Tara is considered the Holy Mother of the Buddhas.  She is swift to act and emanates wisdom of emptiness.  One could consider her a true pioneer, as she vowed to return only as a female until samsara is no more.  Back in her day, women were encouraged to pray for rebirth as a male in order to achieve enlightenment.  To this she said “Hogwash!”.  Well, maybe not exactly in those words.  But still…she did it her way, and is revered in Tibetan Buddhism as a Saviouress, who will provide us our deepest needs and is always with us to help relieve our suffering.

I am seeking connection with this great Mother of enlightenment.  As we were told during our teaching, I must remember that this blessed energy is always with me.  I am finding inspiration from her story, insisting that she would reach liberation as a female and vow to remain that way.  I’ve always joked that my next life I better be a man, or I’m not coming back at all.  Perhaps there is something to that…my own snark may have turned around to bite me right in my ass.

It just occurred to me that in joining the UU fellowship, I’ve stumbled into the wonderful Sangha and Women’s Circle.  Hmmm…perhaps this is my wakeup call to connect that my karma is handing me the specific experience of being a woman and means to embrace that experience.  Up until this point, I’ve been completely disjointed with “womanhood”.  The teaching on Tara and how her energy encourages us on our spiritual path and why she remains female has suddenly become more profound. 

I’m going to steal the quote the Good Buddhist Mi had passed along in her notes (what a good girl, taking notes as I just tried to follow along, jaw agape).  I remember Gen-la Dekyong stating this, and I loved it too…and love Mi for jotting it down.  She said, “Don't remain ordinary forever!”    How lovely is that?  Having faith that Tara is helping me, always, will guide me to a less ordinary existence. 

So, I’m still processing.  Being at the temple with a few hundred other Buddhists just like myself (well, likely more disciplined and less snarky than yours truly) were looking for help along the path. 

They did mention that they have some resident spots available at the temple…I wonder if I can bring my dog and my laptop??

What positive karma and great wisdom you display for such a youngster, grasshopper! Just think, you could have lived nineteen more years before discovering and embracing these truths. Some of us have a lot of catching up to do and taking notes is our only way to offset our early onset Alzheimer's/menopausal memory defecit!

Wow! :) Looking forward as always to your next words.