Praying together with other like minded souls at the Divine Mercy Shrine of St Faustina. Offering up my suffering to grow the kingdom of God. Learning and practicing different forms of meditation led to an acceptance of my ongoing loss. Walking…anywhere., Getting to a natural space is a challenge for me so I learn to experience walking in the passing of my surroundings. It is all love.
Nature, walking on the beach listening to the waves, taking a dip in the ocean holding my head under it just washes away my sadness. Sometimes enjoying music and allowing myself to release with tears.
Rosella Byers, Another Field, Willits, CA, USAsays
I have found that music – singing, and dancing – does help me reclaim my sense of belonging. I reach out to my children – even if one of them tends to push me away, I know that it is my right to love. Listening to others – allowing them to be heard by me – does help me.
It’s nature and animals. It always has been those things for me. When I’m so sad and feel alone, all it takes is for my dog to press against me and look into my eyes. And I feel the connection of all things.
Barbara Ste, Psychotherapy, Gainesville , FL, USAsays
Tara Brach is so wise, intuitive, and caring. Her genuine sharing of her heart and soul, and particularly the sharing of her personal experience, touches my heart gently but profoundly.
Tara offers the space for me to work with my own grief, and I hope I provide the same for others. I am most grateful for her, and for NICABM.
when I recently experienced the loss of a family member, I felt as though my heart cracked wide open and the identity that I once had carved in stone became less defined. throughout my grieving process I noticed an inner transformation, a sort of rebirth.
Thank you, Tara, for the session. When I was in deep grief from the loss of my husband of 40 years, people came along and supported me in my grief process.
I couldn’t feel the presence of the Holy, even though I have been a person of faith. When a woman hugged me, expressed her sincere condolences and whispered into my ears that she had been praying for me, I knew that the holy had come to me through this woman. I knew that I was not alone.
Almost every time I felt alone, lonely and forgotten, I received an email, a card, a visit and texted messages. I was held by the love and support of people, which was to me the presence of the Holy.
Faith Imagination Prayer could be the container for feeling difficult emotions if the person has some kind of faith. Expressing and feeling emotions in the safety of the Loving Presence is acknowledging what s/he is going through and releasing it.
Nature nurtures me… being on a trail in the woods… seeing sunlight sparkling on a lake… timeless cliffs… looking out into a vista that brings spaciousness to awareness… a sense of connection to something larger than myself…
In the craziness of life’s challenges and demands I simply put one foot in front of the other remembering to regulate my breathing. Then ask the Higher Power to guide me, to keep me safe and loved.
Thanks Tara
You, Tara, have been the loving light that has held me in my time of great loss. At the time of my ex husband’s death from cancer(, the father of my 11 year old daughter.) My relationship with my then Love came to an end. He became emotionally and verbally cruel. While I was trying g to hold space for my daughter to grieve her father’s death. I suffered terribly from Heartbreak.
And you have helped me stay grounded and seen me through one of the darkest times of my life.
Kimberly Malloy, Marriage/Family Therapy, Las Vegas, NV, USAsays
What has helped me, with regard to a loss of a key person, is to first remember the character of the person and what they were passionate about.
I then do something or create something intentional that honors my loved one and every time I do or think about the action, it keeps them alive and I feel them held in my heart. I hope that makes sense.
Since childhood, I have taken refuge in a tree. Not necessarily one particular tree, but whichever tree presents itself in the moment. They have been my kin when I have been troubled or grieving alone, and I am deeply grateful to them for their wisdom and boundless compassion. In the practice, I remembered them with love. I am a spiritual director/companion, but that is not listed in the ‘profession’ pull down, so I include it here.
Powerful. Thank you. I was able to feel the presence of my grandmother and my dog Sasha (both have passed away) and my friend Sarah who continues to remind I am not alone. Just being asked to remember and reflect upon who in my life has loved me/loves me and has held me or comforted me while in pain helped.
I feel loss and grief. I don’t have somebody in my life that I could turn to to be held which is what I feel I need the most. I don’t have a sense of belonging and I carry so much pain Within and no one to share it with.
Elizabeth Lyon, Another Field, ARLINGTON, VA, USAsays
My children, my husband, my home, and my garden all have comforted me in times of losing my sister, my mother, and my father. i walk in the woods and listen to birds, I take joy in snakes that slither, in frogs that croak, in the annoying, garden-munching white-tailed deer that are so poignantly and unfairly compromised in my ex-urban community. I breathe, i cry, I regroup, I hurt, I move on.
