Sometimes people spend a lifetime resisting one particular feeling. But according to Tara Brach, PhD, being able to nudge them gently into their “ouch” moment can be pivotal to opening people up to self-compassion . . .
. . .and in just one hour, Tara shared how a simple gesture (hand on heart) and two small words (“I’m sorry”) can help steer patients through these moments, into what she calls “true refuge.”
And, as always, I was fascinated by some of the responses we got from the people who tuned in to this week’s webinar with Tara.
Like this one, from a practitioner who plans to incorporate Tara’s techniques into her own practice:
“What stands out the most for me in this moment is my need to continue practicing presence, calm non-reactivity as a psychotherapist. My intensity and dynamic way of being stokes many a fire, helps those who have been profoundly neglected and unwanted to feel loved and cherished. This is good. And it is ok to just to be with them sometimes in the pause, the quiet nurturing pause, in which they can find their own energy, sensations, emotions and expressions. (self-compassion)”
Nicole Ann Ditz – Holistic Depth Psychotherapist
It’s also gratifying to read comments like this one, from a viewer who appreciates the simplicity of taking time to pause:
“I love calling mindfulness a type of ‘pausing’. People can relate to that. What I love about these talks is that the same concepts of awareness and compassion are presented over and over in different ways from loads of different angles, so I get a really great comprehensive understanding of them. As well as that I get practical ways that people can actually feel how to feel that way. Ruth I think it is great you always ask ‘How can we do this’ because people need to know. Practitioners need to know – how can I help people to actually experience these things for themselves, not just waffle on about compassion and healing.”
Sarah McCormack, Ireland
And it’s exciting to hear about which specific techniques strike viewers in particular – for instance, this person responded to Tara’s hands-to-heart technique:
“I have always wanted to see Tara speak. I read Radical Acceptance years ago and loved it for myself and my clients. She was as great as I thought she would be. The mudra of putting your hands to your heart is so comforting and I will use it with my clients who are disassociated from themselves. Thank you for presenting the series. I hope to become a gold member soon.”
Harriette Rovner Ferguson, LCSW
Throughout this series, when each webinar ends, the conversation begins.
And if you were able to join us for the webinar with Tara Brach, what was your biggest takeaway? Please share your responses in the comment section below.
I AM a Psychiatric Rn, BSN We
How long is Tara Brach’s webinar? I need to schedule the time, but don’t see any mention of the duration. Thanks!
I have been unable to be present for any live broadcasts.
I regret what I have been unable to study and enjoy.
As a gold member will I an opportunity
to access a recording or transcript of the live broadcasts?
I am truly grateful for your sharing of so many enthusiastic comments.
Your program and your participants generates a conscious energy within my heart.
You and your staff and members and guests manifest living experiences of mindfulness.
Hello David,
Thank you for your purchase of a Gold Membership. With that Gold Membership you have the ability to watch the webinars in this series at any time that is convenient for you.
I have just sent you an email with a link to the page where you can download all of the videos, audios, and transcripts from the program.
Please let us know if you have any questions regarding your Gold Membership.
Thank you for your support.
Ruth, I am receiving far too many emails from you, often 2 daily. I’d be grateful if you could limit the emails to one a month.
Namaste,
Barbara
We’ll unsubscribe you, Barbara.
Hi everyone. Unfortunately, I was in heavy traffic most of Wednesday (in the LA area) so I did not have an opportunity to hear the interview. Everything I read in the comments say that Tara Brach is definitely an amazing teacher for us all.
Ruth, you say in your post today that if we want to learn more about self-compassion, we can learn from Tara’s presentation. I clicked on this link. The subject is about helping others feel the depth of self compassion. Yes. I agree. and….
I believe in this quote:
“If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.” ~ Buddha
What do people say about us as therapists practicing self-compassion? I am convinced that, in my long career as a Marriage Family Therapist, I put myself last and may have, at times, suffered from ‘compassion fatigue.’ Now, I’ve put my licenses on “inactive status” and am devoting myself to learning about this very important component of my own life. I have a personal story to tell about what led me to acknowledge the sanctity of my own life. I believe I will be of more help to others as I personally interface with the depth of self-compassion.
Thank you for this opportunity to share what I am learning.
