“OM precedes all other mantras. Only through their connection with OM can other mantras be effective or be understood in their specific natures. As such, Tara contains within Herself all mantras, and only through Her grace can we come to understand and use them properly. Tara is perhaps the most important Goddess of mantric knowledge, the very personification of mantra Shakti.” ~ Tantric Yoga and the Wisdom Goddesses by Dr. David Frawley
The Goddess Tara is a Bodhisattva, the Savioress, and the Mother of Liberation; She who is a guiding light and bridge between the worlds. I also call her the Blessing Goddess and to her I turn for sanctuary and guidance. She is an action Goddess, assisting in transitions and delivering us through challenging times. Her forms are many and not only is she an important Shakti Goddess, but also the most popular Buddhist Goddess with 21 forms. Just like Kuan Yin, Tara’s practice has expanded globally and with it her capacity for compassion and intercession extends to all sentient beings.
April 2 is Tara’s birthday in her form as the second of the Mahavidyas, the Tantric Wisdom Goddesses. I am delighted to take this opportunity to offer a free Goddess Meditation Circle on 4/2/20 at 3pm eastern to celebrate Tara in all her emanations! I am also delighted to welcome Dr. Ranjini George to our Tara Circle to discuss TARA RITRÖ LOMA GYÖNMA, the 20th Tara who is clothed in medicinal leaves and who removes contagious diseases.
Register through MotherHouse Goddess Temple online space via the button above and if you cannot make the live event, there will be a recorded archive to listen to anytime. Activating Tara invites the flow of blessings, knowledge of self, and the power of liberation into our lives.
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE NAMA TARE MANO HARA HUNG HARA SVAHA
RITRÖ LOMA GYÖNMA is peaceful and yellow red like saffron. Devotedly reciting her mantra dispels all deadly epidemics. Upon her utpala flower is a round vessel filled with nectar. Her eyes are like the sun and the full moon. From the sun of her right eye shines radiant light, destroying all disease-bearing beings. From the moon of her left eye, a rich stream of nectar descends healing all forms of disease, including their causes and consequences. ~ TaraMandala.org
Dr. Ranjini George, PhD, MA & MFA, author of Through My Mother’s Window: Emirati Women Tell their Stories and Recipes (available online through Caversham Booksellers) and an award- winning memoir-in-progress, Miracle of Flowers: In the Footsteps of an Emperor, a Goddess, a Story and a Tiffin-Stall. A recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award (2019), she teaches courses such as Meditation and Writing and Pilgrimage to the Sacred Feminine at SCS, University of Toronto.
Deeply interested in inter-faith practice and the sacred feminine, she has studied with teachers such as Lama Pema Dorje, Lama Tsultrim Allione, Thich Nhat Hanh, Hari Nam Singh Khalsa and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. She offers the White Tara series at the Shambhala Mississauga Center, Canada and leads the “Journey to the Dakini Mandala: A Meditation and Writing Retreat” with Karla Jackson-Brewer for Tara Mandala Retreat Center in Colorado, USA.
Connect further with Ranjini on Facebook and read her articles on MotherHouse
Resources for the Goddess Tara:
My Goddess Tara Playlist on Spotify
Green Tara Roll-On from Murphy’s Essentials (Kim also has a White Tara!)
The Gifts of White Tara – Sita Tara by Kimberly Moore
White Tara Wisdom Oracle by Ranjini George
A Collection of Prayers to Tara by Jason Espada (amazing online pdf)
Tara the Inner Guru (about her Mahavidya form) by jaimaa.org
Books:
Tantric Yoga and the Wisdom Goddesses by Dr. David Frawley
Longing for Darkness: Tara and the Black Madonna by China Galland
Meditation on White Tara: The Goddess of Vitality and Longevity by Lama Choedak Rinpoche
Tara the Feminine Divine by Bokar Rinpoche
The Cult of Tara – Magic and Ritual in Tibet by Stephan Beyer