In Sept/Oct 2022, some of us in the Asia Pacific region were fortunate to attend the seven day, online, Green Tara Retreat led by SMS instructor, Oliver Leick. Conducted at a convenient time (6pm in China, 8pm Australia) up to 70 people joined in for zoom sessions broadcast from Yeselling in Austria. Simultaneous translation was skilfully provided for the Chinese community by Catherine, and others in suitable time zones were also able to join.
It was so wonderful to hear explanations from Oliver on Green Tara and the Twenty-One Praises, and to have access to his breadth of knowledge and wisdom as a student of our Master since 1977. To hear his gentle insistence that if really we take this seriously, Green Tara practice will bring many benefits. But to do that we must actively participate, to practice with diligence and devotion, to have confidence, to sing the short invocations — Om Jézunma Pàgma Drólma Kyedla Dùddo Zevas Gyoñ, like a waltz (a tip attributed to Constantino Albini).
He reminded us that when we do the universal mantra, Om Tāre Tuttāre Ture Svāhā, we are doing Guru Yoga — that the white, red and blue lights we receive into our three places are like a laser torch given to us by the Master to help us enter the state. That when we forcefully sound Tāre over and over, we don’t have to keep in mind all the things we need help with. She already knows! As the preceding invocation in the words of the famous Master, Atisha, illustrates — Tara, you know me, you know all my fears and problems in samsara, please help me!
Oliver then covered the Four Immeasurables and the Six Paramitas, reminding us that Tara embodies these qualities completely and on a daily basis we should try to as well. And just when we thought it couldn’t get more interesting, Oliver began introducing us to the verses of praise to the 21 Taras, — extolling all their qualities and functions — some fiercely wrathful, some all peace and light, others bearing such powers as to make Marvel superheroes look decidedly tame.
He told us that the benefits of daily reciting the praises (a common practice in Tibet of monks and lay people) are great — fears banished, impediments purified, strong and powerful poisons removed, all wishes fulfilled as all the Buddhas grant their empowerments.
In the second half of the session each day, Oliver led us in the Green Tara practice, adding in the praises we studied that day and explaining that during the mantra of White Tara we can send lights to other people who may be suffering illness or difficult conditions. For Guru Rinpoche day we learned how to do a Green Tara ganapuja and Oliver reminded us that when we are doing the visualisations, mantras, the invocations, the transformations — we must really feel it, we must bring the practice to life. It is so easy to be distracted, to just go through the motions. As Rinpoche always said, doing 1000s of mantras means nothing if you are not present.
For me this was the major take away from the retreat. Remember to bring your practice to life! And ask Tara to help you, she will be there in a flash! Many thanks to our dear Master Chögyal Namkhai Norbu for his boundless patience and generosity, to Oliver for so insightfully carrying on his legacy, and to the organisers Sean (Australia), Henry (China), translator Catherine and
attendees.
Jan Cornall, Sydney, Oct 2022.
