Tara Brach

Tara Brach (born May 17, 1953) is an American psychologist, author, and proponent of Buddhist meditation. She is a guiding teacher and founder of the Insight Meditation Community of Washington, D.C. (IMCW).^[1] Brach also teaches about Buddhist meditation at centers for meditation and yoga in the United States and Europe, including Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, California; the Kripalu Center;^[2] and the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies.^[3]

Brach is an Engaged Buddhist, specializing in the application of Buddhist teachings and mindfulness meditation to emotional healing.^[4] She has authored several books on these subjects, including Radical Acceptance, True Refuge, and Radical Compassion.

Brach holds bachelor's degrees in psychology and political science from Clark University.^[3] She was awarded a doctorate in clinical psychology from the Fielding Graduate University^[5] based on her dissertation analyzing the effectiveness of meditation in the healing of eating disorders.

Brach resides in Virginia with her husband, Jonathan Foust, a yoga and meditation teacher. She was raised Christian Unitarian.^[6][7][8]

• Brach, Tara (2003). Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life with the Heart of a Buddha. Bantam. ISBN 0-553-80167-8.
• Brach, Tara (2012). "Mindful Presence: A Foundation for Compassion and Wisdom", in Wisdom and Compassion in Psychotherapy: Deepening Mindfulness in Clinical Practice edited by Christopher K. Germer and Ronald D. Siegel. Guilford Press ISBN 978-1462518869
• Brach, Tara (2013). True Refuge: Finding Peace and Freedom in Your Own Awakened Heart. Bantam. ISBN 978-0553807622.
• Brach, Tara (2014). "Healing Traumatic Fear: The Wings of Mindfulness and Love", in Mindfulness-Oriented Interventions for Trauma: Integrating Contemplative Practices edited by Follette, Briere, Rozelle, Hopper and Rome. Guilford Press ISBN 978-1462518586
• Brach, Tara (2019). Radical Compassion: Learning to Love Yourself and Your World with the Practice of RAIN. Viking. ISBN 978-0525522812.
• Brach, Tara (2021). Trusting the Gold: Uncovering Your Natural Goodness. Sounds True. ISBN 978-1-68364-713-3.

• Radical Self-Acceptance: A Buddhist Guide to Freeing Yourself from Shame (2005) ISBN 978-1591793212
• Radical Acceptance: Guided Meditations (2007) ISBN 978-0615185583
• Meditations for Emotional Healing (2009) ISBN 978-1591797418
• Meditation and Psychotherapy: A Professional Training Course for Integrating Mindfulness into Clinical Practice (2011) ISBN 978-1591799702
• Mindfulness Meditations: Nine Guided Practices to Awaken Presence and Open Your Heart (2012) ISBN 978-1604077988
• Finding True Refuge: Meditations for Difficult Times (2013) ISBN 978-1604078633

• Official website
• Tara Brach's Insight Meditation Community of Washington Biography
• Downloadable talks and meditations at IMCW
• Downloadable talks and meditations at Dharmaseed

• Tara Brach on Mindfulness, Psychotherapy and Awakening Psychotherapy.net, by Deb Kory, 2012.
• When Ego Meets Non-Ego Shambhala Sun, by Andrea Miller, March 2013.
• A Blend of Buddhism and psychology American Psychological Association, Psychologist Profile by Tori Angelis, February 2014.
• The Awakened Heart: A Conversation with Tara Brach Psychology Today with Mark Matousek May 15, 2014.
• Wake Up from Unworthiness – An Interview with Tara Brach Spirituality & Health – September–October 2015. (Paywall)
• Releasing the Barriers to Love: An Interview with Tara Brach Psychology Today with Mark Matousek November 2015.

• Brach, Tara. "Feeling Overwhelmed? Remember RAIN" Mindful Magazine, June 13, 2014.
• Brach, Tara. "Facing My White Privilege" Lion's Roar Magazine, June 22, 2016.