Elemental Dākinī Mandala of Emotions Immersion
12 Wednesdays, March 23rd – June 8th 2022
6:00 – 8 pm online via Zoom
A practice of befriending challenging emotions and transmuting their energies to support us in our mental, emotional and spiritual healing and growth.
The Ground
Somewhere deep inside, we know that on the other side of fear is freedom. When fear and emotion rise up, they often trap us in habitual reactiveness, tension, and confusion, which are some of the ways our physical bodies are wired to engage with fear. Even if we don’t feel we have an outwardly ‘reactive’ personality, suppressing, avoiding or denying emotions is equally as reactive and harmful, just expressed differently. This reactiveness served us well and developed for a reason throughout our life, and certainly served our ancestors.
The Aim
An important function of fear and emotion is to point toward our opportunities for 'waking up.' Even though emotions that we are working through can be unsettling, scary or downright painful, they illuminate where there is the possibility of emotional freedom. Fear and emotions are not problems. In fact, they can provide the energetic propulsion necessary to advance on our spiritual path. Our reactiveness to these fears and emotions is what trips us up. When we consciously relate with and respond to our fears, understanding the textures, temperatures, and qualities of the obstructed emotions they birth, we cultivate deep presence, bringing with it more balance, calm and peace. We wake up to ourselves as we truly are ~ whole, complete, and an expression of Consciousness.
The Mandala
In this immersion you will enter a realm where you are invited to engage deeply and purposefully with the full spectrum of your emotions through the lens of the five elements and their Dākinīs*. We will initiate a spiritual practice that harnesses the energies of the elements and work with the elemental wisdom emotions to spark an inner alchemy to liberate our reactive emotions.
The Dākinī Mandala of Emotions provides a map of the obstructed emotions, their triggers, and resulting poisons that we can follow to identify and engage with them safely. We then embark on a journey to transform the stuck energy into liberated qualities, wisdoms and nectars.
*Dākinīs are the Sky Dancers who dance with us in the space, the luminous beings who communicate and move between realms of form and formlessness. They are messengers of wisdom, and visualizing them and working with their mantras free the energy of elemental wisdom in and around us.
**Mantra means a sacred sound.
Today, modern science sees the whole of existence as vibration. Every mantra activates a particular kind of energy and vibration in a different part of the body.
***Mudra is a sacred hand gesture that harnesses specific energies for specific purposes.
**** Susan David defines emotional agility as a process that allows us to be in the moment, changing or maintaining our behaviors to live in ways that align with our intentions and values.
The Practice
From this point of view, the elements of earth, air, fire, water and space are the building blocks of all manifestations. We experience them and their corresponding Dākinīs, through visualization, mantra**, and mudra*** to move stagnant energy, shift habitual emotional patterns, and create and nurture emotional agility****.
Through the Elemental Dākinī Mandala we learn to engage with the power and wisdom of our emotions to liberate obstructions and cultivate resilience. This practice grows curiosity, courage and compassion and provides tools for navigating reactive emotions and using them for transformation.
The Community
An important aspect of this immersion is engaging in community practice. A sangha – a group of practitioners dedicated to supporting each other’s awakening (whatever that means to you!) is vital in sustaining any spiritual work. Part of the reason we ask for a commitment to all of the dates (with no more than two absences at the most) is in support not only of individual growth, but the growth of one another. Although this immersion takes place via Zoom, the community is intentional and interactive. There will be space for connection and sharing. It is possible that we will be able to sustain the sangha moving forward if there is interest.
Immersion Details
Over the course of the 12 weeks you will:
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learn the mandala / map of emotions and their correspondence to the elements;
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receive meditations, visualizations, mantras and mudras that correspond to each of the elements and their Dākinīs;
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learn the foundational alchemical practice of the Dākinī Mandala of Emotions;
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learn many micro practices to support and help integrate the practices;
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learn to identify, not identify with your reactive emotions;
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learn ways to discharge obstructed and reactive energies;
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expand your entire system (physical, mental, emotional, energetic and spiritual) to be able to host more challenging emotions without reacting to them.
Supportive Materials
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Recommended practices to work with each week
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Weekly journal prompts
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Additional yoga nidra and meditation recordings to enhance, support, and expand the teachings and practices
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SLACK channel to engage with your sangha throughout the immersion
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Suggested readings
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and more…
In addition to the weekly sessions, the ability to dedicate 20 - 30 minutes per day throughout the immersion will support you in receiving the most felt experience and benefit of the teachings and practices.
Registration Details
Registration deadline: Monday, March 16th
Sangha / Gathering Dates
12 Wednesdays, March 23rd – June 8th 6:00 – 8:00 pm online via Zoom
The session will be limited to no more than 15 individuals.
11 seats are filled so 4 are open at this time (3/10/22)
Sliding Scale
$275 (pays for you and helps support accessibility pricing for others who may not have resources to attend)
$225 (pays for you)
$175 (community accessibility)
I am offering one partial scholarship at $75 and one full scholarship for anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+ and is in need of financial support. Email me if interested.
NOTE: This is not a beginner’s meditation class. It is a committed and deeply transformative immersion into these practices; although no previous experience is needed, some seated meditation, visualization and mantra practice (in any tradition) or openness to them is recommended.
Please reach out to me with any questions you may have via email or phone.
Registration Process
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Complete this application form (registration deadline is March 18th)
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Tara will review and contact you with any questions or with registration /payment information.
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Payment in full will hold your seat in the program.
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Payment can be made via Venmo, PayPal, or Check
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No refunds will be offered once the program has begun.
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Registration will be on a first-come-first-served basis of accepted applications.
DISCLAIMER: THIS IMMERSION DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVICE OR COUNSELING
The information and materials offered in this immersion are for informational purposes only - they are spiritual practices that you are undertaking at your own risk. I am not a psychologist or therapist. The teachings and practices are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, psychiatrist, counselor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen or practice and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have learned in these teachings and practices.
If you do not have a trusted counselor or psychiatrist, I have a number of talented practitioners that I can refer you to.