--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The basic principle of spiritual life is…" description: "\"“The basic principle of spiritual life is that our problems become the very place to discover wisdom and love. With”\" — Jack Kornfield" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29a/jack-kornfield-936_and-love_the-basic-principle-of-spiritual-life-is_216604.png" --- # The basic principle of spiritual life is that our problems… ![“The basic principle of spiritual life is that our problems become the very place to discover wisdom and love. With” quote by Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29a/jack-kornfield-936_and-love_the-basic-principle-of-spiritual-life-is_216604.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29a/jack-kornfield-936_and-love_the-basic-principle-of-spiritual-life-is_216604.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29a/jack-kornfield-936_and-love_the-basic-principle-of-spiritual-life-is_216604.png) > ““The basic principle of spiritual life is that our problems become the very place to discover wisdom and love. With”” [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Challenges are opportunities to uncover deeper understanding and compassion, turning difficulty into growth. **In simple terms:** Problems can teach wisdom and love. Key Takeaway Embrace challenges as teachers. Themes spiritual growth wisdom compassion resilience Mood reflective hopeful Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - personal crisis - relationship conflict - career setback - health issue Key Concepts mindfulness inner work transformational learning Questions to Reflect On - How can you reframe a current difficulty as a learning chance? - What practices help you stay open to love during hardship? A Different Perspective Not all problems lead to insight; sometimes they simply require practical solutions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [And love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/and-love/) [Basic Principle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basic-principle/) [Discover Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discover-wisdom-2222290/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life is](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-is/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Principle Spiritual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principle-spiritual-1056822/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Spiritual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual/) [Spiritual life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual-life/) [Spirituality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirituality/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) [Wisdom love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom-love/) [Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise/) ## Related quotes > [“A basic principle of spiritual life is that we are not earthbound people. Fully trusting our heavenly Father dispels anxiety. And the more we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-macarthur-jr/a-basic-principle-of-spiritual-life-is-that-we-are-not-earthbound/) [John F. MacArthur Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-macarthur-jr/) > [It is the basic principle of spiritual life that we learn the deepest things in unknown territory. Often it is when we feel most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/it-is-the-basic-principle-of-spiritual-life-that-we-learn-the-deepest/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Wisdom comes out of dialogue so you have to develop the capacity to expose your own ignorance in order that they may discover their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-b-goodenough/wisdom-comes-out-of-dialogue-so-you-have-to-develop-the-capacity-to/) [John B. Goodenough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-b-goodenough/) > [All men who live only according to their five senses, and seek nothing beyond the gratification of their natural appetites for pleasure and reputation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/all-men-who-live-only-according-to-their-five-senses-and-seek-nothing/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [“(Phil. 4:8). Notice that Paul doesn't limit that principle to spiritual things; he says if anything is excellent. Paul is telling us to train…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-w-colson/phil-4-8-notice-that-paul-doesn-t-limit-that-principle-to-spiritual/) [Charles W. Colson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-w-colson/) > [Much of spiritual life is self-acceptance, maybe all of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/much-of-spiritual-life-is-self-acceptance-maybe-all-of-it/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [The purpose of spiritual life is not to create some special state of mind. A state of mind is always temporary. The purpose is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/the-purpose-of-spiritual-life-is-not-to-create-some-special-state-of/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [In spiritual life there is no room for compromise. Awakening is not negotiable; we cannot bargain to hold on to things that please us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/in-spiritual-life-there-is-no-room-for-compromise-awakening-is-not/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [...Spiritual opening is not a withdrawal to some imagined realm or safe cave. It is not a pulling away, but a touching of all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/spiritual-opening-is-not-a-withdrawal-to-some-imagined-realm-or-safe/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [To open deeply, as genuine spiritual life requires, we need tremendous courage and strength, a kind of warrior spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/to-open-deeply-as-genuine-spiritual-life-requires-we-need-tremendous/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [To live in this precious animal body on this earth is as