Awakening Compassion in a Fearful World: The Practice of Tonglen

As anxiety, division, and digital distance numb our hearts, we risk losing our ability to truly feel the lives of others. In this talk, we'll explore how compassion arises when another becomes real to us — when we can imagine their inner world and sense our shared belonging. Through reflections, stories, and the Tibetan practice of tonglen, we'll learn how to transform suffering into care, and re-open the relational pathways that let us act from love.   Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025 ABT Music

Collecting, unifying and opening the mind, we begin with a listening attention, noticing sounds that are here. Relaxing open and letting sounds wash through. With the same receptivity to sounds, listen to and feel the aliveness of the body. Listening to the breath as if you're listening to the voice of a quiet loved one – really close in, tender attention – and including the background sounds. Not pushing away anything – a very open and relaxed, receptive attention.   Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025 ABT Music

In this wide-ranging and heartfelt conversation, KonMari Club teacher Patty Morrissey sits down with Tara Brach to explore what spirituality truly means. Together, they reflect on the qualities of spiritually awake people, the foundational habits that sustain a vibrant inner life, and the surprising role of humor on the path. They also delve into how tidiness—a central practice in the KonMari Method—can either express control or become a liberating act of presence and care. With two short guided meditations woven in, this interview offers practical nourishment for living in a way that aligns with your deepest heart. About KonMari Club The KonMari Club is a yearlong community experience designed to help members bring Marie Kondo's philosophy to life — not just in their homes, but in every aspect of their lives. Through small group coaching, guided reflection, live events, and monthly themes like Self, Body, Time, Money, and Spirituality, members cultivate clarity, calm, and connection as they align daily life with what brings them joy and meaning. To learn more about the KonMari Club, visit konmari.com/konmariclub or follow @konmari.co on Instagram. About Patty Morrissey Patty Morrissey, MSW, is the Director of the KonMari Club and a Master Certified KonMari Consultant. She created the Club's transformational curriculum — The Clear & Cultivate Method® — which combines practical tidying wisdom with evidence-based practices in behavior change and well-being. With over 20 years of experience designing and leading transformational programs, Patty helps people live with greater intention, vitality, and belonging. To keep in touch with Patty Morrissey follow @pattymorrissey on Instagram or visit pattymorrissey.com   Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025 ABT Music

By learning to inhabit the body, we discover the space and aliveness that fills the universe. In this meditation we are guided through the body, filling different domains with presence. We then open into the continuous awake space that is both within and surrounds the body. When we notice the mind drifts, we relax back to be that awake space, aware of the changing flow of sensations, thoughts, feelings and sounds.   Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025 ABT Music

Most of us have encountered trauma either in our own direct experience or with someone in our immediate circle. This talk examines the shame and suffering that arise from trauma and how meditation practices can support a path to full spiritual healing. We focus on practices that help us access a sense of love and safety, and then increase our capacity to bring presence to the unprocessed, unlived life in the body. (Note: For many who suffer from PTSD, therapy is invaluable and these practices are not considered as a substitute.)   Podcast Intro Music: Adrienne Torf (www.adriennetorf.com)

The breath can be a powerful portal to presence. This meditation guides us in relaxing with the breath, including the breath in a body scan, and then allowing the breath to serve as an anchor when the mind gets lost in thoughts. As we settle with the breath as a home base, we find we can then open to the changing waves of experience with increasing balance, clarity and ease. 

What is the role of spirituality in mental therapy? And what roles do therapy and mental health play in spiritual growth? What's the overlap, where are they distinct, and how can both work together to help us face the challenges of this world?  In this special episode honoring World Mental Health Day in October, Tami Simon and Tara Brach sit down for a wonderfully open-hearted discussion at the intersection of spirituality and mental health. As a clinical psychologist and renowned meditation teacher, Tara Brach brings forward what it takes to truly meet someone in pain, the spontaneous nature of loving awareness, and the power of imagining connection. And together, Tami and Tara delve into how we handle overwhelm, the importance of integrating spirituality into daily life, and working through grief with a psycho-spiritual approach.   In essence, how we show up for each other. Whether that's spiritual, psychological, emotional, or an interweaving of all those aspects of support. **This episode was originally featured on the Insights at the Edge podcast with host, Tami Simon.

Our conditioned mind is filled with distractions, including worry-thoughts that continually create anxiety in the body.  This meditation guides us in relaxing the body, and then establishing the breath as a home base. By gathering and collecting the attention, the mind can settle and allow for a relaxed, wakeful presence. 

In just a few minutes, this practice guides us to pause, deepen attention and reconnect with the spaciousness, presence and of caring of our awakening heart.

When we remember our deep belonging to this world, a fierce and tender courage begins to move through us. In this talk, we'll explore "spiritual audacity" as a sacred, embodied boldness—the lion's roar of the awakened heart. Through personal and collective lenses, we'll reflect on what it means to live true to our essence: grounded in love, guided by truth, and called to serve the freedom and healing of all beings.