Evolving Beyond “Unreal Othering”

Evolving Beyond “Unreal Othering”

What motivates us – as individuals and as a society – to build walls and knowingly hurt others? This talk explores the evolutionary roots of “unreal othering” and how when we are hijacked by fear, it can take over and disconnect us from the very real...
Short Talk & Meditation: Tonglen – Radical Compassion (32:43 min)

Short Talk & Meditation: Tonglen – Radical Compassion (32:43 min)

We are conditioned to avoid suffering – our own and others. By pulling away, we also contract our heart and disconnect from our innate capacity for compassion. This short talk and meditation is a training in touching vulnerability, and discovering the boundless...
From Human Doing to Human Being – Part 1

From Human Doing to Human Being – Part 1

Like Sisyphus eternally pushing the boulder up the hill, we can spend many moments busily trying to manage our life. This two-part talk explores how we can awaken from our non-stop doing, including the incessant inner narrative, and discover the mystery, love and...
Seeing Basic Goodness – Part 2

Seeing Basic Goodness – Part 2

Most of us long to trust our goodness, but get caught in stories of deficiency and striving to affirm we’re ok. These talks look at the block to realizing the loving awareness that is our essence, and the practices that help us see this essential goodness – in...
Seeing Basic Goodness – Part 1

Seeing Basic Goodness – Part 1

Most of us long to trust our goodness, but get caught in stories of deficiency and striving to affirm we’re ok. These talks look at the block to realizing the loving awareness that is our essence, and the practices that help us see this essential goodness – in...
Responding to Change with a Wise Heart

Responding to Change with a Wise Heart

An intrinsic part of spiritual life is facing the truth of impermanence. When we open to the changing flow without resistance, we naturally cherish this passing life, and realize the timeless, changeless awareness that is our true home. Yet we are conditioned to grasp...
Listening with an Awake Heart – Part 2

Listening with an Awake Heart – Part 2

“Listening and feeling heard are absolutely intrinsic to awakening our hearts and cultivating an open awareness in ourselves and in our world. …The only answer to polarization, the only way we can interrupt the cycles of violence, is to listen deeply and, out of...
Listening with an Awake Heart – Part 1

Listening with an Awake Heart – Part 1

Deep listening – to our inner life, each other and our world – is an intrinsic expression of our awakened heart. Yet because we have strong conditioning to be caught in wants and fears, there is often much interference in the field of communications. These...
TaraTalks: Meditating with RAIN – Working with Difficult Emotions (11:43 min.)

Tara Talks – Guided Practice: When the Pain is Too Strong (5:47 min.)

When pain is intense, it is not always wise or compassionate to open to it directly. In this short video, Tara explores ways to work with pain when it feels like too much to bear. Listen to and watch the full talk: Awakening Our Body’s Awareness – Part 2 – (Working...
From Head to Heart

From Head to Heart

If we are suffering, we are believing an interpretation of reality that is limiting and untrue. At these times we are imprisoned in a painful looping of fear-driven thoughts and feelings. This talk explores the ways our practices of mindfulness, compassion and loving...
Namaste: Seeing the Truth of Who We Are

Namaste: Seeing the Truth of Who We Are

A gift of evolving consciousness is the capacity to recognize and honor the sacred awareness that lives through our own and all beings. This capacity is blocked by our identification with our “mask” or ego self, and not seeing past other people’s masks. In this talk...
Awakening Our Body’s Awareness – Part 2 – (Working with Pain)

Awakening Our Body’s Awareness – Part 2 – (Working with Pain)

Mindful awareness of our bodies is a portal to full aliveness, wisdom and love. These two classes will explore the trance that takes us away from our body, the pathways home, ways of working with pain, and the gifts of an embodied presence. See also: Working with Pain...
Awakening Our Body’s Awareness – Part 1

Awakening Our Body’s Awareness – Part 1

CC ~ Mindful awareness of our bodies is a portal to full aliveness, wisdom and love. These two classes will explore the trance that takes us away from our body, the pathways home, ways of working with pain, and the gifts of an embodied presence. “Inside this clay jug...