Would you like the support of others in working with harmful habits? Cloud Sangha has a Mindful Friends Group forming now that can help! Learn more about Mindful Friends Groups at Cloud Sangha at: tbrach.com/Unhealthy-Habits-CS

My 29 year old son died 3 weeks ago. He lost his battle with alcohol. There are no word’s to express the devastation.. Thank you for this video, it gave me a brief respite of ease.

May you be Well May you be Happy May you be Peaceful May you be Free from all suffering

I just feel like most of us have to be in some sort of trance/disconnect in order to survive in this world.

I listened to some of your podcasts over a year ago after I became aware of my past and reactions and choices in my life that never made sense. I had years of therapy. But the secrets never came out. Major health problems did. I had no idea back then that my body was telling me to stop. My body still tells me to stop after 35 years. Now I am listening. And now these podcasts make sense as I understand and am aware of triggers that can and have determined the course of my life on so many occasions. Much to my shame, for which neither I nor anyone else was available to eleviate. So well hidden because such shame is terrifying. It tells us that we have no value at all. And the comfort we need is so huge and that need only one more source of shame. So I was locked out of my life. And still I found avenues to go down that had a lot of meaning. Of course those safe paths were in helping others. Until I couldn't. After so many years I understand your vocabulary. I asked myself this morning about the trigger I experienced yesterday when a helper canceled. I got lost in scrolling shorts in response to the trigger. I forgave myself but thought that I need to understand how to handle such triggers and ended up at one of your best podcasts. (someone called it that). These podcasts will help with my triggers. I'm grateful. I have the beliefs you share but the practices you introduce are exactly what I needed to find right now. Although awareness of feelings of helplessness and panic are so hard not to run from! This is CPTSD. The memories are all in fragments and maybe that´s as it should be. I believe that being more connected to myself, and practicing self compassion are the key. I choose a spiritual practice for healing. I know what returning home to myself feels like. I know that being moved often takes me home. I know that not feeling safe is an old prison that I need to be free of.

“Addiction is not a choice that anybody makes; it’s not a moral failure; it’s not an ethical lapse; it’s not a weakness of character; it’s not a failure of will, which is how our society depicts addiction. Nor is it an inherited brain disease, which is how our medical tendency is to see it. What it actually is: it’s a response to human suffering, and all these people that I worked with had been serially traumatized as children. All the women had been sexually abused. All the men had been traumatized, some of them sexually, physically, emotionally neglected. And not only is that my perspective, it’s also what the scientific and research literature show. So addiction then, rather than being a disease as such or a human choice, it’s an attempt to escape suffering temporarily.” - Dr Gabor Maté

I was told by a spiritual teacher that if we only knew how full the Universe is with unseen beings we would never feel lonely. We think in a limited three dimensional way, but the fact is we are surrounded by spirit guides and guardian angels and a myriad of nature spirits. Also, there are many dimensions and aspects of ourselves who are communicating with us on subtle plains. We are never alone.

Epidemic of loneliness . Right on target.

I am a many year follower. Thousands of dollars in prescription drugs and sessions with therapist’s office brought no relief to me and my tortured obsessed soul. I say this with true conviction my obsession with finding help led me to frantically scouring the internet for answers to relief from my plague of anxiety, worry, and negative thoughts. I found individuals like you - especially - that give me the hope I can handle the darkness someday. Thank you.

Love the quote from Dopamine Nation, I read the book and it was a shocking realization. Society's economy now revolves around giving people cheap and easy ways to disassociate.

“When we are in the thick of it, were not aware of the disconnection, we’re too disconnected to be aware” 🙌🏼🙌🏼

Love and blessings to everyone watching. You are not alone ♥

Let's remember that for many, the only solution to addiction is a spiritual solution.

So challenging, so difficult to let go, so difficult to even want to let go! Addiction is so insidious, so entrapping, so shameful!

Not knowing my place in the world or having the opportunity to practice it, results in being more susceptible to negative, empty addiction (compulsion). People who live fully conscious of how integral they are to existence, with humility don't lose themselves randomly. I am a stone in the river of life. No more, no less. Thank you for helping all of us find ways to feel connected and have hope.

The root of it is lack of love, or, worse, presence of unlove.

None of us are perfect. I'm learning to let blame and shame go to embrace the fullness of who I am. Messy, needy shadow parts and all. Blessings all 🙏🏻💕

This is almost exactly what my spirit guides have been showing me.

