In September, 2023, nestled in the elemental beauty of Forest Refuge, twenty Taras gathered near Portland, Oregon at the second Sky Dancers Retreat. For many people the word ‘retreat’ brings to mind rest and relaxation, days spent in quiet stillness, meditation or contemplation. This experience, though heralded as a retreat, was more like a 5-day intensive training. The surroundings were beautiful, the accommodations restful, the staff amazingly nurturing and supportive. The work we engaged in involved long hours, deep contemplation, concentration on Sanskrit words, ancient mudras, and their meanings – all integrated into the body-mind through meditative dancing practice. Our intention was that of the Dakinis, “To bless and transform suffering into bliss.”
The retreat was co-led by three amazing women, each of them skilled in various sacred arts and bringing years of experience in spiritual practice to all they offer:
Prema Dasara – our precious teacher, creatrix of the Mandala Dance of Tara and founder of Tara Dhatu;
Myri Dakini Naves – senior teacher of Tara’s Mandala Dance and President of Tara Dhatu Sul America;
Helen Appell – instructor of Charya Nritya and co-founder (along with her teacher Prajwal Vajracharya) of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara
All three teachers have studied in various traditions of dance and share training in the lineage of Charya Nritya – Prema directly from Prajwal’s father, Ratna Kaji Vajracharya; Helen from Prajwal who received formal training from his father; and Myri who has trained with Prajwal, Helen, and Prema. Expertly and compassionately guided by our three gifted teachers, Prema, Helen, & Myri, we explored our relationship with the Dakini elements, engaging in profound practice, contemplating and integrating into our bodies through visualization, careful attention to breath and mudras, and chanting hymns and mantra.
The dance of the Dakini is the interplay of the wisdom aspect of the elements that form all matter: earth, water, fire, wind, and space. Due to the arising of cold and damp weather, most of our gatherings took place In the spacious Great Hall of Forest Refuge. Though indoors, the design of the space boasting polished wood floors and many windows, allowed for us to remain in touch with the elements of our surroundings, letting in sunlight and crisp air, as well as views of foliage, rain, sky and fauna.
The days began with an early morning rejuvenating Chi Lel practice and inspiring guided meditations by Prema on the element of the day. Dressed in various tints and shades of the corresponding color, the dancers transitioned quietly from Chi Lel to a sitting meditation posture basking in the warmth of presence and supported by the wisdom of the practice sustained in the body of Prema. Though most of these meditations are available for purchase online [add link] and several of us already have access to these audio recordings, it is always a precious opportunity to be physically in the same room, live with Prema! And then, to have her lead us in the dances! Over the course of the days we danced Motivation, Refuge and Bodhichitta, Tara the White, Calling Tara from the Heart, Om Mani Peme Hung (new version), Vajrasattva, The Four Immeasurables, Om Ah Hum, and more.
Morning sessions with Helen commenced with free movement – dancing to artfully selected music to evoke the dakini element of the day, followed by poetic verses, and a concentrated focus on Charya Nritya dance- in particular, the Refuge Dance and song and dance of Nairātmyā, the Blue Dakini who has realized selflessness. Helen’s instruction on visualizations, syllables, and mudras was heartfelt and called us to a deeper experience of embodiment in the practice. And though solidly aware of our physical bodies, her guidance summoned us into the liminal space of the dakinis.
The morning sessions concluded with another meditation guided by Prema, an invitation to address the occluded aspect of the dakini wisdom of the day. Recalling moments of the past when this wisdom aspect of ourselves was obstructed, bringing the experience of it forward into the present, and allowing the transformation of the energy to take place revealing the gift of that particular dakini energy – an opportunity to reflect upon and perhaps (if conditions are ripe) to realize a glimpse of innate wisdom, the pristine awareness of true nature.
Following gourmet lunch prepared by Chef Tom and staff, scrumptious meals that left only chocolate to be desired – some dancers had a couple of hours to rest or stroll the wild paths of the refuge visiting ancient trees, gathering apples or pears, lavender, grapes, or strawberries from the abundant orchard and garden display. Others watched the drops of rain fall upon the earth and bodies of water or carefully witnessed the other creatures who inhabit the land…bunnies, owl, fox, and slug to name a few. A handful had no such time for rest and were otherwise engaged in practice with Helen. Having taken classes primarily on zoom this past year, they wanted to optimize the time in person to get the movements down in the correct directions! The dancers were eager to hone their skills in the hopes of offering to the retreat participants, at the very least, a portion of the dance they have been studying.
An afternoon class followed with Myri teaching the Abhisheka Dance of the Dakinis, an incredibly mesmerizing choreography by Myri-Dakini that addresses the transformation of the occluded aspects of the elements, transforming them into the wisdoms of the five Buddha families. These included solo parts individually choreographed by the five central dancers, who each were revealed to the viewers as the central dakini mandala rotated, remaining supported by the intricate, alluring movements danced by the outer mandala of dancers.
And after Myri’s class, the day was not yet over! Each afternoon, for four consecutive days we arranged a new mandala, and briefly walked through the sequence of steps in preparation for an evening offering of the Mandala Dance of Tara’s Twenty-One Praises. Every day a new central Tara giving instructions, a new set of positions in the mandala, a new Tara before you or behind you with whom you held hands. In order to ensure the health and well-being of each other, as much as was in our control to do so, we had all agreed to take extra precautions while traveling and tested every morning for 3-days to prevent spread of virus. And oh so delightful to be dancing together side-by-side, holding hands, in the flesh! We had a couple of dancers who were new to dancing the mandala and with so many experienced Taras present, the foundation of support was strong, yet flexible to accommodate all that arises.
