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*Radical Acceptance* was my first read of a book that tackles the subject of Buddhism (albeit indirectly). I discovered it the way I do most books these days - I start with a topic and search the content of my trusted list of creators and see what turns up. In this case my topic was "Radical Acceptance" and it turns out that the aptly titled book by Tara Brach landed her some guest spots on a few of the podcasts I frequent, namely the Tim Ferris show. After giving the episode a listen, I knew this book was what I was looking for.
*Radical Acceptance* is aimed at people who are stuck in what the author terms as a "Trance of Unworthiness" (a term introduced in the first chapter) which is a chronic state of being - characterized by feelings such as pain, unhappiness, low self-esteem, isolation, and several other negative emotions. Being labeled as a trance implies that it is something that can be awoken from, and the author sets out to provide the answers for doing just that.
The book starts off telling a powerful deathbed story that implants a feeling of "ok, it's not too late for me" in the reader and then we're off to 11 chapters of salient wisdom in using Buddhist principles to awaken from this trance. The author does Buddhist newbies a favor and shies away from heavy usage of its terminology.
Ms. Brach does an excellent job of describing different ways of essentially practicing mindfulness and learning to lead with an open heart instead of fear, and does so in a holistic, non-formulaic manner. Chapters are devoted to Mindfulness, the power of pausing, being friendly, the acceptance of pain, understanding desire, fear, self-compassion, interconnectedness, and meta-awareness.
I've read a few other books on similar topics since finishing *Radical Acceptance* but I keep coming back to some of the more simple concepts espoused by this book because they work so dang well. This book made me start regularly smiling (at myself and others) and I've been notably happier since starting. I've also started accepting and being mindful of my negative emotions for what they are when they come up - and guess what happens? They disappear!
This book has been transformative in the short few months since I've read it and I would recommend it to anyone who is a) interested in Buddhist Principles, b) feels unhappy and stuck, c) wants to learn more about themselves. You will learn that you might be closer to a more fulfilling life than you think you are.
*Radical Acceptance* is aimed at people who are stuck in what the author terms as a "Trance of Unworthiness" (a term introduced in the first chapter) which is a chronic state of being - characterized by feelings such as pain, unhappiness, low self-esteem, isolation, and several other negative emotions. Being labeled as a trance implies that it is something that can be awoken from, and the author sets out to provide the answers for doing just that.
The book starts off telling a powerful deathbed story that implants a feeling of "ok, it's not too late for me" in the reader and then we're off to 11 chapters of salient wisdom in using Buddhist principles to awaken from this trance. The author does Buddhist newbies a favor and shies away from heavy usage of its terminology.
Ms. Brach does an excellent job of describing different ways of essentially practicing mindfulness and learning to lead with an open heart instead of fear, and does so in a holistic, non-formulaic manner. Chapters are devoted to Mindfulness, the power of pausing, being friendly, the acceptance of pain, understanding desire, fear, self-compassion, interconnectedness, and meta-awareness.
I've read a few other books on similar topics since finishing *Radical Acceptance* but I keep coming back to some of the more simple concepts espoused by this book because they work so dang well. This book made me start regularly smiling (at myself and others) and I've been notably happier since starting. I've also started accepting and being mindful of my negative emotions for what they are when they come up - and guess what happens? They disappear!
This book has been transformative in the short few months since I've read it and I would recommend it to anyone who is a) interested in Buddhist Principles, b) feels unhappy and stuck, c) wants to learn more about themselves. You will learn that you might be closer to a more fulfilling life than you think you are.