Passion Struck with John R. Miles
Episode: Jon Kabat-Zinn on Why You Can’t Heal What You Won’t Feel | EP 619
Release Date: June 3, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 619 of Passion Struck with John R. Miles, host John R. Miles engages in a profound conversation with Jon Kabat-Zinn, a pioneering figure in mindfulness and the founder of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). This episode delves deep into the essence of mindfulness, its role in personal transformation, and its critical importance in addressing both individual and societal challenges.

Background of Jon Kabat-Zinn

Jon Kabat-Zinn is renowned for integrating mindfulness into mainstream medicine and psychology. With over four decades of experience, his work has influenced various fields, including education, business, and healthcare. His books, such as Full Catastrophe Living and Wherever You Go, There You Are, have reached millions worldwide, emphasizing that mindfulness is not merely a practice but a way of inhabiting awareness that is inherently human.

Key Themes Discussed

1. The Superpower of Awareness

Jon Kabat-Zinn emphasizes that humans are inherently equipped with awareness, a superpower often overlooked in traditional education systems that prioritize cognitive skills. He states:

"Mindfulness equals awareness, pure awareness. So it's not like it's something you don't already know. And more, more than that, it's something, it's not something you have to acquire."
(08:14)

This awareness is the foundation upon which mindfulness is built, allowing individuals to inhabit the present moment and transcend reactive emotions.

2. Mindfulness as a Radical Act of Love

Mindfulness, according to Kabat-Zinn, is a radical act of love and sanity in today's chaotic world. It involves turning towards what we most want to run from, such as pain and suffering, and approaching them with a non-judgmental, compassionate awareness. He explains:

"Mindfulness is a kind of radical act of sanity and love... it's a love affair with how beautiful it is and how precious and how fleeting it is to have a human life at all."
(15:00)

3. Thoreau and Modern Society's Quiet Desperation

The conversation touches upon Henry David Thoreau's concept of "quiet desperation," highlighting how modern society perpetuates this state through relentless industriousness and environmental degradation. Kabat-Zinn draws parallels between Thoreau's observations and today's ecological crises:

"If everyone on the planet is a cell of the one body of well-being of the planet, then everybody has to have enough... Or the body politic basically won't allow it."
(37:26)

4. Mindfulness in Military and Elite Training

John R. Miles shares his experience with the Navy SEALs' use of mindfulness, yoga, and breathwork to regulate their nervous systems. Kabat-Zinn underscores the importance of mental resilience:

"Very often, as Peanuts used to say in the kind of comic strip from long ago, we have met the enemy and it is us."
(38:28)

He highlights that the mind can be one's biggest adversary, and training it through mindfulness is crucial for maintaining equanimity in high-stress environments.

5. Environmental Awakening and Planetary Health

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the urgent need for global mindfulness to address environmental issues. Kabat-Zinn connects individual awareness with collective action to prevent ecological collapse:

"Waking up is not a kind of luxury. It's an absolute necessity. And it has to happen, like globally."
(42:58)

He emphasizes that awareness of our interconnectedness with the planet is essential for sustainable living and preventing self-annihilation.

6. Meditation Practice and Practical Advice

Kabat-Zinn offers practical insights into integrating mindfulness into daily life. He advocates for formal meditation practices, such as the body scan, and encourages making mindfulness a habitual way of being:

"Life is the real meditation practice, life is the real curriculum. And then every body movement is yoga."
(43:50)

He also discusses the accessibility of mindfulness through modern technology, such as guided meditation apps, to reach a broader audience.

Concluding Insights

The dialogue culminates in a powerful affirmation of mindfulness as an essential tool for personal and collective transformation. Kabat-Zinn reiterates that mindfulness fosters compassion, clarity, and resilience, enabling individuals to navigate life's complexities with grace and intention.

"We're called human beings, but we probably should be called human doings because it's so non-stop. But what about just the love affair of being and the sanity of just being?"
(50:26)

John R. Miles and Jon Kabat-Zinn collaboratively underscore the imperative of awakening to our true nature through mindfulness, advocating for a shift from reactive living to intentional, present-moment awareness.

Conclusion

Episode 619 of Passion Struck offers listeners a deep dive into the transformative power of mindfulness. Through Jon Kabat-Zinn's wisdom, the episode challenges conventional notions of success and fulfillment, encouraging a return to awareness as the key to creating a meaningful and connected life. Whether you're new to mindfulness or seeking to deepen your practice, this conversation provides invaluable insights into living intentionally and embodying your inherent worth.

Notable Quotes:

• "Mindfulness equals awareness, pure awareness." (08:14)
• "Mindfulness is a kind of radical act of sanity and love." (15:00)
• "If everyone on the planet is a cell of the one body of well-being of the planet, then everybody has to have enough." (37:26)
• "Waking up is not a kind of luxury. It's an absolute necessity." (42:58)
• "Life is the real meditation practice, life is the real curriculum." (43:50)
• "Mindfulness isn't just a tool, it's a gateway to living more fully, more intentionally, and with a deeper sense of mattering." (72:36)

Further Resources:

• Jon Kabat-Zinn's Books:
  • Full Catastrophe Living
  • Wherever You Go, There You Are
  • Coming to Our Senses
• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): MBSR.org
• Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Guided Meditations: Available on the JKZ Meditations app

Connect with Passion Struck:

• Website: passionstruck.com
• YouTube: Search Passion Struck with John R. Miles
• Speaking Engagements: johnrmiles.com/speaking

Passion Struck with John R. Miles continues to inspire listeners to live intentionally, cultivate mindfulness, and create lives of deep purpose and connection. Stay tuned for more transformative conversations every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.