As a fully enlightened female buddha, Tara is the actuality of compassion and wisdom, and meditating on her helps us awaken our own buddhanature. Her right foot is slightly extended because she is ready to leap to the aid of beings. Her right hand is opened out on her right knee, in the gesture of generosity. Her left hand holds the stem of a lotus flower, which is blossoming next to her left ear.

In order for Tara to be able to benefit us, we need to approach her with an open heart and mind. Through continued meditation practice on Tara, we can establish a relationship in which we are able to trust and rely on her, and the more we are able to open to Tara, the more she is able to benefit us. I have been calling on, praying to, and meditating on Tara for more than forty years. Countless times I have felt her love stream into me, and she has helped me—spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

A recent example was a period of anxiety and uncertainty I experienced after I sold my home of many years and didn’t know what was going to happen next. I called upon Tara, asked for her help, and opened to her presence in the sky in front of me. As I imagined her nectar of unconditional love pouring into the crown of my head from her outstretched right hand, I felt soothed and comforted. I let go of any anxiety and fear and connected with my awakened nature—unlimited and inseparable from peace, emptiness, love, and awareness. Tara again and again reminds me of who I truly am.

Like all Vajrayana practices, Tara visualization can be very elaborate. But here is a basic version you can do that contains all the essential steps of deity practice.