Every day of our retreat brought it’s own special joy. Most precious of all were the incredible dancers who came from near and far.
The Magic Continues
Jessica Zebrine will have her first child in December. We offered her blessings, advice, courage and support.
Sasa offered a special Japanese song.
After the offering on Sunday we celebrated the wedding of Suki and Bill
Tashi married the happy couple, Anahata serenaded them
Isa and Anahata led the wedding party to the beach with their song
A feast for the heart
Isa offered a special song
Prema read from Kahil Gibran
Bill, the Groom
Suki, the Bride
Early the next morning we drove one mile down the road to Ke’e Beach
Lauryn joined us to practice the hula she taught.
Lauryn Galindo
Jessica found her own happy perch
Ke’e is the end of the road on the North Shore of Kauai. This track leads up to Laka’s Heiau
A pilgrimage for dancers, Laka is the Goddess of the Hula
Hawaiians did not build indoor temples. A Heiau is always in nature.
Lauryn offered a special dance
The group imbibed the atmosphere and the view
Anahata’enjoyed her visit to the Heiau, last summer she kept watch at the camp, this summer Prema did.
On the way down the ocean looked like glass
Some feathery friends were clearing up the crumbs from our breakfast
In the water, dancing the Qualities of Tara
Tara is Swift Protection
Om Tare
All Fears and all dangers be removed and dispelled
We then visited the wet cave. Crystal water fills the floor of the cave 8-10 feet deep.
Because of the lack of summer rain we were able to swim into a hidden chamber, our chanted prayers echoing off the walls.
Back at camp, Anahata was eager to show her progress on the 21 Taras DVD she is working on
The screen was small but the group appreciated experiencing her creative process
A dance offering to Kshitigharba, the Earth Store Bodhisattva, included making staffs
Gathered from the beach the ends were adorned with metal hoops that made a pleasant jingling
Our cooks were wonderful. Suki, from Vermont, was the head of the kitchen. We enjoyed local fruits and veges through her Kauai connections
Suki was joined by Janice, another Tara from Vermont, who helped organize and keep things running smoothly
Isa was our drummer, but she also loved to help out in the kitchen, and of course the kitchen loved her help.
Salamander from Georgia (on the right) was the other kitchen assistant. Every day campers offered one session of Karma Yoga, Ivy helps out.
Turtle from New Zealand at kitchen prep. Helping in the kitchen was a great social experience and there was always a lot of laughs spilling out of the building.
Carambolda, star fruit. Tart and sweet
Avocados and Grapes
Guava, mango, pineapple......all from the island
Myriangela and Parvati kept Anahata and Prema in tea, an essential ingredient to keeping their voices strong
The best part of camp is meeting Taras from all over. We are always so happy to reunite with old friends like Karen Metta from El Cerrito, California
Mekare from North Carolina making her Padma Dakini costume
Siobhan from San Francisco
Jessica, Baton Rouge Louisiana
Felicity, Australia
Parvati was always a delight to behold. Each day we would look forward to enjoying her beautiful adornment.
Sasa from Japan
Donna Dancing Turtle spent a lot of time taking most of the pictures on these pages. She is doing a fantastic job with our web pages as well
Lilliha Herington our Central Coordinator from the swamps of Louisiana was the registrar for camp.
Jyothi Pace has offered her skills and has been helping manage membership
Lisa Maas of Kauai is a new friend
Beth from Oregon is one of Lama Tashi’s close students
Gisele and Myriangela from Brazil were true delights to have with us. Myri is the Central Coordinator of Tara Dhatu South America
There were lots of cuddles shared. Johanna of Manitoba and Janice, Vermont
Barbara from Maui and Jessica
Mekare and Lois from Maui
Michelle from Maui, making a basket in her tent
Michael and Durga from North Carolina were wonderful new friends
Prema, during one of her dharma rants
Mary Stone, an old friend of Prema’s from the days when they both lived and studied in South India. She now lives on Kauai
Eve from Seattle, a new friend
Lama Tashi is trained in the lineage of Kalu Rinpoche. He and Robin have a lovely dharma center in their home on Kauai
Lama Tashi helped in many ways. Aside from his teachings and empowerments he also hauled truckloads of supplies to make our stay comfortable.
Robin, Lama Tashi’s partner
Abi, a student of Lama Tashi, created the images of the dancing dakinis for our altar
Isa Maria
Atlee, Kauai
At last year’s camp Laura Lynn offered to make a stained glass window for Tara’s cottage. This year she installed it just before camp.
Mary Hunter, from Kauai.
Ivy, from Madison, Wisconsin.
Johanna-Canada, Felicity-Australia, Gisele & Myri - Brazil, Sasa-Japan
Taras love to shop. And create. A small boutique developed on one of the tables in the dining area
Anahata and Prema spread their wares out in the guest cabin
Three rooms packed with goodies from the cottage industries we support
The last night we enjoyed presenting our helpers with gifts. Lama Tashi receives a special gift bag Anahata assembled.
It is always a treat for us to treat the ones who serve Tara Dhatu so beautifully
After camp some Taras had the great good fortune to visit some of the marvelous beauty that is Kauai
Hanalei Beach
Tucked up in the hills above Kapa’a, a Hindu temple, with lush gardens
They are building a stone temple, importing stone and masons from South India
The Buddha in Tashi and Robin’s side yard
An aerial view of Lisa’s beautiful home in Kilawea. Anahata and Prema were able stay there a few days after camp
Kauai is one of the wettest places on earth, with many rivers
And many fabulous beaches where the rivers pour into the sea
So we end where we began.....with rainbows
Come join us next year. August 18-28, 2008
