A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about my relationship with White Tārā, which you can read about in the story here. Tārā is a deity in the Vajrayana Buddhist tradition. She is considered the mother of all Buddhas, and sits upon a white lotus disc ready to love each of us as the beautiful creatures that we are. It might seem off-putting, or even blasphemous to think about praying to a deity outside of ourselves, or outside of the major religions that many of us grew up within. However, the view of deities in Buddhist tradition is that they are facets of ourselves. In Vajrayana Buddhism, especially, we are all considered to be diamonds, with many sides each shining as brilliantly as the next. Each of these sides of our personality can be amplified by embodying the deity that represents them, and imagining that we become that deity. This may still sound like a foreign concept, so I ask that you bear with me here. The idea of likening ourselves to a deity can be daunting. However, it can also be daunting to think that we personally have an aspect within ourselves that is this perfect example of unconditional love. I know that was the case for myself. While I know that I have a big heart and can love freely and openly, I would not describe myself as having endless love and compassion for all beings. I get angry and frustrated and stubborn and judgemental, you know, just like most humans, so claiming to be a beacon of unconditional love seems a bit disingenuous. This is where it can be helpful to bring in outside help! In the Tantric tradition, we envision ourselves becoming this shining light of love (in the case of Tārā — other deities have other characteristics, though they are all emanations of love), so that we may embody it more in our daily lives, outside of practice. The other day, when I sat down to write about White Tārā on her exhalation day, the words of this prayer came to me. I included a couple of items that are common to Buddhist practice, which are “taking refuge” at the beginning and “dedicating the merit” at the end. I wrote these in my own words, as I have never officially taken Buddhist vows, or do I plan to do so. However, I do very much appreciate the concept of our own meditation and prayer enriching ourselves and all around us. When we take care of ourselves, we are better able to take care of others, and that is extremely important in these days of division and anger. When you listen to this chanting meditation, I encourage you to say the words along with me. If not the full prayer, at the very least the chanting portion. I have found that this is a powerful way to invoke the loving emotion and care into the world. It is also very good at quieting down the mind, so that we can rest in silent meditation. To this end, you may want to pause the recording after the chanting, so that you have time to rest in the vibration and your own contemplation, before finishing the meditation. I kept the silence quite short here so that it could be done within 10 mins — I get that we’re all busy! — but if you have the time, I encourage you to take it and allow yourself to rest in the pause. If you would like to enhance the meditation even further, you can visualize the brilliant white light of Tārā shining out from your heart and all around you. This will help to feel more connected to your own inner light, the light of the universe, and all beings. May Tārā bless you in ways you never dreamed of; and may this practice be of benefit to all beings, without one exception. Om tare tuttare ture soha. 🙏💖 Reflections for your Journal Fierce Compassion: What does “fierce compassion” mean to you in your daily life? How can you stand in your truth while remaining rooted in love? Dismantling Walls: Where in your life or mindset are you being invited to soften, break down division, and extend kindness to others? Divine Remembrance: How did your body feel as the 108 repetitions of Tara’s mantra resonated through your space? Connect & Share How did this prayer speak to your heart today? Did a specific line or moment during the mantra chant bring a sense of peace or strength? I would love to read your reflections in the comments below! If this prayer brought you solace, please consider sharing it with someone who might need a moment of warmth, or becoming a paid subscriber to support my work in sharing these original devotional practices. About Your Guide: Based in Oslo, Laura White offers online and in-person esoteric meditation and energy practices to restore inner harmony and connect with universal life force. Get full access to Laura White Beyond at laurawhitebeyond.substack.com/subscribe
