Radical Self-Acceptance: A Buddhist Guide to Freeing Yourself from Shame

by Tara Brach

How would your life change if you genuinely accepted yourself, just the way you are? According to Dr. Tara Brach, feelings of shame and unworthiness are the source of many problems we experience with our relationships, careers, creative endeavors, and most fundamentally, our spiritual unfolding.

Course

Explain how feelings of shame and unworthiness are the source of many problems we experience with our relationships, careers, creative endeavors, and most fundamentally, our spiritual unfolding.
• Discuss Radical Self-Acceptance and how to free yourself from the grip of your insecurities about being good enough.
• Practice Radical Self-Acceptance as a way to discover the freedom that comes with kindness and true appreciation of yourself and others.
• Utilize insights from both Eastern contemplative traditions and Western psychotherapies to guide you through a full program of meditations and skills you need to become more compassionate toward the unforgivable parts of your Self.
On Radical Self-Acceptance , this respected clinical psychologist and Buddhist meditation teacher shows you how to free yourself from the grip of your insecurities about being good enough.

With insights from both Eastern contemplative traditions and Western psychotherapies, Dr. Brach guides you through a full program of meditations and skills you need to become more compassionate toward the unforgivable parts of your Self.

As Dr. Brach says, the most difficult―and pervasive―challenge to Westerners today is the suffering caused by our feelings of unworthiness and self-aversion. Radical Self-Acceptance offers a way to break out of this emotional prison, so you can discover the freedom that comes with kindness and true appreciation of yourself and others.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Psychology, Spirituality, Buddhism, Audiobook, Mental Health

4 pages, Audio CD

First published October 1, 2000

About the author

Tara Brach is a leading western teacher of Buddhist meditation, emotional healing and spiritual awakening. She has practiced and taught meditation for over 40 years, with an emphasis on vipassana (mindfulness or insight) meditation. Tara is the senior teacher and founder of the Insight Meditation Community of Washington. A clinical psychologist, Tara is the author of Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha, True Refuge: Finding Peace & Freedom in Your Own Awakened Heart and Radical Compassion: Learning to Love Yourself and Your World with the Practice of R.A.I.N. (Viking, Dec. 31, 2019).

Tara is nationally known for her skill in weaving western psychological wisdom with a range of meditative practices. Her approach emphasizes compassion for oneself and others, mindful presence and the direct realization and embodiment of natural awareness.

Reviews

[Joy Wilhide · Rating 4 out of 5]

I lustened to this on Audible.com. It is a series of guided meditations which are soothing to listen to while also engaging. It is guiding more than instructional. It is as if Tara is present with you. I have listened to this while traveling on early morning flights between KC and LA and also while on walks through the woods. Maybe this book lends itself to a sense of journey. Learning to accept oneself is a worthy journey.

Don't let the word Buddhist in the title keep you from experiencing this book. Tara is not trying to convert you but hoping to guide you back to your true self. I am a Christian and found this book very compatible with the healing love of my Lord.

[Lainie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tara Brach's voice is gentle and warm. Is she reading from her book? It's hard to tell. I listened to this audiobook in sections, while on long rambling walks in the autumn sunshine-ish forest. It felt like she was speaking softly in my ear, giving me small steps to take on a path of self-awareness and healing. A wonderful tool for anyone working on overcoming shame and guilt. Recommended

[Vik · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me over 3 years to read. My therapist recommended it to me. Everytime I picked it up, it was relevant and had what I needed to read, sometimes so close to the bone I couldn't quite finish a chapter.
Having finished it, I already new it was a book I would just read through time and again. Even if the situation has changed, the advice and methods in this book will always apply and be relevant.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oops! I thought that this was Tara’s book by the same name, but, in fact, this is a series of talks and guided meditations. That said, I think it was the perfect introduction to her work. I’ve known about her for some time, but have been wrestling with (1) the fact that I’m not Buddhist (though I have great respect for the religion) and (2) the fact that I have some preconceived notions and biases when it comes to metaphysical stuff. Fortunately, I was finally able to get out of my own way, and I’m so glad that I did! If you are looking for peace and acceptance in your life, meditation is one of the best places to find it (and you don’t have to be Buddhist). And if what she discusses feels too abstruse at any point, don’t worry about it. Just start meditating, and it will make sense in time.

[Nick Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I listened, I need to go back and actually read it.

