I never realized but it is like someone is breaking into your home. They really do take something from you, your voice, your sanity, your sense of self, your ability to love. To this day I still see his eyes in the heads of other people. I still see that truck. I didn't realize why I breathe heavy in parking lots. It took years to piece back what only took 5 minutes to destroy. It is my body. It is my soul. It is my spirit. It is my home not his.

This was really powerful! I know it's a weird thing to say, but it makes me deliriously happy when women who've experienced such things find the power within themselves to overcome such trauma. I can only imagine how hard it is, but I'm really happy to see such strong women!

She deserved a standing ovation.

This talk is just amazing.... "it takes monsters to steal souls, but fighters to reclaim them..."

This spoke to me directly as a survivor of sexual abuse and rape. It is so healing to hear your words. Thank you. We are not powerless victims, the day comes where we reclaim what is rightfully ours. May it be years may it be decades but it comes. Thank you.

only 24 years old. it's like she's walked the earth for centuries with her words of wisdom and depth.

Today a classmate brought Rupi's book to class, and I saw one of the things that I want to keep in my memory forever. The translation to the book title to Portuguese is "Outros jeitos de usar a boca" which basically means "Other ways to use your mouth", the title obviously intrigued the girls in my classroom and one of them asked if she could take a look at the book. When she took it and read it, her face expression was so amazing that the other girls wanted to take a look at it too, so each one read it and passed it on to the other. When I talked about this to my mom, I tried to not sound dramatic, but how I could not? I saw on first hand a sign that our society is changing and teenage girls are making it change, just by being interested in a book that doesn't talk about a superficial love story that doesn't add up to someone's intellect is already monumental, and the best thing is the fact that they've read it and felt inspired, felt like they needed to change reality. So I want to thank Rupi Kaur for writing Milk and honey and for being this amazing inspiration that she is, what happened today happened because of your work and me and my classmates couldn't be more thankful.

this hits home... so grateful for u rupi! xo

she writes like an angel, she speaks like an angel, she is an angel.

Rupi, you are such a great, elegant and beautiful inspiration to us fellow brown girls.

She is beautiful Not just because she has two chocolate eyes Or hands dancing like raindrops Or golden skin glowing from within No There is something more Something ancient in her words In her cadence Something sharp in her wit Yet gentle on her shoulders The words never fly like bees out of her mouth They flow like an unbreakable river Clear and simple As if they had been washing down over me for a hundred years As if they were always there As if it just hadn't realized it yet "To Rupi Kaur"

"when you broke into my home, it doesn't feel like mine again."

after you said "when you broke in to my home, it never felt like mine again. i cant even let a lover in without being sick" i started crying and didnt stop the entire video. your words helped me so much. you are so powerful

THIS WOMAN IS GOING TO SAVE THE WORLD!

Rupi Kaur is a masterpiece

I read the book Milk and Honey in 2 days and that's really fast for me.. i couldn't put it down after just reading the first few poems. It resonates so deep with me.. thank you

Rupi speaks with such grace and gentleness and bravery. She's such an inspiration

“You broke into my home and it never felt like mine again.” That line shook me up. 4 years old. I couldn’t even spell the word home. I couldn’t even spell the word ‘self.’ I’ve never felt at home. And I’ve never known myself. I don’t even remember the act, but my body knows. Self esteem has always been some abstract idea. I rescued my little girl. I went into that dark house she was left in, and there she was, just waiting for someone to come get her. To pick her up out of that bed and hold her tight and run far far away. I’ve never put her down since then. I am her mommy and daddy now. I will always be her mommy and daddy for as long as I live. Right now she needs to cry so I will let her cry. Self esteem no longer an abstract idea. 2 parts separated and reunited. A chipped cup but still, a cup nonetheless. I pour my experiences negative and positive into our cup. I pour our achievements. I pour the love those around us offer. It doesn’t all slip through and spill onto the floor. The rich and bold flavors; the liquids that make up our life, fill our cup. There is self. There is love. There is home.

"Nothing was your fault and I love you." these words are very powerful.

Rupi, you are infinite; a bright gift to this universe. My heart is filled with gratitude for your resilience, your contribution to the collective Conciousness, and for life itself. Thank you sister, I love you.

Oh my God. As soon as I saw this girl and this title, I knew I needed to watch this ...and now I just realized that the seizures I've suffered since age two have made me afraid of my own body and I need to reclaim it.

So raw and emotive. :'( Rupi's words always make me feel heavy. She's so talented.

