Talks: Reflections on the Path
![Part 3 – Mindfulness of Thoughts – Introduction to Meditation](https://www.tarabrach.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/blue_buddha-300x225-e1645671330821.jpg)
Part 3 – Mindfulness of Thoughts – Introduction to Meditation
The primary element in meditation is training to awaken from the trance of thoughts. This class explores two key ways that mindfulness supports this awakening. The first is using wise reflection to discern if thoughts are imprisoning us in fear or serving healing and freedom....
![Part 3 – Mindfulness of Thoughts – Introduction to Meditation](https://www.tarabrach.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/blue_buddha-300x225-e1645671330821.jpg)
Part 2 – Mindfulness of Emotions – Introduction to Meditation
Our conditioning is to live in a reactive trance of either resisting or become possessed by strong emotions. This reactivity fuels a trance of being separate from others, and feeling defective and insecure. In this class we explore how to free ourselves from this suffering by...
![Part 3 – Mindfulness of Thoughts – Introduction to Meditation](https://www.tarabrach.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/blue_buddha-300x225-e1645671330821.jpg)
Part 1 – The Art and Science of Meditation – Introduction to Meditation
The first session defines meditation and describes the Buddhist teachings that give a context to the path of practice. We explore the two basic types of meditation--concentration and mindfulness--and then focus on the ground of mindfulness training: bringing mindful attention...
![Part 3 – Mindfulness of Thoughts – Introduction to Meditation](https://www.tarabrach.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/blue_buddha-300x225-e1645671330821.jpg)
The Path of Peace
The Path of Peace
![Loving the Earth](https://www.tarabrach.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/couple-g4cf96e198_1920-e1643917271658-1080x675.jpg)
Loving the Earth
How is it possible that we humans have wreaked such havoc on this planet, on the web of life that we belong to? This talk explores the ways that egoic consciousness can lead to violating life, and how evolving consciousness can move us toward healing this earth.
![The Power of Mindful Investigation](https://www.tarabrach.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2014-11-07-11.21.59-450X338.jpg)
The Power of Mindful Investigation
We each have a deep interest in reality–in understanding what is true and who we are. In Buddhist teachings, our interest, and its expression in wise investigation, energize the path of awakening. This talk explores how mindful investigation can free us from emotional suffering, nourish loving relatedness and create the conditions for deep spiritual realization.
![Part 3 – Mindfulness of Thoughts – Introduction to Meditation](https://www.tarabrach.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/blue_buddha-300x225-e1645671330821.jpg)
Be All That You Are
We are conditioned to live in stories that obscure the vastness, goodness and mystery of what we are. This talk explores the ways we construct a limited self-identity and the pathways to realizing and living from a fullness of our Being.
![Part 3 – Mindfulness of Thoughts – Introduction to Meditation](https://www.tarabrach.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/blue_buddha-300x225-e1645671330821.jpg)
Equanimity
Cultivating equanimity means awakening our capacity to meet the winds of life with a non-reactive, open, balanced presence. The gift of this presence is that we can see clearly what is happening within and around us, and respond with wisdom, creativity and compassion. This talk looks at our habits of reacting, and the ways we can come home to equinimity in the midst of life’s challenges.
![Part 3 – Mindfulness of Thoughts – Introduction to Meditation](https://www.tarabrach.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/blue_buddha-300x225-e1645671330821.jpg)
Joy
Joy is an innate capacity, one of the primary expressions of an awakened heart and mind. Yet because of our conditioned patterns of thought and emotion, this capacity for openness, happiness and full aliveness can be obscured. This talk guides us in how to nurture joy through a commited presence that unfolds into “loving what is.”
![Part 3 – Mindfulness of Thoughts – Introduction to Meditation](https://www.tarabrach.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/blue_buddha-300x225-e1645671330821.jpg)
Compassion – Responding to Suffering with Care
Our capacity to respond to ourselves and our world with compassion is the essence of all healing and spiritual awakening. This talk explores the trance of separation that blocks our natural compassion, and includes guided practices that enable us to directly cultivate a compassionate heart.
