Reach within to access the compassion with which we all were made… It’s there, despite early conditioning to the contrary. A therapist who practices the same, can be invaluable to further one’s awakening to self-, and other-, compassion… I’ve had one.
Hi Tara,
Thank you so much for all your solid tools and compassion. I really am able to hear your words.
I have a friendship of 30+ years that has been a long distance one for most of that time, recently that friend has moved very close to me and I’m finding the proximity brings up a lot of fear and judgement. Some of it is valid, but most of it comes from my own feelings of control and inadequacy. I spend a lot of time validating why I am excluding this person from my life and my “healthy boundaries”, but what I really feel is sadness. Sadness that we can’t find the ease that we once knew together, and a deeper realization that my own judgements about my self and my worthiness are what’s at the root of my inability to let her in.
Again, thank you for your tools. I am seeing things more clearly and KNOW the way through these difficulties starts with love and compassion towards myself FIRST.
Thank you so much!
To accept that the feelings I have of shame and unworthiness I have are causing suffering, that I am suffering opens my heart to giving myself more love and compassion.
Tara your insights of deep kindness to my inner pain provides me with a door opening
You give me hope that I may be able to forgive that inner protector for giving me the only gift she thought I could accept to ease my pain……food!
Self compassion and learning to accept myself, has been a long process and a infinite endeavor. The more compassion and self love that I feel in my entire being, has created an environment of warmth, forgiveness and compassion for others.
So much to learn from this – thank you Tara! I love your gentle, warm approach and just listening to your beautiful voice is healing in itself!
My client list during this post pandemic is through the roof where there is so much suffering, and so weaving your helpful techniques into my style of working with those hurting, are already helping my clients to feel better.
Being connected to one another doesn’t seem like much of an answer to climate change since it is a result of too many people…any thoughts on that? Thank you for your living presence Tara
Thank you Tara, all blessings to you too. The self-forgiveness exercise felt very healing, I could feel a shift inside, like a soothing energy. The gift of
genuine forgiveness and self-compassion would offer clients the chance to be mindful and forgiving of further inner-conflict around, for example, self-criticism and shame.
A Very good base where to plant new seeds. I’ve mastered in Mindfulness and still I tent to forget that self compassion is essential for us and for our relations. Thank you Tara, always very inspiring. Namaste, Tidy
The feeling of self forgiveness is very calming and makes the picture better and able to revisit with more understanding and healing.
Gassho dear Tara _/\_
Forgiving myself helps me to be more aware of other people’s insecurities and pain. When I am gentle with myself, I relax and can be more relaxed with my spouse and friends. I can also let my sense of humor emerge.
Susan Odessky, Another Field, East Stroudsburg, PA, USAsays
Thank you, Tara. Your skills for self-compassion are very helpful. Although I have used these practices individually, putting them together makes a difference. Your work is so helpful and life-changing.
Thank you for your wise and peaceful teaching. My relationships are being transformed daily as I practice mindfulness and self compassion. I’ve also realised that I am a much nicer person than I ‘thought’ I was ?
Why does it feel so important sometimes to hold onto the sadness of suffering in a relationship – not feeling loved, wondering if you should have put more or less into it, or whether it was perhaps the wrong fit to begin with? I experience that grief as anger at myself, and conflate it with the feeling that ‘love hurts.’
Judith Pollack, Social Work, Westbury, NY, USAsays
All 3 posts were beautifully clear and concise at the same time, moving at a personal level as well as useful at a professional level. The expression, it’s not all about me comes to mind with your gentle way of explaining how we can forgive ourselves and others. In some ways it is “all about me” when we understand, accept and don ‘t berate ourselves for the causes and conditions that come together to create the moment and who we are in that moment. Understanding this deeply, it seems to me, allows us to really see it is not “all about me” and gives new choices and allows for genuine forgiveness. I have always been moved by “there for the grace of God go I.” Thank you Tara. Glad I took the time to listen this morning. Judy
I can see how my anger is a direct result of trying to avoid the uncomfortable feelings and living in self judgement. These videos perfectly unpacked that and now I have a practical tool to use. Thank you!