great a part of spiritual life as anything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/to-live-in-this-precious-animal-body-on-this-earth-is-as-great-a-part/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [It is a curious subject of observation and inquiry, whether hatred and love be not the same thing at bottom. Each, in its utmost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-hawthorne/it-is-a-curious-subject-of-observation-and-inquiry-whether-hatred-and/) [Nathaniel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-hawthorne/) > [My basic principle is that you don't make decisions because they are easy; you don't make them because they are cheap; you don't make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-hesburgh/my-basic-principle-is-that-you-don-t-make-decisions-because-they-are/) [Theodore Hesburgh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-hesburgh/) > [ \[It is a basic principle of a tyrant\] to unarm his people of weapons, money and all means whereby they resist his power. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-raleigh/it-is-a-basic-principle-of-a-tyrant-to-unarm-his-people-of-weapons/) [Walter Raleigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-raleigh/) > [We can never have too much preparation and training. We must be a strong competitor. We must adhere staunchly to the basic principle that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-bunche/we-can-never-have-too-much-preparation-and-training-we-must-be-a/) [Ralph Bunche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-bunche/) ## More by Jack Kornfield > [“When we let go of our battles and open our heart to things as they are, then we come to rest in the present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/when-we-let-go-of-our-battles-and-open-our-heart-to-things-as-they/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [In opening we can see how many times we have mistaken small identities and fearful beliefs for our true nature and how limiting this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/in-opening-we-can-see-how-many-times-we-have-mistaken-small/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Wherever you are is the perfect place to awaken. This moment is the exact place to practice compassion and loving awareness. You have all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/wherever-you-are-is-the-perfect-place-to-awaken-this-moment-is-the/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Acceptance does not mean inaction. We may need to respond, strongly at times...From a peaceful center we can respond instead of react. Unconscious reactions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/acceptance-does-not-mean-inaction-we-may-need-to-respond-strongly-at/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [To live in this precious animal body on this earth is as great a part of spiritual life as anything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/to-live-in-this-precious-animal-body-on-this-earth-is-as-great-a-part/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [We do not have to improve ourselves; we just have to let go of what blocks our heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/we-do-not-have-to-improve-ourselves-we-just-have-to-let-go-of-what/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [To open deeply, as genuine spiritual life requires, we need tremendous courage and strength, a kind of warrior spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/to-open-deeply-as-genuine-spiritual-life-requires-we-need-tremendous/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [As we step out of the way new things are born.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/as-we-step-out-of-the-way-new-things-are-born/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [For most of us, generosity is a quality that must be developed. We have to respect that it will grow gradually; otherwise our spirituality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/for-most-of-us-generosity-is-a-quality-that-must-be-developed-we-have/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [What is truly a part of our spiritual path is that which brings us alive. If gardening brings us alive, that is part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/what-is-truly-a-part-of-our-spiritual-path-is-that-which-brings-us/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [“Working with these distractions, steadying the canoe, letting the waves pass by, and coming back again and again in a quiet and collected way,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/working-with-these-distractions-steadying-the-canoe-letting-the-waves/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [To understand ourselves and our life is the point of insight meditation: to understand and to be free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/to-understand-ourselves-and-our-life-is-the-point-of-insight/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [To let go in the deepest recesses of the heart, to release all struggle and wanting, leads us to that knowing which is timeless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/to-let-go-in-the-deepest-recesses-of-the-heart-to-release-all/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Wisdom says we are nothing. Love says we are everything. Between these two our life flows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/wisdom-says-we-are-nothing-love-says-we-are-everything-between-these/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Breathing meditation can quiet the mind, open the body, and develop a great power of concentration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/breathing-meditation-can-quiet-the-mind-open-the-body-and-develop-a/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) [Explore all 324 Jack Kornfield quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) ## More And love quotes > [Broken by hardships, disappointments and tragedy, people can become discouraged and cynical. But lives can also be mended. Put back together