I thought of how my younger sister who was busy with family and career made time to talk to me everyday when my grief had numbed me out.
We belong in our family,!
Janene Holmberg, Physical Therapy, Salt Lake City, UT, USAsays
Powerful… a presence that isn’t there to take away the pain but to find space for what is here… sacred refuge.. thank you for showing paths for discovering nurturing space
Belonging to a sangha, a safe place, I can be honest with confusion, not knowing, pain, grief…sharing and feeling held and holding with others…walking out in the desert, open sky, space…
Teri Mascuch, Another Field, Ship bottom, NJ, USAsays
We lost our son Colin to suicide over 7 years ago, I travel and live with grief. However I have learned so much since his death and his spirit speaks to me always as to so many others who love him. Belonging to these, nature the universe from other suicide survivors to friends, family , the stars , sunset and moon I am learning how to live with grief gratitude and self, no matter where I am in this world. Colin’s spirit travels with me.
.At the time of both losses I remember I did not did not have any spiritual or other resource that I reached out to, so I managed as well as I could with my own resources.
In part 3, Tara calls on us to remember what person or place has helped us during loss. I didn’t have that — I wish I had — people and places didn’t help. The only saying I could hold on to was, “This too shall pass.” Impermance of all things.
Mary Redwell, Another Field, New York, NY, USAsays
I live in a huge city, but on the edge of it, near a river. I look out my windows every morning and night and connect with the water and the rocks and the sky. I am its witness, but it is also my witness. Feeling at home with these surroundings has helped me feel noticed and part of ongoing life.
When I sit on my porch surrounded by a sacred garden that I had planted to honor the deaths of my parents, with my sweet dog by my side, I bathe in the presence of unconditional love. As long as it’s not below 40 degrees I go there every morning for my meditation. I always feel seen and safe and grateful for this life regardless of my pain of which I have had a great deal. I also imagine my father’s love and I pray to him to help me and support me. Sometimes I feel like crying and I let myself. I also let myself cry in front of my dear partner and a few friends. Allowing myself this vulnerability is very healing for me. It allows for deeper connections than the stiff upper lip I was taught to present. Thank you for your talk. It validates that I am where I need to be and to welcome more vulnerability and connection
My husband of 54 years died a little over 2 years ago. I’m still grieving. I turned to meditation and mindfulness through a local Zen Center to find connection and belonging. I still struggle with loneliness. Thought your lectures and exercises could help.
This brought to mind and heart all the ways my Higher Power makes Itself tangible to me! My Mom transitioned a little over 60 days ago, it was really hard, for her, for me as her caretaker and on reflection I see all the Love that surrounded (surrounds her, me, our family, ALL OF US inside and out) in so many people, in the earth and nature. Thank you, as always for your teaching and your presence Tara!
A light touch on my hand from a friend when she noticed I was at the peak of experiencing a difficult emotion, just a simple light touch followed by brief eye contact, made all the difference. Years later, I can still feel my heart touched and soothed by that slight physical touch.
Marilyn Lamoreux, Another Field, Minneapolis, MN, USAsays
Spending time with my children and grandchildren, going out into the woods and sitting with the trees, holding my hands over my heart and simply allowing myself to feel whatever I am feeling.
Marti Waggoner, Psychology, Chapel Hill, NC, USAsays
As always, I’m uplifted by Tara’s teachings and am reminded we are not alone. I use a variety of practices- meditation, communing with nature, connecting with loved ones, and prayer. Thank you, Tara!
Sarah Kujawski, Counseling, Front Royal, VA, USAsays
Reminding myself that, in ANY given moment, someone around the world is also praying, chanting, meditating, sending positive intentions, sending love, or sending light.
Beverly Anderson, Another Field, Sacramento, CA, USAsays
nun
I lost my 39 year old son to sleep apnea and self medication, 17 years ago. He had been always my main source of joy and sense of meaning and purpose in life. It has been a struggle! Thanks Tara for your very thoughtful refresher course on mindfulness.
Praying together with other like minded souls at the Divine Mercy Shrine of St Faustina. Offering up my suffering to grow the kingdom of God. Learning and practicing different forms of meditation led to an acceptance of my ongoing loss. Walking…anywhere., Getting to a natural space is a challenge for me so I learn to experience walking in the passing of my surroundings. It is all love.