So helpful, this resonates so much , the key is in catching ourselves before the reactivity takes hold and doing something different. This demonstrates this process so well.
Offering kindness and “it’s not your fault” to myself in the context of a specific relationship was eye- and heart-opening for me. I’ve been working with self-compassion practices for some time, but always in sort of a general, over-arching way. Here, bringing to mind the guilt and shame I feel around a specific relationship, and giving the gift of understanding to myself as I felt that specific, tangible pain, I noticed a release and lessening of tension.
I first found compassion for myself during an EMDR session in which I was able to see myself as a hurt child. Although it seemed comparatively easy for me to feel kindness and love towards myself, I resound with your words that feeling self-compassion is incredibly difficult for many of my clients. Thank you, Tara, for your compassion and wisdom and the gift of your videos to our world during this tumultuous time.
Thank you for a user-friendly guide to asking the right questions for self-other-development and for developping self-acceptance. this is going to be so useful to me both personally and professionally.
Genuine forgiveness, and developing a greater space for this with myself would allow me to open and hold the turbulence of anger, fear, and grief, instead of pushing them out onto others. I see myself becoming more able to “be with the waves” like Sam, and fostering emotional safety and trust that has been overshadowed by unpredictability and hurt feelings. I “know” these things cognitively, but my emotional brain so easily forgets. Thank you so much for the reminder and healing messages, Tara. With gratitude.. ??
Shame and guilt have kept me from being closer with so many people in my life. I notice when I let go of self judgement, I am more compassionate with myself and with others.
Thank you for the three videos which have helped me to focus on the questions as well as the mindfulness and compassion exercises to use with my clients (and myself!). Sad to say, this is relevant to the majority of my clients who struggle to heal their anger, shame and guilt.
Thank you for sharing this vital teaching. It is so needed in our lives and communities. I’ve been personally touched by your generosity to offer this key truth to our world. And as I’m learning to love myself in this way, I find l can be more present to others in a loving embodied way.
Terri Anonymous, Other, In the prairie, MN, USA says
My heart hurts when I try to forgive myself. It’s painful and makes me not want to go there
Carol C, Other, Harrisburg, PA, USA says
Reach within to access the compassion with which we all were made… It’s there, despite early conditioning to the contrary. A therapist who practices the same, can be invaluable to further one’s awakening to self-, and other-, compassion… I’ve had one.
anonymous says
There was a glimmer, some space that I could start fresh with love and care. Need to stay with this.
Veronica Koltuniak, Other, USA says
Hi Tara,
Thank you so much for all your solid tools and compassion. I really am able to hear your words.
I have a friendship of 30+ years that has been a long distance one for most of that time, recently that friend has moved very close to me and I’m finding the proximity brings up a lot of fear and judgement. Some of it is valid, but most of it comes from my own feelings of control and inadequacy. I spend a lot of time validating why I am excluding this person from my life and my “healthy boundaries”, but what I really feel is sadness. Sadness that we can’t find the ease that we once knew together, and a deeper realization that my own judgements about my self and my worthiness are what’s at the root of my inability to let her in.
Again, thank you for your tools. I am seeing things more clearly and KNOW the way through these difficulties starts with love and compassion towards myself FIRST.
Angie, CA, USA says
Thank you so much!
To accept that the feelings I have of shame and unworthiness I have are causing suffering, that I am suffering opens my heart to giving myself more love and compassion.
Katrine Bagnkop, Coach, DK says
Self forgiveness is a powerful tool…
Cindy Henderson, Social Work, Overland Park, KS, USA says
Doing the exercise helped release a protective barrier of guilt and shame that keeps me from being as open-hearted as I could be in my relationship.
Judy, CA says
Tara your insights of deep kindness to my inner pain provides me with a door opening
You give me hope that I may be able to forgive that inner protector for giving me the only gift she thought I could accept to ease my pain……food!
