Buddhist author and therapist Dr. Tara Brach, Ph.D. has 4.6 out of 5 stars (with 5,127 reviews).
In our current times of global crises and spiking collective anxiety, Buddhist therapist Tara Brach’s transformative practice of "radical acceptance" offers a pathway to inner freedom and a more compassionate world.
This classic work now features an insightful new introduction, an exclusive bonus chapter, and additional guided meditations.
“Radical Acceptance offers us an invitation to embrace ourselves with all our pain, fear, and anxieties, and to step lightly yet firmly on the path of understanding and compassion.”
—Thich Nhat Hanh
Why do things have to change and be unstable?
“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 40 years of work with therapy clients and Buddhist students.
A longtime friend of Buddhist clinical psychologist Dr. Jack Kornfield, Dr. Brach's writes with great warmth and clarity. She brings her teachings alive through personal stories and case histories, fresh interpretations of Buddhist tales, and guided meditations.
Step by step, Dr. Brach shows readers how to stop being at war with themselves and how to begin to live fully every precious moment of our lives. More
Metal and men clash once more to the end/ Warriors above, with the power to kill, descend/ Militia of blood, troops of hate march to die/ Soldiers of Hell, veterans of death arise/ [CHORUS] Prepare for attack/ Your body will burn/ Endless war/ There's no return/ Prepare for attack/ Death will arrive/ Your orders are clear/ No way to hide/ Fight till death!// Senseless death of all mankind overtakes/ Armored assassins destroy, at will, your escape/ Children of sorrow are trampled into the grave/ There is no future, no f*cking world to be saved/ [CHORUS]// To reign in Hell [guitar solo: Jeff Hanneman]// Gods of steel unleash their destruction on man/ Reign of death, what is the final command?/ Scepters of hate are dropped upon this Earth/ Clouds of terror destroy all hope of rebirth/ [CHORUS]/ Death will arrive/ Your orders are clear/ No way to hide/ Fight till death...
(Mind Frequency) Tibetan Zen sounds to destroy unconscious blockages: heal stress, anxiety, and depression [by the practice of progressive relaxation, letting go, giving, surrendering, turning inward with dispassion and radical allowing rather than resistance and strain].
The practice of "contentment" or santosha in Sanskrit and santutthiin Pali, is counterintuitive as it defuses the situation, the looming threat, the internal monologue of neediness and paucity, replacing it with everything being good right here right now just as it is.
BUDDHIST CONTENTMENT (Pāli santutthi) is freedom from anxiety, wanting, craving, clinging.
It is a wondrous virtue mentioned in many prominent Buddhist sutras like the Metta Sutta ("Discourse on Loving-Kindness"), Mangala Sutta ("Discourse on Blessings"), and so on. In the Dhammapada (Verse 204), contentment is said to be the greatest wealth:
"Health is the most precious gain and contentment the greatest wealth. A trustworthy person is the best kin and nirvana the highest bliss" (based on Bhikkhu Bodhi translation).
In the "Discourse on the Traditions of the Noble Ones" (Ariya Vamsa Sutta, AN 4:28), the Buddha mentions that the noble ones (beings along any of the seven stages* of enlightenment are content with any old robes, any old almsfood, and any old lodgings.
*Yes, seven stages, not four, as detailed in the Vimutti Magga or Path of Freedom, which the Buddha frequently condensed into four main stages, distinguishing various types of stream enterers, popularized by the wider reach of the Vissudhi Magga or Path of Purification).
"Having cast away all deeds (karma),
Who could obstruct one?
Like an ornament wrought of finest gold,
Who is fit to find fault with such a one?" [43] Source
SUTRA: Contentment in the tradition of the noble ones
Dhr. Seven based on a translation by Ven. Thanissaro (accesstoinsight.org), Ariya Vamsa Sutta, "Discourse on the Traditions of the Noble Ones" (AN 4:28)
"There are four traditions of thenoble ones, longstanding, ancient, unadulterated from their inception, free of suspicion, held faultless by wandering ascetics (shramans) and temple priests (Brahmins) who know and see. What are the four?