33:01 realizing “this hurts” and “i care about this suffering” 37:55 “a knowing that the only way I could wake up was through self-kindness…through compassion”

I LOVE Tara. Had the privilege to meet her when I lived in NorCal, for a day-long. She's had a tremendous effect on my growth and healing, and inspired me to become a meditation leader for my group. I believe she's now in her 70s, and has had health issues for a while now. She seems pale in this video (excuse my judgement), and I worry for her long-term health. Hope you're well Tara. May you inspire humans for another 30 years. Blessings & Love.

Yes. Isolation is also due to dyfunctional families especially with mental illness. The children don't realize it's not their fault until damage is done. It's good that people are waking up. We're all getting sick unnecessarily. 😢

A lot of undeniable truth here.

I really needed this right now, thank you. Strangely for me, it's a refusal to sleep. I compulsively deprive myself to such a point of delirium and dysfunction. Last year there was drinking, it used to be binge eating, etc. There's always some new compulsion to fill it's space

For the sake of all, this can't continue. Just look into the eyes of those who walk by us. Thank you dear Tara.

I was listening to this while sitting on the shore of lake Huron and right as you went quiet, it was like nature working with you and the calm water moving with birds in the background. Was just a perfect incorporation

I am so grateful for your presence in this world and on this platform. Your teachings bring me great comfort, especially when I need them most.

self aversion is something I heavily struggle with that I never even realized, really is crucial

Dear sister of service to humanity, thank you, thank you for this golden teaching and assistance. This video alone could heal this planet’s trance state and recover billions of souls. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🧡

I am dealing with a lot of fear and suffering and disconnection which makes resisting the habits of drug addiction really difficult. Thank you for the video, hearing someone say exactly what I feel made me cry.

This was amazing. A few days ago I saw the video and turned it off off within minutes. I didn’t believe that I had any addictions to look at. Yesterday I returned to it and it really resonated. Last night I had a revelation around hiding my eating habits just as I was sneaking a snack, hiding it and feeling shame.I’ve done this for years. I told my husband and he had no idea. I felt such deep shame while I talked to him. It didn’t crush me. He listened and was so loving and supportive as usually. I was living a small hell and was not aware of how it affected me. Today a whole new revelation opened about my beliefs about others and my “role” in their lives. I see the way I make myself a point of attention. It’s as though I’m recuperating the bits and fragments of myself that I projected. Tara I am so grateful to you for your teachings, your kindness and such genuine and generous honesty. Thank you 🙏❣️

I deal with anger and emotional pain from being abused. That's about it. Good luck.

ONCE AGAIN dear and Beloved Tara..the Guided Meditation was so very calming, healing and transformative. And the content of your talk re: game and other addictions and the power of meditation to bring some measure of balance to our Lives was immensely beneficial to hear..for thousands of people..all in due time! Thank you All Ways for your Loving Kindness, Wisdom, and Presence. Aloha from the Heart of Hawaii {and "Aunty Maile (pron: my-lee)"..note: In Hawaii all us female elders are called Aunty )

I very much related to your story. Thanks for being so honest. Namaste.

No one ever seems content. Everyone is chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

Energy flows where attention goes

Thank you for catching me up and supporting me with your words. When you share your heart, mine gets stronger. I'm less afraid of the inner voice telling me "it's time to pay attention to what and how much you are eating". How I live today is how I live my life. May I be kind in bringing my suffering above the line. ❤ I love being human the same time as you, Tara Brach.

Oh Tara... thank you for being so honest.... I smoke cigs,pot and food....I'm ready to change.... My name is Tamrah. My spiritual path is finally starting to light up. I want to quit. So difficult.

