The Great Failure Audiobook By Natalie Goldberg cover art

The Great Failure

A Bartender, a Monk, and My Unlikely Path to Truth

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The Great Failure

By: Natalie Goldberg
Narrated by: Natalie Goldberg
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"The Great Failure is a boundless embrace, leaving nothing out. I wanted to learn the truth, to become whole. If I could touch the dark nature in someone else, I could know it in myself." So begins Natalie Goldberg in this candid exploration of her life. Here, Goldberg makes sense of primary relationships between father and daughter, teacher and student, and exemplifies the accomplishment available when creating daily writing practices - the popular technique she launched in her best-selling Writing Down the Bones. Natalie Goldberg has inspired millions to write in order to develop an intimate relationship with their minds, and a greater understanding of the world in which they live. Now, The Great Failure touches our hearts, and shows us the wellspring of wisdom available when we bravely confront the truths about ourselves, and the events of our lives.

Audiobook read by the author. Program concludes with an exclusive Sounds True interview.

©2007 Natalie Goldberg (P)2007 Natalie Goldberg Art & Literature Authors Personal Development Religious Heartfelt

Critic reviews

"Teaching by example, Natalie Goldberg has written a brave and turbulent memoir that is by turns luminous and gritty. A riveting read." (Julia Cameron, author of The Artist's Way)
"Bravo to Natalie. She shows us how to open the heart, and face into betrayal with courage instead of running from it. She shows us how to transform fear and blame into wisdom and compassion." (Jack Kornfield, author of A Path With Heart)
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I love Natalie Goldberg and the way she can talk about ordinary details and somehow you walk away with lessons about life.

As always couldn’t put it down...

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Natalie talks about her family is such an amusing way! Often, I would chuckle out loud. Yet, it had a serious side too:) Zen is a huge part of her life and it’s hilarious how her parents try to understand why she gravitates toward it. She has such a gift for storytelling and the interview is interesting too. Just as she points out other’s flaws, she accepts them, including her’s, with humility and love.

Such a humble,yet amusingly funny story!

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There are many books on Zen,meditation and Buddhism at large. They often fail because a book cannot truly show anyone the Dharma. In my opinion and to my surprise this book which is considered to be a memoir shows you The Dharma through the actions and experiences of Goldberg. It was a very healing experience where I found great comfort in her willingness to share her suffering and her joy of learning from a teacher with imperfections and breakthroughs. A must for anyone in a spiritual student state.

If you have been let down by anyone. Listen

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Natalie Goldberg’s immense courage humbles me. That opening story about her bombing on stage blew me away. For her to have lived it is one thing, but for her to own this this way and share it in all its rawness… goosebumps.

I have learned so much about writing from Natalie (I recommend pretty much anything by her). And I have learned just as much about injecting courage and compassion in my writing.

The way the words she strings together images makes something inside you wake up. Something small and quiet and brave and wise.

Listen and enjoy. I love that she reads it. Her voice and delivery make her words even more special.

Stunning!!!

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As honest as she could write, she wrote. I need to listen to this a few more times.

The Most Honest Book I’ve Ever Read

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