Present Heart: The Universal Expressions of Love, Part 1 - Lovingkindness
Release Date: 05/07/2026
Waking Up from the Victim Trance
Tara Brach
Most of us know what it is like to feel emotionally reactive—hurt by others, overwhelmed by circumstances, horrified by what is unfolding in our world, betrayed by our own body, hijacked by our mind. In those moments, we can become identified with a small and vulnerable self—a victim self who feels at the mercy of forces larger than us. In this talk, we will examine how we become trapped in this often unconscious pattern, personally and collectively, and how it leaves us fearful, isolated, and cut off from our natural power. We’ll then explore how the wings of mindfulness and...
info_outline
Meditation: Relaxing Back into the Mystery (18:48 min.)
Tara Brach
All true meditation guides us back to presence, and the mystery that is our source. In this guided meditation we awaken the senses, collect with the breath, and when lost in thought, practice relaxing back into the aliveness and awareness that is always here. We close with a beautiful poem from poet Danna Faulds. Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025 ABT Music
info_outline
Living with a Courageous Heart: Tami Simon in Conversation with Tara Brach
Tara Brach
In a recent conversation on Tami Simon's podcast Insights at the Edge, Tara and Tami reflected on themes from The Courageous Heart Workbook: Choosing to Love in Perilous Times. As many know, Tami is an exceptional interviewer, and the dialogue opened into questions that feel deeply relevant for these times. What does it mean to be bodhisattvas—to be awakening beings and caring beings—in a world marked by uncertainty and division? What is being asked of us now? The conversation touched on the deeper meaning of courage, the relationship between spiritual practice and engagement with the...
info_outline
Meditation: A Listening Presence | Tara Brach
Tara Brach
In this guided meditation, Tara invites us to discover the healing power of a listening presence—an awake and receptive awareness that allows us to come home to the aliveness of this moment. Together, we'll explore how listening deeply—to sounds, sensations, the breath, and the heart—can soften the grip of habitual thinking and reconnect us with the peace, openness, and tenderness that live beneath the surface of our busy minds. As we rest in a relaxed and alert attention, we begin to sense the simple miracle of being here. Again and again, we gently return from distraction to presence,...
info_outline
Present Heart: The Universal Expressions of Love, Part 4 - Equanimity
Tara Brach
Equanimity unfolds as we find a wise balance and spaciousness in the midst of this living, dying world. This series reflects on four primary expressions of an awake, wise heart: lovingkindness, compassion, joy and equanimity. In each talk we explore the habitual patterning that blocks our full realization of these innate capacities, and the understandings and practices that nurture their unfolding. In this talk, Tara explores how equanimity—the spacious, awake presence that can hold life just as it is—is an essential foundation for love, compassion, and joy to fully...
info_outline
Meditation: The Space and Aliveness of Presence (22:25 min)
Tara Brach
In this guided meditation, we explore the healing power of embodied presence—awakening through the living intelligence of the body and relaxing into the spacious awareness that is always here. Together, we gently soften habitual tension, reconnect with the aliveness flowing through the heart and body, and rediscover the stillness that holds all experience with tenderness and care. Through mindful attention to sensation, breath, and sound, this meditation invites you to step out of the trance of thinking and return to the fullness of the present moment. As awareness opens, we begin to sense...
info_outline
Present Heart: The Universal Expressions of Love, Part 3 – Joy
Tara Brach
Joy blossoms in the moments our hearts open boundlessly to reality, to the 10,000 joys and sorrows. This series reflects on four primary expressions of an awake, wise heart: lovingkindness, compassion, joy and equanimity. In each talk we explore the habitual patterning that blocks our full realization of these innate capacities, and the understandings and practices that nurture their unfolding. In this talk, Tara explores: • How the “if-only” mind keeps us leaning forward, chasing happiness in the future, rather than discovering the aliveness and freedom available right here, right...
info_outline
Meditation: The Heartspace Where All is Welcome (19:02 min.)
Tara Brach
This meditation scans through the body, and awakens attention to the open, inclusive awareness that all life arises in. We then explore experiencing that openness in the region of the heart, saying yes to life and including whatever is here with unconditional presence. Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025 ABT Music
info_outline
Meditation: Awareness is Our Home (22:07 min.)
Tara Brach
This guided meditation invites you into the living presence that is always here—an awake awareness that can hold the changing waves of sensation, emotion, and thought with tenderness and ease. As we soften into the moment, we discover a natural peace and loving awareness that is not separate from life, but intimately connected with all beings. Whether you are new to meditation or deepening an established mindfulness practice, this reflection can support healing, emotional balance, inner peace, and spiritual awakening. Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025...
info_outline
Present Heart: The Universal Expressions of Love, Part 2: Compassion
Tara Brach
Compassion – the tender resonance of heart – awakens as we allow ourselves to be touched by our shared vulnerability. This series reflects on four primary expressions of an awake, wise heart: lovingkindness, compassion, joy and equanimity. In each talk we explore the habitual patterning that blocks our full realization of these innate capacities, and the understandings and practices that nurture their unfolding. In this talk, Tara explores ✨the all-inclusive nature of compassion in awakening our hearts and embracing all beings with care and presence. ✨ how...
info_outlineDiscover the essence of lovingkindness in this first talk of Tara’s series, “Present Heart: The Universal Expressions of Love.” This series delves into four primary qualities of an awake, wise heart: lovingkindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity.
In Part 1, Tara explores the nature of lovingkindness — how it can be blocked by our habitual patterns, and how we can nurture and fully realize this innate capacity through mindful practices and understanding.
What You’ll Learn:
▪️Understanding the nature of lovingkindness and its role in spiritual growth
▪️Recognizing the habitual patterns that block the expression of love
▪️Learning practical techniques to cultivate and deepen lovingkindness
▪️Insights on how lovingkindness can transform your relationship with yourself and others
Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025 ABT Music