Tara Brach

Compassion in Times of Conflict—a Conversation with Tara, Paul Gilbert, and Rick Hanson

In this talk, we explore how compassion can arise in the midst of conflict—within our lives and in the larger world. In a conversation with Paul Gilbert, moderated by Rick Hansen, we reflect on how our evolutionary conditioning—especially the brain's threat system—fuels fear, shame, and the reflex to see others as "other." Drawing on Buddhist psychology, we look at how a sense of separation and the stories of blame keep us caught in reactivity—and how we can begin to shift out of reactivity into presence, understanding, and care. This talk includes a guided reflection for working with conflict, helping us contact the vulnerability beneath anger, reopen the heart, and widen the circle of belonging. Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025 ABT Music

Meditation: Widening Rings of Being (20:26 min.)

If we can recognize thoughts as thoughts, it becomes possible to open from virtual to living reality. This meditation guides us in awakening the senses and discovering the freedom - the awake space of Being that is beyond the confines of thoughts. Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025 ABT Music

This Messy, Gorgeous Love—a Conversation with Tara and Devon and Nico Hase

Tara is joined by two longtime friends and wonderful teachers, Devon and Nico Hase, to explore their recent book, This Messy, Gorgeous Love: A Buddhist Guide to Lasting Partnership. This refreshingly real and relatable book offers guidance for anyone wanting to deepen love in their relationships. Drawing from their own lived experience—with humor, humility, and insight—Devon and Nico reveal how partnership can be both challenging and profoundly transformative. In this conversation, they explore what truly supports a deep and loving partnership: how to meet conflict and reactivity, how practice comes alive in everyday moments, how to bring mindful presence into sexuality, and how reflecting on impermanence can deepen intimacy. While centered on intimate partners, the teachings speak to the whole field of our relationships. Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025 ABT Music

Meditation: Embodying Loving Awareness (19:42 min.)

Love is often abstract, and not fully alive. In this practice, with the supportive image and felt sense of a smile, we are guided to awaken loving in our body, mind and whole being. Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025 ABT Music

Your Awake Heart Is Calling You: Healing Separation and Returning to Loving Presence

In this talk, we'll explore the deep evolutionary and spiritual currents that shape our lives—the pull of fear and separation, and the quiet, persistent call toward love, compassion, and belonging. Drawing on stories, reflections, and contemplative practices, this talk invites us to remember that caring is our true nature, even when it feels distant or obscured. Through mindful awareness and heart-centered practices, we begin to sense how our awakened heart calls us—through both the pain of disconnection and the longing for love. As we learn to turn toward our inner experience with kindness, we naturally widen our circles of compassion and deepen our capacity to meet others with presence and care. In this talk, Tara explores: ✨ How compassion is the foundation of human connection and collective healing ✨ The two forces within us: fear-based reactivity and the call of the awakened heart ✨ Why "caring about caring" is itself a doorway to love and transformation ✨ Practices for turning toward vulnerability and deepening empathy (including Tonglen) ✨ How widening our circles of compassion can help heal both personal and global suffering Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025 ABT Music