Tara Brach

Love-Based Activism: A Conversation with Tara Brach and Mohsen Mahdawi - Part II

In this conversation, Tara is joined by Mohsen Mahdawi—Palestinian refugee, Buddhist practitioner, and courageous voice for justice—whose life bridges worlds that are so often held apart. Growing up in a refugee camp and later emerging as a student leader and advocate for Palestinian dignity, Mohsen brings a rare integration of spiritual depth, clarity and dedication to societal transformation. Together they explore how inner awakening can ground fearless activism, what it means to stand for justice amid profound asymmetry of power, how to resist dehumanization in a polarized world, and whether a spiritually rooted movement for collective liberation is quietly emerging in our time. This dialogue is an invitation to reimagine activism as an expression of love, belonging, and courageous presence. Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025 ABT Music

Meditation: A Witnessing, Kind Presence (20:21 min)

Starting with scanning through the body and awakening the senses, we then rest in presence, with the breath as a home base. The meditation invites an openness to whatever arises, and a gentle kind attention if we encounter physical or emotional pain. We end with a prayer that includes our own being and all beings. Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025 ABT Music

Love-Based Activism: A Conversation with Tara Brach and Mohsen Mahdawi - Part I

In this conversation, Tara is joined by Mohsen Mahdawi—Palestinian refugee, Buddhist practitioner, and courageous voice for justice—whose life bridges worlds that are so often held apart. Growing up in a refugee camp and later emerging as a student leader and advocate for Palestinian dignity, Mohsen brings a rare integration of spiritual depth, clarity and dedication to societal transformation. Together they explore how inner awakening can ground fearless activism, what it means to stand for justice amid profound asymmetry of power, how to resist dehumanization in a polarized world, and whether a spiritually rooted movement for collective liberation is quietly emerging in our time. This dialogue is an invitation to reimagine activism as an expression of love, belonging, and courageous presence. Learn more about Mohsen's work at: http://www.mohsen-mahdawi.com Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025 ABT Music

Meditation: The Pathway of Deep Listening (21:16 min)

Listening is an ideal template for awareness itself - it is naturally receptive, open and awake. This meditation invites a deep listening to and feeling our lives, and opens us to the realization of the flow of changing experience and the background awareness that is the source of our Being. Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025 ABT Music

The Power of Inquiry in Spiritual Awakening - Part 2

How can the simple act of asking a sincere question awaken us from the trance of our habitual thinking? In this talk, Tara Brach explores the transformative power of spiritual inquiry—a practice that guides us beyond our stories and into direct, embodied awareness of what is truly happening within us. Through reflection, teachings from Buddhist wisdom traditions, and guided inquiry, Tara invites us to investigate questions like "What is happening inside me right now?" and "What am I believing?" These questions help reveal the beliefs and emotional patterns that keep us stuck and open the doorway to greater freedom, compassion, and presence. You'll also learn how inquiry supports the RAIN practice (Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nurture)—a powerful method for meeting fear, self-doubt, and emotional suffering with mindful awareness and kindness. By bringing curiosity to our inner life, we begin to loosen the grip of limiting beliefs and rediscover the spacious awareness that is our true nature. In this talk, Tara explores: • How spiritual inquiry helps awaken us from the "interpreted world" of thoughts • Questions that deepen mindfulness and self-awareness • Using inquiry within the RAIN meditation practice • How investigating beliefs can free us from fear and self-judgment • Opening to the mystery and aliveness of present-moment awareness Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025 ABT Music