True Refuge: Finding Peace and Freedom in Your Own Awakened Heart
Advance praise forTrue Refuge “Drawing on the latest findings in neuroscience as well as ten more years of personal experience on the path of awakening, Tara Brach’s superb second book brings readers ever more deeply in touch with our true nature. This book is a precious gift, filled with insight, shared from heart to heart.”—Thich Nhat Hanh “True Refugeis a magnificent work of heart. For anyone interested in developing a deeper understanding of the mind and how to improve the quality of their life, this book offers unique insights and easily learned practices that literally can transform your life’s path. Read, explore, and enjoy!”—Dan Siegel, author ofMindsightandThe Whole-Brain Child “This is a special book, lovely, loving, wise, and helpful. It is like having a sage and caring friend sit with you, offering comfort, insight, and guidance for your own true journey home.”—Jack Kornfield, author ofThe Wise Heart “Tara Brach writes from the heart to the heart. With candor and calmness, she shares her own and others’ struggles to overcome our deep and constant human dilemmas. Whenever I read Brach, I feel more peaceful and hopeful. I trust myself and the universe more. I feel more connected and grounded in what the Lakota Sioux call Wakan Tanka, The Great Mystery.True Refugeis itself a refuge and I thank the author for it.”—Mary Pipher, Ph.D.,New York Timesbestselling author ofThe Green BoatandReviving Ophelia “Tara Brach has done it again.True Refugeinspires the confidence needed to face our deepest, most difficult emotions. With tenderness and understanding, she teaches us the practical techniques that can help us loosen the grip of these emotions and arrive at a place of peace and basic goodness which is our essential nature. As more and more citizens learn and practice these techniques, it can begin a transformation that will allow a kinder, compassionate, and more mindful nation to emerge.”—Congressman Tim Ryan, author ofA Mindful Nation “There is something very special about this exquisitely written book—its clarity, beauty, simplicity, and humanity practically sing to you. Inspiring and uplifting to read, it also has eminently practical, implementable, step-by-step guidance to practice and live by. And the fifteen brief, powerful guided meditations offer an easy, gentle entry toward inner peace and wisdom. While turning the pages, I thought of a half dozen people who could really use this book as a friendly, loving reference point—myself included!”—Belleruth Naparstek, author ofInvisible Heroesand creator of the Health Journeys guided imagery audio series “This is a beautifully written book that directly taps into the beating heart of wisdom and compassion. It offers useful, pragmatic advice on how to deepen one’s mindfulness practice and have greater self-compassion when faced with suffering. A wonderful follow-up toRadical Acceptance,this is a must-read for anyone who wants to develop greater insight and open-heartedness in their life.”—Kristin Neff, Ph.D., author ofSelf-Compassion“This book is a rare gift. It speaks to the tender heart in us all when things go wrong in our lives.  In a natural and deeply personal way, Tara Brach accompanies the reader into “presence,” a warm embrace of who we are and the life we’re given. She offers tools and gentle guidance for living safely and peacefully even in the midst of challenging circumstances.  At once inspiring, humble, and wise, this book uniquely captures the ineffable, healing essence of mindfulness meditation practice.”–Christopher Germer, Ph.D., Clinical Instructor, Harvard Medical School, author ofThe Mindful Path to Self-Compassion