Taking ‘The Exquisite Risk:’ An Undefended Heart
Taking ‘The Exquisite Risk:’ An Undefended Heart – CC ~ Poet Mark Nepo uses the phrase “exquisite risk” to describe our willingness to be fully alive, open, available, living true to our heart. This talk explores the challenges and blessings of...
Transcript: Taking ‘The Exquisite Risk’: An Undefended Heart – Transcription
~ a talk by Tara Brach presented on March 22, 2017 Listen and watch: Taking ‘The Exquisite Risk’: An Undefended Heart Download transcript – now available in PDF. One of the metaphors for spiritual transformation that we hear a lot is that we are like a...
Meditation: Relaxing Back into Full Presence (23:37 min)
This guided practice begins with a conscious breath that relaxes the body and mind, and then a body scan to awaken to the aliveness of the present moment. We then open into the natural awareness that includes the changing flow of sounds, feelings and sensations, and...
Blog: The Freedom of Yes – Allowing Life to be Just as It Is
I often quote the psychologist Carl Rogers, who said, “It wasn’t until I accepted myself, just as I was, that I was free to change.” In other words, this acceptance — this recognizing what’s going on inside us and this deep unconditional tenderness — is the...
Realizing Your Deepest Desires
This talk differentiates between egoic intentions (driven by wants and fears), and our true aspiration (deepest desires) to manifest our full potential for awake awareness and love. We explore ways to realize and open to our deepest desires when we are stuck in...
Reflection: The Compass of Our Heart (9:07 min)
When we are remembering our deepest intention in any situation, our lives become aligned, and we can act with grace, compassion and wisdom. These reflections will help you remember your intention when caught in conflict, and in a larger way, allow the truth of...
Meditation: Letting Thought Clouds Come and Go (22:38 min)
Meditation: Letting Thought Clouds Come and Go – This meditation guides us through a body scan and into a relaxed, open presence. When we realize we are lost in a thought cloud, our practice is to relax open, listening to and feeling the life of the present...
Meditation: Getting Lost and Coming Back Here (19:46 min)
Meditation: Getting Lost and Coming Back Here This meditation establishes a sense of presence, of being Here, through a body scan and awakening the senses. We then notice when we’re lost and relax back into the wakeful stillness – the Hereness – that is...
Healing Trauma: The Light Shines Through the Broken Places
Transcript available here: Transcript: Healing Trauma – The Light Shines Through the Broken Places Most of us have encountered trauma either in our own direct experience or with someone in our immediate circle. This talk examines the shame and suffering that arise...
Meditation: A Sky-Like Mind …listening to sounds (24 min)
Meditation: A Sky-Like Mind …listening to sounds… This meditation begins with listening to sounds as a portal to spacious awareness. In addition to guiding attention to naturally occurring sounds, Tara plays chimes and gongs to deepen the experience of...
Listening to the Song – Part 2
Listening is more than a communications skill, it is a capacity that awakens our awareness. As we learn to listen inwardly, we begin to understand and care for the life that is here. And as we listen to others, that same intimacy emerges. In this two-part series we...
Blog: Where Does It Hurt? Healing the Wounds of Severed Belonging
I recently heard about a man who attempted to sneak his pet turtle onto a flight by placing it between two buns and wrapping it in a KFC wrapper. When he was discovered, he told the officials that he just couldn’t leave his beloved pet at home. I could relate! There...
Listening to the Song – Part 1
Listening is more than a communications skill, it is a capacity that awakens our awareness. As we learn to listen inwardly, we begin to understand and care for the life that is here. And as we listen to others, that same intimacy emerges. In this two-part series we...