Blog: Meeting Our Edge and Softening

Blog: Meeting Our Edge and Softening

It’s another morning, another day of having to live inside a hurting body inherited from a little known, rare genetic condition. I try not to think of how it used to be. I can let go of the younger me, the one who won a yoga Olympics by holding wheel pose for more...
Embodying True Refuge: Serving and Savoring Life

Embodying True Refuge: Serving and Savoring Life

This talk traces the story of the Buddha’s awakening, and reflects on four key archetypal elements that are relevant for each of us as we come home to our true nature. There is a particular emphasis on how these elements enable us to encounter challenges in relationships and find our way to openhearted presence.

(audio only) Includes music honoring the launch of Tara’s new book, True Refuge: vocal by La Sarmiento and Guru Ganesha with his Kirtan band.

Blog: Deep Listening: Ear of the Heart

Blog: Deep Listening: Ear of the Heart

Most of us consider listening a great virtue. We love having others listen to us with interest and care, and we hope to be good listeners ourselves. But for most of us, listening is hard. To listen well, we must become aware of the mental static that runs...
Remembering What Matters

Remembering What Matters

Our conscious aspiration toward awakening is what energizes the spiritual path. This talk reviews the main characteristic of a vital aspiration, the conditioning that obscures our deepest intentions and offers guided reflections to connect us with what most matters.

Blog: Learning To See Past The Mask

Blog: Learning To See Past The Mask

My friend Richie and I met when we were juniors in college. A shy, thoughtful African American man, he was known for carrying his camera everywhere, listening as others poured out their stories to him, and running through the snow wearing gym shorts. We’d lost touch...
Blog: Awakening Through Anger

Blog: Awakening Through Anger

One evening after my Wednesday night meditation class, Amy, a member of our D.C. meditation community, asked if we might talk for a few minutes about her mother, a woman she often referred to as “a manipulative, narcissistic human.” Amy’s mother had recently been...
Embodying True Refuge: Serving and Savoring Life

Stepping Out of the Cave

If we are suffering it is because we are believing something that is not true. This talk explores the genesis of our core beliefs and the investigation, mindfulness and compassion that can release their grip.

Blog: Entrusting Yourself to the Waves

Blog: Entrusting Yourself to the Waves

I was drawn to my first Buddhist mindfulness retreat during a time when my son, Narayan, was four, and I was on the verge of divorce. During a slow, icy drive through a winter snowstorm on the way to the retreat center, I had plenty of time to reflect on what most...
Embodying True Refuge: Serving and Savoring Life

The Barriers to Loving Presence

You might reflect on someone important to you, and ask: “What is between me and loving fully?” Notice what happens. This talk explores the ways we create separations from others, and the power of inquiry and presence to awaken an unconditionally loving heart.

Letting Life Live Through Us

Letting Life Live Through Us

Many years ago, after several years of experiencing a long chronic illness, I attended a six-week Vipassana meditation retreat. Given my struggles with sickness, I looked forward to this time entirely dedicated to sitting and walking meditation. I was out of my body...
Embodying True Refuge: Serving and Savoring Life

Finding True Refuge

This talk explores the three classic gateways to peace and freedom and includes a living ritual that invites us to bring a conscious, sincere dedication to our awakening on the spiritual path