Walking in the park. Meditation. Animals. Recognizing divine flow.
Nature, walking on the beach listening to the waves, taking a dip in the ocean holding my head under it just washes away my sadness. Sometimes enjoying music and allowing myself to release with tears.
A connection to the earth, the ground, the trees, and aliveness of the world.
I have found that music – singing, and dancing – does help me reclaim my sense of belonging. I reach out to my children – even if one of them tends to push me away, I know that it is my right to love. Listening to others – allowing them to be heard by me – does help me.
Writing music and Playing with friends
It’s nature and animals. It always has been those things for me. When I’m so sad and feel alone, all it takes is for my dog to press against me and look into my eyes. And I feel the connection of all things.
Tara Brach is so wise, intuitive, and caring. Her genuine sharing of her heart and soul, and particularly the sharing of her personal experience, touches my heart gently but profoundly.
Tara offers the space for me to work with my own grief, and I hope I provide the same for others. I am most grateful for her, and for NICABM.
Remembrances
Stories
Prayers
Presence of others who showed up to support, validate, share in the sorrow. Their presence allow my sorrow to dilute.
when I recently experienced the loss of a family member, I felt as though my heart cracked wide open and the identity that I once had carved in stone became less defined. throughout my grieving process I noticed an inner transformation, a sort of rebirth.
Im grateful for this work. We need each other to remind us of the importance of connection, when deep in grief and feeling lost.
Thank you, Tara, for the session. When I was in deep grief from the loss of my husband of 40 years, people came along and supported me in my grief process.
I couldn’t feel the presence of the Holy, even though I have been a person of faith. When a woman hugged me, expressed her sincere condolences and whispered into my ears that she had been praying for me, I knew that the holy had come to me through this woman. I knew that I was not alone.
Almost every time I felt alone, lonely and forgotten, I received an email, a card, a visit and texted messages. I was held by the love and support of people, which was to me the presence of the Holy.
Faith Imagination Prayer could be the container for feeling difficult emotions if the person has some kind of faith. Expressing and feeling emotions in the safety of the Loving Presence is acknowledging what s/he is going through and releasing it.
Nature nurtures me… being on a trail in the woods… seeing sunlight sparkling on a lake… timeless cliffs… looking out into a vista that brings spaciousness to awareness… a sense of connection to something larger than myself…
In the craziness of life’s challenges and demands I simply put one foot in front of the other remembering to regulate my breathing. Then ask the Higher Power to guide me, to keep me safe and loved.
Thanks Tara
You, Tara, have been the loving light that has held me in my time of great loss. At the time of my ex husband’s death from cancer(, the father of my 11 year old daughter.) My relationship with my then Love came to an end. He became emotionally and verbally cruel. While I was trying g to hold space for my daughter to grieve her father’s death. I suffered terribly from Heartbreak.
And you have helped me stay grounded and seen me through one of the darkest times of my life.
What has helped me, with regard to a loss of a key person, is to first remember the character of the person and what they were passionate about.
I then do something or create something intentional that honors my loved one and every time I do or think about the action, it keeps them alive and I feel them held in my heart. I hope that makes sense.
I just lost my husband of 48 years. Sitting with the grief by the water helps, walking on the beach, being with grandchildren.
Since childhood, I have taken refuge in a tree. Not necessarily one particular tree, but whichever tree presents itself in the moment. They have been my kin when I have been troubled or grieving alone, and I am deeply grateful to them for their wisdom and boundless compassion. In the practice, I remembered them with love. I am a spiritual director/companion, but that is not listed in the ‘profession’ pull down, so I include it here.
Powerful. Thank you. I was able to feel the presence of my grandmother and my dog Sasha (both have passed away) and my friend Sarah who continues to remind I am not alone. Just being asked to remember and reflect upon who in my life has loved me/loves me and has held me or comforted me while in pain helped.
I felt warm and soft.
Being actually heard. Any amount of validation that my feelings weren’t just valid but necessary to heal past the initial hurt.
Hearing your teachings is a balm to my soul.
I feel loss and grief. I don’t have somebody in my life that I could turn to to be held which is what I feel I need the most. I don’t have a sense of belonging and I carry so much pain Within and no one to share it with.