I suffered through this because it is painful to hear truth. I am rejected from my dysfunctional family in silence. I don’t drink I’m a whole food plant based vegan exercise honest yet feel rejected because I don’t eat meat. People judge me harshly. I want to connect w more vegans and those who also don’t want to kill animals and eat processed foods. Thank you for discussing this. I thought I was alone in this situation. Maybe others I want to be close to are suffering also. I love your description of disconnection and emptiness shame alone Thank you. Healing energy to everyone. We matter. I can value myself and others. Love Buddhism

So helpful. I have taken away some wonderful tools to work on one of my addictions. Blessings and love Tara ❤❤❤❤

Thank you Tara and the community here ❤✨

Wow, Tara! You really nailed it. Thank you for articulating a terrible samsaric cycle with such clarity and compassion. Hope i can apply this in my own life for positive change…

I watched this in the midst of having compulsive thoughts. It was hard to even click on it because it the compulsive energy was almost rejecting it. But I'm glad I did. So helpful, so many sparks of remembrance. Thank you

Thank you for your soothing voice and kindness. 🙏💕✨

I have battled with addictions to multiple substances, most of them being legal, throughout my entire existence. I was introduced to alcohol by my mother at age 14, and I immediately knew that alcohol was the answer for me, it allowed me to be around people without feeling the intense social anxiety that I struggle with still to this day, at fifty~one. But at age 21, I checked self into the detox ward at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, TN, because at that point I was drinking daily, and I also didn't have anywhere to go, living on the streets, and their alcohol detox consisted then of merely 5-7 days inpatient, so they helped me find halfway house all the way in Fort Smith, AR, then found out I was pregnant, so I went to a sober living home there, and was doing wonderful, until I met my late husband at an NA meeting, no less lol! At the time, both of us were sober, but after a few months of us drinking and smoking weed together, I was kicked out of the home for staying out all night. So after we moved in together, of course the using grew worse, and one day he asked me if I wanted to try heroin, which was his drug of choice, and I freaked out saying no way, I had only drank alcohol and smoked weed up to this point, but he said i wouldn't have to use a syringe, so I agreed to try it, and bought some with the $ I received as compensation for giving the daughter I gave birth to to a couple that I knew could give her what she needed. Well, I feel IN LOVE, and can still remember to this day how amazing it felt, about 15min after I snorted a line, it started at the base of my neck, and went all the way down my spine, alleviating all physical pain, then I started to feel the euphoria of it emotionally and mentally, and I felt like a little child again, it was a BEAUTIFUL experience, but it didn't last long. I was only 22 when I first tried any opiate, and of course, I had to go for the strongest most deadly one out here, but this led to a LIFETIME of chasing that high. I did heroin from 22-29, then went to a Methadone clinic, because I wanted off the heroin so bad/didn't know what else to do. So I was on 120mg of Methadone from year 2000 to the year after addiction TOOK MY BEAUTIFUL SOUL of a MOTHER from me, and a couple of years into my BATTLE with it, my PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN, not even a psychiatrist, KNEW I was taking 120mg of Methadone, proceeded to prescribe me THREE 2MG XANAX BARS per DAY, which is a DEATH SENTENCE in my humble opinion, this combination has killed quite a few people I love. Anyway, I of course became addicted to both substances, and did not know whom to turn to, or where to go for help, so I got d8wn on my hands/knees one night in my bathroom floor and BEGGED God to PLEASE REMOVE ANY DESIRE for Methadone or xanax I had, then I found a great inpatient rehab a few weeks later, checked in, stayed over 30 days. I haven't touched Methadone since, but have dipped into xanax here and there. Now, I have been taking prescription Suboxone for the past nine years, but at least it has kept me away from all other opiates, and I've now been clean from any benzos also for over six months now. I sure do WISH I could BE SET FREE from ALL prescription POISONS, but at this point, honestly, I have lost hope in ever being able to FREE MYSELF from all these drugs they've had me on my entire existence, and yes, I refer to "life" as existence, because I have never once experienced LIFE, I've always just existed, barely keeping head above water/in fight or flight for over 40 YEARS would take a toll on anyone. Sorry this is so long. I don't really even know why I went into this much detail, but I do hope that me sharing so openly like this will somehow help someone(s). Sending out SO V³RY MUCH L6Ve, POSITive/HEALing eNERgies, and the LIGHT of protectI0N UNd TRANSformatI9N, AlWAYsss!!!

Another talk which speaks clearly to me. I do wonder though (as an atheist) why Buddhist stories are referred to as mythology but Christian ones are not?

It takes work to stay off the phone you have to take a stand with it. It was embarrassing that a grown up was checking his phone when my deeper self was not even interested. Keep doing what you are doing.

Mindfulness and compassionate for your freedom. That resonates. Epidemic of loneliness. My cigarette isn't my substitute friend.

