True Refuge: Finding Peace and Freedom in Your Own Awakened Heart

I've reread Tara's "Radical Acceptance" several times; once it literally saved my life (one of those Midnights of Despair, several years ago.) So I couldn't wait to begin "True Refuge." I LOVE this book! I'm blessed to live in DC, so I've attended several talks and one retreat led by Tara. Imagine a loving presence, filled with wisdom and humor, speaking right to you, about how to move through your deepest sufferings till you find love on the other side of the moment. And what a story teller! Each story (of her own experiences and those with whom she has worked) illustrates the point she is making in such a real way that I can't help but take it in. And she doesn't preach; she invites you to consider her words, and try those practices that have made a difference in her life. To me, that's Tara. And her special gift is that she writes as she speaks, as though she is right there in the room, sharing her wisdom and deep love with me personally. Just recently, at a book signing, I got to ask Tara why I have “failed” so many times in trying to let go of using food as my “false refuge.” She looked at me, in this audience of hundreds, and with her loving smile, told me that forgiveness is my first step. That food is the earliest “false refuge” that we find as little ones wanting to feel loved, and therefore most deeply entrenched. And that I’m already on the path. (Progress not perfection as they say in the 12 Step programs!) I believed her! I fully recommend "True Refuge" to all who are seeking a wise path in life, one that can be filled with love and joy and service and even fun, as well as relief of suffering - not by numbing it (with "false refuges" like too much food, sex, money, drugs) but by becoming Present to each moment in a compassionate and forgiving way - coming home to our "true refuge,” our true selves, who we really are beneath all the suffering. I'm still stumbling/soaring/stumbling along this path. Tara makes me believe it's real and possible, no matter how many times I "fail/fall." And I know she wouldn't call those moments falling or failing! Thank you, beloved Tara! --

First, a disclosure: I came across Brach's earlier book, Radical Acceptance, around 2010, and reading it was one of the major things that started me down a meditation path that has since taken me to some amazing places. I've since attended several silent meditation retreats taught by Brach and others. I've become fairly plugged into the Insight Meditation Community of Washington, which she started in the DC area some years ago. In short, I'm a big fan. A fan, but no follower. Tara Brach has gotten a lot of good press (deserved) in the Washington Post lately and is becoming even more of a "star" in meditation circles, but in my experience that arises very much from the quality of her work and humanity, and not from any kind of "guru" status or pretense that she has all the answers. Indeed, much of her teaching style seems to focus on helping a person find what works for him/herself. Brach is all about keeping with the tradition of try for yourself and keep what is wholesome and works for you, and discard the rest. And I think that approach affects what she writes in True Refuge and elsewhere. She shares what she has discovered for herself and what she has seen others discover. And what she shares is not so much "the answer" or even answers, but rather suggested ways that one can use to find what works for oneself. I bought True Refuge when it first came out, and work and other stuff has only recently allowed me to complete my reading of it. I think True Refuge is a great book. Radical Acceptance for me was a very compassionate and "feeling" oriented book. This one, True Refuge, certainly has that, but to me seems a bit more systematic and practice oriented: a collection of many of her "best practices" and tips, some of them developed since her last book, all in one place. True Refuge is certainly a great stand-alone work, but once could hardly go wrong by reading both it and Radical Acceptance.

Tara Brach writes in an open and accessible style in a book that gathers wisdom from a wide source of spiritual traditions, particularly Buddhist teachings, and blends these insights with contemporary psychology and her lived experience as a therapist and truth seeker. The result is a wonderful book that is rich with very useful and accessible ideas to help the reader understand their own emotional responses to life. If you are put-off by the idea of a 'buddhist book' , don't be. It is written in a non-dogmatic style that a person of any faith can draw inspiration from to enrich their own life. A perfect gift for anyone who wants to enjoy their own life more and experience more happiness. This book would be a true refuge for anyone dear to you who sometimes struggles with the challenges of their life and wants to find more happiness and peace. A book that fully lives up to its title of 'True Refuge'.