1. "A [Buddhist] monastic is content with any old robe cloth and speaks in praise of such contentment.*
[*bhikkhu/bhikkhuni (samana) being rooted in the idea of "rag-picker" from the practice of selecting discarded and donated cloth for the stitching of saffron-dyed, patchwork robes and "alms-gatherer" for collecting donated food sufficient for survival in a dana economy such as existed in the ancient world even before "India" or "Great Bharat" came into being, and "wandering ascetic" (wild shaman, pilgrim, shramana) content with any resting place].
"One abstains from doing anything unseemly or inappropriate for the sake of acquiring such robe cloth. Not getting cloth, one remains without agitation. Getting cloth, one uses it without being tied to it, without infatuation, free of guilt, perceiving danger [seeing the drawbacks of attachment or clinging] and discerning an escape from such dangers.
"One avoids exalting oneself or disparaging others on account of such contentment with robe cloth. In this one is skillful, energetic, vigilant, [conscientious and] mindful.
"This, meditators, is said to be a monastic who stands firm in the ancient and original traditions of the noble ones.
2. "Furthermore, a monastic is content with any old almsfood and speaks in praise of such contentment. One avoids doing anything unseemly or inappropriate for the sake of acquiring almsfood. Not getting almsfood, one remains without agitation. Getting almsfood, one uses it without being tied to it, without infatuation, free of guilt, perceiving danger [the drawbacks of being attached or clinging] and discerning an escape from such dangers.
"One avoids exalting oneself or disparaging others on account of one's contentment with any old almsfood. In this one is skillful, energetic, vigilant, and mindful.
"This, meditators, is said to be a monastic who stands firm in the ancient and original traditions of the noble ones.
3. "Furthermore, a monastic is content with any old lodgings and one speaks in praise of such contentment. One avoids doing anything unseemly or inappropriate for the sake of acquiring lodgings.
"Not getting lodgings, one remains without agitation. Getting lodgings, one uses them without being tied to them, without infatuation, free of guilt, perceiving danger [the drawbacks of attachment and clinging] and discerning an escape from such dangers.
"One avoids exalting oneself or disparaging others on account of such contentment with lodgings. In this one is skillful, energetic, vigilant, and mindful.
"This, meditators, is said to be a monastic standing firm in the ancient and original traditions of the noble ones.
4. "Furthermore, a monastic finds pleasure and delight in developing [skillful qualities], finds pleasure and delight in abandoning [unskillful qualities]. One avoids exalting oneself or disparaging others on account of such pleasure and delight in developing and abandoning.
"In this one is skillful, energetic, vigilant, and mindful. This, meditators, is said to be a monastic who stands firm in the ancient and original traditions of the noble ones.
"These are the four traditions of the noble ones, long-standing, ancient, unadulterated from their inception, free of suspicion, understood as faultless by wandering ascetics and Brahmins who know and see.
Be content and bliss you'll find.
"Furthermore, a monastic upholding these four traditions of the noble ones, if living in the east, conquers displeasure [discontent] rather than being conquered by displeasure.
"If one lives in the west...north...south, one conquers displeasure rather than being conquered by displeasure. Why? It is because the wise one endures [remains content through] both pleasure and displeasure."
This is what the Blessed One (the Buddha) said. Having said it, he concluded by reinforcing it more tersely:
Displeasure [discontentment] does not conquer the Noble One.
Displeasure does not suppress. Rather, the Noble One
conquers displeasure by enduring it.
Having cast away all deeds (karma), who could obstruct?
Like an ornament wrought of finest gold, who is fit to find fault?
Even the devas praise such a one, even by Brahma [the Supreme] is one praised.
Sense craving (kāmacchanda): seeking pleasure through the five senses of sight, sound, smell, taste and physical feeling.
Ill-will (vyāpāda): feelings of anger, hostility, vengefulness, resentment, hatred, and bitterness.
