Tara Brach

Most of us know what it is like to feel emotionally reactive—hurt by others, overwhelmed by circumstances, horrified by what is unfolding in our world, betrayed by our own body, hijacked by our mind. In those moments, we can become identified with a small and vulnerable self—a victim self who feels at the mercy of forces larger than us.

In this talk, we will examine how we become trapped in this often unconscious pattern, personally and collectively, and how it leaves us fearful, isolated, and cut off from our natural power. We'll then explore how the wings of mindfulness and compassion can carry us beyond that trance, revealing the freedom, love, and aliveness of our true nature.

Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025 ABT Music

All true meditation guides us back to presence, and the mystery that is our source. In this guided meditation we awaken the senses, collect with the breath, and when lost in thought, practice relaxing back into the aliveness and awareness that is always here. We close with a beautiful poem from poet Danna Faulds.

Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025 ABT Music

In a recent conversation on Tami Simon's podcast Insights at the Edge, Tara and Tami reflected on themes from The Courageous Heart Workbook: Choosing to Love in Perilous Times. As many know, Tami is an exceptional interviewer, and the dialogue opened into questions that feel deeply relevant for these times.

What does it mean to be bodhisattvas—to be awakening beings and caring beings—in a world marked by uncertainty and division? What is being asked of us now?

The conversation touched on the deeper meaning of courage, the relationship between spiritual practice and engagement with the world, and the ways spirituality can sometimes become a means of avoiding what most needs our attention and care. It also explored how we can actively choose love, recognize our shared basic goodness, and shift from the busyness of the mind into a more awake and connected heart.

It was a rich and heartfelt exploration, offering reflections and practices to support a more open, courageous, and engaged way of being in our world.

Pick up your copy of The Courageous Heart Workbook at your favorite bookseller, or order online here.

Listen to more from Insights at the Edge with Tami Simon

Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025 ABT Music

In this guided meditation, Tara invites us to discover the healing power of a listening presence—an awake and receptive awareness that allows us to come home to the aliveness of this moment. Together, we'll explore how listening deeply—to sounds, sensations, the breath, and the heart—can soften the grip of habitual thinking and reconnect us with the peace, openness, and tenderness that live beneath the surface of our busy minds. As we rest in a relaxed and alert attention, we begin to sense the simple miracle of being here. Again and again, we gently return from distraction to presence, cultivating a compassionate awareness that can hold our experience with kindness and ease. This meditation concludes with an invitation to awaken the heart's natural capacity for care, extending our wishes for well-being to ourselves and all beings.

Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025 ABT Music

Equanimity unfolds as we find a wise balance and spaciousness in the midst of this living, dying world.

This series reflects on four primary expressions of an awake, wise heart: lovingkindness, compassion, joy and equanimity. In each talk we explore the habitual patterning that blocks our full realization of these innate capacities, and the understandings and practices that nurture their unfolding.

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In this talk, Tara explores how equanimity—the spacious, awake presence that can hold life just as it is—is an essential foundation for love, compassion, and joy to fully flourish.

Drawing from Buddhist teachings on the Brahmaviharas, we reflect on how equanimity is not indifference or passivity, but a courageous openness that allows us to stay present with pain without hardening into blame or fear. Through stories, poetry, guided reflection, and practical meditation instruction, she invites us to discover the freedom of becoming "the ocean" that can hold all the changing waves of experience with compassion and care.

In this talk, you'll discover:

• How equanimity creates the inner balance that allows love, compassion, and joy to mature and deepen
• The difference between true equanimity and emotional withdrawal or indifference
• How mindfulness and kindness help us move from reactivity into wise, compassionate presence
• The practice of "being the ocean, not the waves" when facing fear, conflict, or uncertainty
• How equanimity supports healing, courageous action, and a heart that is "ready for anything"
• A guided meditation for working with difficult emotions and relationships with awareness and compassion

This talk is especially supportive for anyone seeking emotional balance, mindfulness, self-compassion, spiritual awakening, healing relationships, and finding peace in uncertain times.

Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025 ABT Music

In this guided meditation, we explore the healing power of embodied presence—awakening through the living intelligence of the body and relaxing into the spacious awareness that is always here. Together, we gently soften habitual tension, reconnect with the aliveness flowing through the heart and body, and rediscover the stillness that holds all experience with tenderness and care.

Through mindful attention to sensation, breath, and sound, this meditation invites you to step out of the trance of thinking and return to the fullness of the present moment. As awareness opens, we begin to sense the deep peace, compassion, and belonging that emerge when we say "yes" to life just as it is.

This meditation is a supportive practice for:

• Stress relief and nervous system regulation
• Cultivating mindfulness and present-moment awareness
• Relaxing anxiety and overthinking
• Deepening self-compassion and inner peace
• Reconnecting with the body and awake heart
• Spiritual awakening and resting in true nature

Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025 ABT Music

Joy blossoms in the moments our hearts open boundlessly to reality, to the 10,000 joys and sorrows.

This series reflects on four primary expressions of an awake, wise heart: lovingkindness, compassion, joy and equanimity. In each talk we explore the habitual patterning that blocks our full realization of these innate capacities, and the understandings and practices that nurture their unfolding.

In this talk, Tara explores:

• How the "if-only" mind keeps us leaning forward, chasing happiness in the future, rather than discovering the aliveness and freedom available right here, right now • How the trance of "something is wrong" contracts our hearts, and the deep, compassionate presence that can free us to love life just as it is. • The power of mindful presence—how pausing, softening, and truly receiving this moment allows joy to naturally arise. • How gladdening the mind—through gratitude, love, and wonder—can shift our set point for happiness and awaken a deep trust in the unfolding of life.

Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025 ABT Music

This meditation scans through the body, and awakens attention to the open, inclusive awareness that all life arises in. We then explore experiencing that openness in the region of the heart, saying yes to life and including whatever is here with unconditional presence.

Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025 ABT Music

This guided meditation invites you into the living presence that is always here—an awake awareness that can hold the changing waves of sensation, emotion, and thought with tenderness and ease. As we soften into the moment, we discover a natural peace and loving awareness that is not separate from life, but intimately connected with all beings.

Whether you are new to meditation or deepening an established mindfulness practice, this reflection can support healing, emotional balance, inner peace, and spiritual awakening.

Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025 ABT Music

Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025 ABT Music

Compassion – the tender resonance of heart – awakens as we allow ourselves to be touched by our shared vulnerability.

This series reflects on four primary expressions of an awake, wise heart: lovingkindness, compassion, joy and equanimity. In each talk we explore the habitual patterning that blocks our full realization of these innate capacities, and the understandings and practices that nurture their unfolding.

In this talk, Tara explores

✨the all-inclusive nature of compassion in awakening our hearts and embracing all beings with care and presence. ✨ how evolutionary conditioning limits compassion, yet reveals our brain's natural wiring for empathy and connection. ✨ the common blocks to compassion, like fear, stress, and busyness, which pull us into a trance of disconnection. ✨ the essential role of self-compassion and kindness toward ourselves in deepening our ability to care for others. ✨ how to make compassion a lasting trait, by fully feeling and savoring moments of care so they shape who we are.

Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025 ABT Music