Trusting the Gold (retreat talk)

Trusting the Gold (retreat talk)

When we are unaware of the emotions and beliefs that shape our experience, we are in a trance characterized by an identity as a separate, incomplete self. Trance obscures the awareness and love that is our deepest essence. This talk explores the two key pathways of...
The Wings of Awakening – Self-Honesty & Love (retreat talk)

The Wings of Awakening – Self-Honesty & Love (retreat talk)

We evolve our consciousness by bringing a clear and kind attention to the tangles of suffering. This talk explores how the “second arrow” of self-judgment imprisons us in emotional reactivity, and the pathways of awakening awareness that reconnect us with...
Realizing Our Undefended and Awakened Heart (retreat talk)

Realizing Our Undefended and Awakened Heart (retreat talk)

It is our evolutionary and spiritual potential to release unnecessary habits of violating other tribes, individuals and unwanted parts of our own being. This talk explores three essential facets of the pathway to awakening: Leaving the fortress of aversive judgment,...
Meditation Instructions – RAIN and Question-Response (14:23 min)

Meditation Instructions – RAIN and Question-Response (14:23 min)

Tara gives morning instruction on retreat including RAIN (Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nourish), then responds to questions from retreatants. Includes a question on resourcing when working with trauma. Recorded at the 2016 IMCW Women’s Retreat. • More...
Meditation: Guided Heart Forgiveness (28:50 min)

Meditation: Guided Heart Forgiveness (28:50 min)

Tara gives brief instructions on the forgiveness practice, then guides us through a process of forgiveness of ourselves and others. “Forgiving is a movement of your heart not to carry aversive hatred or blame. That you can care about someone and still create...
Meditation: The Mystery of Aliveness (from retreat) (27:40)

Meditation: The Mystery of Aliveness (from retreat) (27:40)

This meditation from the morning of spring retreat begins with a body scan, then widens to include sounds, senses and open energetic awareness. Includes an application of the RAIN of Compassion to close. (from a morning guided meditation at the IMCW 2016 Spring...
Morning Question and Response on Retreat (16:46 min)

Morning Question and Response on Retreat (16:46 min)

Morning Question and Response from Retreat – Tara responds to questions on deepening our meditation practice, working with desire, and the RAIN practice (from the 2016 IMCW spring residential retreat). Free download of Tara’s 10 min meditation: “Mindful...
Conscious Prayer – Finding Refuge in Loving Awareness

Conscious Prayer – Finding Refuge in Loving Awareness

Prayer is a communing with our enlarged being. This talk examines less conscious forms of prayer, and how we can evolve the power of our prayers by opening into the depth of our longing, and reaching toward our true belonging. (given at the 2016 IMCW Spring Retreat)...
Question and Response from Retreat (12:10 min)

Question and Response from Retreat (12:10 min)

Question and Response from Retreat ~ After morning meditation, Tara responds to questions on deepening our meditation practice, working with unpleasant and pleasant thoughts, and forgiveness from the IMCW 2016 Spring Residential Retreat. photo: Susan Whitcomb –...
Widening the Circles of Compassion (retreat talk)

Widening the Circles of Compassion (retreat talk)

The archetypal figure of the Bodhisattva (“awakening being”) reflects our potential to realize our connectedness with all beings, and care for this living world with an open tender heart. This talk explores the four types of patterning that keep us stuck in the pain...
Meditation Instructions with Question/Response (14 min)(retreat)

Meditation Instructions with Question/Response (14 min)(retreat)

“…discover what’s happening here, beyond the veil of thinking.” Tara gives additional instructions and responds to questions after the morning meditation at the 2015 IMCW New Year retreat. photo: JonathanFoust.com – Tara at Pearlstone Retreat Center...
Meditation: The RAIN of Compassion (34:54 min) (from retreat)

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...