![Part 3 – Mindfulness of Thoughts – Introduction to Meditation](https://www.tarabrach.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/blue_buddha-300x225-e1645671330821.jpg)
The Divine Abodes: Metta – Lovingkindness (a dharma talk)
This talk explores what gets in the way of loving presence and the training that awakens and frees our hearts.
![Part 3 – Mindfulness of Thoughts – Introduction to Meditation](https://www.tarabrach.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/blue_buddha-300x225-e1645671330821.jpg)
Blessings of a Forgiving Heart
The roots of peace and war are within these very hearts. In the moments that we release blame, we reconnect with the compassionate presence that heals ourselves and others as well. This talk includes a meditation that guides us in awakening our capacity to forgive.
![Part 3 – Mindfulness of Thoughts – Introduction to Meditation](https://www.tarabrach.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/blue_buddha-300x225-e1645671330821.jpg)
Self-Forgiveness
Holding ourselves with a compassionate, forgiving heart is the gateway to healing, and to intimacy with our world. This talk explores our deep conditioning to be at war with ourselves, and the insights and elements of forgiving that can carry us home to loving presence.
![Part 3 – Mindfulness of Thoughts – Introduction to Meditation](https://www.tarabrach.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/blue_buddha-300x225-e1645671330821.jpg)
Trusting Who We Are
If we investigate, we will find that much suffering arises out of mistrust–of ourselves, others and life. This talk explores the genesis of the great challenges of doubt and mistrust, and the pathway to trusting the goodness that is our essence.
![Part 3 – Mindfulness of Thoughts – Introduction to Meditation](https://www.tarabrach.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/blue_buddha-300x225-e1645671330821.jpg)
Turning Towards What You Love
For many of us, the most apparent junctures of spiritual transformation are spurred on by challenging life situations. This talk looks at how our conscious aspiration for awakening, and our practice of mindful presence, can help us find peace, compassion and freedom when difficulties arise.
![Part 3 – Mindfulness of Thoughts – Introduction to Meditation](https://www.tarabrach.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/blue_buddha-300x225-e1645671330821.jpg)
The Power of Mind
The Buddha taught that “Everything is based on mind, is led by mind, is fashioned by mind.” This talk explores how our intention and attention can tap into the living awareness that is our source, and give rise to healing of body, heart and spirit.
![Part 3 – Mindfulness of Thoughts – Introduction to Meditation](https://www.tarabrach.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/blue_buddha-300x225-e1645671330821.jpg)
The Fires of Loss
We all encounter the great losses of our own health and life, and of cherished others. We are conditioned to resist opening to the rawness and grief that comes with loss. This talk describes the refuge of presence in the face of loss, and the gift of timeless love that arises as we make peace with the reality of this living, dying world.
![Part 3 – Mindfulness of Thoughts – Introduction to Meditation](https://www.tarabrach.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/blue_buddha-300x225-e1645671330821.jpg)
The Unreal Other – Awakening empathy and wisdom
When we experience others through a conditioned lens of wants and fears, and of unexamined beliefs, we react in ways that cause distance and sometimes obvious injury. This talk explores how we create separation from others, and the ways we can awaken from this trance and live from genuine empathy and wisdom.
![Part 3 – Mindfulness of Thoughts – Introduction to Meditation](https://www.tarabrach.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/blue_buddha-300x225-e1645671330821.jpg)
Part 2 – Relating Wisely with Fear
While fear is essential to survival, it can also strangle our capacity to live fully and awaken spiritually. These two talks explore how fear takes over our lives, and the ways we can train our attention to free ourselves from its grip.
![Part 3 – Mindfulness of Thoughts – Introduction to Meditation](https://www.tarabrach.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/blue_buddha-300x225-e1645671330821.jpg)
Part 1 – Relating Wisely with Fear
While fear is essential to survival, it can also strangle our capacity to live fully and awaken spiritually. These two talks explore how fear takes over our lives, and the ways we can train our attention to free ourselves from its grip.
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