Someone once asked of me, “Tara, what is the goal of your practice?”

Initially, I had thought it such an odd question – as, I hadn’t yet considered my ‘practice purpose.’ In hindsight, I had been wandering somewhat aimlessly through my meditation sessions – hoping simply for the soft comfort of relief.

“But, relief from what?” I thought to myself. In spite of life’s challenges, I’ve always felt my life to be blessed – with beautiful children, cherished memories, and an abundance of love surrounding.

And yet, I still felt the sharp pain of unsettledness.

As human beings, we want love more than anything else. We want to feel love, and know its existence. We want to bask in its radiance; to laze in the warmth of it’s light; to wrap its tenderness, like a shawl.

Simply speaking, we want to love, and be loved in return.

Is this such an impossible task?

“We may have a habit,” offers Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, “of looking for happiness elsewhere than in the here and the now. To go home to the present moment, to take care of oneself, to get in touch with the wonders of life that are really available—that is already love. Love is to be kind to yourself, to be compassionate to yourself, to generate images of joy, and to look at everyone with eyes of equanimity and nondiscrimination.”

My darlings, this is the goal of my practice – to realize the very depths of our interconnectedness. To embrace with the fullness of an open heart; to respond with the energy of lovingkindness; to see this world with equanimity and patience. This is the foundation of love.

And, when we love – if we love truly – we can begin to see the truth in our ‘reality.’

That the cause of our pain, is this veil of separation. We think we’re alone, but, in fact, the opposite is true. For, in looking closer you’ll find – the love has never really left us.

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