Sloth-and-torpor (thīna-middha): mental and physical lack of energy with little to no ability to make effort toward samadhi or concentration.
Restlessness-and-worry (uddhacca-kukkucca): the inability to calm the mind and bring it to stillness (samadhi) and focus one's energy.
Skeptical doubt (vicikiccha): lack of confidence, conviction, faith in the practice and one's ability to succeed in calm and insight toward enlightenment and liberation.
According to Gil Fronsdal, the Pali term (nīvaraṇa) translated as "hindrance" actually means "covering." What these hindrances cover over are: the clarity of our mind, as well as our ability to be mindful, wise, concentrated, and stay on purpose [1].
According to earlier translations by Rhys Davids, the Pali term nīvaraṇa (Sanskrit nivāraṇa) refers to an obstacle or hindrance in the ethical sense, usually enumerated in a set of five [7].
In Pali language literature: Pali canon
In the Pali canon'sSamyutta Nikaya, several sutras or discourses juxtapose the Five Hindrances with the Seven Factors of Enlightenment (satta-bojjhanga) [a].
For instance, according to SN 46.37, the Buddha states: "Meditators, there are these Five Hindrances, obstructions, corruptions of mind, weakeners of wisdom. What are the five?
Sensual craving...
ill-will...
sloth-and-torpor...
restlessness-and-remorse...
skeptical doubt...
"There are, meditators, these Seven Factors of Enlightenment, which are nonhindrances, nonobstructions, noncorruptions of mind/heart. When cultivated and developed, they lead to the realization of the fruit of true knowledge and liberation.
"What are the seven? The enlightenment factor of mindfulness... equanimity... [8][b]."
Ven. Anālayo emphasizes: To overcome the hindrances, to practice satipatthana[the Four Foundations], and to establish the awakening factors [the Seven Factors of Enlightenment] are, indeed, according to several Pali discourses, the key aspects and the distinctive features common to the awakenings of all buddhas of the past, present, and future [9].
Ven. Anālayo supports this by identifying that, in all extant Sanskrit and Chinese versions of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourse (Satipatthana Sutta), only the Five Hindrances and Seven Factors of Enlightenment are consistently identified under the dhamma contemplation section.
Contemplations of the Five Aggregates clung to as self, Six Sense Bases and Four Noble Truths are not included in one or more of these non-Pali language versions [9].
In terms of gaining insight into and overcoming the Five Hindrances, according to the discourse on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, the Buddha proclaimed:
"How, meditators, does a meditator live contemplating mental objects in the mental objects of the Five Hindrances? Herein [within this Doctrine and Discipline], meditators, when sense-craving is present, one knows, "There is sense-craving in me."
When sense-craving is not present, one knows, "There is no sense-craving in me."
One knows how the arising of the non-arisen sense-craving comes to be; one knows how the abandoning of the arisen sense-craving comes to be; and one knows how the non-arising in the future of the abandoned sense-craving comes to be [10]. More: The Five Hindrances
It used to be that as a world traveler, no matter how cheap the flight, how inexpensive the lodging, how tasty and trivial the fee for nutritious far was, they'd get you at the airport. The redeye into Los Angeles was a giveaway, but the taxi fare from LAX to the part of town where anyone other than travelers were was more expensive. The same for New York, Boston, and the major hubs. Even toting a copy of the trusty Lonely Planet, it was hard to get a straight answer on how to get out from under the planes for cheap. It could be found. It did exist. But nobody knew about it, and no one was telling anyone, and no one knew where to ask or get answers. Pressing, there was always a way, even from LAX. But the limousine bus, hotels, and taxi companies all conspired to keep it secret. It used to be that to get out of LAX, one had to find a free bus out of the octopus of busy streets and to a station. From there, one could cheaply (for pennies) get to downtown and from there anywhere else. It was never necessary to get a ride to the airport to fly out or to get picked up when coming in. It was a nice luxury, however imposing it was on the relationship (revealing who was a dependable friend or family member). But now it's easy. Starting today it is clear to anyone, and Uber and Lyft must be nonplussed. How did the Yellow Cab Company keep the scheme going for so long? Now there's a new station and a clear and easy way to get out of and back to LAX, Los Angeles International. Let this be a message to all shoestring travelers with big backpacks on their way to Asia or Europe: there is always a way out of the airport and into town without getting rolled by a taxi or tuktuk driver/company. See Lonely Planet | Travel Guides & Travel Information or wait at the airport until morning and ask the concierge. It's as if someone has told them not to tell anyone, but they will if pressed. There's always a way out, even if it means walking out of the airport to another battalion on independent taxis who do not want to pay and pass on airport fees.