Rupi, you had me crying from the first minute. I love you so much. You have come so far. Thank you for everything. 💛

That was perhaps the most powerful poetry I've ever heard. Rupi Kaur, you have unique courage and equal mastery in conveying it to others. Your words are healing and help countless to come home. #HumGharSaajanAye

I remember coming across Rupi when she posted the image of her lying on bed whilst on her period. Something about this intrigued me and made me want to know more about her. It led me to follow her on Instagram and I started reading excerpts from her book that she posted. That was a couple of years ago and only now have I come across her TED talk. I have no words after watching this, I was taken to another place and was captivated. Her words, her voice, everything about her presence blew me away. How a person so young can experience so much and hold so much wisdom. I always knew she had a book but I am too intrigued right now, I have just bought it online and I cannot wait to read it. I am writing this on the small chance you may read it but thank you Rupi for your unique insight and take on the body and world. :)

I cried. I can't love anymore because everyone feels like him. God bless you, Rupi. I am glad that you have found your home.

You make me feel like everything will be ok

Really helps brown girls like me to see someone like this. Really an inspiration

I'm just really elated to see such a powerful person speaking their mind without any restrictions, full of liberty. I wish all of us had this courage. It'd really be a better world.

I think this video should be in every school's curriculum.

Even when she talks, you can get the poetic wave like flow out of her words 💕

This is the heartbreaking reality for so many women. This is how it feels.

Brought tears to my eyes. Rupi, you're amazing!

If hand gestures were diamonds she'd be a millionaire.

Wow. Love the openness and sincerity. And your craft is sharper and more confident than ever, well done

She is talking about healing her inner child in such a beautiful artistic and creative way!

Thank you for sharing. FYI if you don't have nothing positive say. Don't watch it. This is for people who understand the subject

This is so powerful and beautiful...!! Her language makes this traumatic experience so less scary to listen to and her soothing voice welcomes all audiences. It is absolutely moving!

"Call the electrician these eyes won't light up"

wow... i had to stop then start again, she is so eloquent & lovely. i can't stand that she was hurt... it's too much at first and then i feel the deepest intimacy with her... her work & her voice, my god are amazing💞

I love Rupi Kaur so much, as a young writer I aspire to be able to flow my words like hers

Her voice is so soothing.

Beautiful voice, so eloquent and talented Rupi. Millions support what you do. Keep it up.

I started to be mindful of her the moment I heard of milk and honey. Why? Because she's a writer. And she went to my university. And she's young. And she's South Asian. And she's unafraid to share her voice with the world. I've always felt a satisfying flow when in the midst of writing as the words come to me and surprise my mind and heart with natural harmony, but after taking on a more "stable" degree and path in uni for myself, she makes me want to reclaim my roots and what I am most proud of - my ability to write. Thank you for showing me it is possible, Rupi.

The truth comes after years of rain. This hit me home.

I love the way you told your story - I felt you through each word, each movement, relating to some parts and ending with self-love which took time to come to that moment - absolutely beautiful you are. It takes courage to come back to your body and own yourself again. May you always stay blessed and continue to inspire others through your beauty.

As a fellow poet, I am inspired. She has such a unique and open way about her.

This really hit home for me. After my assaults, I would shower in the dark, I'd abuse myself, I hated everything about myself, and it took a long time for me to turn my pain into art. Rupi, you are such an inspiration to me. You make me feel less alone. And it's amazing

I was so captivated by this. Had me hooked. Beautiful lady with a beautiful voice.

rupi kaur is my favorite author/poet of all time. i love everything about her & she is a masterpiece

This is so powerful. I’m truly in awe of the way she weaves words together, and how gracefully and truthfully she tells this story.

At first when I read the little snippets of her poetry on Instagram I wasn't impressed but then I got her book as a present and I began to read and understand her story. The more I read the more I felt and understood her. Such a remarkable woman; I honor you and your talent to tell your story. You're strong and quite courageous; I pray your future books will be filled with happiness and more love.

south asian women are amazing

Powerful!!!!...thank you Rupi, the pain transformed into a blessing n' emerged into a beautiful gift of the soul! Keep serving...keep empowering...keep inspiring! 💗🙏💗

I ve started to read milk and honey and all I ve to say is thank you! Your passion for writing, your energy, your self-love and wiseness is what makes the world a better one. There should be more people like you! You are a total example to follow Rupi! I’m from Argentina ❤️👏🏼 we love u

She makes everything sound so valuable. And her voice is so pleasant.

so honest - so strong - so wonderful - so proud of you Rupi!

Her words and voice bring to light what so many women and men have been through and feel. Her book is amazing to as well.

This was so powerful. She is such a great speaker and found a way to express her thoughts in poetry which made her words go though people's blood and remember her.

