Description:
In "No Time Like the Present," renowned meditation teacher and psychologist Jack Kornfield offers a compassionate and insightful guide to finding true freedom, love, and joy in the present moment. The book is based on the powerful Buddhist principle that happiness is not a destination to be reached, but a state of being that can be cultivated "right where you are." Kornfield blends timeless spiritual teachings with personal anecdotes and modern psychological insights to show how we can release ourselves from the burdens of the past and the anxieties of the future.
The book provides practical tools for navigating life's challenges by embracing a radical sense of presence. Kornfield teaches that by learning to be with our feelings—including difficult emotions like sadness, anger, and craving—we can find a sense of peace that is not dependent on external circumstances. "No Time Like the Present" is a call to awaken to the beauty and wisdom that already exist within and around us. For those in recovery, this book is an invaluable resource for learning to live without the crutch of a substance and for discovering a life of joy, connection, and authenticity.
Study Guide for Recovery
This study guide is designed to help you explore the concepts in "No Time Like the Present" and apply them to your own journey of recovery.
Key Themes & Concepts
- The Power of the Present Moment: The book emphasizes that the only place where we can truly find peace, freedom, and healing is in the here and now.
- Radical Acceptance: A core concept is the practice of accepting our circumstances and our feelings just as they are, without judgment, which is a powerful antidote to shame and resistance.
- Finding Joy Right Where You Are: The book teaches that joy is not a reward for a perfect life but a quality we can cultivate by bringing mindful awareness to our experiences.
- Releasing the Past and the Future: Kornfield provides guidance on how to free ourselves from the burdens of past mistakes and the anxieties of what might come.
Discussion Questions
- What is one aspect of your past or one worry about your future that often keeps you from being fully present? How can a mindfulness practice help you to let go of this burden?
- The book encourages finding joy "right where you are." What is one simple thing in your life today—a sound, a sight, a feeling—that you can bring your full attention to and find joy in?
- Kornfield discusses "radical acceptance." What is one difficult feeling or aspect of your recovery that you are willing to accept today without judgment?
- Think about the book's title, "No Time Like the Present." What is one small step you can take today to make a positive change in your life, rather than waiting for tomorrow?
- How can the practice of living in the present moment help you to navigate cravings and triggers, which are often rooted in a desire to escape the present?
Additional Resources
- Video: "How to Find Happiness and Inner Peace"
- Watch a short video clip of Jack Kornfield discussing the core themes of this book and the importance of mindfulness and compassion. (Search "Jack Kornfield No Time Like the Present interview" on YouTube.)
- Guided Meditation: "The Power of the Present"
- A guided meditation on living in the present moment, a great way to put the book's teachings into practice. (Search "mindfulness of the present moment" on a podcast or meditation app.)
- Article: "Radical Acceptance in Recovery"
- This article from a recovery-focused publication explains why radical acceptance is a critical tool for healing and preventing relapse. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/rethinking-addiction/201602/self-compassion-and-addiction-recovery
- Website: Jack Kornfield Official Site:
- Visit Jack Kornfield's official website for more on his teachings, guided meditations, and books. https://jackkornfield.com/
