Dharma Teacher Alice Tarkeshi reflects on a nearly 40-year meditation practice.
Tarkeshi, who studied Shambhala Buddhism, explained her practice and approach to spiritual traditions. Ultimately, she believes the quality of human transformation matters most when choosing a meditation path.
“After a person has not meditated and then they meditate for six months, has anything changed as a result of practice? Anything that exhibits the actual expression of truth? How is it affecting your relationship to yourself and others to be on this path? What’s important is how it is transforming this human being,” shared Tarkeshi.
In 1985, Tarkeshi began her meditation journey. Five years later, she attended a Buddhist seminary. She views stillness as a path to unconditional peace, clarity, and a sense of enlivenment.
She also contributes as an Astrologer and Creative Facilitator. Tarkeshi practices spiritual and creative work as a form of magic.
“When I share guidance or answer questions, I don’t feel like I have the answer. It’s the magic of the river. We’re in a river that is flowing and changing all the time. I’m not planning anything, and I trust what emerges. It naturally conforms to everything I’ve learned and experienced through the teachings,” said Tarkeshi.
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Reflecting on Tarkeshi’s Meditation Study and Practice
Showing up to weekly meditation classes, I felt inspired by Tarkeshi’s grace, ease, and inherent beauty while being over 80 years old. Along with meditation, I discovered her passion for creativity as a spiritual practice; she regularly creates through dance and sculpture work.
During an interview, I asked about the impacts of her extensive practice.
“How I’ve been effected is by seeing more and more over time the truth of the illusory nature of the ego. It’s recognizing sooner than later that the tsunami of thoughts and emotions are part of our ego and having space to know that it’s energy,” said Tarkeshi.
We talked about becoming a better human being through meditation.
“I can see that I’m developing more and more by letting go of judgment and finding peace in reality. It’s more deepening my interest in the body and the energy,” she said.
By seeing the illusory nature of our egos, we can see other people more clearly.
“Through meditation, you can see the person and not project anything onto it. To be able to see, ‘Oh, that’s them,’ is compassionate. It opens things up in such a way that can only be good. It’s being interested in the truth of another,” shared Tarkeshi.
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Finding Spiritual Inspiration in My Religious Roots
Looking back at my 5-year meditation practice, I’ve mostly enjoyed a Zen Buddhist approach, though my studies feel eclectic. I’ve immersed myself in many mindfulness practices, such as meditations for anxiety and introspection. I’ve enjoyed numerous healers and teachers on Insight Timer and books like Eckhart Tolle’s “Power of Now.”
While exploring paths to becoming a meditation teacher and facilitator, I felt uncertain about the validity of my spiritual approach. In response, Tarkeshi encouraged me to consider my earliest experiences to see what first inspired me.
I grew up studying religion, mostly conservative Christianity. My family did things like: go to church several times a week, pray every day, and study the Bible religiously.
Looking for early inspiration, I recalled reciting Bible verses as a child when I had nightmares:
“God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind,” – 2 Timothy 1:7.
I had a light-bulb moment; it seemed wonderfully simple. I move away from fear, toward a loving, peaceful, empowered life. Finding the core of my passion and transformative journey felt beautiful.
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Whatever your spiritual path may be, practicing meditation can support you. If you’re not spiritual, meditation offers many other benefits, like calming anxiety and depression, for example.
To start your own practice, many teachers recommend sitting for a few minutes each day and prioritizing consistency over duration, especially in the beginning. Apps like Insight Timer and Headspace have been helpful in my practice and for the millions of people who use them.
“After everything else that I’ve done, my approach is to really want to be resonating with what is being said or what I’m seeing, what inspires me. It’s finding the truth,” Tarkeshi concluded.
Photo Credit: Unsplash, Zhou Hong
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I publish inspiring, empowering content on self-actualization topics once a week. I include insights from personal experience, research, expert advice, and other’s stories. I use my professional journalism and research background to keep posts concise, empathic, and trustworthy.
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