Grounded in Gratitude: Stories and Practices for the Resilient Heart [Online]

Grounded in Gratitude is a daylong online meditation gathering led by Jack Kornfield and presented through Spirit Rock. Held live on Zoom, it brings together guided meditation, storytelling and group dialogue in the Insight Meditation and Buddhist tradition. It is open to anyone who wants to rest from the noise of the world and cultivate a resilient heart, with no travel required.

The day begins from a simple premise: the human heart has an innate capacity for compassion, love and renewed joy, and these qualities can be practiced and developed on purpose. Gratitude here is not a way of skipping past difficulty. It is understood as a courageous act of resilience, steady ground from which hope and beauty can grow even in turbulent times, amid global uncertainty, collective anxiety and loss.

What to Expect

The gathering runs from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Pacific Time, a full day of practice shared with a virtual community. Jack Kornfield leads guided meditation and tells stories, and there is time for collective dialogue with fellow participants. The practices draw on loving-kindness, forgiveness and the true nature of the heart.

The tone is that of a sanctuary: a place to slow down, look at your inner landscape with care, and receive blessings and perspectives to carry into daily life and the season ahead.

About Jack Kornfield

Jack Kornfield was born in 1945 in the United States and grew up in a Jewish family. After graduating from Dartmouth College, he traveled to Asia in the 1960s and studied Buddhism in Thailand, India and Burma. He became a monk in the Theravada tradition, immersing himself in meditation and the teachings of revered masters. That time shaped his understanding of mindfulness and compassion, which he later brought back to the West.

Back in the United States, he co-founded the Insight Meditation Society in 1975 with Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein, an organization that played a pivotal role in introducing Buddhist meditation practices to a Western audience. He later established the Spirit Rock Meditation Center, which presents this event.

Before You Go

The program is offered in English and is open to all levels. No prior meditation or retreat experience is specified, and everyone is welcome. Participation is live online via Zoom, and the day includes guided meditation practice, storytelling from Jack Kornfield and group dialogue. Because the schedule is set in Pacific Time, check the start time against your own time zone before you plan your day.