The Phoenix Area Tara sangha hosted a weekend workshop November 3-5, 2023. This year’s theme was “Elemental Balancing with the Mandala Dance Of The 21 Praises Of Tara”. We started the weekend on Friday evening with an exploration of the elements. Each of the elements was explored through meditation, music, and movement – guided by Parvati and accompanied by live music from Dashmesh Singh.
We met at the North Mountain Visitor Center within the Phoenix Mountains Preserve. Nestled among the mountains in the middle of the city, the walls were adorned with photos and drawings of the plants and animals that make up the beautiful area surrounding the Center. A reminder to bring all beings with us as we travel the path.
As well as experienced Taras, many who traveled from out of state, we also had two new women join us. Both had watched the dance many years ago and had been inspired in 2023 to engage on a deeper level. One of these new Taras’ daughter in law was scheduled for a C-section at 5pm on Sunday when we began our offering, and gave birth to a baby girl!
The weekend concluded with a public offering of the Mandala Dance of the 21 Praises of Tara. Before we began, the audience was invited to participate in a meditation along with the dancers. The offering was well-received by the audience, who included those who had danced with us in the past.
Thank you to Scott Fels, photographer, who took pictures of the Public Offering.
