For episode 296 Tim Desmond returns to the Metta Hour to discuss his new book series with Sharon.
Tim Desmond is a psychotherapist, best-selling author, Distinguished Faculty Scholar at Antioch University, and student of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hạnh, under whom he was ordained into the Order of Interbeing in 2005. Founder of Peer Collective, and co-founder of Morning Sun Mindfulness Center, Tim lives in Oakland, CA, and teaches mindfulness and self-compassion practices to audiences around the world. He is the author of several books including Buddhist Practices for Healing Trauma, and Buddhist Practices for Overcoming Depression, released by W. W. Norton & Company in 2026, and the forthcoming Buddhist Practices for Calming Anxiety. This is Tim’s second appearance on the Metta Hour Podcast.
In this conversation, Sharon and Tim speak about:
• Tim’s new book series
• Buddhism for mental health
• Right and wrong mindfulness
• Thich Nhat Hanh’s influence on Tim’s teaching
• Buddhist Practices for Healing Trauma book
• The “whole path” approach to mental health
• The mind as the garden for working with trauma
• What trauma-informed practice is
• The better way to catch a snake
• The Doors of Liberation teachings for trauma
• Buddhist Practices for Overcoming Depression book
• The role of Faith in working with depression
• Cultivating the motivation/energy for healing
• The self-sabotaging aspect of depression
• Self-understanding is loving awareness
• What offers resilience in the face of suffering
• Thich Nhat Hanh’s Froglessness teaching
• An update on Peer Collective
Additional Resources
The episode closes with a guided meditation from Tim. You can learn more about Tim’s work right here and learn about Peer Collective right here.
Related Metta Hour Episodes
Episode 194 Tim Desmond’s first appearance on the Metta Hour, released in 2021.