Talks: Reflections on the Path

Wholehearted Living

Wholehearted Living

What stops us from being wholehearted in our relationships and life? This talk explores the conditioning that keeps us from an engaged presence, and the key elements to manifesting heart and spirit in all that we do.

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Relating Wisely to Desire

Without desire, this world would not exist. While this universal energy is entirely natural, if we are not mindful of it, desire can become a narrowed fixation or addiction that creates deep suffering. This talk explores the ways we can pay attention that honor this energy without allowing it to cut us off from presence and possess us. (See “Relating Wisely to Desire” in video here)

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Learning to Respond, Not React

Learning to Respond, Not React

When life doesn’t go our way, we often launch into a chain reaction of obsessive thinking, blaming and unpleasant emotions. This talk explores how we can use meditative practices to step out of reactive patterns and respond to life’s challenges from our naturally wise heart.

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Learning to Respond, Not React

Part 1: The Mystery of Who We Are

The Buddha taught that we suffer because we don’t realize who we are. This talk explores two pathways of awakening from the insecurity and reactivity that arises from a narrow sense of self. Listeners are invited to investigate the nature of awareness through several guided reflections

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The Joy of Conscious Relationships

The Joy of Conscious Relationships

We live in a relational field, and as we develop the capacity for presence with others, we discover the truth of our connectedness. This discovery is experienced as love, and gives rise to genuine happiness and inner freedom. This talk explores the teachings and practices that nourish conscious relationships.

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Learning to Respond, Not React

Flow and Presence

In the moments when we are truly happy, there is a sense of both aliveness and presence. This talk reflects on three key ways we remove ourselves from living presence; and offers guided reflections that can re-open us into the flow.

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Learning to Respond, Not React

Compass of the Heart

Are you aware of the intentions that are shaping your thoughts, moods and life experience? This talk explores how mindfulness of intention allows us to open to our deepest heart's aspiration, and have that guide the unfolding of our lives.

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Learning to Respond, Not React

Presence and Empowerment

In the moments we feel threatened, hurt or dissatisfied, we often flip into controlling mode–our body, heart and mind become contracted and we disconnect from presence. This talk explores how we can shift from controlling, to an empowering presence. When we do, our deepest wisdom and compassion begin to shape and guide our life.

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Learning to Respond, Not React

Soul Recognition: Seeing Past the Mask

We each long to be true to ourselves–to live from the love, creativity and wisdom that is our essence. This talk explores how, by attending to three key domains, we train ourselves to see beyond ego conditioning. By deepening our attention, we can free ourselves and others to be who we truly are.

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Part 2: Stress and Meditation

Part 2: Stress and Meditation

When we are suffering from stress, we are paying attention to our world in a narrow and rigid way. Through meditations that cultivate a wakeful and open attention, we can dramatically transform the feelings of anxiety and aloneness that underlie all stress.

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Part 1: Stress and Meditation

Part 1: Stress and Meditation

When we are suffering from stress, we are paying attention to our world in a narrow and rigid way. Through meditations that cultivate a wakeful and open attention, we can dramatically transform the feelings of anxiety and aloneness that underlie all stress.

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Learning to Respond, Not React

Stepping Out of Time

We spend much of our life on our way somewhere else, driven by the sense that something is missing or wrong. This talk explores the suffering that arises from our addiction to busyness and “doing,” and the healing, loving and wisdom that arise when we take refuge in presence.

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Remembering Love (retreat talk)

Remembering Love (retreat talk)

Tara taught at the IMCW spring retreat in Reisterstown, MD this week - below is her Monday evening talk. Apologies for the static in the background - it is constant from an air handler in the meditation hall.

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Learning to Respond, Not React

The Blessings of Embodied Awareness

One expression of our suffering is homelessness–feeling cut off from the presence and aliveness that is our source. This talk explores the existential and cultural forces that foster disconnection from our physical and energetic being, the practices that enable us to embrace our unlived life and the gifts of homecoming.

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Learning to Respond, Not React

Part 2: Realizing True Well-Being

Buddhist psychology and the Western oriented field of positive psychology agree: How we pay attention determines whether we live primarily in fear and judgment, or happiness and peace. This two part series explores the teachings, practices and attitudes that enable us to live a meaningful life with a heart that is “happy for no reason.”

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Part 1: Realizing True Well-Being

Part 1: Realizing True Well-Being

Buddhist psychology and the Western oriented field of positive psychology agree: How we pay attention determines whether we live primarily in fear and judgment, or happiness and peace. This two part series explores the teachings, practices and attitudes that enable us to live a...

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Learning to Respond, Not React

Realizing Truth – The Power of Wise Inquiry

The Buddha considered investigation to be a crucial capacity on the spiritual path. This talk explores how interest and wise inquiry serve emotional healing, intimacy with others and revealing the truth that sets us free.

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