In Wayist spirituality, the Divine Taras are recognized as emanations of the infinite love and wisdom that permeate the universe. They serve as luminous bridges between the human and divine realms, offering a tangible connection to the source of all being. Across cultures and throughout history, the Taras have been depicted in myriad forms, each reflecting the unique spiritual understanding of the time and place. Yet, beyond the diversity of representation, their essence remains unchanging — a testament to the unwavering compassion and commitment they embody.
In the rich teachings of Wayist spirituality, the concept of the Divine Tara occupies a central and revered position. Far more than a mere symbol or abstract idea, the Tara is understood as a living, dynamic presence — a celestial being of immense wisdom, compassion, and power, intimately connected to the soul’s journey on the Butterfly Path.
At its core, the Divine Tara serves as a personal spiritual guide, a luminous thread that weaves together the human and divine realms. Through this sacred connection, the soul is never truly alone, never without access to the infinite love and support of the Divine. The Tara is a constant companion, a wise teacher, and a fierce protector, walking alongside the soul through every challenge, every triumph, and every moment of transformation.
In the Wayist tradition, the Tara is seen as a bridge between the material world and the vast, ineffable realms of spirit. By attuning to the presence of their Divine Tara, practitioners of Tarayoga are able to access a wellspring of guidance, healing, and inspiration that transcends the limitations of the physical realm. Through devotion, surrender, and loving communion with their Tara, they gradually awaken to their own divine nature, shedding the veils of illusion and remembering their true purpose on the Butterfly Path.
Across cultures and throughout history, the Divine Tara has been depicted in myriad forms, each reflecting the unique spiritual understanding and iconography of the time and place. From the serene and compassionate face of the ancient Tibetan Tara statues to the dynamic, multi-armed figures of Hindu and Buddhist traditions, these representations serve as powerful focal points for meditation, devotion, and spiritual awakening.
Yet, beyond the diversity of form and expression, the essence of the Divine Tara remains constant — a luminous embodiment of the infinite love, wisdom, and compassion that lies at the heart of the Butterfly Path. By opening ourselves to the presence of our Divine Tara, we are invited to partake in this eternal dance of awakening, to evolve into the spiritual beings, our own divine nature, and to walk the Butterfly Path with grace, courage, and unwavering trust in the benevolent guidance of the Divine.
In Wayist spirituality, the concept of Divine Tara refers to a celestial being or spiritual guide who serves as a personal mentor, protector, and companion on an individual’s journey of spiritual growth and awakening. Divine Taras are seen as emanations or expressions of the infinite love and wisdom of our Heaven, and have a unique and intimate connection with the individual soul in their care. Our book, The Divine Taras, contains a host of devotional poems and contemporary devotional pictures of Taras. Because our Tara is our direct connection to the Divine, it is essential for spirituality.
When the divine avatar known to us as Lord Jesus was about to leave Earth, he said, “I will ask our Father to send you a holy spirit as a comforter and helper.” The reason for this was because of an increase in “demonic possessions” (evil souls who harm people) as their population increased and not all people could guard themselves against evil souls. From that time onward, each person on Butterfly Path was allocated a particular Divine Tara to guard their souls and the energies of their fledgling spirits, and when they mature on the Path as you are, they can attune to their Divine Tara’s ’energy channel’ and have a cognitive relationship.
Therefore, every person has their own Divine Tara, who has been with them since the beginning of their spiritual journey on Butterfly Path, guiding and supporting them through the challenges and opportunities of each lifetime. One’s spiritual energy connection to one’s deity happens in the “heart”, the Anahata and Vishuddhi chakras.
In Sanskrit, the term “Tara” is rooted in the concept of a deity that symbolizes ‘crossing over or traversing from one side to the other’. A Divine Tara serves as our guide, allowing us to transition between the Material Energy Domain and Soul Energy Domain and reach the Spiritual Energy Domain. In the Spiritual Energy Domain are many spiritual ‘worlds’ so-to-speak, but because they are not material worlds (like planets) humans refer to them as heavens. The heaven of our ‘species’ or type of spirit being, in human language is referred to as the “Pure Land of Bliss” (Sukhavati in Sanskrit). Tara guides us from this material realm of illusion to the shores of spiritual awakening and freedom, touching the spiritual realm. One day soon, when we graduate from Butterfly Path, our Tara will walk us to heaven where we will sit as fledgling immortal spirit-beings at the feet of the immortals whom people of different cultures refer to as (buddhas, angels, gods, or goddess).