Travel, who needs it?
“Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.”
—Maya Angelou
“Experience, travel – these are as education in themselves.
—Euripides
“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.”
—Jawaharlal Nehru
“It is probably a pity that every citizen of each state cannot visit all the others, to see the differences, to learn what we have in common, and come back with a richer, fuller understanding of America – in all its beauty, in all its dignity, in all its strength, in support of moral principles.”
—Dwight D. Eisenhower
“A great way to learn about your country is to leave it.”
“What you’ve done becomes the judge of what you’re going to do – especially in other people’s minds. When you’re traveling, you are what you are right there and then. People don’t have your past to hold against you. No yesterdays on the road.”
—William Least Heat Moon
“We travel not to escape life but for life not to escape us.”
—Anonymous
“I am not the same, having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.”
There used to be Indigo and Crystal children being born into the world, communicating telepathically with one another like some extraterrestrial race of Lyrans or Pleiadeans. Gregg Braden was aware of them and mentioned it in his breakthrough book, The Isaiah Effect.
In those days, those sorts of children were referred to as Indigo.
Mensa in Spanish means "fool" or dummy: Irony
The next generation of prodigies or children with preternatural powers (that used to be inherent in nearly all humans) were Crystal children. What they would be today in the Age of Autism, Dumbing Down, and Idiocracy is anyone's guess: adamantine diamond Vajra?
Landon Castillo accepted into Mensa with Einstein-
ian IQ at the tender age of 8, reports ABC7 News.
Is this genius child part Latino (Hispanic, Mexican) from his father and part Asian (not B-sian, but Chinese perhaps), living just outside Los Angeles County in Chino Hills? This would explain coverage of this story in the Asian press:
Possibly part Black, curly-haired UK genius boy gets into Mensa at 2, making him youngest.
.
THIS JUST IN (May 27, 2025): The youngest person to join Mensa is just over 2-years-old. The "extraordinarily gifted" boy from the United Kingdom (England) spoke his first word at the age of seven months. At the age of 2-years-and-182-days, Joseph Harris-Birtill, born on Nov. 23, 2021, has officially been accepted into the group, setting a new record for the youngest male Mensa member. Mensa is an exclusive [honor] society for those with very high intelligence quotients (IQs). One must have an IQ of at least 132 and be in the Top 2 percent to be eligible for the elite club, according to The NY Post. Joey's extremely proud parents, Rose and David Harris-Birtill, hope he will look back on this accomplishment with pride when he gets older [and that the other boys won't bully and beat him too badly as he longs to fit in with the knuckle draggers]. More:2-year-old UK boy Joseph Harris-Birtill becomes youngest member of prestigious high-IQ society Mensa
Joey has surpassed Isla McNabb, who was 2 years and 195 days old in 2023 when she was crowned the youngest-ever female Mensa member.
Los Angeles toddler with an IQ of 146 accepted into Mensa
(FOX 11 Los Angeles) May 25, 2021: A local toddler (making her the youngest member ever) has been accepted into Mensa — the largest and oldest high IQ society in the world. Nashe Quest is the youngest in American Mensa. She is 2-years-old, going on three, with the IQ of 146. The average IQ in America is 100. Subscribe to FOX 11 Los Angeles: @foxla. Watch FOX 11 Los Angeles Live: foxla.com/live.