Georgette McHale, Other, Mountain Lakes, NJ, USA says
Self compassion and learning to accept myself, has been a long process and a infinite endeavor. The more compassion and self love that I feel in my entire being, has created an environment of warmth, forgiveness and compassion for others.
Thank you . . . Georgette
Debra Reece, Counseling, New York , NY, USA says
Tara Brach Phd -simply the best!
Thank you
Diane Korzin, Other, Bend, OR, USA says
Thank you for bringing me back to my journey to give myself compassion
Sue Weller, Psychotherapy, GB says
So much to learn from this – thank you Tara! I love your gentle, warm approach and just listening to your beautiful voice is healing in itself!
My client list during this post pandemic is through the roof where there is so much suffering, and so weaving your helpful techniques into my style of working with those hurting, are already helping my clients to feel better.
Jaye Stover, Social Work, Burlington, WA, USA says
Being connected to one another doesn’t seem like much of an answer to climate change since it is a result of too many people…any thoughts on that? Thank you for your living presence Tara
Paula LaHue, Other, Aptos, CA, USA says
This is all very helpful and needed!
I’ve listened to you before and feel it has changed my life!!
Arti Sharma, Psychology, IN says
Thank you so much….for sharing the importance of self forgiveness…
Its calming, healing….
Angie P, Other, Jersey, NJ, USA says
I love this. Thank you so much.
Richard Leigh, Counseling, GB says
Thank you Tara, all blessings to you too. The self-forgiveness exercise felt very healing, I could feel a shift inside, like a soothing energy. The gift of
genuine forgiveness and self-compassion would offer clients the chance to be mindful and forgiving of further inner-conflict around, for example, self-criticism and shame.
Tidy Minghetti, Another Field, CH says
A Very good base where to plant new seeds. I’ve mastered in Mindfulness and still I tent to forget that self compassion is essential for us and for our relations. Thank you Tara, always very inspiring. Namaste, Tidy
Anonymous says
It helps me see me as more human,it’s ok to accept help when I am vulnerable .
Kathi Bradley, counselor, yoga teacher, wellness coach, Counseling, Charlotte, NC, USA says
This was a grace Tara, thank you ❤️
Kathi Bradley, Counseling, Charlotte, NC, USA says
This was a grace Tara, thank you ❤️
Moises Mehl, Other, HK says
The feeling of self forgiveness is very calming and makes the picture better and able to revisit with more understanding and healing.
Gassho dear Tara _/\_
Anonymous says
Relieaf
Elizabeth P, Another Field, SC , CA, USA says
Self compassion is key to other compassion
Celia Guilford, Stress Management, CA says
Thank you Tara! Beautiful teachings!
Richard Kahle, Other, Lincoln, NE, USA says
Enjoyed the presentation.
Sarah Nashashibi, Psychotherapy, GR says
Self compassion will grow better connecting
Kat Young, Social Work, IL, USA says
Shame and guilt are powerful emotional barriers.
Bonnie Blake, Another Field, USA says
Forgiving myself helps me to be more aware of other people’s insecurities and pain. When I am gentle with myself, I relax and can be more relaxed with my spouse and friends. I can also let my sense of humor emerge.
lisa clarke, Counseling, GB says
I loved the videos, thank you so much Tara.
Susan Odessky, Another Field, East Stroudsburg, PA, USA says
Thank you, Tara. Your skills for self-compassion are very helpful. Although I have used these practices individually, putting them together makes a difference. Your work is so helpful and life-changing.
Michael, Another Field, NV, USA says
Yes, self compassion is very healing.
Deborah read, Other, GB says
Thank you for your wise and peaceful teaching. My relationships are being transformed daily as I practice mindfulness and self compassion. I’ve also realised that I am a much nicer person than I ‘thought’ I was ?
Liz K, Another Field, USA says
Why does it feel so important sometimes to hold onto the sadness of suffering in a relationship – not feeling loved, wondering if you should have put more or less into it, or whether it was perhaps the wrong fit to begin with? I experience that grief as anger at myself, and conflate it with the feeling that ‘love hurts.’
