Waking Up from the Victim Trance
6/11/20261 hr 2 min
Most of us know what it is like to feel emotionally reactive—hurt by others, overwhelmed by circumstances, horrified by what is unfolding in our world, betrayed by our own body, hijacked by our mind. In those moments, we can become identified with a small and vulnerable self—a victim self who feels at the mercy of forces larger than us.
In this talk, we will examine how we become trapped in this often unconscious pattern, personally and collectively, and how it leaves us fearful, isolated, and cut off from our natural power. We'll then explore how the wings of mindfulness and compassion can carry us beyond that trance, revealing the freedom, love, and aliveness of our true nature.
Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025 ABT Music
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsTara Brach· Host0:00
[gentle music] Welcome, friends, to the Tara Brach Podcast. I'm so glad you're here. Each week, I share teachings and guided meditations to help us awaken our hearts and bring healing to our world. You can learn more or support this offering by visiting tarabrach.com, where you can also join our email list. Now, let's explore together the many ways we can live from the love and presence that's our deepest essence. [gentle music] Namaste. [bell ringing] Namaste. Welcome, friends. So I'll begin with a, a short story, and this is of a nun who joins an abbey and takes this vow of silence. And then after the first 10 years, the Mother Superior, uh, calls her in and says, uh, "Do you have anything to say?" And the nun