Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Treasure

I’m lucky enough to be grounded and fused in dual communities. Returning home offers familiarity, comfort, and a sense of belonging, the welcome of mutual friendly loyalty. Born of knowing each other over decades or in-depth sexuality journeys, and seeing each other at low ebbs or more joyful times, builds friendship bonds we treasure. The bonds come with growing care and responsibility for ourselves and each other, held accountable with love.

I’m lucky enough to be grounded and fused in dual communities. Returning home offers familiarity, comfort, and a sense of belonging, the welcome of mutual friendly loyalty. Born of knowing each other over decades or in-depth sexuality journeys, and seeing each other at low ebbs or more joyful times, builds friendship bonds we treasure. The bonds come with growing care and responsibility for ourselves and each other, held accountable with love.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Lesson

One of the changing points in the heartbreak years was understanding how my personality had set me up for the fall from the love and grace of a once-happy relationship. Recognising my naïveté and control, superiority, and fragility yanked me out of being a victim. Accepting responsibility for creating the scenario as a soul lesson was a choice. Then I could choose differently. Even if I didn’t want to. The premise of soul lessons may not be true or a form of spiritual bypassing. Yet in that moment, choosing that way of seeing the predicament I was in, flicked a switch.

One of the changing points in the heartbreak years was understanding how my personality had set me up for the fall from the love and grace of a once-happy relationship. Recognising my naïveté and control, superiority, and fragility yanked me out of being a victim. Accepting responsibility for creating the scenario as a soul lesson was a choice. Then I could choose differently. Even if I didn’t want to. The premise of soul lessons may not be true or a form of spiritual bypassing. Yet in that moment, choosing that way of seeing the predicament I was in, flicked a switch.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Open

Stay lost and open.” Another of the aphorisms of one of the wise advisors. When you know you’re lost, stay open. Wait. Change will happen.

Stay lost and open.” Another of the aphorisms of one of the wise advisors. When you know you’re lost, stay open. Wait. Change will happen.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Pickup

I love a random pick up in exotic places. Curious and free. The thrill of uncomplicated strangers, for brief moments of response, arousal and beauty.

I love a random pick up in exotic places. Curious and free. The thrill of uncomplicated strangers, for brief moments of response, arousal and beauty.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Decadence

I love hotel rooms, the privacy, escapism and white sheets. Erotic encounters in hotel rooms have been a troublesome yet tempting turn on; a luxury of time and intimacy, leaving the cocoon for the pleasure of a drink in an inviting golden lit bar or wandering new streets hand in hand. I miss the decadence of all of that.

I love hotel rooms, the privacy, escapism and white sheets. Erotic encounters in hotel rooms have been a troublesome yet tempting turn on; a luxury of time and intimacy, leaving the cocoon for the pleasure of a drink in an inviting golden lit bar or wandering new streets hand in hand. I miss the decadence of all of that.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Endless

Wide horizons capture my soul, the endless blues of Greek seas, and the navy grey silhouettes of mountains at dusk. There’s a silent vastness that allows my insignificance, and I’m grateful for that.

Wide horizons capture my soul, the endless blues of Greek seas, and the navy grey silhouettes of mountains at dusk. There’s a silent vastness that allows my insignificance, and I’m grateful for that.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Rolling

I’m a natural rolling stone. Yet age and fear keep me grounded in one place more often. When I can’t see a way out I feel constrained.

I’m a natural rolling stone. Yet age and fear keep me grounded in one place more often. When I can’t see a way out I feel constrained.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Audacity

I’m impressed by boldness in declarations of sexual interest. Something in me perks up at the audacity of desire. I don’t necessarily want to be responsible for fulfilling it, but there’s something about the bare exposé of longing that I find exciting. And a contrast to my flickering tentativeness. From the young taxi driver who asked if I’d like to see his cock, to the older man who, after lunch, told me he wanted to fuck my brains out, to the blond tarot reader who asked me to go home with him in Mexico. My yes hides behind my shoulder blades in the propriety of no, yet secretly I’m impressed. And sometimes I say yes, not necessarily to the request, but to their audacity and my curiosity.

