philosophical movement. The book is just about that. Finding inner self, calm and the satori or whatever you call it in different ways from Hindu, Jewish to Christianity way. The author put synthesis of the movements and religions only to show how one can reach the ecstasy but also that after touching the peak, there is always the day after which is demanding in the same ways as reaching. However when you...more
There seems to be a sincere attempt to reconcile the world's various spiritual traditions, but in so doing there is a dilution of the messages of each tradition. In trying to find common ground, there is a sense of groundlessness.
In his previous book, "A Path With Heart", Kornfield makes the argument that if one is to achieve fruit in any spiritual practice they must dig one deep whole and stick with their practice; rather than digging a multitude of shallow wholes. Well, in t...more
In his previous book, "A Path With Heart", Kornfield makes the argument that if one is to achieve fruit in any spiritual practice they must dig one deep whole and stick with their practice; rather than digging a multitude of shallow wholes. Well, in t...more
One of those books that came into my life at an appropriate time.
We already know how to let go--we do it every night when we go to sleep, and that letting go, like a good night's sleep, is delicious. Opening in this way, we can live in the reality of our wholeness. A little letting go brings us a little peace, a greater letting go brings us a greater peace. Entering the gateless gate, we begin to treasure the moments of wholeness. We begin to trust the natural rhythm of the worl...more
We already know how to let go--we do it every night when we go to sleep, and that letting go, like a good night's sleep, is delicious. Opening in this way, we can live in the reality of our wholeness. A little letting go brings us a little peace, a greater letting go brings us a greater peace. Entering the gateless gate, we begin to treasure the moments of wholeness. We begin to trust the natural rhythm of the worl...more
Took awhile for me to get through, because it was so thought provoking. I found it, for lack of a better word, enlightening. I loved the comparison of different religious and philosophical teachings, and I very much liked how it delved into the "real life" aspect of each person's spiritual journey. We can't all go living in monestaries, convents or retreat houses....most of us live in the real world and have to balance spirituality and secularism. The only difficulty I had with this b...more
Jack Kornfield has a great knack for writing in a meaningful, pleasant way. You don't get the feeling that he is arrogant or pretentious despite having great knowledge in an assortment of different spiritual disciplines, primarily Buddhism. The basic premise of this book is that even though it's possible to obtain a fantastic sense of enlightenment and bliss on the spiritual path, we eventually have to come back down to our day-to-day lives. After the Ecstasy the Laundry.
This book h...more
This book h...more
I didn't like the beginning of the book where Kornfield provides many different accounts of enlightenment. I am not going to reach enlightenment, or go on a week-long meditation retreat, or join a monastery for years. I am just trying to meditate regularly and be here now and see the world for what it is, rather than what I want it to be. The second half of the book was better, but I found that the first person narratives interspersed throughout the book took away from the lesson as often as ...more
Thr first time I tried reading this book I cound not get into it; it was clearly not the right time. This time around, after about a year of yoga and reflection, I found it to be just what I needed. I loved how the book includes so many views from so many religions and that the messages all seem to focus on being a more peaceful and whole person, in a more peaceful and whole world, with a more peaceful and whole heart. Inspirational, at least.
I got this book from the public library but it is one that I will be adding to my home library when I get settled. Well worth reading more than once and a great source for further study. This is not only Jack Kornfield's thoughts on mindfulness, but those from a variety of other traditions and sources. I just felt really good reading this book - positive and connected. It was also very pragmatic - hence the title.
This is another uplifting, encouraging book from Jack Kornfield. It's not a heavy read, but more of a meditation on life and spirituality. It consists mostly of stories and quotations from spiritual teachers in the Buddhist, Christian, Jewish and Sufi traditions, plus more ideas from famous historical figures, etc.
If you like great quotations, read this with a pencil in hand, as you will be circling things on ever other page. Kornfield writes with a very straightforward, nurtur...more
If you like great quotations, read this with a pencil in hand, as you will be circling things on ever other page. Kornfield writes with a very straightforward, nurtur...more
Great overview about different transformative aspects of the spiritual path. It's amazing how similar spiritual formation looks as people from different traditions give themselves wholeheartedly to the mystery of life. Great quotes from Sufis, Buddhists, Hindus, Christians, and Jews. I appreciated his compassionate and humble approach toward spirituality.
