Clare

Napier, NZ

Clare's journey into Vajrayana Buddhism began with a simple yet profound encounter—a single image of Green Tara that awakened a lifelong calling. Drawn first through yoga and later into Tibetan Buddhism, she discovered that Vajrayana was far more than meditation or philosophy. It was a living lineage, connecting practitioners across generations through authentic transmission, devoted practice, and the guidance of realized teachers. For Clare, visualization, mantra, and ritual are not symbolic acts but transformative methods that cultivate wisdom, compassion, and the recognition of one's innate Buddha nature. Her story explores why lineage matters, how authentic teachers shape the path, and how the Dharma becomes embodied in everyday life through courage, humility, and devotion.

Experience

15-30 Years XP

Tradition

Vajrayana

Background

Clare, a woman with a deep connection to spiritual imagery, reflects on her affinity for Buddhist symbols and mantras. The allure of a green Tara picture captivates her, prompting a desire to replicate it. The discovery of the Tara mantra in Tibetan script adds a magnetic quality to these images, fostering a connection she attributes to a previous spiritual bond.

Recalling a similar connection in her youth, Clare reminisces about finding a book on yoga, sparking a commitment to the practice. Despite being a lazy teenager, she recognizes a pattern of previous connections guiding her towards spiritual exploration. This pattern continues as she leaves Auckland, seeking a Buddhist image to accompany her. A hand-drawn green Tara becomes her chosen companion, emphasizing her curiosity and resonance with spiritual symbols.

Further experiences unfold, like stumbling upon an orange image with a sword and later realizing its significance in the Sakya lineage. Guided gently by her inner compass, Clare encounters Lama Chetak, who imparts teachings on speech empowerment, aligning with her heart’s wish for guidance in navigating life while maintaining liberation.

Her journey involves diverse spiritual pursuits, from yoga and meditation to an ashram experience. A dream about searching for a blue pepper leads to a profound realization about the heart’s color in Tibetan Buddhism, reinforcing Clare’s trust in her guided path. She reflects on her dreams as a form of self-guidance, understanding that her inner guru directs her towards resonance and connection.

As Clare seeks a teacher for Buddhist meditation, she grapples with the challenge of balancing service and liberation. Trusting her inner guidance, she remains diligent in her practice, understanding that, as the yogis say, everything falls into place when one commits to their spiritual path.

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Voice & Presence

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Lineage

Clare, drawn to Tibetan Buddhism, appreciates its unique emphasis on engaging the body in spiritual practices. Reflecting on the Tara Puja, she describes the beautiful and dynamic atmosphere it creates, akin to a dance. The rituals involve making offerings, not out of necessity for the Buddhas, but as a means for practitioners to cultivate generosity and respect.

For Clare, Tibetan Buddhism caters to passionate individuals who wish to remain fully engaged with the world. The teachings emphasize being calm and awake during meditation rather than sedated, allowing practitioners to navigate life’s storms with centered awareness. The complex rituals and visualizations in Buddhism serve as a vehicle for reaching enlightenment by embracing and understanding the impermanence of the body, passions, and mentality.

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Refuge

Clare reflects on a pivotal point in her spiritual journey, which occurred when her child was born. Holding her newborn in her arms and practicing Tara meditation during late-night breastfeeding sessions, Clare grappled with the challenges of parenthood and sought guidance on how to protect her child from life’s pains.

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Function of the Sangha

Clare describes the two facets of the center: its openness to the public and its role as a gathering space for practitioners. The center, located in the middle of town, welcomes anyone, providing a dedicated space for meditation practices. The interface side invites curious passersby to join meditation sessions, attend courses, and explore the library.

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Fruit of Practice

Clare, reflecting on her life, expresses a sense of light-heartedness and a broader understanding of the preciousness of human life compared to her younger years. She emphasizes the importance of facing facts, analyzing experiences, and maintaining aspirations while reviewing and understanding one’s life.

Having witnessed aging teachers who radiate wisdom and lack fear of death, Clare acknowledges her decreased fear and confusion compared to her twenties and thirties. She distinguishes between two types of happiness: hedonism, derived from pleasure pursuits, and eudaimonia, sustained through meaningful actions. Clare draws parallels between parenting and the pursuit of meaningful happiness, emphasizing the importance of wisdom in cultivating lasting contentment.

In her evolved perspective, Clare recognizes the significance of karma and atonement, learning to heal from past actions and create positive changes. She values the dharma for teaching her that mistakes can be acknowledged, rectified, and used as opportunities for personal growth.

With a greater understanding of karma and a more positive outlook, Clare feels happier and has given herself permission to be as big and joyful as she wants, irrespective of others’ opinions. She encourages a positive, creative, and generous approach to life, embracing happiness as an ongoing process of learning, growing, and giving.

Service

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Clare reflects on her younger years when she was driven by a warrior spirit to create change, standing against adversity with strength. However, she recognizes that this mindset often led to a division between “me and other.” The Dharma, she explains, has taught her the importance of understanding that everyone is part of the same dance and that respect for others is crucial.

She emphasizes the concept of skillful means in Buddhism, highlighting the need for compassion and wisdom in how one expresses and acts upon it. Clare believes in the importance of not reinforcing negativity within oneself by criticizing others. Instead, she advocates for noticing positive aspects in others, much like guiding a child to improve.

Clare acknowledges the complexity of engaging with people on different sides of an issue and emphasizes the importance of skillful means. She encourages reflection on one’s own freedom and the gentle sharing of that freedom with others, rather than imposing it. Clare shares a meditation practice given to her by an older woman, emphasizing the value of being gentle with oneself and finding grounding practices, especially in the midst of engagement or activism. Ultimately, Clare advises being detached from outcomes and focusing on doing what is helpful in the present moment.