My children, my husband, my home, and my garden all have comforted me in times of losing my sister, my mother, and my father. i walk in the woods and listen to birds, I take joy in snakes that slither, in frogs that croak, in the annoying, garden-munching white-tailed deer that are so poignantly and unfairly compromised in my ex-urban community. I breathe, i cry, I regroup, I hurt, I move on.
I thought of how my younger sister who was busy with family and career made time to talk to me everyday when my grief had numbed me out.
We belong in our family,!
There are lights around me to be with me on this journey of grief. TY
this has been eye opening. thank you
Powerful… a presence that isn’t there to take away the pain but to find space for what is here… sacred refuge.. thank you for showing paths for discovering nurturing space
Having a trusted person to talk to who didn’t judge me.
Feel rather raw, lost with the loss of my canine service dog.
This helps.
Slowing down to listen to you, and also breathing in peace was a big help.
The presence of loved ones.
I’m not alone
Belonging to a sangha, a safe place, I can be honest with confusion, not knowing, pain, grief…sharing and feeling held and holding with others…walking out in the desert, open sky, space…
We lost our son Colin to suicide over 7 years ago, I travel and live with grief. However I have learned so much since his death and his spirit speaks to me always as to so many others who love him. Belonging to these, nature the universe from other suicide survivors to friends, family , the stars , sunset and moon I am learning how to live with grief gratitude and self, no matter where I am in this world. Colin’s spirit travels with me.
.At the time of both losses I remember I did not did not have any spiritual or other resource that I reached out to, so I managed as well as I could with my own resources.
In part 3, Tara calls on us to remember what person or place has helped us during loss. I didn’t have that — I wish I had — people and places didn’t help. The only saying I could hold on to was, “This too shall pass.” Impermance of all things.
I live in a huge city, but on the edge of it, near a river. I look out my windows every morning and night and connect with the water and the rocks and the sky. I am its witness, but it is also my witness. Feeling at home with these surroundings has helped me feel noticed and part of ongoing life.
When I sit on my porch surrounded by a sacred garden that I had planted to honor the deaths of my parents, with my sweet dog by my side, I bathe in the presence of unconditional love. As long as it’s not below 40 degrees I go there every morning for my meditation. I always feel seen and safe and grateful for this life regardless of my pain of which I have had a great deal. I also imagine my father’s love and I pray to him to help me and support me. Sometimes I feel like crying and I let myself. I also let myself cry in front of my dear partner and a few friends. Allowing myself this vulnerability is very healing for me. It allows for deeper connections than the stiff upper lip I was taught to present. Thank you for your talk. It validates that I am where I need to be and to welcome more vulnerability and connection
My husband of 54 years died a little over 2 years ago. I’m still grieving. I turned to meditation and mindfulness through a local Zen Center to find connection and belonging. I still struggle with loneliness. Thought your lectures and exercises could help.
This brought to mind and heart all the ways my Higher Power makes Itself tangible to me! My Mom transitioned a little over 60 days ago, it was really hard, for her, for me as her caretaker and on reflection I see all the Love that surrounded (surrounds her, me, our family, ALL OF US inside and out) in so many people, in the earth and nature. Thank you, as always for your teaching and your presence Tara!
A light touch on my hand from a friend when she noticed I was at the peak of experiencing a difficult emotion, just a simple light touch followed by brief eye contact, made all the difference. Years later, I can still feel my heart touched and soothed by that slight physical touch.
Spending time with my children and grandchildren, going out into the woods and sitting with the trees, holding my hands over my heart and simply allowing myself to feel whatever I am feeling.
As always, I’m uplifted by Tara’s teachings and am reminded we are not alone. I use a variety of practices- meditation, communing with nature, connecting with loved ones, and prayer. Thank you, Tara!
I recently lost my one and only child my daughter to cancer. She was 55!
no comment at this time
how do I access the program?
Reminding myself that, in ANY given moment, someone around the world is also praying, chanting, meditating, sending positive intentions, sending love, or sending light.
Feel connected to my Higher Power,
lessens the loneliness!@
nun
I lost my 39 year old son to sleep apnea and self medication, 17 years ago. He had been always my main source of joy and sense of meaning and purpose in life. It has been a struggle! Thanks Tara for your very thoughtful refresher course on mindfulness.
Well done. Keep up your excellent work with the topic of grief and loss.
Ronald Klein, PhD/Psychologist