Grandmother’s Heart: Compassion, Wisdom, and the Moral Imperative: Awakened Action (Part 7 of 9)

In Part 7 of the Awakened Action series, Christiana Figueres opens with a poignant reflection on the world her grandchild is entering. Grappling with this question, she recalls the teaching of “grandmother’s heart”—a heart rooted in deep compassion and equanimity, balanced in the face of both joy and suffering. The conversation continues with Roshi Joan, who explores the wisdom and resolve of grandmother’s heart, clarifying that it is not about doting or endearment, but about deep, unconditional presence. The discussion moves to anger, its root causes, and the importance of transcending surface-level anger to understand the deeper, often painful realities behind it. The session also addresses the moral imperative to speak out about social justice issues, particularly the ongoing genocide in Palestine, highlighting the contrast between the Buddhist community’s typical apolitical stance and the responsibility to engage with the world. Themes of storytelling emerge, with reflections on the vital role of grandparents as storytellers, passing down wisdom and values to future generations. To access the resources page for this program, please sign up by clicking here.