well, they won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-goodier/broken-by-hardships-disappointments-and-tragedy-people-can-become/) [Steve Goodier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-goodier/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [We need, in a special way, to work twice as hard to help people understand that animals are fellow creatures, that we must protect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/we-need-in-a-special-way-to-work-twice-as-hard-to-help-people/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [There are few husbands whom the wife cannot win in the long run, by patience and love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-of-valois/there-are-few-husbands-whom-the-wife-cannot-win-in-the-long-run-by/) [Margaret of Valois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-of-valois/) > [There's little in taking or giving, There's little in water or wine: This living, this living, this living, Was never a project of mine.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-parker/there-s-little-in-taking-or-giving-there-s-little-in-water-or-wine/) [Dorothy Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-parker/) > [We'll walk together holding hands, and kiss in broad daylight, and love each other as much as we want to, and no one will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-oliver/we-ll-walk-together-holding-hands-and-kiss-in-broad-daylight-and-love/) [Lauren Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-oliver/) > [Anyone who knows me knows that I am really into hair. I'm a real girly girl and love doing my hair and experimenting with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zooey-deschanel/anyone-who-knows-me-knows-that-i-am-really-into-hair-i-m-a-real-girly/) [Zooey Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zooey-deschanel/) > [“When we let go of our battles and open our heart to things as they are, then we come to rest in the present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/when-we-let-go-of-our-battles-and-open-our-heart-to-things-as-they/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Only when man succeeds in developing his reason and love further than he has done so far, only when he can build a world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/only-when-man-succeeds-in-developing-his-reason-and-love-further-than/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [I shall pray God to send charity into this hideous world, and sympathy for the weak, and love for the unhappy and unfortunate. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wyndham/i-shall-pray-god-to-send-charity-into-this-hideous-world-and-sympathy/) [John Wyndham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wyndham/) > [And I read the moral--A brave endeavour To do thy duty, whate'er its worth, Is better than life with love forever, And love is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-jeffrey-roche/and-i-read-the-moral-a-brave-endeavour-to-do-thy-duty-whate-er-its/) [James Jeffrey Roche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-jeffrey-roche/) > [The world is a wonderfully weird place, consensual reality is significantly flawed, no institution can be trusted, certainty is a mirage, security a delusion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-world-is-a-wonderfully-weird-place-consensual-reality-is/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [You should never hate anyone, even your worst enemies. Everyone has something good about them. You have to find the redeeming quality and love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeannette-walls/you-should-never-hate-anyone-even-your-worst-enemies-everyone-has/) [Jeannette Walls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeannette-walls/) > [I rejoice that the reign of Christ is such, while it thrills the soul with emotions, and opens before the highest intellect the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-simpson/i-rejoice-that-the-reign-of-christ-is-such-while-it-thrills-the-soul/) [Matthew Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-simpson/) > [If you abide in the love of Christ, rooted in the faith, you will encounter, even amid setbacks and suffering, the source of true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/if-you-abide-in-the-love-of-christ-rooted-in-the-faith-you-will/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) [Browse all 2,635 And love quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/and-love/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The basic principle of spiritual life is that our problems become the very place to discover wisdom and love. With”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jack Kornfield" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/the-basic-principle-of-spiritual-life-is-that-our-problems-become-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "And love" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/the-basic-principle-of-spiritual-life-is-that-our-problems-become-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29a/jack-kornfield-936_and-love_the-basic-principle-of-spiritual-life-is_216604.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29a/jack-kornfield-936_and-love_the-basic-principle-of-spiritual-life-is_216604.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29a/jack-kornfield-936_and-love_the-basic-principle-of-spiritual-life-is_216604.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The basic principle of spiritual life is that our problems become the very place to discover wisdom and…” — Jack Kornfield", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jack Kornfield", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“The basic principle of spiritual life...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/the-basic-principle-of-spiritual-life-is-that-our-problems-become-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/the-basic-principle-of-spiritual-life-is-that-our-problems-become-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```