ABC7 News; Fox 11 News Los Angeles; Eds., Wisdom Quarterly
Men versus Women: Survive the Wilderness for $500,000
(MrBeast) Sept. 7, 2024: Some of these strategies are wild!
Contestants featured and their prior experience
WOMEN: • Phaedra: Was on Naked and Afraid • Julia: Was on Naked and Afraid • Talia: 10 days in the Everglades • Hannah: a weekend camping • Izzy: couple days camping
MEN: • Joshua: 20 days solo backpacking • Patrick: weekend camping • TJ: backpacking guide: (15 years of outdoor experience), a week consecutive outside living off land • Cameron: been camping • Sami: On Survivor: 21 days
Wet things clean better than dry things, so ditch the toilet paper and get confidently clean with XL Flushable DUDE Wipes. Try them here, DUDES: amazon.com/dudewipes.
SUBSCRIBE or Mr. Beast takes your dog. For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to chucky@mrbeastbusiness.com. Music provided by extrememusic.com. Follow all of these or Mr. Beast will kick you • Facebook: mrbeast6000 • Twitter: mrbeast • Instagram: mrbeast • Mr. Beast is hiring: mrbeastjobs.com.
Why are men JERKS? Solutions for boys
.
What is gender, what are gender roles, sexism?
(Awaken with JP) What if there were a way for poor dumb men to get with the program, read between the lines, decode, codeswitch, understand, and figure it out already? For that, there's the Manslater. But whether they do or do not get their heads out of their [blanks], there are now Man Scripts to help them. Finally, get those pretty little head out of the clouds and down to this earth. There are words, and there are meanings, and they are not the same, Guys. Geez, get a clue! Read these to your partners, and you'll be just fine. Our tough meditation student, Doggone, was always learning. And what he learned was to always get the last word when arguing with his girlfriend. How do you think that went? Actually, it went great...but that may have something to do with what he said. Sure, he always got the last word in, but that word was, "Yes, dear." Now you, too, can be like Doggone and heel. 🤐
AwakenwithJP, YouTube, 2020; I. Rony and the men of Wisdom Quarterly
Those thickheaded kids, why won't they understand? Here's a primer about the problem with a real solution EVERYONE will love (except those involved in the conflict).
Everyone's second favorite Christian scholar (if Bart Ehrman is Number 1) is a Harvard former Christian and current Muslim with a scholarly knowledge of Judaism and the major Abrahamic faiths (which are more numerous than the three we always hear about*) has just come out with A Kids Book About Israel & Palestine.
Dr. Reza Aslan, Ph.D. (rezaaslan.com) is a professional scholar of religion. His new book (released March 19, 2024) has 4.2 out of 5 stars with 40 ratings. Did the kids judge it? Probably not, but it's a #1 Best Seller in Children's Middle Eastern History.
Kids, what is the Israeli-Palestinian "conflict"? (It's hard to find a fair word. It's not a war or conflict or anything with two groups on any kind of equal footing, so let's just call it a bloody mess as European invaders, following the history of the other great European nations that just go in and take someone's land and then hold up a Bible and say God is their real estate agent who gave it to them and somehow manage to say that with a straight face and get us all to argue about an "ancient" debate that has only been going on for 75 years).
What about a "two state solution," Dr. Aslan? Hell to the double no.
Was the God Jesus a Jew or a Christian?
Why is it happening? Is peace possible? When kids ask questions like these, are grownups prepared to answer?
This book was created to provide context for this conflict, open the door to conversation, and lay a path for understanding, peace, and compassion for our shared future. Core themes in this book:
Fortunately, American Christians are completely unbiased and looking for a fair solution for all.
Meet A Kids Co., a new kind of media company with a collection of beautifully designed books that kickstart challenging, empowering, and important conversations for kids and their grownups.
*Yazidis, Samaritans, Philistines, Sufis, Sumerians, Bahais, Catholics, Bedouins, Ethiopians, Wahhabis, Turks, Coptics (Egyptians), Mesopotamians, Zoroastrians, and all the surviving groups who live or lived in and around ancient Palestine, Israel, and Judeah.