A sequel to her fine book "Radical Acceptance" that continues her practical discussion of mindfulness for our daily lives. In this book, Brach once again links the practice of mindfulness to psychotherapy and to her own personal sitting practice but this time she talks about her struggle with a degenerative connective tissue disease and her need to deal with the grieving for the loss of the physical things she can no longer do. I think this real-life issue takes mindfulness practice out of the concept/good idea stage and moves it into the "useful in daily life" mode. The discussion of "false refuges" I thought was very good and gave me some insight into how we can create all kinds of illusionary safe places for ourselves in our minds where we can avoid the pain of our lives. Many of the ways she described surprised me but I know are true. On a side note, I am a Christian and the whole idea of "refuge" really echoed that idea from the Psalms and gave a useful new interpretation (e.g., Psalm 119:114 "You are my refuge and my shield"). Not sure most people would make the connection I did but it seems to be there to me.

It would be difficult to express the solace, compassion and developing awareness Tara Brach's new book, "True Refuge," brought to me. It's a prescription to heal the self-inflicted wounds of obsessive thinking and separateness. There are anecdotes, reflections and guided meditations that will guide you toward a life of compassion and understanding. Suffering will diminish. The only thing I'd change is the unfortunate selection of a narrator on the audio CD who didn't think it was worthwhile to ask how some rather key words were pronounced. Tara Brach has a wonderful soothing voice and listening to her read "Radical Acceptance" was a precious experience. The reader of "True Refuge," repeatedly mispronounces the name of Tara's son, Naryan, as well as various important terms like "rimopoche." If this is your job and you're not sure of how a word is pronounced, wouldn't you, as a professional, ask for a pronunciation guide before hundreds of thousands of copies of your audiobook are mailed throughout the world? I am using all of the mispronunciations as a lesson in letting go, but I can't imagine Tara is thrilled that so little care went into the reading of her wonderful gift of a book.

There are many worthwhile teachings in this book, which advocates a daily practice of meditation and mindfulness. Deriving knowledge from a background in Buddhism and yoga, and suffering from a debilitating, degenerative illness, Tara Brach teaches the value of finding a peaceful sanctuary inside our heart. She talks about her own struggles as well as those of her clients –all relatable to most human experience– and then suggests meditation exercises to help find that sacred space of serenity and wisdom inside. These practices do not interfere with any religious beliefs (or lack thereof); they are universal and profound, and stem from a foundation of pure love. For those of us starting on a spiritual path of mindfulness, this book is one to read slowly, taking the time to actually follow the exercises and get into the action of keeping still. Namaste.

Bought this book for a psychology class. This book is very in light full insightful just to name a few good adjectives. Get this book it will change your life.

Psychologist, presenter and Buddhist meditation teacher -- Tara Brach speaks to me, both in her talks and books, like no other! Her newest book is no exception. She is articulate as she weaves her stories, forthcoming with her personal issues and extremely gifted in sharing her wealth of professional knowledge. Because of my desire to better understand and allow change in my personal and professional relationships, and I am really drawn to include some Buddhist practices in my life, I find her approach and style particularly appealing. After reading and rereading Radical Acceptance I was happy to see True Refuge available! It is apparent to me that all her talks (available for free on her website) and these two books which include her approach to issues of physical and emotional pain/suffering all come from a basic place of acceptance of 'what is' and follows very well with the ACT therapeutic approach. I highly recommend this book and obviously all of her available work!!

I tried to read Tara's earlier book but got a bit bogged down in it. I'm getting on so much better with her new title (this one)! She writes from the heart and seems to have a real knack for putting her finger on so many of the issues that I (everyone?) struggles with as we try to live peaceful, fulfilling lives. This is a book I shall return to many times, I know: on my first read I have restrained myself from highlighting key passages - I suspect that when I do go back to do this, the pages will be covered in yellow! A really timely book for me. Hope it meets your needs too.

This book gives specific examples on how to apply the Buddha's teachings to your life. The author is honest in her own struggles, which makes her teachings relatable. Excellent book, I would recommend it for anyone who wants to know how to bring presence into their lives.

仏教の教えですね やや冗長なきらいはありますが まあそういうことかなと 思います

Tara writes so beautifully. Easy to understand. The book helps facing difficulties with loving kindness.

Un livre merveilleux, chaleureux, encourageant. Engagée dans le bouddhisme, l’auteure s’adresse à un public aux croyances et appartenances multiples, dans un grand respect de l'héritage religieux (ou non) de chacun. Tara Brach a un site où on peut vérifier si son style et son message vous conviennent. Si oui, le livre permet d’approfondir à votre rythme. Un premier ouvrage a déjà été publié en français, on peut espérer que True Refuge se traduira aussi.