Thank you so much for this. I think it’s all just fueling the lie we live in. We must remember who we are as Source if we are to stop reaching for things outside of the self (aka love, fulfillment, freedom, satisfaction), “looking for love in all the wrong places” as Abraham hicks says… the only way to find security or love in a reliable way is to find it from where it comes from. Your source within 🕊️❤️ much love thank you so much for your presence on here

I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Holding you both in my heart.

I was shocked by what I read about how Yogi Bhajan treated you at the ashram. It amazes me how some Indian gurus behave and yet have so many followers. Thanks for what you are doing, it has helped so many people.

🙏🏻peace love n light to all, thank you for this information 💕✨💖

Maybe I'm just ready to grasp this finally, but it seems that this is the clarity, these are the words I've been seeking to move out of this "trance", swamp, prison You have shown me the path,the creek, the northwest passage, the vein leading back to my original heart. Now the work begins!!! Thank you!!!!

This was an amazing talk! Thank you ❤

Thank you for this ! I really enjoyed your video ❤

you are the best person

Thank you for your kindness and for sharing these practices - you are much appreciated. ❤

I am so glad, I found this channel. Subscribed ❤ You're unbelievably accurate. I've never heard anybody explain it from such a core place, yet still so easy for anyone to understand. You're gifted and precious to this world. Namaste 🙏

Dear Tara, dear everyone, I was guided to this video two days ago and I found it when I woke up felt really uncomfortable in my body because of something or the time I ate and I fell asleep with it. The next morning I got my period; which always comes on a day of great importance when a new phase of some sort starts and I felt different. I went for a long walk after washing up and I felt really good, in control, in my body again. I got what you were saying on a cellular level, or otherwise said my cells understood what is happening when I give into a craving. I am happy to say I don't have intense binges anymore, I was however daily eating some kind of thing that I would rather not, pieces of regular super sugary chocolate, small bowls of crisps. And it seems I could not not. Since yesterday I feel in control again and I have been able to choose against it. And more-over I didn't even crave it. Which is a new one. Every single day it was fighting the urge not to and the urge won. This morning my body jumped out of bed and wanted to start Yoga before my mind even was awake. Then the mind woke up and wanted to have a coffee. It took some sitting in silence and soothing my inner child and eventually I did my practice on a warm water with Ghee. It is a journey, and there will be days that I will falter, and I know that these days will be far and few. thank you very much for this amazing content. for everyone reading this, I hold the vision for you too, we are one. Namaste and lots of love. VM

❤ thank you ❤ Namaste ♥️ my all beings live in peace and loving kindness ❤ 😊

Thank you Tara. I saw you at Kripalu for Radical acceptance in 2014. I have been on quite the journey since. I am now a YTT 200 graduate and focusing on Mediation on Kirton. Namaste

Thank you this was already so transformational ! I feel I have tapped into something really deep within myself, like never before. I believe I can win this battle against my addictions.

thank you!

Excellent!!! Extremely helpful, hopeful, informative and timely as I plod along my healing journey. THANK YOU 🙏 ❤ Tara, I truly appreciate you sharing your personal experiences. Your energy is very soothing & peaceful. Your teachings highly beneficial. You are an exquisitely Beautiful Soul & Human ❤ Love & Blessings

My father was the first hand to my body. I trust no man. Thank you for this blessing ✨💝

Thank you so much for this - The world has never needed this more

When my father died I had a break down and found myself hospitalised. Took a little time to recover but the pain remains. Came back to my home town soon after and retrained in mental health work. Things went really well for 11 years but my breakdown happened again after being attacked by a gang. The police took me to a refuge where eventually I applied for euthanasia in Belgium. Got attacked by a Iraqi street gang in Brussels but survived to return to London after getting help from the British Consulate. I'm 61 and after 3 attempts on my life I now want to move to Lithuania to visit family. Life throws so much shit at you that only mental strength can enable survival. Hope it does not happen to anyone else for life in the UK is perturbing. Gangland, drug dealing and child prostitution racket gangs seem to be holding the elderly and disabled in ransom to extort money from the vulnerable. I've always been a Christian and my faith does help when managing stress. Sick of criminal gangs where the authorities seem overwhelmed. The aged and disabled are now targeted by gangs often because we have an income and a home. Work is normality for me but success brings a jealous reaction from others who use crime as a career and ironically are socially accepted by a terrorised public who fear retribution from gangs. Never want to experience the UK again it is a sick place and can't see any future here. Think this lady has a good understanding of modernity and the repercussions of working in a jobless community.

