Meditation: A Practice of RAIN (20:00 min.)
The acronym RAIN – Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nurture – guides us in bringing mindfulness and compassion to difficult emotions. With practice, we can find our way home to open-hearted presence in the midst of whatever arises. “Don’t turn...Fear of Aging: Finding Freedom in this Impermanent World – Part 2
While it’s natural to have fears of what’s ahead, when we learn to face the inevitability of change and loss without resistance, we discover true peace and freedom in the midst. In a very direct way, our awareness of impermanence awakens unconditional loving. These...Fear of Aging: Finding Freedom in this Impermanent World – Part 1
While it’s natural to have fears of what’s ahead, when we learn to face the inevitability of change and loss without resistance, we discover true peace and freedom in the midst. In a very direct way, our awareness of impermanence awakens unconditional loving. These...Guided Meditation: Letting Go – 9 Magic Breaths (5:50 min.)
View or download the print-friendly PDF version. Take a pause from all activity, and either sit or stand in a way that allows you to be comfortable yet alert. It’s ideal, if possible, to gently close your eyes. With each of the following conscious breaths, inhale...Meditation: The Blessings of Love (11:17 min.)
A blessing is whatever reminds us of the sacred loving presence that shines through all of us. This meditation is a transformational practice in receiving and offering blessings. First we connect with the vulnerable tender place within us that longs to feel loved, and...Meditation: Relaxing by Day, Sleeping at Night (no bell at end) (14:23 min)
More than one-third of adults in the U.S. don’t get enough sleep, and studies have shown that mindfulness can make a positive difference. When we effectively quiet the mind and relax the body, sleep comes naturally. By being well-rested, we are better able to...Heart Meditation: Taking In the Goodness (24:56 min)
Taking in the Goodness: Rumi said, “Whenever some kindness comes to you, turn that way – toward the source of kindness.” This meditation guides us to look for the source of loving and to turn in that direction. It begins with a lovingkindness practice that...Meditation: The RAIN of Compassion (34:54 min) (from retreat)
This new version of the acronym RAIN is a powerful way of bringing compassion to the life within you, and to attuning and deepening compassion for others. Given at the 2015 IMCW New Year’s retreat, it is a “guided heart” practice and includes...Ten-Minute Basic Meditation Practice (10 min)
Tara offers a short introductory meditation with a body scan, bringing focus to the breath and sounds, then resting in awareness in silence for the final 3.5 minutes ~ from the first morning instructions at the fall 2015 Insight Meditation Community of Washington...Guided Meditation: Body Scan – Living Presence – 11 min.
A key pathway to full presence is awakening through the body. This meditation guides us through a body scan, relaxing and receiving the play of sensations. We then deepen attention to the breath, and rest with the rhythmic waves of breathing, experiencing the...Meditation: Radical Acceptance of Pain (11:51 min)
As we learn to relax our resistance to unpleasant sensations, we discover an open and tender space of awareness that has room for living and dying. – from the CD set: Radical Acceptance – Guided Meditations – .mp3 download available. We cultivate...Heavenly Messengers: Tara Interviews Frank Ostaseski
Tara interviews Frank Ostaseski, founder of Zen Hospice, on a contemplative approach to death and dying.
For more information on the new “Heavenly Messengers: Awakening Through Aging, Sickness and Death” 2-year training program – a collaborative effort through Spirit Rock and the Metta Institute, go to https://www.spiritrock.org/heavenlymessengers