No Time Like the Present

By: Jack Kornfield

Narrated by: Jonathan Todd Ross

Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's Summary

In this landmark work, internationally beloved teacher of meditation and mindfulness Jack Kornfield reveals that you can be happy now, this minute, with the keys to inner freedom.

In his first major book in several years, the inspiring author of the classic A Path with Heart, Jack Kornfield, invites us into a new awareness. Through his signature warmhearted, poignant, often funny stories, with their aha moments and O. Henry-like outcomes, Jack shows how we get stuck and how we can free ourselves, wherever we are and whatever our circumstances. Renowned for his mindfulness practices and meditations, Jack provides these keys for opening gateways to immediate shifts in perspective and clarity of vision, allowing us to see 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, heart, and spirit, 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 40 years of face-to-face teaching of thousands of people across the country, Jack presents a stirring call to be here, in the power of the now, the present, as we work through life's passages. His keys to life will help us find hope, clarity, and relief from past disappointments and guilt, and the courage to go forward.

©2017 Jack Kornfield (P)2017 Simon & Schuster Audio

Wondering why?

With all of Jack Kornfield's other publications, he himself read or gave the talks and there is truly a type of transmission to the listener. We can always feel Sensei Kornfield's peace and his depth of understanding of modern Buddhism. The works stand as an invitation to enter and evolve.

So I'm wondering why he chose not to narrate this book. And why that narrator was chosen. Although J. Ross speaks clearly, there was obviously not a lot of preparation, there is no depth of feeling of what's being said. He pronounced most of the world's current teachers names incorrectly; pronounced Thich Nat Hahn's name in 3 different ways within 5 minutes. And Anni Pema's name as well. That's a lack of preparation.

While I'm not done listening, I must force myself to listen because of the overly methodical manner of intonation of this narrator. Jack Kornfield's work however, because it came from his deep seated peace, understanding and desire to transmit causes me to listen over and over again to his works.

Please Sensei Kornfield, if possible, rerecord this book yourself. Many east coasters cannot get to learn with you in California and other points west. Your publications are our only access.

Namaste.

18 of 18 people found this review helpful

Excellent Material, "phoned in" reading.

Wise heart by JK, is amazing be cause he actually reads the book and elucidates and beloved in the material he is reading. The reader of this book, while good, is obviously phoning in a performance and does not resonate with JK's message. The content of the book is witty and perfect ala JK's style, unfortunately the reading is very "canned" and one is constantly aware that they are being read to by a performer.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

Must Be In Kornfield's Own Voice

I found the reader's voice very mellifluous but not authentic. The meaning behind the words felt empty. Some of the stories I had heard before but I never minded that when Jack Kornfield reiterated them. in the future, I will make special note of Audible downloads when the speaker is other than the author.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Great book, but narration was hard to listen to

Any additional comments?

Jack was a great author, but this book was difficult to listen to. My focus kept falling off and I realized it was for a few reasons. First, the narration sounded like a reading for textbook or business book. Second, the reading pace was too fast to match its more emotional content, which really required time to process, to lead to “revelations.” Third, the bold, intense voice itself…

So, in all, I felt the narrator was miscast or his tone was not right for a book like this. He butchered certain poetry and made some awful events sounded like just another news, while Jack’s guided meditation (normally calming and meditative when read by Jack himself) turned into bullet points.

If you already own this audiobook and feel the same way I do, maybe play it at 0.9x speed, see if that helps…

I’m grateful for this book otherwise.

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

Learn Happiness

Kornfield's simply stated sagacity sinks straight go the heart. He doesn't try to convince, he merely opens doors to vastness of spirit... A must read.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Okay but not great.

It read like a modern self help book. Lots of inspirational quotes and stories but nothing to deep. When I listened, it felt like I was listening to cliff notes from other great Buddhist Authors.

The Jonathon Todd Ross did a very good job with narration and the audio was easy to listen too.

I would recommend this book to someone who hasn't read a lot of other Buddhist studies and modern Buddhist authors. It does have a lot of "practice" chapters to help with meditation and mindfulness.

Buddhism and meditation explained beautifully

Jack Kornfield is in my opinion one of the best meditation teachers in the West we have today. Such wisdom, open heartness, love and simplicity. Must read/listen.

2 of 4 people found this review helpful

loved it!

Great exercise in the mystery of life, Chapter 29. I will listen to this book many times.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

okay

Too much dalai lama and Buddhism. good to read on commuting. sort of helpful. I think I should practice more.

1 of 3 people found this review helpful