I have loved, loved Tara Brach interviews, many thanks from Ruth and NICAM. I listen to Tara’s interview from Sounds True (free), often and fondly. I return to my heart. Tara’s clear easy, gentle, eager eyes, so presenced, nuanced, so authentic. Tara is one of my best “faires, helpers, guides, collaborators.” Tara models being a “refuge.” I am so grateful for the many NICAM programs. Thank YOU Ruth Buczynski for all your excellent interview interactions and Back Talk commentary. Excellent!! I have learned, practical practices. Wowzie, what a treasure. (And yes, I’ve purchased a Gold Member and are a fan.)
Kris I have read your blog and wondered if you bevilee in God? and if so why do you think has he picked on you? I have bone cancer and have lost my faith in God. The more stories I hear about others like you I have a hard time understanding why. I’m in my early 70 s and am retired and have enough savings banked to not have to worry. My husband and children take great care of me but I feel like a burden to them all. My husband worked hard his whole life and should be traveling and enjoying his retirement. NOT sitting home with me when I’m to weak to get out of bed after a treatment. I understand your thoughts. I don’t know how I would have dealt with it at your age. All I can say is I read your posts daily and now have asked my children to set up a blog like yours so I can write my feelings. Please keep posting and I’ll keep reading.
on May 20th I lost my best friend and soul sister since Kindergarten, unexpectedly and peacefully for her. that day and week to follow is a blurr but the one thing that sticks in my mind is my hands constantly were going to my heart and it brought a comfort for the moment and calmness to accept what was taking place and be strong. at night i try to remember to do this when my heart is stirred with the emptiness of her absence. amazing it was how it happened naturally that first week and am grateful to God and my gift of Reiki healing that assured me she will never be gone in our hearts but this feeling shall pass ~ to try to accept and release the sadness whether thru tears or vocally. amen
Valerie, a best friend is such a precious treasure. I am so sorry for your loss.
I was taken by the importance of seeing every client as a whole person rather than a patient or damaged goods. I guess they can pick up unconsciously that we as therapists believe in their potential and this key message starts the rapport.
It’s always a pleasure to hear from someone with exreetisp.
Hi Ruth,
First let me say that I am endlessly impressed with the work you’re doing and feel that it is helping so many people.
I am frustrated because I work full time and your webinars fall at 10:00 am. Is there a way, short of paying for Gold Membership, for those of us who cannot make it due to location to hear the recording just that night? I feel like it’s a bit unfair.
I called and spoke to you over a year ago now and asked if I could get mailings less frequently and you said yes but I still get them all. Is is possible?
Many thanks,
Cynthia
Tara Brach has come at the right time. She makes the complex and abstract accessible…making self-care possible and probable. Thank heavens for her.
Tara is amazing. In her presence, she shows all of us exactly what it is to be totally present. She is gifted with seeing and allowing and inviting the clients truth to unfold in her presence and let be whatever it is to begin the journey of self exploration and understanding. How fortunate we all are to have experienced her warmth and calm and abilities which are so important to incorporate into our work. Thank you Tara and thank you Ruth for your choices of quality presenters for all to hear.
I encouraged my husband to watch Tara by telling him she is a nurturing angel and gentle with eyes azure… Curiosity knocks…
Thank you Ruth, Tara and all,
So wonderful to have a forum to discuss our practices. The heart mudra is also called Garuda mudra. Garuda is a mystical bird. The two wings of the bird are a metaphor for bringing awareness and kindness to the self. Touching the heart and bringing awareness and love is a beautiful practice. I have found that even those with self loathing can start here and just feel what comes up, and send love to these feelings, emotions, pains, thoughts, beliefs, etc…. This practice is a great tool for knowing where your clients are at. Also doing it along with them is a great model of coming home to one’s heart.
Thank you for the webinar.
Peace,
Susan
I don’t even know what to say, this made things so much easeir!
Each presenter adds to the wisdom of the one before. It is like therapy in that the therapist repeats the same concept to a client over and over again in different language and the client “suddenly” has a”lightbulb” moment that comes from a deep place of understanding . We as clinicians are having that same experience as we learn what Mindfulness really means ; thank you also for providing concrete ways for us to use these ideas for ourselves and our clients . A wonderful example of this was Ram Dass showing us how to move our hands from head to heart while saying “ego to soul ‘ ; then Tara showed us how to put both hands over our heart to bring out that same concept of loving ourselves. I’m wishing this seminar would never end.