Many many thanks for your kindness and compassion. Where would I be without your wonderful talks. 🙏🏻💐❤️

You are incredibly well spoken. I've been trying to identify my own hungry ghost and trance state but I had trouble putting a title on it or identifying it directly as you so eloquently have. THANK YOU SO MUCH for creating this video!

Just the words myself needed to hear. Thank you kindly 🙏

Thank you so much Tara. This talk brought me back to a peaceful place where I feel inspired to stay compassionately present. I look forward to your next talk on this subject.

Thank you so much Tara I’m so grateful that I have found you, your meditations, talks and books to guide me through my spiritual path 🙏

Wow this is so timely for me at this moment. I will listen again. Unhooking. Wow the timing is amazing 🙏🏽💟🙏🏽 I am working on breaking unhealthy habits

Thank you friend this helped me I'm not a Budhist I'm a Roman catholic but I respect you and your choice to be Budhist

Thank you for this enlightening message. ❤I’m not addicted to drugs but was many years ago and the lingering shame kept me from being fully in the present now

i love ur energy. i feel like the antidote to addiction is intentionally slowing down and being present

Thanks Tara 🌟😊 Namaste

You can almost see the light pouring out from behind your eyes. You have cultivated much positive energy!! Thank you Tara! You are helpful to so so many people!

I have felt disconnected from others since the pandemic. I think I do "use" things like streaming movies, KZfaq videos, reading and eating mindlessly more since then. I think I always have to some degree (used things to "fill" my time) when not working. Since I have mostly retired and am out of a long term relationship - that has added to it all. One thing I do not do any more is drink alcohol like I used to. It's occasional (very) now. I feel good about that, especially because I, too came from an alcoholic family (father). Thanks for this video Tara, I truly appreciate all that you do....

Thank-you Tara🙏🏼❤️

I was just pondering this last night. Can't wait to watch this tonight after work!

Thank you deeply. My last video on youtube for a while. I am awakening and rising above my habitual, small self. Thank you for your wisdom. You are amazing ❤

Thank you so much🙏❤

Thank you.

This was my first video on this chanel. Very nice. I didn't think I would last 51 munutes...but as SO good and inlightining..thank you.

Blessings and love. May we all be free from modern habits x

❤ So well articulated on many levels. Thank you.

This amazing talk is life-changing. Even though I am addicted to the internet and binge watching KZfaq videos is one of my favourite ways to disconnect from myself, THIS was probably one of the most difficult videos to watch, had to re-start about 10 times, but it was completely worth it. Now to part 2!

Sjoe you so accurately describe the steps. Thank you Tara. Iam hopeful to overcome by being present and connected to THE IAM

I really need to hear this right now. It’s lucky I found this one, right now, I’m feeling isolated and listening to you, I realise, I’m going through a difficult disconnection within me. This talk will be my work next few day. Here to clicking on that specific link between our bodies and out spirit with our nature and all that surround us ❤️🙏❤️

Thank you!❤

Blessings and love to you too, Tara. 💗

Little archons can be tempting but conquering all desires is what makes us balance

You have a very calming presence and are very articulate. Thank you for your message!

Thank you for this. What synchronicity coming across this video...even the word "wanting", which I used earlier today in coming to some awareness about that...

Thank you Tara … this is especially lovely one of yours .. put across beautifully as ever .. ♥️

Thankyou Tara.Your talks give me strength to believe in hope for humanity .The bleakness out there sometimes is overwhelming.

Beautiful! Thank you from the ❤!

I have recently been thinking about this subject and I just want to encourage you to continue to share these truth. It is going to take one person at a time to wake up community support . Have found Elkhart Tolle that has helped me. 🙏

I lost my sister a little over a year ago to her addiction. She was sold drugs that contained Fentanyl. I immediately made the decision to get clean. Luckily i was already on a road to recovery and was only taking Suboxone but still felt like i was fighting an addiction due to the fact i had to have them. They are just as bad as any other drug. I'm on a slow tapper program now designed to slowly lower the dose until i can come off without being too sick. The struggle is real. I really feel like my sister saved me. God Bless her soul. We love and miss her.

I am so happy that this video popped up today. Thank you! ❤