I’m impressed by boldness in declarations of sexual interest. Something in me perks up at the audacity of desire. I don’t necessarily want to be responsible for fulfilling it, but there’s something about the bare exposé of longing that I find exciting. And a contrast to my flickering tentativeness. From the young taxi driver who asked if I’d like to see his cock, to the older man who, after lunch, told me he wanted to fuck my brains out, to the blond tarot reader who asked me to go home with him in Mexico. My yes hides behind my shoulder blades in the propriety of no, yet secretly I’m impressed. And sometimes I say yes, not necessarily to the request, but to their audacity and my curiosity.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Rice

I always wanted an interesting life. So I’ve gone in search, changing countries, jobs and partners. So what if I’ve been running from the back streets of Bolton? There was little to stay for. The grass and the rice fields have been greener. The world has offered riches beyond imagining. Don’t be dismissed by pious cliches.

I always wanted an interesting life. So I’ve gone in search, changing countries, jobs and partners. So what if I’ve been running from the back streets of Bolton? There was little to stay for. The grass and the rice fields have been greener. The world has offered riches beyond imagining. Don’t be dismissed by pious cliches.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Thwart

I look like I’m too possessive to be in a thruple. I haven’t had enough personal attention to not feel the threat of sharing. Yet I’ve been the third person with a couple. It was much easier to be in the role of the pleasure bringer rather than the thwarted primary. And I could leave when I wanted.

I look like I’m too possessive to be in a thruple. I haven’t had enough personal attention to not feel the threat of sharing. Yet I’ve been the third person with a couple. It was much easier to be in the role of the pleasure bringer rather than the thwarted primary. And I could leave when I wanted.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Oral

Slow, restful oral sex not aiming for orgasm becomes a pleasurable meditation. Lost between thighs, the person doing it can enjoy the feelings in their mouth and drop back into themselves and sensation. With no performance objective of making someone come or trying to be affimed, everyone can relax. Pleasure can move in waves, dropping into presence and timelessness. Without pressure to climax there’s the possibility of pauses and expanding states of relaxed arousal rather than peak and drop. The distinction between giving or receiving melts away.

Slow, restful oral sex not aiming for orgasm becomes a pleasurable meditation. Lost between thighs, the person doing it can enjoy the feelings in their mouth and drop back into themselves and sensation. With no performance objective of making someone come or trying to be affimed, everyone can relax. Pleasure can move in waves, dropping into presence and timelessness. Without pressure to climax there’s the possibility of pauses and expanding states of relaxed arousal rather than peak and drop. The distinction between giving or receiving melts away.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Conduits

The body is a conduit to wisdom, pleasure and sensation. How do you know when you’re relaxed, aroused, satiated, at peace, lacking, excited or full? Our hearts and erotic psyches give us feelings, emotions and ideas, the body grounds them.

The body is a conduit to wisdom, pleasure and sensation. How do you know when you’re relaxed, aroused, satiated, at peace, lacking, excited or full? Our hearts and erotic psyches give us feelings, emotions and ideas, the body grounds them.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Pills

Sexuality is complex, and unconscious influences are at play, an inner vying for pleasure, permission & love. I dislike the term ‘spice up your sex life’ intensely; as if a new pair of pants or a packet of pills is all you need. While they may be fun, and helpful too, having sexual life that’s satisfying, supportive and permissive isn’t so easily bought.

Sexuality is complex, and unconscious influences are at play, an inner vying for pleasure, permission & love. I dislike the term ‘spice up your sex life’ intensely; as if a new pair of pants or a packet of pills is all you need. While they may be fun, and helpful too, having sexual life that’s satisfying, supportive and permissive isn’t so easily bought.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Poignant

If I thought too much about what I don’t allow myself to miss, or what I haven’t had that I’ve wanted, what I’ve chosen might be ash. The samsara of chasing pleasure while maintaining privilege feels compelling, yet is impermanently satisfying. Isn’t it poignant to be awed by how life turns out, while sadness hovers at the edges about what didn’t?

If I thought too much about what I don’t allow myself to miss, or what I haven’t had that I’ve wanted, what I’ve chosen might be ash. The samsara of chasing pleasure while maintaining privilege feels compelling, yet is impermanently satisfying. Isn’t it poignant to be awed by how life turns out, while sadness hovers at the edges about what didn’t?

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Ikigai

Ikigai is mid point where what we can offer, what we love, what the world needs, what we’re good at, and what we can get paid for meet. The Sex Lectures came out of this concept, creating an accessible and acceptable way to learn about possibilities for varied sexual expression. I ponder now what the world needs that I can offer? I sense it’s connection. In our increasingly fragmenting society of isolating individualism, meeting trusted companions and allies who look out for each other is precious. In the absence of reliable family, friends who offer support, and who witness our difficult and joyful moments encourage us and rein in our self-destructive tendencies. Knowing who we can rely on, and who loves us matters. Experiencing that, however briefly, fills enough of our hope cup up.