Following the Dance of Tara’s Mandala, the evenings then culminated with a closing dance chosen by Prema from the usual repertoire of prayerful TaraDhatu music. For some, falling asleep was not easy, as the energy was heightened from the processing of inner work, the elation of the dance practice, our joy in being together in person with dear Tara sisters, and the approaching full harvest moon. But sleep we must, and sleep we did, because 7:30 morning practice would soon be approaching.
Our final day together was Karma day- green dakini – and offering day. After morning meditation and breakfast, we dressed in Tara-dakini attire- some with the much-appreciated help of costume goddess-magician, Noelle. We gathered with Prema in the dining hall, where she led us in a brief meditation to bring to our awareness, once again, our purpose for being here: “to manifest the wisdom that rests within“… “to radiate our light of love and compassion into the world”… “to gather the skill and the power to bless and empower all.” In silence, we proceeded into the Great Hall where approximately 15-20 guests awaited our offering. Prema spoke briefly reminding all that most of us are not professional dancers and this was a sacred offering from the heart. We danced our Refuge and Bodhicitta, then returned to our seats to receive Helen’s sublime and evocative offering of the Dance of Nairatmya, accompanied by the beautifully devotional chanting and tingsha playing of Meadow. The cadence and yearning of the melody and the appearance of Helen as Nairatmya was simultaneously grounding and ethereal, her mudras and countenance transporting us to another place in time.
Next came the offering of the Abhisheka dance of the Dakinis. Some of us were completely new to this dance, some were introduced to it during the pandemic in a mudra class with Myri via online zoom participation, and a handful of those had practiced in person and offered the Abhisheka dance at last year’s Dakini Retreat. Despite the variety of confidence levels, and very little instruction time (approximately 4 hours during this retreat) the offering was splendid. A testament to the the teacher – Myri’s affectionate guidance and unwavering belief in our ability to accomplish the mudras, and her ability to draw forth from the dancers their sincere intention, concentration, and joyful effort.
Following the Abhisheka dance was the offering of the Mandala Dance of Tara’s Twenty-One Praises. We were elated that Prema’s health was such that she was able to lead us in the dance. For some of us, it was the first time in the Mandala with Prema as Central Tara, supported by Myri, Parvati, and several other seasoned Tara dancers. Because our days were so full, we had not danced through the entire configuration of this day’s mandala, therefore we had no time for familiarization of who would be standing next to us at each transition from outer circle to inner, and so forth. There was a moment of awe when I “entered the triangle” and clasped hands to “establish the mandala” – in front of me was Parvati, shimmering White Tara smiling radiantly, supported at her left shoulder by Prema – luminous Green Tara, and flanked on her right by Myri- splendent Red Tara. It took my breath away, to be standing with these incredible beings of light before me in Trinity – a flash of realization of the power and support of our Tara lineage. Unwinding the mandala, Prema blessed us with her gaze, her transmission clear and perceptible- the numinous beauty of Tara’s wisdom and compassion.
A special guest appearance was made by Venerable Yangsi Rinpoche, teacher of Helen. As the Tara dancers completed their formation in crescent mandala, Yangsi Rinpoche approached with staff-member Gabriel at his side carrying a wooden tray of golden katas. Yangsi Rinpoche blessed each dancer, placing a kata over her shoulders and then, with the dharani mudra ,“passed the light” to the dancer – touching his thumb and forefinger to hers. He shared words of inspiration revealing that in viewing the dance, as the mandala turned and one by one each Tara dancer appeared to dance her praise, his intention was to see every single dancer as a true emanation of Tara, proclaiming that the practice of this dance is certainly an accumulation of Wisdom.
This is our practice, to manifest the Wisdom that rests within, through the medium of the Dances of Tara’s Mandala and the Dakinis of her retinue. We dare to journey deeper into the recesses of the mind, no longer avoiding the emotions that disturb or cause harm, but facing them. Upon further inspection we see the source of our suffering, the persistent self-clinging, and in doing so are able to reveal the gift which is the true energy of these elements from which all experiences arise – the wisdom nature of all phenomena. Through the meditation and contemplation practices of the dances, we face our perceived shortcomings, our fears and worries, our exalted feelings of arrogance or jealousy- we work to transform these through remembering our interconnectedness with all beings, with all of life. We continually renew our intention to awaken and embody this loving kindness and compassion to bless and empower all. And in doing so, we have a taste of the bliss of this existence.
In gratitude for our teachers, their teachers, all the dancers of wisdom and compassion throughout time, and the wonderful members of the staff of Forest Refuge for their loving support of our practice, may we have the continued good fortune to meet with such auspicious circumstances. May all beings be happy! May all beings be free!
~Written by Adrianne LaBry Smith
Pia also shares her thoughts …
After arriving home from our Retreat in Portland, I am still “Blazing like fire at the end of time!!!”We went very deep into foundational dances and practices.
Working with the Elements…Charya with Helen, Dakini Dance with Myri and Prema’s Wisdom each morning and evening …were very full days. And we danced a full Mandala every night!!!!
After working with Helen on zoom for a year, a few of us were able to dance in person, together for the first time!!!
Last week I led Adora’s circle and the bliss continues!!!
Let us celebrate our devotion to Tara, our connection to each other and send multitudes of blessings out into the world!!!
