Dr. Tammie’s Book of the Month — November 2024

No Time Like the Present: Finding Freedom, Love, and Joy Right Where You Are

By Jack Kornfield

The last few weeks have been tumultuous for all of us living and working in the U.S. no matter our political views. And for us who care deeply about equity and women’s rights, it’s been a difficult time. One that has rocked many of us.

Jack Kornfield, author, psychologist, former Buddhist monk, founder of Spirit Rock Meditation Center, and author of A Path with Heart, wrote No Time Like the Present: Finding Freedom, Love, and Joy Right Where You Are, just before the pandemic.

I started this book several months ago, and then put it down. It was not the right time for me to read this book – I was not ready yet. Now, I’m so grateful I was drawn to this book months ago, so that I could stumble across it in a pile of books on my shelf when I needed it most.

I’m still only part way through it, as I’m savoring and enjoying each chapter slowly. When the world is seemingly unraveling around us, what can we do? We must find peace within ourselves, within our center, and within what we can control. Otherwise, the outside turmoil can wreak havoc on every part of our being. And this is no way to live.

Jack Kornfield urges us to trust the Universe and trust ourselves – but wisely. “Wise trust is not naive,” he writes. “You can be trusting and protect your body, your heart, and your possessions. With wise trust your heart can be free wherever you are.” We can be free wherever we are.

And another huge perspective shift he invites us to try out is choosing to believe that “the Universe is rigged in our favor,” as the poet Rumi wrote. What if the Universe really does have our back? If so, then what is the Universe, this challenge, this difficult time, teaching us? How is this time helping us to grow? How is this helping us to become stronger?

Jack Kornfield quotes Dr. Rachel Remen who writes of the place in the bullfighting ring where the bull feels safe and can gather his full strength, his querencia. For us as humans, our querencia is the safe place in our inner world.

“When a person finds their querencia, in full view of the matador, they are calm and peaceful. Wise. They have gathered their strength around them.”

I know this has been a difficult month. And so, I want you to know of and have this book. I know you can find your own querencia. And I hope this book will help you as it has helped me.

With all my love,

Tammie