Mitch Jeserich (KPFA.org, LA 10:00 am, Letters & Politics, 5/30/24) with guest Dr. Reza Aslan (amazon.com); TRT World (video short); ForaTV; Shauna Schwartz, Ashley Wells, Sheldon S., Pfc. Sandoval, Seth Auberon (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
Dr. Jenny Taitz, NCBC via Health, MSN; Dhr. Seven, Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
Psychologist shares 5 exercises she does to 'stop overthinking everything'
As a clinical psychologist, I've spent 14 years teaching people how to regulate their emotions and cope with difficult situations.
One of the biggest issues my clients struggle with is overthinking. It's an exhausting habit that can turn a stressful challenge into even more anxiety.
[It's magnified and amplified in sitting meditation, when we're trying to let go and just let things be. The habit of rumination takes over the show and just won't let go! That restlessness and worry is called "monkey mind," perhaps the most distressing of the Five Hindrances, obstacles to blissfulstillness. "Meditation" does not mean controlling the mind. It means no longer letting the mind control us. Overthinking, over intellectualizing, paralysis-by-analysis are all pointless upsets that squander energy better spent on calm and insight. We need a reset.]
Here are five things I do when I need to stop overthinking everything:
1. Recognize when I tend to overthink
Shiva, when do you tend to overthink?
The first and most important step is pattern recognition.
What times of the day do I get lost in my worries? Do I notice physical signs, like clenching my jaw? Are there negative themes that come up again and again in my head?
Then I reflect on when I am less prone to rumination, even when something difficult happens. I might worry less when I go to the gym after work, or when I listen to a funny podcast [or soothing music] on my commute.
Arming myself with these details can help me be prepared with strategies as soon as I notice the warning signs.
A big reason why overthinking when I am upset backfires is because it immerses me even more in whatever I'm going through.
The next time I notice myself sinking into fruitless rumination, try to see the bigger picture. This strategy is called "self-distancing."
I observe whatever difficult experience I am ruminating about as if I were a fly on the wall, [depersonalizing] rather [being] than directly involved. Taking a step back can provide the perspective I need to feel like I can change the channel.
3. Swap 'why' with 'how'
The simplest way to replace negative thoughts with more constructive thinking is to shift from asking "Why?" questions (like "Why me?") to "How?" questions (like "How can I move forward?") Notice the difference: "Why" is a dead end, whereas "how" leads to productive action.
If I went on a date, for example, and the person didn't message me after what seemed like a great time, rather than ponder why, I focus on how I can create a relaxing night for myself.
By doing this, I consciously shift from unproductive ruminating to empowered planning.
4. Write it out
When I need to process my feelings or an experience, instead of overthinking, I practice expressive writing.
I do this exercise over the course of three days:
Day 1: Spend 15 to 20 minutes writing about the stress and trauma that is plaguing me.
Day 2: Write about how the experience has affected me.
Day 3: Describe how the experience relates to my current life and what I want for the future.
This practice has been shown to help reduce symptoms of depression, even weeks or months later.
Researchers say it's because writing can help us go deeper into our emotions, while also creating some distance and an end point.
To make my overthinking feel less compulsive, I consciously postpone it until later. I give myself 10 minutes to ruminate about a problem at 7:00 pm every night then move on.
Another bonus is that there's a good chance that I'll get so caught up in my day or evening that I'll forget to return to my worries at the appointed time. When I become conscious of them, I'll be able to see my thoughts with more perspective.
When I want to avoid the debilitating all-day background buzz of rumination, I instead turn overthinking into something more contained. This way I give myself some freedom and power back.
Dr. Jennifer L. Taitz, Ph.D. (drjennytaitz.com), is a licensed clinical psychologist and the author of Stress Resets: How to Soothe Your Body and Mind in Minutes. She graduated magna cum laude from New York University and earned her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Yeshiva University's program at the Albert Einstein School of Medicine in New York.
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