Radical Acceptance

Embracing Your Life with the Heart of a Buddha

By: Tara Brach

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

"Believing that something is wrong with us is a deep and tenacious suffering," says Tara Brach at the start of this illuminating book. This suffering emerges in crippling self-judgments and conflicts in our relationships, in addictions and perfectionism, in loneliness and overwork - all the forces that keep our lives constricted and unfulfilled. Radical Acceptance offers a path to freedom, including the day-to-day practical guidance developed over Dr. Brach's 20 years of work with therapy clients and Buddhist students.

Writing with great warmth and clarity, Tara Brach brings her teachings alive through personal stories and case histories, fresh interpretations of Buddhist tales, and guided meditations. Step by step, she leads us to trust our innate goodness, showing how we can develop the balance of clear-sightedness and compassion that is the essence of Radical Acceptance. Radical Acceptance does not mean self-indulgence or passivity. Instead it empowers genuine change: healing fear and shame and helping to build loving, authentic relationships. When we stop being at war with ourselves, we are free to live fully every precious moment of our lives.

©2004 Tara Brach (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

" Radical Acceptance offers gentle wisdom and tender healing, a most excellent medicine for our unworthiness and longing. Breathe, soften, and let these compassionate teachings bless your heart." (Jack Kornfield, author of A Path with Heart)

Reading was too soulless for such a powerful text

The reading was professional but flat. Tara's audio talks have more spirit. But great info.

I saw myself in each story she told.

Tara Brach offers a real life understanding of what it's like to be on a spiritual path. It's different from many other books which seem to offer little guidance or understanding about what it means to both, be in touch with our Buddha nature, yet also fail miserably at times to access it. I always felt before as though I were "doing it wrong". Now I see it's part of the journey.

Could be shorter

The content needs to be sorted out for the message. The stories are too detailed.

Therapist recommended and was a useful good book

Glad to have finally learned this for first time at 31.
Had I done earlier in life I would have saved a lot of tuition as reason I didn’t bounce back after a thyroid disease in college was because I look back and realize I lacked this. I recommend this. It’s focused on mindfulness meditation and takes a lot of inspiration from bhudism, this
I found all this quite helpful as I already meditate and I really liked a deeper understanding of it all.

Radical acceptance is truly important.
I also recommend “how to talk when you talk to your self after this”

A classic

This Book has been referenced and mentioned by so many so often that I almost thought I had already read it... but it turns out I had not. This is a quintessential read and so well crafted that it is effortless read. there is a lot to digest... and so easily presented that it is a delight.
Please do yourself this favor. read this book.

Good premise, only okay execution

The content was worth the dry reading. The narrator was okay, but it was so monotone at times that I would mentally disconnect from the message the author was trying to convey. Overall, worth the read, but I wish I would’ve just bought a hard copy to read.

A Life Changer

I have visited Tara Brach's website many times and have used her meditations found there. This book was so revealing. I think it will have a huge impact on my life. Whatever religion you might be affiliated with is not paramount here. Though the philosophy of the book is rooted in Buddhism the wisdom contained in this book level will not be in conflict with your faith.

Alternative Thinking

At times it was slow and tedious to follow but the lesson was captured in those details.

A must read in the modern age

In today's world it's hard to accept those who repeat the experience if our wounds. I have already recommended this book to many others who have found it essential in the modern personal healing journey. It's all relevant.

Absolutely wonderful

I love the wisdom and humility with which Brach writes. There is admittedly a disconnect between the reader’s voice and the author’s words, but I can ignore it for the most part. This book has helped me profoundly.