[Bec · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took so long to read! A good teaching place on radical acceptance with useful analogies

[Annie Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a simple yet profound little book. I found it very helpful to understand the foundational DBT therapy concept of “radical acceptance.” She incorporates the wisdom of Christian, Buddhist and other faith traditions with tremendous respect into her meditations.

[Jimmy Wolfe]

so...i listened to this on spotify...prob wasn't focused enough and need to buy a physical copy...

[smilljns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soothing and healing as the usual Tara Brach. Listening to her is always a nourishing gift you can give yourself. Tara teaches the power of surrendering to what it is and embracing whatever comes through for a radical acceptance of life and its challenges. Her style is also simple and straightforward nevertheless intense. I found myself tearing up a few times facing the strong sense of humanity that transpires from this audiobook. I am very grateful for her teachings and would certainly recommend it.

[Steven Willmott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really powerful and valuable book on how to think about our own inner reactions to things. It has a Buddhist spiritual slant, but can certainly be read without needing to buy into this. The twin message or awareness and compassion is really powerful.

I found the first half of the book most valuable and the second have is useful but not quite on the same par: the examples are a little drawn out and the concepts less distinct.

[Susan Sharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book to spend time with in 2020. I still don't have a regular meditation practice, but several of the guided meditations offered something new and useful for my tool box. One thing I've kept with me is that "my pain" and "my joy" are not "my" pain and "my" joy. They're the world's pain and joy.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

She's a wise woman! Quite a deep, spiritual, thought-provoking reflection of self-doubt, fears, deprivation, contentment and universal love within the human condition. It has great guided meditations to really cut through the noise and work on ourselves towards healing where we need it and loving ourselves fully.

[Sanja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Radical Self-Acceptance feels like an excerpt from Tara Brach's Radical Acceptance, but I guess it is always good to have repetitions in kindness, especially if times are hard. The voice of Tara Brach is mesmerising, calming and I love mindfulness meditations at the end of each chapter. I think I would like to read, or better to say, to hear every Brach's book especialy because of her voice and the way she reads it, but I would look forward to new insights under the umbrella of the same concept. For those who are first time readers and who are struggling with self-acceptance, this would be great read and I recommend it wholeheartedly.

[Dominik Grzębka · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit too much 'start loving yourself' mumbo-jumbo for my taste. I know this is what this book is about and I guess if this is what you need it's a great book. But I did not like the style.
Makes some good points too, but if you are more down-to-earth, analytical personality you would probably appreciate a one-page, 20 bullet point summary to this.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full of some excellent nuggets, but I don't recommend listening in the car where you can't fully participate in the guided meditations at the end of each section. For me, accepting myself is a never-ending practice with high-highs and low-lows. It's important for me to revisit these teachings as a reminder of the cyclical nature and impermanence of negative self appraisal.

[Lindzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little audiobook with many wonderful insights. I will definitely revisit this book again - particularly to listen to the guided meditations. I love Tara Brach’s gentle, low voice. Very reassuring and calming.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great introduction to the concepts explored at more length in Radical Acceptance. This is also a nice refresher on the subject. Tara Brach has a nice relatable approach to presence and acceptance.

[Nora · Rating 5 out of 5]

If it's hard for you to be your own friend, to be kind to yourself, this book will be a real gift for you. It's compassionate and soothing tone will help you lose - and fin - yourself into a world where there is no judgment.

[Alžběta · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enlightening look at working with your negative emotions and letting go of shame. I listened to this on Audible and Brach's reading is wonderful - very calming but captivating at the same time. The meditations and exercises are simple and very powerful.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book when you need to be told you're worth it, you have meaning, etc. Some parts really struck a chord with me but some parts were just kind of boring. I listened to the book and think it might have been more impactful if I read it instead.

[Itzel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meditations that I will re-listen to. All these books in the style of Tolle I don’t use as every day exercises in mindfulness but read ever so often remembering what I integrated from the previous one.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remaining true to what really matters is the focus of this book.

[Karen Leech · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful short but succinct talks - very moving.

[Deep · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Specially liked the audio narration.

[Ryan Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional book, such useful insights and methods for overcoming shame and finding your inner self. Powerful.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life changing. Loved it.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relistened to this recently. Still very good. Her pod-casts are even better.

[Lisa Butterworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved listening to this in the author's voice. I love this book so much, i think this is at least the third or fourth or fifth time through. I lost track.

[Dee Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gave some practical applications for daily life and questions for reflection.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this.