With violent conflicts all over the world in Palestine, Gaza, Ukraine, Myanmar, Chad, and many other places… the word refuge or sanctuary, was the center of Jack Kornfield’s Monday Dharma talk tonight.

What is your refuge? … What helps you forgive? … Take refuge in trust.

Jack Kornfield

Jack shared that the wisest of us look at the roots of suffering and the causes of conflict (for example, he mentioned cyclical, complex trauma). In light of this, when we haven’t unearthed the axioms of a situation we may find uncertainty and curiosity are valuable guiding traits. To represent this idea further see ‘taking a position’ not a ‘side’.

The Dharma then naturally veers towards the crucial role of community in today’s tumultuous times, especially in fostering peace and support. Somewhere you can feel safe.

In a grounded sense, this takes much less than you might think. A community can be just two people. I’ve seen that sending a simple text message saying “I’m sending you a big hug” to one of my really traumatized and grief-stricken Palestinian friends went a long way. In a sense, perhaps a litmus test of a community is a place where you are seen and heard by another person compassionately.

One poignant observation that was shared, particularly in the context of the conflict in Palestine, spotlighted the hurdle one faction faces in empathizing with the other, especially when their minds are clouded with their own distress. I think this is of critical importance for us to understand. When suffering, we all need to recognize that unconsciously we are likely to be less present to the experience of others.

Join a Monday Night Dharma Talk & Meditation with Jack Kornfield [Click here].

“Spirit Rock’s Monday Night Dharma Talk and Meditation program is open to all and meets every Monday night from 7:15 – 9:15 p.m. Jack Kornfield began this weekly practice and gathering over 36 years ago to introduce the practices of awareness and compassion.” 

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“Don’t let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.” – Dalai Lama

This entire post is scoped to discuss the primary definition of refuge, a physical space. However, there are also virtual and psychological kinds of refuge. The concept of refuge is helpful to those even without physical conflict perhaps those who are burned out, lonely, or struggling otherwise.