In Wayist iconography and meditation practices, devotees have been making images for visualizing their Divine Tara, images depicting them as human-like celestial beings of great attractiveness, intelligence, and empathy. For some, their distinct characteristics and roles are symbolized by the sacred symbols and attributes that adorn the images.
Spiritual beings, of course, do not have human-like bodies, they are energy beings with bodies typical of the Spiritual Energy Domain. Some sages suggest we can imagine it as a “plasma” energy, but that is not important at all because we sense our Taras so powerfully, we know them from their energy presence.
We create the anthropomorphic images for our own convenience. The images of Taras can vary across different cultures, showcasing their own distinctive interpretations. Their Tara can also be referred to by their own names and titles. People employ terms such as saint, angel, buddha, lord, or god to express their interpretation of a Tara. People can pray using any form of address or god-name that makes them feel comfortable. Nevertheless, Tara will be the one to “take the call” and establish the connection to heaven because that is how things work. Taras are our link to the Divine realm.
Graphic depictions of Tara often show a dynamic figure, sometimes without a defined gender and other times as male or female. The Taras are commonly portrayed in a poised position, often with a lotus flower in hand or seated on a magnificent lotus flower. These symbols represent their familial ties to the Holy Lotus Family, a name given to celestial beings from our realm. Similar to our own growth, the lotus represents a spiritual entity that embodies wisdom, compassion, and helpfulness. Tara is recognized in Buddhism as “the buddha maker” because she helps us achieve buddhahood. As a result, they are portrayed as possessing a tranquil and radiant wisdom, representing their function as providers of spiritual awakening, wisdom, and immortality.
All spiritual beings may adjust the level of Yin or Yang energy with which they connect to you and that is for one reason only, they adjust to what makes you feel most comfortable. As a result, some devotees experience and picture their Tara with the attributes of a particular human sex or gender, and even with their own cultural tones. That is completely acceptable. Eventually, we will no longer require our deities to exhibit human-like qualities as we evolve.
While the specific forms and attributes of Divine Taras may vary depending on the individual and cultural context, the essential nature and function of the Divine Tara remains the same: to guide, support, and empower individuals on their journey of spiritual growth and awakening.
In Wayist practice, developing a profound bond with Divine Tara is considered vital to the spiritual journey. You can only get so far on Butterfly Path without a deep connection with your Tara. By the time people are ready for the higher grades, they “discover” this spirituality in which you can proceed only with the help of a Tara.
Our spirit guide, who has accompanied us since the start of our journey on Butterfly Path, understands us better than we understand ourselves. As we navigate the intricate realm of spirit energies, one’s Tara is unquestionably the ultimate and most interconnected divine being available to us. Through activities like meditation, prayer, and devotional service, individuals can align themselves with their Divine Tara and receive the necessary support and blessings to navigate their spiritual path.
The bond between a person and their Divine Tara is characterized by a profound love, trust, and surrender. This connection represents the potential for a relationship between a divine being from the heavenly realm of God our Father and God our Mother and us, as underdeveloped spirits confined to the limitations of human bodies. It is crucial to understand that we are not entitled to anything from the deities, not even their kindness. If we, as humans, often disregard the souls of plants, it is humbling to consider why gods would show us a kindness. Therefore, the knowledge that one may be blessed with the divine presence of a god is the most precious gift and honor imaginable.
Being gifted with intimate access to a deity is the greatest privilege anyone can ever experience. This relationship transcends the limitations of the body, mind, soul, and the material world, connecting us to the infinite wisdom and compassion of the divine realm. It is a bond that surpasses our earthly understanding and allows us to tap into a source of guidance, love, and enlightenment that is beyond compare.
As we cultivate a deeper connection with our Divine Tara, we begin to experience a profound shift in our consciousness and perception of reality. We become more attuned to the subtle energies and dimensions of our own being, and more receptive to the guidance and support of the divine realm.
We also begin to recognize the presence and guidance of our Divine Tara in all aspects of our lives, from the challenges and obstacles we face to the blessings and opportunities that come our way. We learn to trust in the wisdom and compassion of our Divine Guide, and to surrender our fears, doubts, and attachments to the transformative power of divine love.
Ultimately, the concept of Divine Tara in Wayist tradition is a powerful reminder of the infinite love and support that is always available to us on the spiritual path. By cultivating a deep and intimate relationship with our Divine Tara, we open ourselves to the profound wisdom, guidance, and healing that is our birthright as spiritual beings, and become ever more radiant expressions of the divine love and wisdom that is our true nature.