Talks: Reflections on the Path
Alchemy of Wise Effort in Spiritual Life
The ground of wise effort is our sincere intentionality toward presence, love and freedom. Yet our habit is to go into trance, and latch on to narrowed intentions of self-enhancement or defense. When this goes on for years, we feel disappointment in our lives, a sense of not being true to ourselves. Through guided reflections, we explore how–in spiritual practice and in relationships–we can connect with our deepest intention and live in a way that expresses our awakening heart and awareness.
Flowering, From Within, of Self-Blessing
This line from poet Galway Kinnell reminds us of the possibility of meeting our inner life with a loving, healing presence. When we do, we loosen the trance of unworthiness and reconnect with our intrinsic goodness. In turn, we can offer our blessings to others–serving as reminders of the awareness and love that can blossom in all beings.
Freedom in the Midst of Difficulty
We suffer when we forget who we are and get caught in a limited sense of self. This talk explores how we become identified with a sliver of what we are, and the pathway to remembering our wholeness. When we know we’re the ocean, we are free to relate to the waves with respect, compassion and love.
Embodied Presence: Gateway to Intimacy and Freedom
We often move through the day in a reactive trance, removed from the aliveness of our bodies and this natural world. This talk explores how coming home to our bodies awakens us to living love, creativity and the deepest realization of who we are.
Opening the Lotus of Your Heart (retreat talk)
Our reaction to life’s stress is to contract, and we live many moments with a tight body, clenched heart and narrowed mind. This talk explores how deepening attention can reconnect us with our natural openness and radiance (from the 2012 Women’s Retreat on 2/3/2012).
Questions, Guided Meditation and Group Sharing
Led by Tara
Part 2: Three Blessings on the Journey
Drawing on a wonderful teaching story from the Upanishads, these two talks explore the role of forgiveness, inner fire and looking at our own minds, in finding freedom.
Part 1: Three Blessings on the Journey
Drawing on a wonderful teaching story from the Upanishads, these two talks explore the role of forgiveness, inner fire and looking at our own minds, in finding freedom.
Part 2: Trusting Your Basic Goodness
Einstein says the most important question we will ever ask ourselves is, “Is this universe a friendly place?” Do we trust that there is something essentially benevolent or good about this universe? That we are essentially good? These two talks explore what it means to trust basic goodness, and how this trust naturally emerges through cultivating a meditative presence.
Part 1: Trusting Your Basic Goodness
Einstein says the most important question we will ever ask ourselves is, “Is this universe a friendly place?” Do we trust that there is something essentially benevolent or good about this universe? That we are essentially good? These two talks explore what it means to trust basic goodness, and how this trust naturally emerges through cultivating a meditative presence.
Taking Refuge
This class explores the three classic gateways to true refuge – Buddha (awareness); Dharma (path, truth of reality) and Sangha (spiritual friends, loving relatedness). It includes reflections and a ceremony that supports us in remembering the pathway home.(See “Taking Refuge” in video.)
The Blessings of Embodied Presence (retreat talk)
All that we cherish - love, creativity, wisdom and aliveness - becomes available when we come home to an embodied presence. This talk looks at how the two wings of mindfulness and compassion guide us in the midst of difficulty to our inner sanctuary of freedom (retreat talk).
No Mud, No Lotus
Our attitude in the face of life’s challenges determines our suffering or our freedom. This solstice talk explores the light of compassion that blossoms when we honor our difficult times with a deep, mindful attention. This solstice evening includes chanting, singing and a candlelighting ceremony. (See “No Mud, No Lotus” in video.)
The Dance of Relational Trance
When we become emotionally reactive in our relationships, we often go into a trance that creates separation and locks us into a narrow sense of self. This talk explores how, by pausing and deepening our attention, we can reconnect with the wisdom of our hearts....
The Backward Step
Our habit is to think we are on our way someplace else, and that our happiness is to be found outside ourselves. Yet realization becomes possible when we take the backward step into the formless dimension of our own being. This talk explores the two pathways that awaken us from...
Talk With Francesca Show
Tara was interviewed for the “Talk with Francesca” radio show (talkwithfrancesca.com). It was aired on January 1, 2012 at Boston’s WWZN radio. Here’s the recording and Francesca’s comment: "Today I interviewed Tara Brach, author of "Radical Acceptance." A brilliant woman, she...
Pathways to a Grateful Heart
When we are filled with gratitude, we are living from the most sincere, awake part of our being. This talk explores three pathways of practice that open us to serving and savoring this life.
Mindful Speech
Deception, gossip and aggressive speech are pervasive in our culture. This talk looks at the roots of these forms of communication, and the way they entrap us in a contracted and separate sense of self. We then explore the practices that help us speak from a courageous...
The Space of Presence
The perception of “there’s not enough time or space” in life blocks our natural capacity for intimacy, creativity and wisdom. Pausing and connecting with the space of presence transforms our entire experience of being alive. This talk explores the pathways that reveal the space that is always here, the awake and loving space of our own awareness. (See “The Space of Presence” in video.)
Divine Abodes: Equanimity
Equanimity is the mental state of balance and non-reactivity that arises when we are resting in open, wakeful presence. This talk reviews the key pathways to equanimity in the face of difficulty. We also explore the blessing of equanimity: the freedom to respond to our life...
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