S4E08: Barbara Comstock – Love, Loss, & Living Again

Beloved Hoffman teacher, Barbara Comstock, has been teaching the Hoffman Process for 34 years. Teaching an average of ten Processes per year means Barbara has taught well over 300 Processes. Two and a half years ago, Barbara’s husband, Jimmy, died, just three months after his diagnosis. Her journey has been rough. And yet, as you’ll hear in this conversation, Barbara’s depth of presence and ability to let go into life continue to support her through this journey of both life and death.

Barbara shares that “teaching the Hoffman Process is a practice of love.” Barbara shares what this practice is to her and how it guides her both personally and professionally.

As you’ll hear at the end, Drew and Barbara will meet up again for part two of this conversation. Watch for it in Season Four. If you have any questions you’d like Drew to ask Barbara when they next sit down together to record, let us know at podcasts@hoffmaninstitute.org!

More about Barbara Comstock:

Barbara holds a B.A. in East Asian Studies, an M.S. in Textile Arts, and an MFA in Sculpture & Textiles. She is a Hoffman teacher and supervisor, a life coach, an art teacher, an author, and a dancer.

Barbara believes, “The act of teaching the Process is a practice of love and presence. I love working with individuals in this environment. Human beings are fascinating and I am lucky to be able to support individuals to grow, to know themselves, and forgive and love themselves.”

When Barbara did the Process, she found radical self-acceptance and acceptance of life and others. “I like myself and I can acknowledge mistakes (sometimes).”

Barbara lives in Ashland, Oregon.

As mentioned in this episode:

Barbara’s Sister and fellow Hoffman teacher, Kani Comstock.

City of Hope Cancer Treatment Center

Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act

Self-compassion break (from Kristin Neff):
This is a moment of suffering.
All human beings suffer.
May I be kind to myself.