A review by benjaminj1996
True Refuge by Tara Brach

challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced

4.25

My review of this is much the same as Brach’s previous book “Radical Acceptance”. It’s a really well written, comforting, wise and helpful book. I get a real sense that Tara Brach is a genuine, kind person and that her writing and work comes from a place of compassion rather than a drive to seem clever or superior or to earn money. Again, this book draws heavily on Buddhist teachings (but not only) and yet also leaves space for people’s own interpretations and versions of what is essentially an ancient method of therapy. It does sometimes get a little bit too spiritually flowery for me, but Brach is consistently good at making sure that the reader knows the mythical elements she’s explaining are there for metaphorical or demonstrational purposes only - they’re not something to be believed in outright. So I liked that. 

 

I’d say there’s quite a bit more technical information here but it’s presented in a very friendly and down to earth way, and I think it’s also important to add that there’s a lot of great wisdom in here for anyone, regardless of culture or religion. The book itself is essentially about dropping preconceptions of what things are, and what you yourself are, so I’d highly recommend the reader to try doing the same when approaching this book - I think many people will be pleasantly surprised.