Talks: Reflections on the Path
The Sacred Art of Listening
Deep listening - the kind of listening that brings intimacy and understanding - takes intentional practice. This talk looks at the societal and inner obstacles to an undistracted presence, and the mindfulness strategies that nourish our capacity to listen in a way that heals...
The Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Working with Attachments and Addictions
In Buddhist cosmology the torment of intense desire that can never really be satisfied is depicted as the realm of Hungry Ghosts. This talk explores the attachments and addictions that so many of us struggle with, and the teachings and practices that can liberate us. Listen to...
That Bird Got My Wings
This talk looks at how we are imprisoned by a limited sense of who we are, and how the wings of mindfulness and heartfulness enable us to realize the spirit that is our essence. We then look at how we can bring the wings of freedom to our engagement with others. The talk’s...
The Dance with Pain
“Pain is inevitable and suffering is optional.” In this talk Tara explores the difference between pain and suffering and examines the most common, yet often unconscious, ways we resist pain. She then shares practices that help us find balance, equanimity and awakening in the...
Part 2: Devotional Practices
The sacred feminine expresses the realization of our belonging, our innate interdependence with all of life. These two classes explores inner practices that help us open to our longing to belong, and awaken the power of prayer. https://youtu.be/PPT5HCettz4
“Coming Back” – Meditation Instructions with Q and A
A special recording from the first morning of the 2015 IMCW Women's Retreat that offers further guidance and addresses some frequently asked questions about meditation.
Unfolding of the Sacred Feminine (retreat talk)
The sacred feminine expresses the qualities of heart that emerge as we open beyond identifying with the egoic, separate self. In this talk, Tara tracks a series of challenging experiences in her own life that catalyzed an awakening of heart, and explores how for each of us, the...
Part 1: Devotional Practices
The sacred feminine expresses the realization of our belonging, our innate interdependence with all of life. These two classes explores inner practices that help us open to our longing to belong, and awaken the power of prayer.
Beloved Community
Martin Luther King’s term, “Beloved Community,” points to our potential for living together with love, justice and respect. This talk explores the often hidden expressions of racism that fuel separation and violence, and pathways toward healing and freeing our collective...
Part 2: Beyond the Fear Body
A central part of spiritual awakening is recognizing and befriending fear, and in the tender intensity of fear, discovering the awakened heart. In these two talks we explore the suffering of becoming identified with the fear body, and the skillful means that enable a full and...
Part 1: Beyond the Fear Body
A central part of spiritual awakening is recognizing and befriending fear, and in the tender intensity of fear, discovering the awakened heart. In these two talks we explore the suffering of becoming identified with the fear body, and the skillful means that enable a full and...
The Two Wings of Awareness
The two wings of understanding and love awaken as we learn to recognize what is here in the present moment, and to allow experience to be just as it is. This talk includes a guided reflection and a brief period of questions and responses.
Part 2: Impermanence – Awakening Through Insecurity
From the view of the separate self, this existence is inherently uncertain, and we are profoundly vulnerable. Our habitual reaction to insecurity fuels separation, and limits our capacity to live and love fully. These two talks explore the blessings of wisdom, love and freedom...
Part 1: Impermanence – Awakening Through Insecurity
From the view of the separate self, this existence is inherently uncertain, and we are profoundly vulnerable. Our habitual reaction to insecurity fuels separation, and limits our capacity to live and love fully. These two talks explore the blessings of wisdom, love and freedom...
Investigating Reality – Beyond an Interpreted World
The skillful use of inquiry - asking questions in a way that energizes and focuses our attention - brings what is hidden into the light of awareness. This talk explores the healing that arises as we investigate the unseen, unfelt parts of our psyche, and the freedom discovered...
Namaste – Seeing the Sacred that Lives through all Beings
The trance of separation is part of our evolutionary heritage, but not the end of the story. This talk explores how several key trainings of the heart can evolve and awaken our capacity to realize connectedness, and the sacredness that shines through this living world. (From...
Working with Trauma – Q and A from Retreat (13:14 min.)
A short segment that includes a message on working with trauma as part of a morning question-response session at the IMCW 2015 Spring Retreat.
Loving Yourself into Freedom (Retreat Talk)
The most basic truths we forget, and one is this: if we don't love ourselves, we can't love life. In the most basic way, attending to and embracing our inner life reveals the nature of reality. This talk looks at the genesis of self-aversions and several pathways that open us...
True Happiness: Realizing Well-Being
Well being is the deep contentment that arises from a relaxed, wakeful presence. This talk explores the beliefs and habits that contract us away form presence, and several key ways we can nourish our natural capacity for happiness.
Three Liberating Gifts: Part 3 – Looking in the Mirror
This 3 part series is based on a teaching story from the Upanishads that shows our potential to awaken from an ego-based trance and discover the full luminosity and freedom of our natural awareness. In each class we'll explore one of the three gifts considered as essential on...
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