Ikigai is mid point where what we can offer, what we love, what the world needs, what we’re good at, and what we can get paid for meet. The Sex Lectures came out of this concept, creating an accessible and acceptable way to learn about possibilities for varied sexual expression. I ponder now what the world needs that I can offer? I sense it’s connection. In our increasingly fragmenting society of isolating individualism, meeting trusted companions and allies who look out for each other is precious. In the absence of reliable family, friends who offer support, and who witness our difficult and joyful moments encourage us and rein in our self-destructive tendencies. Knowing who we can rely on, and who loves us matters. Experiencing that, however briefly, fills enough of our hope cup up.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Haunted

A clairvoyant told me I’d publish two books in my lifetime. A soul reader said I had to fulfil my potential. Inspiring as hearing those were, both haunt me. Distractions feel pressing. While I say I want to spend time on pitching a book, the daily grind of how to present as a functioning person in the world, stay connected, and pay overheads, pull my attention. It might seem a nice Greek problem to have right now yet finding the physical and mental space to focus purely on that potential seems elusive.

A clairvoyant told me I’d publish two books in my lifetime. A soul reader said I had to fulfil my potential. Inspiring as hearing those were, both haunt me. Distractions feel pressing. While I say I want to spend time on pitching a book, the daily grind of how to present as a functioning person in the world, stay connected, and pay overheads, pull my attention. It might seem a nice Greek problem to have right now, yet finding the physical and mental space to focus purely on that potential seems elusive.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Rueful

I feel rueful in a room of happy couples. It’s a rare event as I move in less traditional worlds where attachment is more troubled. While I know it’s not always easy to maintain relationships, the acknowledgment of what is absent or may be yet possible brings sorrow as well as admiration.

I feel rueful in a room of happy couples. It’s a rare event as I move in less traditional worlds where attachment is more troubled. While I know it’s not always easy to maintain relationships, the acknowledgment of what is absent or may be yet possible brings sorrow as well as admiration.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Disarming

I hate being told what to do. Being restricted from something my heart would love is painfully frustrating. Meeting new legal obstacles shows me how I’m still fighting for my outcomes, my vision, my way of creating things. My anti-authoritarian wants to run to illegality, contradicting the charming, disarming strategies of a better behaved me who doesn’t want to get fined. Swimming upstream will be counterproductive, so I need to follow where the current flows.

I hate being told what to do. Being restricted from something my heart would love is painfully frustrating. Meeting new legal obstacles shows me how I’m still fighting for my outcomes, my vision, my way of creating things. My anti-authoritarian wants to run to illegality, contradicting the charming, disarming strategies of a better behaved me who doesn’t want to get fined. Swimming upstream will be counterproductive, so I need to follow where the current flows.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Ignore

Permission to be ourselves - integrated, curious and free - requires self-awareness as well as self-interest;  Embodiment, inspiration, sexual intelligence, ruthlessness and communication are key ingredients. I’m not sure where that leaves romance, attraction and chemistry which ask us to temporarily ignore the lot.

Permission to be ourselves - integrated, curious and free - requires self-awareness as well as self-interest;  Embodiment, inspiration, sexual intelligence, ruthlessness and communication are key ingredients. I’m not sure where that leaves romance, attraction and chemistry which ask us to temporarily ignore the lot.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Island

I’ve long had a fantasy of a relationship being like a little tropical island in a warm sea. Where the main relationship lives with love, easiness and constancy, in a hut surrounded by palm trees, with a big hammock for two. A relationship that allows for one or the other to swim off now and then, to a workshop, to an old lover or friend, to allow for what’s been before to remain important. With no threat, encompassing acceptance of lives and intimacy lived before, intimacy that has mattered and been supportive. There’s a constancy to the island centre that allows peaceful time alone, and delight in knowing the anchor lover will return.

I’ve long had a fantasy of a relationship being like a little tropical island in a warm sea. Where the main relationship lives with love, easiness and constancy, in a hut surrounded by palm trees, with a big hammock for two. A relationship that allows for one or the other to swim off now and then, to a workshop, to an old lover or friend, to allow for what’s been before to remain important. With no threat, encompassing acceptance of lives and intimacy lived before, intimacy that has mattered and been supportive. There’s a constancy to the island centre that allows peaceful time alone, and delight in knowing the anchor lover will return.

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