by Jacquelyn Sendak Zavaleta
In November I submitted a Tara and dharma dance proposal to a newly owned yoga studio in Berkeley. I discovered it as a result of attending an in person event lead by Chandra Lopon (a student of Lama Tsultrim who was a student of my main Tibetan teacher for 18 years Namkai Norbu Rinpoche). For months I was part of an online Tara practice group lead by Chandra Lopon came an opportunity to attend in person her local event in Berkeley years after Covid was a blessing.
At that event, a representative from the Yoga center where it took place mentioned how this studio was having activities to establish a local dharma community. I supported this worthy goal.
After approval of my proposal an in person meeting was arranged in December to check out the space.
This formerly owned Yoga studio had been beautifully renovated to house three wooden floored rooms. The middle sized one had a huge skylight equipped with speakers, and a Buddha statue was perfect for our Tara event.
I was sent a website link for our Tara event in January. What transpired afterwards was a serious test of my faith, devotion, and trust in Tara. At the beginning of the new year 2023, obstacles arose such as website not working, phone messages were full, and details of how to enter building unclear, and miscommunication.
In this Covid age of internet technology brought forth challenges such as our event being dropped from the calendar of January upcoming events and having clear communications, and I dropping by the yoga studio which was closed and left a note, but still no response. California was having flooding, and some new Covid strain was happing so this also might have effected the responses. Tara sisters in Santa Cruz area who might have attended could definitely be effected. As the day of the event was getting closer I started getting concerned.
At home, I continued my Tara practices and recently joined Pia’s Tara early morning Practice online and afterwards felt more grounded. Despite my emotional uncertainties, my connection with Tara, continued.
Then I remembered an email from the person who sent me a link that still worked, so I emailed her of my situation. She responded by saying she corrected the website to include our Tara program. The Friday prior to our event, I was informed there would be no one be available to let me in so I would need Acess to open the locked door.
The day before our event I had two early am Dzogchen long life practice and Tibetan yoga class in another city, but still no Acess code or idea how to close up or handle registration or control the heat, etc. I recalled there was another yoga event prior to mine so emailed both contacts.
The Sunday of the Tara event, I joined another. early monthly world prayer group online. Later, I received an email letting me know a volunteer would be able to let me into the studio.
My husband Rigdzin recruited a helper for the electronics and handle late comers.
Although a small group, we had one new person to the dharma.
Rigdzin downloaded information on the Dharma to her until others arrived. My teachers advised me, if only one persons shows interest, one teaches. Namkai Norbu Rinpoche advised those willing to have a solid foundation in the practice prior to teaching. According to my years of experience in Tara practices and lineage, transmissions, fruits of practice with Tara miracles for myself and others felt having met his recommendations.
I had verbal commitments from our local Tara and Dzogchen contacts who had told me they were coming. One person canceled, rest were delayed, and one person donated who supported our Tara program who had attended past ones, but had to work,. Storms and rains in Santa Cruz May have prevented Taras from attending. My final prayer to Tara was if you wish this to happen, please help remove my obstacles.
Insights came to me and the presentation changed a bit as I shared stories of Tara miracles such as doing Tara practice at her request for dealing with health issue. Her Treatments became less invasive, and finally tests were negative! After saying Tara mantra her new doctor (she was able to change insurance) announced new surgery would be less dramatic!
Prior to the death of my Father a Tibetan Lama came to his care Center and was able to do Tara prayers and transmissions which he said my connection to Tara brought good karma to my dad.
My experiences of Tara Dhatu pilgrimages with Prema Dasara and Anahata to India and Japan plus Tara pilgrimage and dances in Japan helped inspire others.
Summing up all blessings I received from Tara put confidence into this practice.
After Doing motivation, refuge and Bodhichitta, Feeling grateful of the Sangha who attended to support me I did two dances which were unplanned “together in happiness and adversary” and Anahata’s “planting the seeds” which meant the blessings of the Divine together are magnified and greater than when doing it alone.
Handing out copies of Tara’s mantra, we did her mantra with explanation, and danced her qualities., mantra healing the planet, With Tara the White we sent her healing energy to each other, all beings, the planet, etc.
Ending our program with Becoming Tara meditation, recapped by Rigdzin and the dedication of merit.
I felt good about establishing and grounding the Tara dance practice at our premiere in person event for 2023.
