Part 2: Hope and the Spiritual Path

Part 2: Hope and the Spiritual Path

In this talk we further define the nature of mature or spiritual hope as part of a trinity that includes trust and love, and explore what blocks its unfolding. We then review how different people have “hit bottom” and found their way to the energy, receptivity and openness of hope.

Part 2: Hope and the Spiritual Path

Part 1: Hope and the Spiritual Path

This talk looks at the difference between egoic hopes and fears, and the quality of hopefulness (“holy hope”) that is an essential dimension in spiritual experience. We reflect on the three components of hope that serves awakening: Aspiration, Trust and Dedication of energy.

Part 2: Hope and the Spiritual Path

Being to Being – Loving Beyond the Trance

We have strong conditioning to relate to each other from a sense of separateness–persona to persona. This talk looks at what traps us in egoic relating and how several simple yet powerful reflections can open us to pure, unconditioned loving.

Part 2: Hope and the Spiritual Path

Releasing the Barriers to Unconditional Loving

We long for love and habitually armor our hearts. This talk explores the aggression and clinging that protect our wound of feeling unlovable, and the ways that mindfulness can dissolve our defenses and reveal our inner refuge of pure loving presence.

Part 2: Hope and the Spiritual Path

Remembering Being

Our fear-based doings block us from realizing the formless dimension of our Being, and living from that source of wisdom and love. This talk explores the habitual control strategies that keep us from presence; and the role of mindfulness and lovingkindness in reconnecting with the ground of Being.

Part 2: Hope and the Spiritual Path

Letting Go Into Living and Dying

Our capacity to live and love fully is directly related to our acceptance of change and loss. This talk explores how we avoid the pain of loss, ways of practicing that open us to this changing world, and the gifts of letting go into the flow.

Part 2: Hope and the Spiritual Path

Entering the Mystery

John O’Donahue writes, “We are so busy managing our lives, we forget this great mystery we are involved in.” This talk looks at the ways we pull away from the mystery and the path of “beginners mind” that enables us to encounter this living world with freshness, courage and wonder.

Part 2: Hope and the Spiritual Path

Part 2: Three Blessings of Awakening Consciousness – Inner Fire

Each of us has the longing to manifest our full potential–to realize and live from loving, awake awareness. This longing is our inner fire, and when conscious and vibrant, it energizes the spiritual path. In this talk we reflect on how fear obscures and redirects our inner fire, and how practices of presence and wise reflection awaken the power and purity of our longing.

Part 2: Hope and the Spiritual Path

Beyond the Interpreted World

Hildegard of Bingen writes, “An interpreted world is not a Home.” This talk explores the suffering that arises from believing in an interpreted reality, and the love, aliveness and freedom that becomes accessible as we challenge beliefs and awaken into living presence.

Part 2: Hope and the Spiritual Path

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.

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.

Part 2: Hope and the Spiritual Path

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.