Pia Hagan of Pacifica, California is one of our senior Tara Dance teachers. Due to the
restrictions of the pandemic this past year she confined her practice of offering the Mandala
Dance of the 21 Praise of Tara to a few very close dancers. She writes…
On a beautiful September morning I prepared for our first Mandala since 2019. I invited
dancers who could be flexible and dance the full Mandala in a 3-hour session.
I knew this would be tricky, as Covid 19 has mutated, the new variant again limiting our ability
to gather in person. We established protocols to ensure our safety; social distancing, not sharing
food (no potluck) and we were to wear masks.
12 dancers confirmed. I talked to Prema and she was supportive in not assigning praises and
dancing in a crescent moon mandala.
I made some yellow goodie gift bags for each dancer. I had spent the weekend making magic
healing chocolates with 85% Cocoa, Dried Mulberries, Rose Petals, Pumpkin Seeds, Cacao Nibs,
Candy Cap mushrooms and Star of Bethlehem flower essence for grief. I also made some Bath
Salts and Persian Spiced Walnuts for the cheerful bags.
A personal note about grief; September is a time for me of honoring the passing of my Mother
and Father. September 12th was my Mother’s Birthday so this was quite profound to dance on
this day for me. September 25th is my Fathers death anniversary. I dedicated this dance to the in
healing of my personal lineage. I am so grateful to Tara. She stepped in to become my source of
refuge at a much needed time. It has now been 20 years and is a deep and fragile time of
reflection for me. Thank you Mother Protector Tara!!!
So many friends and family are experiencing grief during this time,. I am reminded daily of this
precious human life, the importance of our dedication to manifest the wisdom, compassion and
power for the benefit of all. This is a stability and connection that our practice provides.
Four Tara’s cancelled Sunday morning. I had some disappointment that I needed to let go of.
What a great opportunity to put the power of the practice into action. A moment of self doubt
came up and the fear of failure. I continued to pack. Fortunately I could jump on zoom and join
sharing Calling Tara from The Heart with Prema and Myri and some of our international
Sangha. Woo Hoo!!! Just what I needed to lift my spirits.
We decided to dance in the bigger room of the lush pure land of Shelldance Orchid Gardens.
We were together!!! I assigned our praises and we did a walk through. The sacred geometry was
fluid and organic. Our warm up was Tara’s Refuge Song, a beautiful way to begin to focus and
begin our practice.
Jacquelyn led us in a Manifesting As Tara Meditation and Karen Metta did a grounding
meditation. We entered the Mandala and began to dance. It was a very healing and meditative
practice. We all got the praise we needed for the day. Everyone was adaptable and supportive of
each other. It was a deep and moving Mandala. We sent out much light to the world. Coming
together in this way was a gift from the Goddess at this time of isolation, separation and fear of
this unknown global pandemic. Karen Metta sealed our practice with an inspired prayer of
gratitude.
So wonderful this opportunity to share this practice with others in the beautiful orchid gardens.
The prayers of all the years of our practice has come full circle. We all are connected as we
generate light, from our points on the planet, invoking Mother, Protector Tara.
In humble gratitude for all who continue to dance through this time…
Pia