Jack Kornfield is one of my ....I was going to say "heros" -- role models and teachers. The best thing about him is his humility. There is so much of him in this book, but also so much of other leaders and teachers. I've read a lot of Buddhist writings already. This book touched me deeply. I want to read it again as soon as I have digested the first reading.
The book I needed at exactly the right time. His description of the spiritual life meshed with real life was so accurate for western life. I can't take time out to practice full time. Spiritual growth happens in fits and starts and in the meantime the kids have melt downs and bills roll in. It's all in divine order. Thank you, Jack.
Kornfield writes what is mostly a one note song, but it is a good note. We need to understand that even fully realized human beings still have to live a life. You don't just reach nirvana one day and then never reappear on Earth.
I learned a lot from the book, but the attempt to include all varieties of meditators and seekers from all religious backgrounds was a bit of a stretch. Jews know they have to live life. It is part of the schtick. Tikkun Olam (Heal the world) and all that. S...more
I learned a lot from the book, but the attempt to include all varieties of meditators and seekers from all religious backgrounds was a bit of a stretch. Jews know they have to live life. It is part of the schtick. Tikkun Olam (Heal the world) and all that. S...more
Great topic. I'm touched by how honest the top spiritual masters are in sharing their weaknesses, and how they work on overcoming it. Very often, we read about the exciting enlightenment experiences, but it's very rare that others will admit how they cope with the everyday ordinary parts of their lives.
I have a complicated relationship with laundry. I have been thwarted from clean clothing by power outages, a literal bus load of youth campers and the need for one last quarter. The guys at my laundromat duck and laugh when they see me walk through the door. So when I was looking at a list of Jack Kornfield's books and saw this title I knew that I had to read it.
In the book Kornfield discusses the process of spiritual enlightenment and how to return to the world as part of the cyc...more
In the book Kornfield discusses the process of spiritual enlightenment and how to return to the world as part of the cyc...more
if you're already on your spiritual path, had a revelation/insight/spot of enlightenment, and don't know how to reconcile what you've seen with the daily grind, Jack Kornfield's wisdom and compassion is the perfect read. it's a beautiful book for every religion/spiritual practice.
I have a lot of books on Zen, but this is the one I keep returning to. I love Jack Kornfield's spirit and how his teachings are for people who live in the real world with real families and responsibilities. I would love to see him in person one day.
read this book while i was at a Trappist monastery. i think kornfield get's a bit preachy sometimes, but i liked the general themes. spiritually isn't some abstract bliss that happens once, but a process.
read this book a few years back when i became interested in buddhism and spirituality. come to think of it, one of my favourite books. time to pick it up and re-read.
What it means to be faithful, to believe, or to encounter God for His Own sake, from the viewpoint of monastic--or domestic--life.
I will read this again sometime in the future. Just a nice compilation of stories about experiences with meditation and good focus.
Jack Kornfield graciously and compassionately writes about Buddhism in a way that makes sense to my Western mind.
There were some ineteresting stories about people on the path to enlightenment. The struggle and absolute agony that one must go through to reach inner peace is both horrifying and amazing. Is it worth it? Well, they think so.
While I did not agree with everything Kornfield had to say, I felt so inspired by this book, even though I am an Atheist.
Jack Kornfield is a great author and tacher, this book is one of the best I've ever read!
This book has helped me to gain a new perspective on my spiritual journey.
The most moving, poignant and special books I have ever read.
This book was one of my best recent reads, and I love to re-read it all the time. For spiritual people who are seeking, being reminded that the seeking is the finding, the questioning is the answering....For lovers of Rumi and Gandhi and that nice woman down the street who sells peppers....for people who find the Ordinary sacred, and the Sacred everyday....For people who like being reminded that no matter how dedicated you are to your spiritual path, you're still going to yell at your teenage ki...more
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