Rupi is so well spoken. She truly is an amazing person and the words in her book are so powerful! I can't wait to read many more of her works!

as someome who has gone through a mirrored experience, i am in awe of what an inspiring and strong woman she is. for so long i have tried to decipher words into the poem that frees me from the anchoring burdens of my past. listening to this in the dark and early hours of the morning with my eyes shut... it is the closest thing i have to the feeling of weightlessness. slowly i have been learning how to love myself the most and so far it's going just fine. stay strong everyone. make your own happiness.

Rupi is yet another representative at the forefront of human evolution. A publicly well received poet that's been forged in the crucible of her pain and experience, yet brave enough and apt enough to not only see and accept her truth, but also articulately share it with the world. She is a perfect modern day example of what Jordan B. Peterson (another forefront evolutionary human) has defined in his work: "Maps of Meaning". She has reconciled with her shadow self and has come out the other side, truly formidable, yet now able to fully comprehend compassion as well. Carl Jung's legacy continues... Humanity is finally pushing past it's late "juvenile adolescent" state and is breaching into the realm of self-awareness and understanding, and not a moment too soon. Know thyself applies, not just to our individuality, but our entire collective as well.

So inspiring. Knowing you are not alone in how you feel is so important. Thank you for that.

This talk left me teary-eyed. Such a beautiful poem, and even more beautiful recitation.

This was powerful, love how you stand in your truth and authenticity.

i swear this woman is so resilient and beautiful i love her. proud of you boo.❤

I am profoundly moved by your talk, Rupi. Having been molested myself, your words brought tears to my eyes. Your spirit inspires, and shines with a light which the darkness can never comprehend, let alone quench.

What a analogy, look at your body as your home. Powerful words. Feel like most of us take care of our house way better than we take care of our self, at least I know I do. Got to make some changes. Thank you Rupi for sharing your story to the world in such a beautiful way. ❤

Queen queen queen! You are pure paradise. Inspiring and beautiful

Literally have goosebumps, this really hits home.

So so grateful for this... I have cried so many healing tears throughout this whole video. Never have I heard my exact experience articulated so authentically. Inspired now to write my own experience and reclaim my own body though words. Love and healing strength to you reading this

Rupi is such an incredible human being, when she speaks it's so powerful i'm in awe.

Thank you so much for standing up and expressing those words out loud.

Amazing delivery. She is so talented.

I love her voice she makes every word a poem and her story just makes it an even richer experience! she is such a lovely person!

Just finished her second book ‘The Sun and Her Flowers’ absolutely amazing and grateful for Rupi

Thank you, Rupi Kaur.

This is very powerful. Thank you.

Simply amazing. This brought me to tears. And how she ended it with speaking on a Thursday just shows how much of a powerful entity she is here on earth. You’ve changed my life girl!! I️ hope one day to meet you when I’m worthy 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

when i'm out of inspiration i watch this video and just after a few sentences i feel completely full of emotions again... her passion and presence are just mesmerizing

Who are those 27 sad, bitter, deluded souls who dislike this video. GOSH!

Rupi, you are beautiful and bright light on to the world.

This is so powerful and so moving. Putting it all down in words seems so so difficult. Simply loved it! 💛

I love Rupi and her writing. She's so beautiful and talented and she's been through so much and she's grown from it too.

really powerful poetry, i could tell she was indian from the first second just by seeing her beautiful thick hair 😍

I adore you ❤️ You are such a beautiful and mesmerising person Such an inspiration you are

She has such a lovely reading voice, like from those ASMR videos. Hearing this poem aloud gives it such a huge emotional impact.

Deeply moved by your poetry, I feel like its divinely channeled. You are so beautiful, thank you

contagious energy

Wow! Loved that! Amazing inspiration :)

I love listening to her voice it's so soothing and descriptive I could fall asleep to her voice without anxiety. Not only does it make me feel calm but it's relatable to my past relationships that became toxic and still is. Thank you Rupi Kaur for making me feel less anxious and for the beautiful poetry.

I couldn't even stand after hearing that...what a soul and what a gift she's honed. God bless you Rupi. I'll see you soon at one of your shows.

Absolutely beautiful.

this is simply Wow. love you more Rupi Kaur.

i have felt like she has. i have been in that position before. bravo for her braveness and her beautiful words.

Everything about her is beautiful. She's confident, brave, intelligent and just beautiful

Four minutes in and I already shed a tear

She's just beautiful

I love her so much. Her voice has a rhythm that’s comforting.

No words can describe how powerful and amazing she is. Honestly, thank you Rupi Kaur for showing up and being you.