Chittamani Tara - the “Mind Jewel” Green Tara – A Highest Yoga Tantra practice

Mother Tara’s supreme form: Chittamani Tara - the “Mind Jewel” Green Tara – A Highest Yoga Tantra practice.

Many Tara practitioners wonder why there are so many Taras: 21 Taras, 108 Taras, 1008 Taras — and more. Peaceful Taras. Motherly Taras. Green, White, Black, Blue, Red, Yellow, Gold, Orange Taras. And Taras in all four of the levels of Yogas from Kriya through to Highest Yoga Tantra. And, why do we even need a Higher Yoga Tara? What’s so special about her? Yes, she is famous as a protector, who rescues beings from trouble — but is she more than this?

She manifests in so many ways because each of us is different. Each of us is a “world unto ourselves.” Each of us has different needs. Some of us need a Tara, who is our friend. Others need a mother. Some need a ferocious mother, ready to defend us from all harm. 

Everyone loves Tara!

“Tara is the mother of all the Buddhas; when you practice Tara you become closer to Tara; you feel her motherly love. If Tara is good enough to be the mother of all the Buddhas, then she can certainly become a great mother to you, taking you into her loving care.”

Her loving care can be as simple as motherly protection — for which she is famous — or at this level, at the Chittamani Tara level, her motherly arms can carry us right to ultimate Enlightenment.

What’s Different with Cittamani Tara?

The mantra and overall appearance of Tara are Green Tara — apart from two flowers versus one. So, what are the differences?

As this is a practice of Highest Yoga Meditation, most of the details are not revealed publicly — although as a Mother Tara practice, it is a very supportive, nurturing, protective and wonderful practice (in the author’s experience.) The key practice differences are in the visualization, and mostly in the practices —  especially in three key areas (without revealing secrets):

1. Body mandala — a wonderful, nurturing, compassionate and healing visualization, visualizing Taras as part of your internal body. (The net effect is quite healing and peaceful) 
2. Uncommon Guru Yoga — uncommon in the best possible way (an easy and affirming visualization!)
3. The protectors of this mandala are all Taras — the 21 Taras! Plus two other aspects of Tara. There’s no elaborate visualization, and we stay warm in the embrace of protecting Mother Tara. There are, of course, other differences, relating to profound practices — for example, a Phowa practice that is uniquely comforting.   

Which Tara is Which?

Tara is Tara. Whether Chittamani Tara (Cittamani), Green Tara, Khaidira Tara, White Tara, Red Tara, Black Tara, Yellow Tara, Blue Tara, 21 Taras, 108 Taras — these are all aspects of the glorious Mother of all the Buddhas, Tara. The distinguishing aspect is the practice  — Chittamani Tara is an advanced meditation, requiring instruction — while Green Tara’s arms are wide open to all.

White Tara may specialize in “long life” — to remove the obstacles of negative health — but she is still Tara. The 21 Taras represent her many activities on our behalf, saving us from obstacles as the savior heroine — but they are Tara; and there are three full systems of 21 Taras, each with different appearances and mantras! (But they, too, are Tara!)

The different forms have different practices and instructions, and appearance also slightly varies. Chittamani Tara’s main distinguishing characteristic is that she holds two blue, fully blooming Uptala Flowers (nicknamed night-lotus) — rather than one. Some Taras have different colors of lotus or their bodies of light are a different color.

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Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease

But increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit

By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.

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With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.

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