Judith Pollack, Social Work, Westbury, NY, USA says
All 3 posts were beautifully clear and concise at the same time, moving at a personal level as well as useful at a professional level. The expression, it’s not all about me comes to mind with your gentle way of explaining how we can forgive ourselves and others. In some ways it is “all about me” when we understand, accept and don ‘t berate ourselves for the causes and conditions that come together to create the moment and who we are in that moment. Understanding this deeply, it seems to me, allows us to really see it is not “all about me” and gives new choices and allows for genuine forgiveness. I have always been moved by “there for the grace of God go I.” Thank you Tara. Glad I took the time to listen this morning. Judy
Dr. Suzanne Buffie, Chiropractor, CA says
I can see how my anger is a direct result of trying to avoid the uncomfortable feelings and living in self judgement. These videos perfectly unpacked that and now I have a practical tool to use. Thank you!
Sue Greaves, Counseling, GB says
So helpful, this resonates so much , the key is in catching ourselves before the reactivity takes hold and doing something different. This demonstrates this process so well.
Carol Jordaan, Teacher, ZA says
I loved every moment of this. Self Compassion is very healing
Lorre Fleming, Danville , VA, USA says
Offering kindness and “it’s not your fault” to myself in the context of a specific relationship was eye- and heart-opening for me. I’ve been working with self-compassion practices for some time, but always in sort of a general, over-arching way. Here, bringing to mind the guilt and shame I feel around a specific relationship, and giving the gift of understanding to myself as I felt that specific, tangible pain, I noticed a release and lessening of tension.
Thank you, Tara.
Kabita Roy, Psychology, Stillwater , MN, USA says
A sense of connection to myself and towards others
Amy Gray, Psychotherapy, Denver, CO, USA says
I first found compassion for myself during an EMDR session in which I was able to see myself as a hurt child. Although it seemed comparatively easy for me to feel kindness and love towards myself, I resound with your words that feeling self-compassion is incredibly difficult for many of my clients. Thank you, Tara, for your compassion and wisdom and the gift of your videos to our world during this tumultuous time.
Linda Denton, Nursing, Chapel Hill, NC, USA says
I can see how forgiving self could make one more responsible, more compassionate to others, more open to intimacy. This has been great. Thank you.
Katherine Perdue, CA says
I think that its hard for clients to get there let alone myself. If I do, maybe my climets can too.
Valérie Mor, Colonial Beach, VA, USA says
Thank you for reminding me to be aware of my thoughts so I can accept them as waves that come and go and dont define who I am
a says
Thank you for a user-friendly guide to asking the right questions for self-other-development and for developping self-acceptance. this is going to be so useful to me both personally and professionally.
Rachel Hellgren, Teacher, Oxford, OH, USA says
Genuine forgiveness, and developing a greater space for this with myself would allow me to open and hold the turbulence of anger, fear, and grief, instead of pushing them out onto others. I see myself becoming more able to “be with the waves” like Sam, and fostering emotional safety and trust that has been overshadowed by unpredictability and hurt feelings. I “know” these things cognitively, but my emotional brain so easily forgets. Thank you so much for the reminder and healing messages, Tara. With gratitude.. ??
Helen Helenjayneward2@yahoo.co.uk, Other, GB says
Truth to live Free
Tracy White, Student, Kansas City, MO, USA says
Shame and guilt have kept me from being closer with so many people in my life. I notice when I let go of self judgement, I am more compassionate with myself and with others.
Elizabeth Murphy, Psychology, GB says
Thank you for the three videos which have helped me to focus on the questions as well as the mindfulness and compassion exercises to use with my clients (and myself!). Sad to say, this is relevant to the majority of my clients who struggle to heal their anger, shame and guilt.
RuthAnn Bunt, Counseling, Leola, PA, USA says
Thank you for sharing this vital teaching. It is so needed in our lives and communities. I’ve been personally touched by your generosity to offer this key truth to our world. And as I’m learning to love myself in this way, I find l can be more present to others in a loving embodied way.